Western Treatment Plant – Page 5 – Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST

Sunshine in late Autumn at Western Treatment Plant

May 10, 2012May 10, 2012Posted in Black-shouldered Kite, Whistling KiteTagged Black-shouldered Kite, Western Treatment Plant, Whistling KiteLeave a comment

My friend Dieter and I planned a day down at WTP, he because he wanted to try out the new D800, and me because I like to go down there.

We left early and beat the morning traffic, and were just getting the gear out of of the camera bags at the turn off to Point Wilson, when an explosive whistle and cry came from directly overhead in the trees, after a few seconds it was obvious it was a Whistling Kite in full voice. Followed by an equally loud squeal from a Black-shouldered Kite, before both of them came barrelling out of the tree line. The Whistling Kite being fairly aggressively attacked by the Black-shouldered Kite.

By this time we had the cameras out and were hard at work. The BSK made a number of fast passes over the struggling for wind speed, Whistling Kite, and it was struck several times by its protagonist. The shot here shows the Whistling Kite with claws out as it has just defended off the aggro Black-shouldered Kite, it is possible to see a few loose feathers floating away.

After a heavy pursuit, the Whistling Kite gained some height and speed, and by then it was well away from the tree-line. The Black-shouldered Kite came back and started a second pursuit of a Goshawk, but it managed to slip away without any thing more damaged than its pride. The BSK, then patrolled the treeline and all and sundry were aware of its stake to territory.

The rest of the day was nowhere near as dramatic, except for a Brown Falcon playing catch me if you can along a fence line. But I was driving and Dieter was the one working in the new D800.

Blackp-shouldered Kite — A Black-shoudlered Kite making an aggressive pass on a Whistling Kite who was doing all it could to defend itself against a constant attack. The loose feathers are from a direct hit by the BSK.

Whistling Kite and Prey

April 4, 2012April 4, 2012Posted in Cape Barren Goose, Welcome Swallow, Whistling KiteTagged Western Treatment Plant, Whistling KiteLeave a comment

Given the ongoing fine autumn weather and the oncoming long weekend which would be filled up with all sorts of other activities, Dorothy and I took the chance and went to the Treatment Plant for the afternoon. And the weather held.

We didn’t find the elusive Brolgas, but that only means trying harder next time, spotted a good sized flock of Red-necked Stints, some with a nice on colouring of red, and also near Kirks Point located some Magpie-geese.

A little further on a Welcome Swallow sat motionless on the fence wire as the car approached and as I literally inched forward, it stood its ground until it was filling the frame in the 300mm lens. At about 2.8 metres. Then it preened and pretended that we weren’t there, but we had such a great view of the light of the dark coloured feathers as they flashed blue in the sunshine.

A little later on as the sun was drifting toward the horizon and thoughts of dinner and going home were upon us, a Whistling Kite made a pass over some trees and then landed just out of sight. By the time we had turned the corner, it has decapitated its prey and was struggling to get into the air. Without any breeze to give it extra lift it was all hard work and it made a pass across our viewpoint as it tried to get above the tree line. Guesses at to what it had taken abound. The long wings of the bird made it difficult for the kite to use its tail as the wings kept getting in the way. No doubt it retired satisfied with its day’s work.

DWJ-1204-04-_DSC6101 — In the late evening light this Whistling Kite was trying to find a place to set down wiht its uncooperative prey. The wings of the unfortunate bird kept getting in the way of the kites tail feather adjustments

Cape Barren Geese are funny creatures. We came across this pair in some sort of dance display. It is time we purchased a movie camera.

Out in the evening sunshine. Red-capped Robin Male

April 1, 2012April 2, 2012Posted in Black Falcon, Redcapped RobinTagged Red-capped Robin, Western Treatment Plant, Woodlands Historic Park2 Comments

First day of April and the weather just keeps getting better. Dorothy and I had taken the morning to visit Westgate Park, right near the huge bridge over the Yarra. It used to be a city dump, and has been reclaimed, and with lots of volunteer work it is being turned into a little wilderness Oasis just a short trip from the CBD. More power to those who thought it a good idea and all those who worked to bring it back to such great shape.

In the afternoon I needed some retail therapy and on the way back stopped at the Providence Road carpark and met Peter Tompson who is a great contributor to the Victoria Birdline. We have a good chat about the Black Falcons at WTP, and another birdo friend, Richard turned up, and even more discussion ensued. Richard has a very extensive and annotated bird list going back about 20 years for the area, it even includes sightings from one of the park rangers at the time.

We walked down to the Backpaddock, and found our taxes had been at work, and the old gate had been repaired and now actually closes. Good work team.

