The Werribee Wagtales have monthly bird outing on the first Tuesday of every month. Meeting at 8.30am near outdoor Olympic Swimming Pool in Watton St, Werribee. Quarterly bird surveys are also held (2nd Sunday in Feb, May, Aug and Nov) to various private woodlands between Werribee and Melton in conjunction with Pinkerton Landcare and Environment Group.
For details please contact [email protected].
2 September 2014
Last week's spring weather was shattered by this week's bad weather. Today it rained the whole day. We seemed chasing the dark cloud wherever we went. When we were on the bus, the blue sky broke through the cloud. As soon as we got off the bus, the rain was waiting for us. Well, such a life. It didn't stop ladies to bring Mark's cake into the bus and enjoyed themselves though!
Mt Macedon looked green and beautiful as usual after the good dose of rain.
Last week's spring weather was shattered by this week's bad weather. Today it rained the whole day. We seemed chasing the dark cloud wherever we went. When we were on the bus, the blue sky broke through the cloud. As soon as we got off the bus, the rain was waiting for us. Well, such a life. It didn't stop ladies to bring Mark's cake into the bus and enjoyed themselves though!
Mt Macedon looked green and beautiful as usual after the good dose of rain.
Three maskteers - Australian Magpie
5 Aug 2014
You Yangs National Park is in its winter stage but we still had plenty of birds to watch on 5 Aug 2014 with Werribee Wagtales. It was good to catch up with birder friends. As it was led by Jim so we did a few scouting trips to You Yangs for the past few weeks. The weather wasn't good so when ever there was a clear day we jumped into the car and drove to You Yangs.
The birds were counted on the day was 45. it was not bad day. The missing birds were Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Crested Shrike-tit and Mistletoebird, instead Wedge-tailed Eagle and Brown Goshawk were spotted.
The thing worth mentioning was two Tawny Frogmouths were back! For further information please go to: /newsletters.html
You Yangs National Park is in its winter stage but we still had plenty of birds to watch on 5 Aug 2014 with Werribee Wagtales. It was good to catch up with birder friends. As it was led by Jim so we did a few scouting trips to You Yangs for the past few weeks. The weather wasn't good so when ever there was a clear day we jumped into the car and drove to You Yangs.
The birds were counted on the day was 45. it was not bad day. The missing birds were Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Crested Shrike-tit and Mistletoebird, instead Wedge-tailed Eagle and Brown Goshawk were spotted.
The thing worth mentioning was two Tawny Frogmouths were back! For further information please go to: /newsletters.html
The Outing on 1 July 2014 after missing a couple of them, finally I joined with Werribee Wagtales again. It was nice to catch up with everyone. The weather was good until around 2pm. I wrote down 65 birds for the day. Guess what I am the "lucky" one. It means that I will have to buy a pack of chocolate for the group for the next trip. It is a tradition for the Wagtales. I don't mind at all.
The highlight for the day was Spotted Harrier and Brown Quail for everyone to see.
Gang Gang was part of excitement when Willie Wag-Tale visited Geelong area on 4th March 2014. It knows that it has a pretty face. It flew to the nearby tree and allowed me to take these beautiful photos.
Close up with Spotted Dove
The first outing in 2014 was led by Shirley on 7th Jan 2014 at Werribee South and Werribee Mansion area. Total of 45 species were recorded on the cloudy and low temperature day.
We were pleased that over 10 Whistling Kites mixed with Black Kites were at Werribee Mansion training the youngs. Some gum trees were in bloom, which attracted Purple-crowned Lorikeets high up in the trees feeding. A couple of Rainbow Lorikeets were at the tree hollow preparing their nest and occasionally stood alert allowing people taking pictures. Red-rumped Parrots were spotted on the ground feeding with Superb Fairy-wrens. At the Werribee River and Werribee South Beach, A Royal Spoonbill stood among Pelicans and all different types of Cormorants. A Red-kneed Dotterel, a Red-capped Plover and Three Common Greenshanks were found by mindful bird watchers. Whiskered Terns and Crested Terns were busy for their season. Sacred Kingfishers appeared now and then in different places.
We had a quick but lovely day!
