In my new Downwardly Mobile role, we stayed around the Crake Pond area at WTP for the rest of the morning. Not only were the Crakes out and about but also quite a number of other usual suspects.
Highlight was some Black-tailed Native-hens. Another bird that I rarely see and the first time ever a this location.
I also spent some time with several large flocks of Whiskered Terns, hoping, perhaps a bit too much that there might be some White-winged Blacks among them. But not this day. Means another trip should be on the cards.
Here is a few of the morning’s finds.
Enjoy
Whiskered TernBlack-tailed Native-hen and a small part of the Crake Pool areaBlack-tailed Native-henDusky Moorhen in ColourLittle Grassbird. An enigmatic and very seldom seen in the open little birdGreat Egret. I love to watch how slowly they can move. Sometimes its imperceptibleAn Austrlaian Reed Warbler came out to challenge my clossup picture skillsWhite-necked Heron. We’ve seen this one in the same location for seveal weeks now so the fishing much be goodBlack Kite. Up close and personal. I’ve opened up the shadow area, and I think its taken the whole nest of a Pipit or Skylark. It turned to land on a post quite near and then stipped out all the grasses
Bet you thought you’d never see that head line again ah?
We needed to go to the Melbourne Airport. For the geographically embarrassed that is about ohhh? 15 mins from Woodlands. So.
Why don’t we leave early, have a look at the Red-caps and then go to said airport?
We did
Which was pretty amazing as we met Nina out there and she had had a good morning seeing among other things a Fantail Cuckoo. The carpark near the cemetery was abuzz with Thornbills and so many Grey Fantails. So after farewelling Nina, we set off for Red-cap country.
And we found a couple of female birds quite quickly, but no male. Then a couple of Rufous Whistler females seemed to be having a tiff over a male, and he happily responded with his usual “Echong” call. All very nice.
Enter stage right a Shining Bronze Cuckoo, and things were looking up.
Till.
The rain came. As come it must. By then we’d ventured into the (in)famous Backpaddock, only to discover its still a quiet place for birds.
More time with the Red-caps, and I began to wonder if one of them at least might be the previous season juvenile having just moulted in as she has a very tiny red cap.
By now, the rain was winning and the coffee shoppee at Greenvale was inviting, then off to the birdless airport we adjourned.
Red-capped Robin Female
They always seem to be able to take that little bit of extra time to pose the best possible way
Wing over action. Seems to me that its main purpose is hunting to perhaps scare insects into moving
It certainly gives a great look at the wing patterning
Eeee Chong
Rufous Whistler Female
Our very smallest bird. A Weebill.
Always a pleasure to find a Pardalote
How about I pose here by the spider web. Yes, but turn around a bit more. Oh.
This dapper looking chap is a male Rufous Whistler.
There are quite a number of pairs of birds in the Woodlands area this year. Their piercing cry reverberates all around the park. Most times they are quite furtive, but this fellow let me follow him about until he got into an open area so the light was fine and I could get a clear shot.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST 