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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
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
Spotted Pardalote

Swamp Harrier
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
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
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:

  1. Australian Wood Duck
  2. Pacific Black Duck
  3. Great Cormorant
  4. Little Pied Cormorant
  5. Great Egret
  6. White-faced Heron
  7. Swamp Harrier
  8. Australasian Swamphen
  9. Eurasian Coot
  10. Black-fronted Dotterel
  11. Laughing Kookaburra
  12. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
  13. Gang-gang Cockatoo
  14. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
  15. Crimson Rosella
  16. White-throated Treecreeper
  17. Superb Fairy-wren
  18. Eastern Spinebill
  19. Red Wattlebird
  20. New Holland Honeyeater
  21. White-eared Honeyeater
  22. White-naped Honeyeater
  23. Brown-headed Honeyeater
  24. Spotted Pardalote
  25. Brown Thornbill
  26. Striated Thornbill
  27. Grey Butcherbird
  28. Australian Magpie
  29. Pied Currawong
  30. Grey Currawong
  31. Grey Shrikethrush
  32. Willie Wagtail
  33. Grey Fantail
  34. Little Raven
  35. Eastern Yellow Robin
  36. Welcome Swallow
  37. Red-browed Finch

Margaret Lacey