We were pleased that over 10 Whistling Kites mixed with Black Kites were at Werribee Mansion training the youngs. Some gum trees were in bloom, which attracted Purple-crowned Lorikeets high up in the trees feeding. A couple of Rainbow Lorikeets were at the tree hollow preparing their nest and occasionally stood alert allowing people taking pictures. Red-rumped Parrots were spotted on the ground feeding with Superb Fairy-wrens. At the Werribee River and Werribee South Beach, A Royal Spoonbill stood among Pelicans and all different types of Cormorants. A Red-kneed Dotterel, a Red-capped Plover and Three Common Greenshanks were found by mindful bird watchers. Whiskered Terns and Crested Terns were busy for their season. Sacred Kingfishers appeared now and then in different places.
We had a quick but lovely day!
A lovely couple of Rainbow Lorikeets at their tree hollow in and out preparing their nest.
Total of 55 bird species were counted on the December Werribee Wagtails Outing at Point Cook Homestead and the Coastal Park.
It was sunshine in the morning and turned overcast in the afternoon. Brown Quails called in every direction but not been seen.
Last week I took some photos of Brown Quail at the Point Cook Coastal Park. When I heard Brown Quail calls, I stood under the shrubs waiting and hoping they would come out. After 5 minutes, suddenly there were two Brown Quails coming out to the open and started searching for the food. As long as I did not make a sudden move, they were quite happy for me to low down to the ground and took pictures. They were not terribly concerned about my present. Wow...
Brown Quails - shy and secretive but not this one.
17 - 20 cm common along the Australian Coastal Areas.
The Australian Pied Oystercatcher No. 89 and one with a blue tag. I have written to David Trudgen for their identification and history. Currently he and his wife are overseas and will reply me on their return. Interesting to see!
Finally the information is coming through regarding the identification of the Pied Oystercatcher No. 89. Please click on /reference.html for details.
White-faced Heron
It was a beautiful day on 5th Nov 2013 with a ideal temperature of 24 degrees. Werribee Wagtail members and their visitors headed to the Western Treatment Plant for their monthly outing.
For me it was a fruitful day. Three new species were added onto my digital bird list: Australasian Gannet, Pectoral Sandpiper and Ruddy Turnstone.
An Australasian Gannet flied backwards and forwards along the coastal line at least three times while we were watching it. It totally ignored our presence only with its eyes fixed in the water.
A Red-necked Avocet with a injured leg was trying to walk alongside the water. Clearly it has hurt his left knee and hardly stands. As you can see there was a lump on his blue leg. I don't know how long it will survive. At least it is trying.
Well, Australian Spotted Crake is not shy after all. At lunch near the Bird Hide, there were at least a Crake on every pound of water at the same time busy searching the food. About 3 meters away from them, I just kept taking pictures without stopping. They seemed do not care if you didn't move suddenly.
Two youngish Ruddy Turnstones were spotted along the ocean line.
I love these vibrant colours
Yes, Seven Glossy Ibises have chosen the Western Treatment Plant as their (temporary) residence?
Whiskered Terns by thousands were coming to visit the Western Treatment Plant. We also spotted Crested Terns as pictured, and Fairy Terns.
A "white-winged" Sanderling was spotted along with Red-necked Stints. It made some of bird experts puzzled for a while.
There were little different between Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Pectoral Sandpipers except Pectoral is sized 18 - 24 cm and Sharp-tailed 17 - 22 cm. Pectoral has heavily streaked breast sharply demarcated from clean, white belly; slimmer look, longer neck, shorter legs, more upright stance and longer, more slender,down curved bill where Sharp-tailed has streaked brownie chest gradually joining with grey white belly. What do you think of the picture on the right?
I love this photo - Tawny Frogmouth and an old gum tree. The photo was taken on the Werribee Wagtails annual bird camp at Echuca on the 6 - 9 Oct 2013.
On the second day, everyone went on the Barmah Wetland Cruise except us as we did not book in advance. We might miss the scenery but we did not miss much of the birds in the park.
I took some amusing photos during the three day trip to Echuca along the Murray River. For more information about birding sites around Echuca, go to http://users.mcmedia.com.au/~stocky/birdlife_echuca.html.
A Pallid Cuckoo -
Feeds on large insects from ground and foliage. Common.
Breeding between Aug and Dec. Parasitises species with open cup nests and eggs similar to its own. Incubation 12-14 days.
P.S. All information are extracted from Michael Morcombe's Birds App.
A Red-capped Robin - Male
Dry open woodland, mallee, semi-arid mulga. Feed on insects.
