Our group was small because this weekend clashed with the SEANA (South East Australian Naturalists Association) Autumn Camp which was hosted by Geelong Field Naturalists in the Bellarine area.
Nevertheless we spent a very enjoyable few hours strolling through the wetlands and nearby bushland of Coogoorah Park.
Our small group at Coogoorah Park, Anglesea
We didn’t see any unusual species but were pleased to have good views of spotted pardalotes and a couple of flyovers of a pair swamp harriers.
Spotted Pardalote
Swamp Harrier
A local park side resident new to the group spotted the grey butcher bird which has been frequenting her garden.
Black-fronted Dotterel
One of the many things we discussed on our walk was a recent article from The Age publicising the Feather Map project. We thought it would be an excellent project to participate in but we weren’t informed enough to begin. Read about it here http://feathermap.ansto.gov.au/ The project requires people to collect and label feathers found in wetlands and send them to the researchers who can study bird movement, diet, life cycle etc. This might be an idea for a future bird walk.
White-faced Heron
We were surprised when our bird list added up to 37 species, not bad for a quiet day.
Below is a list of all the birds identified:
- Australian Wood Duck
- Pacific Black Duck
- Great Cormorant
- Little Pied Cormorant
- Great Egret
- White-faced Heron
- Swamp Harrier
- Australasian Swamphen
- Eurasian Coot
- Black-fronted Dotterel
- Laughing Kookaburra
- Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
- Gang-gang Cockatoo
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
- Crimson Rosella
- White-throated Treecreeper
- Superb Fairy-wren
- Eastern Spinebill
- Red Wattlebird
- New Holland Honeyeater
- White-eared Honeyeater
- White-naped Honeyeater
- Brown-headed Honeyeater
- Spotted Pardalote
- Brown Thornbill
- Striated Thornbill
- Grey Butcherbird
- Australian Magpie
- Pied Currawong
- Grey Currawong
- Grey Shrikethrush
- Willie Wagtail
- Grey Fantail
- Little Raven
- Eastern Yellow Robin
- Welcome Swallow
- Red-browed Finch
Margaret Lacey