Little Journeys: Springtime in the Gardens

September 25, 2019Posted in Melton Botanic Gardens

For over twenty years a dedicated group of volunteers have been patiently working at developing a Botanic Gardens in Melton.
Today, their wonderful efforts have transformed the area into a little oasis in the housing and industrial area.
Along one of the creeks, every year, Latham’s Snipe visit from Japan to summer over.

The Friends Group participates in the Latham’s Snipe Survey, and EE and I went out on Sunday to help with the survey.
As it turns out we were only able to locate two Latham’s Snipe. But given that the water levels in the creek and the lake areas was well up, there probably wasn’t much opportunity for the birds to easily feed and hide during the day. All part of the interesting life and times of Latham’s Snipe.

What we did find however was lots of Springtime activity here is a small sample.

Magpie-lark in characteristic mate calling display

One of about 8 Magpie-lark nests in progress.

Whistle while you work. A happy Wagtail adding more Spider Web to its new nest

The care and feeding of young Red Wattlebirds is a noisy business and there were lots of young to be fed

Here’s a clever one for you to find. Hidden among the leaves is a tiny, beautifully made spiderweb basket of a White-plumed Honeyeater.

Just hatched. The Maned Duck chicks still have the little egg beak to break out of the shell

Dusky Woodswallows have arrived and no doubt will soon be nesting

Rufous Songlark. These loud calling birds were establishing territories. This one in particular had taken over the earth moving equipment site just outside the Gardens.

6 thoughts on “Little Journeys: Springtime in the Gardens”

Eleanor Dilley says:

September 25, 2019 at 10:09 pm

It’s all happening out there! A lovely series of images to celebrate spring. Thanks for sharing them David.

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1. David Jenkins says:
  
  September 26, 2019 at 3:29 pm
  
  Hi Eleanor, thanks for dropping by
  
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David Nice says:

September 26, 2019 at 6:09 am

Wonderful images of Spring in the avian world. It is such a beautiful time of year as we see the nests and little ones arriving.

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1. David Jenkins says:
  
  September 26, 2019 at 3:29 pm
  
  All good. Hopefully we’ll get a few days of rich sping weather to match.
  
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aussiebirder says:

September 26, 2019 at 3:27 pm

What a lovely Spring collection David, with the busy life renewing activity of Spring. Again capturing beautiful detail of each special bird moment so beautifully. I am still in pursuit of Latham’s Snipe myself, but it has not been there when I have looked in sighting areas.

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1. David Jenkins says:
  
  September 26, 2019 at 3:32 pm
  
  Hi Ashley, Interestingly, we’ve had some good numbers of Snipe in the local wetlands, not a place one would have expected the birds. And in Melton which has carried over 30 birds at one time only the two were sighted. I am sure the heavy rains have redesigned their roosting and feeding spots so they must relocate till the water levels bring in some good mud.
  We’ll see.
  
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