A group of 14 birders visited two sites near Torquay on a splendid sunny morning. The first was Point Impossible near the carpark at the mouth of the Thompson River, to see the Double-banded Plovers in breeding plumage before they migrate to New Zealand at the end of August to nest.

There was a group of 16 there and despite dogs and fishermen we had good views.

Double-banded Plovers

A pair of Hoodies (Hooded Plovers) and a pair of Red-capped Plovers provided contrast. Our youngest participant, 5 year old Oliver, particular enjoyed seeing a Pelican flying past.

Australian Pelican

The road into the carpark is good for birds too and we saw White-fronted Chats and a Striated Fieldwren from the car.

White-fronted Chat

Next we drove to Rice Nature Reserve five minutes away. This was the first time many in the group had been to this location. We saw 35 species here including Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Flame Robin, Eastern Rosella, Brown Goshawk, White-plumed Honeyeater, and Australasian Grebes in breeding plumage.

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater

Eastern Rosella

Brown Goshawk

White-plumed Honeyeater

Australasian Grebe

Below is a list of all the birds identified:

Point Impossible and Point Impossible Road

1. Red-capped Plover
2. Hooded Plover
3. Silver Gull
4. Australian Pelican
5. Australian Magpie
6. Welcome Swallow

Rice Nature Reserve

1. Pacific Black Duck
2. Chestnut Teal
3. Australasian Grebe
4. Crested Pigeon
5. Fan-tailed Cuckoo
6. Australasian Swamphen
7. Little Pied Cormorant
8. Australian White Ibis
9. Straw-necked Ibis
10. Brown Goshawk
11. Galah
12. Long-billed Corella
13. Crimson Rosella
14. Eastern Rosella
15. Red-rumped Parrot
16. Rainbow Lorikeet
17. Superb Fairywren
18. Eastern Spinebill
19. Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
20. Red Wattlebird
21. White-plumed Honeyeater
22. New Holland Honeyeater
23. Striated Pardalote
24. Brown Thornbill
25. Yellow-rumped Thornbill
26. Grey Shrikethrush
27. Australian Magpie
28. Pied Currawong
29. Willie Wagtail
30. Grey Fantail
31. Magpie-lark
32. Crow/Raven sp.
33. Flame Robin
34. Little Grassbird
35. Welcome Swallow

Margaret Lacey
Photos by Margaret Lacey and Rob Shepherd