Breeding between Jul and Jan. Builds a tiny, neat, rounded cup nest of fine shreds of bark and grass bound with webs. May be almost at ground level, or up to 10 m hight, usually 1-3 m up. Female builds the nest and incubates for 14-15 days. young fly aged about 14 days.
A Mistletoebird - Male
Found almost anywhere that mistletoe grows. Alone or in pairs in foliage of tree or mistletoe clumps.Nomadic in most parts of its range, following the fruiting of various species of mistletoe.
Breeding - the suspended nest is tiny, neat, soft and pear shaped, made of plant down densely bound with webs. The nest is built and the eggs are incubated by the female; both parents feed the nestlings, which fly from the next aged about 15 days.
A Pacific Black Duck -
Utilises almost any and every wetland habitat throughout Australia,
Breeding between Jun and Jan in South and Jan - Feb in North. Tree hollows seem preferred, but will also use old nests of other waterbirds. Down is used as a lining, more added throughout incubation, which lasts about 30 days; parental care by female.
A Crested Pigeon -
Usually in small flocks; feeds on ground.
Breeding after rain in dry regions; several broods in best seasons; most July - Dec.Both sexes incubate, 18-20 days. Young leave nest at about 3 weeks.
An Australian Wood Duck - Male
Vicinity of dams, lakes, estuaries; grazes on damp pasture, dabbles in shallows.
A Spotted Pardalote -
One of smallest of Australian birds, leaf-sized.
Breeding between Jun and Jan; usually 2 broods in a season. Nesting activities are shared; incubation, 14 days.
A Eastern Great Egret -
Common, very widespread in any suitable permanent or temporary habitat.
Breeding Mar - May in North, Oct - Dec in South. Both sexes incubate fro 25-26 days; young fly at about 60 days.
Sacred Kingfishers -
Well-known, widespread, common kingfisher;migrates into southern Australia for summer breeding.
Breeding between Aug - Mar; usually Sep - Jan; often two broods in the season. Nest is a tree hollow. Incubated 17-18 days by both sexes; young leave nest aged 26-28 days.
A Striated Thornbill -
After the breeding season, Striated Thornbills often gather in larger flocks; Hunt through foliage; briefly hover to take insects from leaves.
Breeding Jul - Dec. Incubated by female, 16-17 days.
An Australian Magpie -
Mostly Common.
Breeding Jun - Dec.; Usually Aug- Oct. Incubated by female, 20 days. Young are fed by female; the male helps occasionally, but is often preoccupied with flock and territorial defence. Young fledge aged about 28 days.
A Nankeen Night-Heron -
Also called "Rufous Night Heron"
Breeding Sep - Jan. in South. Feb - Apr in far North, late wet season.Both sexes incubate for 21-22 days.
A Noisy Friarbird -
Sedentary in North; migratory within south.
Breeding Jul - Feb. Incubated by female.
A Grey-crowned Babbler -
Common in Northwest, uncommon in Southeast.
Breeding Jul - Feb. Communal nesting by troop: several females may lay in one nest; brooding female is fed by others.
A White-winged Chough on the nest -
Chough flocks usually build up over several years from the offspring of one pair. Size ranges from 4 - 20 birds.
Breeding Aug - Dec. Combine to build nest, share incubation, 19 days. Several females may lay in one nest.
An Australian Hobby -
Uncommon; scarce in Tasmania; Widely distributed
Breeding July - Nov. In north, Aug - Jan in South. Uses old nest of another raptor or corvid; incubation by female, except briefly by male after food delivery while female feeds nearby. Male does all hunting during incubation and for first 7-10 days after hatching. Young Leave nest at 35-38 days.
A Red-rumped Parrot -
Rarely dispersive; common
Breeding Jul - Dec.;Nests in a hollow in a live or dead tree or stump, often near water. Incubated by the female, 18-20 days. The male feeds her and the chicks after they hatch. The young remain in the nest for 4-5 weeks.
A Long Neck Turtle
An Olive-backed Oriole -
Common in North; migrant to Southeast.
Breeding recorded most months; most activity Sep - Jan.Female builds and incubates; the male makes only brief visits during this time, but takes an equal share in feeding nestlings. If, in a favourable season, there is a second brood, he may continue to feed the young after they leave the nest while the female builds a new nest for a second clutch. Incubation about 18 days; young fledge at 16-17 days.
WERRIBEE WAGTAILS
The outing at Cobbledick Ford and Eynesbury’s Grey Box Forest on 2 July 2013.