A baker’s dozen of us gathered at Lake Guyatt today for our first birding session post lock-down. A bit of sun, a bit of cloud and a bit of a nippy breeze at times but at least we were out and about.
A lot of bird activity around the lake down to the Powder Magazine and back. Buff-banded Rail was promised but not seen, ditto for Mistletoe birds in the copious Mistletoe branches covered with flowers. Jack, nursing a bung knee near the carpark, counted 53 Freckled Ducks roosting in the willows.
Down to the Swing Bridge for morning tea (once we had sorted out the car drop-off at the north end -- only took 20 minutes to explain!), a nice catchup chat, with social distancing that didn’t seem to trouble numerous mozzies.
The walk along the boardwalk and track was great, with full lagoons but only shallow water in the open areas. A lot of reeds and grass though that hid a variety of birds. The stand-out sighting was about 30 White-fronted Chats about 100m away.
As always, the group strung itself out, which meant that some did see what others did not. A gaggle of raptors near and far got seen by the stragglers, which was nice. Heaps of Chestnut Teal in the lagoons.
All up, 50 species – a good total.
Next month we’re aiming to do the Birds on Farms count on Big Dog Island near Welshpool. The target date is Wednesday 1st July; details TBA.
A discussion over lunch about an away trip settled on Mallacoota in October, date TBA but would be Mon and Tue nights there. August outage could be visiting a property near Seaspray, OBP NOT guaranteed.
Australian White Ibis
Goose plus his cygnets which he/she has been looking after for a few months now.
Chestnut Teal
Freckeld Duck
The Bluebird of Happiness
Royal Spoonbills, Great Egret and a belie
Mr Out of Season Superb Fairy-wren
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