It was a freezing morning with strong wind and intermittent showers and we all waited for each other to cancel but in the end eight hardy birders set off to Lot 2 Bambra Road in Aireys Inlet.
It was the interest of a new location that drew us out into the rain.
Mick Loughnan has recently purchased this land and invited us to observe the birds here. He is undertaking vegetation regeneration so it was an opportunity to begin documenting the birdlife.
Welcome Swallows
Despite the dreadful weather we counted 31 species. We shared the paddocks with Eastern Grey Kangaroos who were moving freely as Mick has removed some fences and the bottom strand of barbed wire from others.
Superb Fairywren
Birding highlights were Magpies warbling brightly in the rain, a flock of 37 European Finches, Satin Bowerbirds and a Wedge-tailed Eagle.
White-faced Heron
STOP PRESS! Conrad White brought along his new lens and snapped a Bassian Thrush on Old Coach Road. So we can add another species and highlight for the day.
Bassian Thrush
Marg Lacey
Below are all the birds identified:
- Australian Shelduck
- Maned Duck
- Pacific Black Duck
- Gray Teal
- Little Pied Cormorant
- White-faced Heron
- Wedge-tailed Eagle
- Laughing Kookaburra
- Galah
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
- Crimson Rosella
- Satin Bowerbird
- Superb Fairywren
- Eastern Spinebill
- Red Wattlebird
- New Holland Honeyeater
- White-eared Honeyeater
- White-naped Honeyeater
- Australian Magpie
- Gray Currawong
- Gray Shrikethrush
- Willie-wagtail
- Magpie-lark
- Little Raven
- Scarlet Robin
- Flame Robin
- Welcome Swallow
- European Starling
- European Goldfinch
- Red-browed Firetail
- Bassian Thrush