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Dec 2012 bird survey

December 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Black-winged Stilt and chicks

December’s survey on a hot windy day yielded only 37 species. The highlights were watching four Little Ravens chasing a Whistling Kite from the park and seeing young Black-winged Stilts on the saltwater lake edge. With few flowers in the canopy at present, Little Wattlebirds were entirely absent, but Musk Lorikeets flew overhead. The most interesting observation for December so far has been a pair of Latham’s Snipe in the railway swamp.

The group is very concerned at the rise in rabbit sightings over spring – 18 this survey. Action is needed.

l Bird Survey 12 December 2012-1

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Apr 2012 bird survey

June 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

A single female Scarlet Robin, although appearing to be exhausted after a long flight, looked to be in good health when spotted in tea-tree and sheoak scrub near the barbecue shelter.

Yet again we’ve had to revise the bird list for Westgate Park, raising the total number of recorded species to 119 since our regular surveys commenced in 2007. The overall species total now stands at 131 for the park.

With the lack of rain, lake levels are dropping slowly, but numerous waterbirds remain, and a pair of Buff-Banded Rails has two young. For instance, a Royal Spoonbill remains, as do Nankeen Night Herons.

d Bird Survey 3 April 2012

Westgate Park bird species list by AMcCutcheon 2-9

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Jan 2012 bird survey – Where have all the Little Wattlebirds gone?

February 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

January’s bird count at the Park (should it be Westgate Ark!) was the best since monthly surveys started three years ago – 51 species. But one species, until now always present, was missing: the Little Wattlebird. A long absence is unlikely. Another gap in the fauna: our surveys haven’t recorded a Pacific Gull or a Crested Tern for months along the Park’s Yarra River boundary.

Otherwise the park had a wonderful array of birds, including numerous Eurasian Coots and Park volunteers have observed, for the first time in the Park, a Spotted Crake. Continuing Nankeen Night-Heron sightings indicate that the park is becoming a daytime roost and feeding ground for these nocturnal birds.

Westgate Park Bird Survey 9 January 2012

See under ‘Fauna’ on the main menu for the latest Park bird species list.

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Oct 2011 bird survey

October 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

October’s survey recorded 47 species for the day, equal to the noteworthy September 2007 tally. (Our average over 55 surveys is 39 species.) Spotting the shy Buff-banded Rail resident for some time near our compound, would have meant a new record. Even more significant are observations by Friends members for September 2011: repeated sightings of White-necked Heron, Nankeen Night-Heron, a Barn Owl, Grey Fantails and others.

Water levels remain very high in the two large lakes and dam; indeed all wetlands, some of which were dry until last month, now have water. Diving birds are plentiful, with increased Hoary-headed Grebes, but lower numbers of Hardheads and Australasian Grebes. The larger than usual tally of grebes, herons, egrets and cormorants in the large freshwater lake indicates there is plenty of food available, most likely Mosquito Fish (Gambusia affinis), an introduced noxious species.

With trees and shrubs in good health and growing rapidly throughout the park, there is good habitat for the five species of honeyeaters regularly present, including Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters, which however are likely to depart soon, and shelter for the nocturnal Nankeen Night-Herons and Barn Owls sighted several times during September.

Bird Survey 10 October 2011

 

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Sep 2011 bird survey

September 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In the 1 September survey, 39 species of birds were recorded in the Park.  Most numerous were the Eurasian Coot (seen here in mating mode) (70), White-plumed Honeyeater (65+), New Holland Honeyeater (45+), Welcome Swallow (40+), Chestnut Teal (38), Dusky Moorhen (36), Red Wattlebird (35+), Hardhead Duck (33) and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (30)

For special mention:

  • The Hardhead Ducks (newcomers to the Park this year) and the Australasian Grebes are still present but in reduced numbers.
  • A single buff-banded Rail was sighted on a wet section of the track on the south side of and almost under the Westgate Bridge
  • Two species of quail – Stubble and Brown – were seen in separate locations in the Park.  This is the first recorded sighting of a Brown Quail

Also seen during August (outside the survey) were the Grey Butcherbird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Southern Boobook, Darter, White-faced Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Galah, and Nankeen Kestrel.

Here is the full report:  Bird Survey 1 September 2011

 

 

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