Richard went off further down the range, and I did a quick scout about and found a pair of Red-capped Robins in the sunshine. This pair are starting to reclaim their territory. At the moment I haven’t been able to find most of the other pairs. Hopefully they are still about, just hiding. No sign of Flame Robins yet, but with the amount of food available everywhere, perhaps they will only pass through this year.

Red-capped Robin Male in his new winter attire. Pretty much full moulted and beginning to become vocal again.

Wet and Wild at Werribee

March 4, 2012April 27, 2012Posted in Broad-billed SandpiperTagged Western Treatment PlantLeave a comment

It is no surprise that for the best part of a week Victoria has experienced some very heavy rains. The weather forecast continued on that theme as we prepared to go to Werribee to meet with the BirdLife Australia Melbourne Photographic Group.

We were having a field trip to WTP led by John Barkla to learn the finer points of migratory wader identification.

After meeting at the Paradise Road Gate, and organising a bit of car pooling, doing a radio check and other general chit-chat, we were ready to Go.

John took us down to the small ponds near the boat ramp, and within a few minutes there were more than enough birds to keep the identification going and the cameras clicking.

Probably the bird of the day was the Broad-billed Sandpiper, I even know how to spell it now.

For more pics from the day, visit the site I have set aside for Photogroup activities here.

DWJ-1203-03-_DSC4471 — Broad-billed Sandpiper

Swamp Harrier rapid turn

February 21, 2012March 11, 2012Posted in Swamp HarrierTagged Swamp Harrier, Western Treatment PlantLeave a comment

We watched the Swamp Harrier making its way up the long grass towards us. Every so often it would make a course correction, or swing down to inspect possible prey. It was so intent on the work that it really didn’t notice two people sitting by the side of the roadway.

As it was close enough to pass over us, it finally saw us and made a swinging attempt to pull away. The large wings and tail scooped around like a parachute, stopping it dead in the air, its long legs began to swing out, to give it a point to turn on.

The first pic shows the wings and tail coming into action, the second the long legs now acting as a fulcrum to turn the whole body almost completely around. The crops are unintentional, the bird was simply too close to get it all in the frame.

The next pics in the sequence show a Swamp Harrier disappearing rapidly in the evening light.

Grinning widely we started to breathe again.

Swamp Harrier in a parachute braking turn — Swamp Harrier with tail and wings folding out to slow it down and the legs swinging forward to give it leverage for the turn

Swamp Harrier with legs extended, tail splayed and wings on down beat for a very fast turn

Raptor evening at WTP

January 25, 2012January 27, 2012Posted in Brown FalconTagged Brown Falcon, Spotted Harrier, Swamp Harrier, Western Treatment PlantLeave a comment

I am really beginning to like the light at the Treatment plant in the late afternoon. Sun sets way round to the south west and it gives a great cross light along many of the access roads. Particularly where there is a line of trees.

For some reason this evening, the raptors seemed to be at every turn and on just about every tree, post, or fence. Here is a youngish brown falcon, but click the link, for some Spotted Harrier, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier and Whistling Kite shots as well.

Many of the young falcons seem to be hanging around together, and we found 5 in just one corner on Paradise road.

We both are pretty certain that a Black Falcon was in a clearing down along 29 Mile Road past the access gate 1. But by the time we had: 1. Noticed it, 2. Stopped the car, 3. got over the oohs and aahs, and then 4. Got serious, it was but a mere black spec in the sky speeding toward Avalon.

More here.

Spot the odd one out

December 29, 2011December 29, 2011Posted in Spotted HarrierTagged Spotted Harrier, wagtails, Western Treatment PlantLeave a comment

We found a Spotted Harrier at the Treatment plant yesterday pm.

It was hunting along a fence line and in the light breeze seemed even more casual. My bird reference book calls it flight “languid” and I think that is stretching it.

It seems to have the ability to turn on a blink of an eye and to be able to fold up the wings and then sway its legs down all in one movement which is hard to describe, but seems so effective in putting it on the spot it’s looking for.

I’ve put a few other pictures here on a page.

The local vigilante committee of Willie Wagtails made it easy to locate the bird everytime it went to ground. Relentless little pursers that they are.

Also found a couple Spotted Crakes in one of the water channels down near gate #2. Would have been able to improve the shots as they didn’t seem to be fussed by us sitting but the arrival of a 4WD and slamming of doors sent them both packing back into the grass on the edge.

Here’s a pic

Dorothy also found 4 more off in the distance on a shallow pond in the same area, but too far to photograph.