The small birds are very aware of what is around and above them and are always on the lookout for the raptors that are everywhere at the Western Treatment Plant lagoons. The images below are from a few visits to the lagoons over the last several weeks. Even in winter it is a haven for many species of birds.
Superb Fairy Wren
Superb Fairy Wren
Little Grassbird
Zebra Finch
Blue Winged Parrot
Red Necked Avocet
Black Falcon
Brown Falcon
Black Kite
Black Shouldered Kite
I had another go at trying to find owls and nightjars at Bunyip last night with my birding mate John. This was our second attempt. We arrived at around 6pm in late afternoon sun and went to a few regular spots to see what was about. There has been some good sightings lately from the area. Our best pickup was a family or small flock of Blue Winged Parrots. We managed to walk up quite close to one feeding on grass seeds on the Button Grass track and got a few average photos. After it eventually flew off a group of three almost landed on us – we had the sun low behind us and they may not have known quite what we were…
Blue Winged Parrot, Bunyip State Forest, Victoria – 27 Dec, 2014
At the Helipad we waited for nightfall and met up with a group of birders including Tim B. who helped us ID the White Throated Nightjar. The nightjar made two laps over our heads and was gone…not to be seen again. We were happy to have seen it and glad that Tim was there to help ID it – another lifer! No pictures unfortunately. John took a few pics of the moon while we waited for more birds to turn up. We had a walk along the track behind the helipad and heard a heap of Boobooks calling but nothing else.
John Van Doorn – Moon at the Helipad, Bunyip State Forest, 27 Dec 2014
After calling it quits at 11 pm we drove back via Gembrook and a Boobook almost flew into the windscreen. We stopped and drove back and found the Owl on a tree branch on the side of the road and got a few pics.
John Van Doorn – Southern Boobook, Gembrook, Victoria, 27 Dec 2014
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The Gap Year and Beyond 