Our November walk was on a most unpleasant hot and windy day, but there were more than enough birds to make it worthwhile.
We met at Barwon Heads but made a quick escape as it was full of people walking dogs on the beach.
‘Riverview’ at Ocean Grove was, however, clear of dogs and the low- tide sandbanks had masses of birds. Unfortunately, large numbers of these were too far away to identify even with telescopes. One lone Eastern Curlew stood out, and a flock of waders landed near us and challenged us to sort out the species.
Freshwater Lake, opposite Lake Victoria, was showing signs of being close to drying up, but there were large numbers of birds, again many too far away, though four Bar-tailed Godwits stood out. A nearby Red-capped Plover was a new sighting for a couple of people. Lake Victoria was the highlight, with uncountable numbers of ducks and waders. Whiskered Terns fluttering over the water were enjoyed by all, and of special interest were 6 Banded Stilts and over 20 elegant Red-necked Avocets with their long, upturned, fine bills and rusty heads.
Red-necked Avocet and Banded Stilt
On another occasion, I was looking for the two Hoodies on Aireys Inlet beach, near the mouth of the river. I couldn’t find them, although I had seen them several times prior. I turned to walk back, and nearly fell over a Ruddy Turnstone that stood for ages in one or two spots, enabling me take numerous photos.
Ruddy Turnstone
Below are all the birds identified and numbers of each at the various locations:
BH – Barwon Heads Bridge carpark
R – ‘Riverview’ Ocean Grove
FL – Freshwater Lake Point Lonsdale
LV – Lake Victoria Point Lonsdale
1. Black Swan: 35R, 16LV
2. Australian Shelduck: 3LV
3. Grey Teal: 30R, 1000? LV
4. Chestnut Teal: 200+LV
5. Hoary-headed Grebe: 1LV
6. Rock Dove: 4BH
7. Crested Pigeon: 1LV
8. Little Pied Cormorant: 1R
9. Great Cormorant: 3BH, 3LV
10. Little Black Cormorant: 6LV
11. Pied Cormorant: 7R
12.Australian Pelican: 16R, 2LV
13. Eastern Great Egret: 1R, 1FL
14. White-faced Heron: 1R
15. Little Egret: 4LV
16. Australian White Ibis: 4R
17. Royal Spoonbill: 2R
18. Eurasian Coot: 100+LV
19. Black-winged Stilt: 20LV
20. Red-necked Avocet: 20+LV
21. Banded Stilt: 6LV
22. Red-capped Plover: 1FL
23. Masked Lapwing: 1R, 2FL, 4LV
24. Bar-tailed Godwit: 4R
25. Eastern Curlew: 1R
26. Common Greenshank: 2R
27. Red-necked Stint:LotsFL
28. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper: 6R, lotsFL, 6LV
29. Curlew Sandpiper: 2R lots FL.
30. Whiskered Tern: 2R, 20+LV
31. Pacific Gull:3R
32. Silver Gull: 6BH, 18R
33. Eastern Rosella: 1FL
34. Superb Fairy-wren: 4FL
35. Brown Thornbill: 2FL
36. Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater: 1R, 1FL
37. Rufous Whistler: 1FL
38. Australian Magpie: 10FL
39. Grey Fantail: 3FL
40. Little Raven: 2FL
41. Magpie-lark: 1BH, 1FL
42. Silvereye: 1LV
43. Welcome Swallow: 11BH, 6R, 20LV
44. Common Starling: 2R
45. House Sparrow: 2BH
Ellinor Campbell