The last few weeks have been good for bird sightings at the Distillery Creek picnic area. Satin Flycatchers have returned to breed in the area – see a male in full cry below. This photo was taken at the Distillery Creek ‘pond’, a great place for those who like to sit and have the birds come to them!
![Satin Flycatcher](https://angair.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Satin-Flycatcher.jpg)
Satin Flycatcher
The excited calls of Rufous Whistlers are back, as well as the insistent calling of cuckoos. Also present: determined Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, swooping Dusky Woodswallows and occasional zebra-faced Eastern Shrike-tits.
![Yellow Faced Honeyeater](https://angair.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yellow-Faced-Honeyeater.jpg)
Yellow Faced Honeyeater
Recent highlights include Pallid Cuckoo, Restless Flycatcher and on the ground floor a Painted Button-quail was seen, proving sometimes the birds are below eye level.
At the beach, the Hooded Plover team were ecstatic at the fledging of a bird before Christmas, which is early in the season and a good sign. Four nests in the area are currently being monitored.
James Orton
Images: Rob Shepherd