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:

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