A few pictures today from another rewarding early morning walk to Cape Woolamai. When the weather is right it is a place worth getting up early for! It appears that there is always something to different of the feathered kind to see and the views are exceptional!
Good-sized meal for a Chat methinks!
Australasian pipit perched on some Cape Woolamai pink granite
Australian magpie chases down a Brown falcon to provide some feedback
These shots were taken within two seconds. When checking my pictures later the magpie appears to end up with something in it's bill that is not there in the first two shots. I am assuming that the falcon is now short a couple of feathers!
A contemplative Australian magpie. I remembered later that Collingwood had just been knocked out of the AFL finals.
We surprised each other. One shot and this White-faced heron was off!
On the day of my walk in late September 2013 I took a few snippets of video:
The trail starts from the Woolamai surf beach car park and follows the beach until the cliffs commence. Hooded plover are commonly seen along this stretch (but that's another story). Steps take you to the top of the cliffs and shortly thereafter the trail splits into a circuit. Of late I have tended to take the "western" arm as this follows the ocean enabling me to keep an eye out for distant albatross. Sometimes I return this way as well. The views are spectacular. Taking the other arm will certainly add to your Woolamai day list as it passes through heathland (Superb fairy-wren, cisticola) and a good stand of banksia which is full of honeyeaters (wattlebirds and New Holland Honeyeater dominate).
Throughout the cape there is the opportunity to see raptors (Swamp harrier, Peregrine falcon, Nankeen kestrel, Black-shouldered kite and White-bellied sea eagle).
If the weather is unpleasant (either too warm or too wet and windy) do not take a young family - this is an 8km round trip!
Before your walk you may like to read the Phillip Island Nature Park's Nature Notes for Cape Woolamai.
The kids trudging, January 2011
Early morning view from the beach
I had forewarning of this burn but was relieved to find no evidence of it!
Up on the high ground
Much higher up now looking back towards the beach that was the starting point. Much rain has created fresh water pools on top of the headland.
"Lest We Forget" ANZAC Day commemorations, Cowes, Victoria
Here is a small sample of birds seen around Phillip Island on April 25. I particularly enjoyed this BSK which was surveying land that was being prepared for a housing estate development.
Black-shouldered kite, Cowes, Phillip Island
Someone is clearly feeding a family of Australian Magpies in the Silverleaves area. The birds are at various stages of plumage.
Australian Magpie. I love how this immature bird really does appear to be in short pants (below)
A Grey Butcherbird appeared at the same time curious to make sure it wasn't missing out on any action!
I noticed that this magpie was interested in something in the long grass at Hull Rd Wetlands the other day. Then there was a squeak and for some reason I thought it had a young bird. I was impressed to see it marching off with a mouse. I'm accustomed to seeing them poking around for insects, worms and other invertebrates or scavenging from cooperative humans so this was a change for me!
Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen)
Hull Rd Wetlands, Lilydale
Bird of prey!!!?
Also hunting in the soft ground after recent rain was this white-faced heron. While I was watching all he caught was a cricket.
White-faced heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)
Poor shot just before swallowing
his prized catch.
Yellow-faced honeyeater was the season's prominent small honeyeater (noisy friarbird representing the larger group) ...
Also enjoyed views of spotted pardalote, treecreepers in their classic poses and rufous whistler. As well as the aforementioned gang-gangs and YTBs there were other parrot companions in king parrot, sulfur crested cockatoo and crimson rosella (not pictured).
Spotted pardalote
Brown tree-creeper
White-throated tree-crepper
Rufous whistler
Australian King-parrot
Sulfur crested cockatoo
The ubiquitous Superb fairy-wren (female)
This Australian raven was feasting on something
curled up in a leaf.
Willie wagtail
Our lame, constant companion
Practically all birding time was within walking distance of Swinging Bridge Reserve. A drive downstream to Burrinjuck Dam expanded the list (red-rumped parrot, white-bellied sea eagle, white plumed honeyeater, brown tree-creeper, white-faced heron, Australian hobby to name a few).
Surprisingly dipped on nankeen kestrel and white-winged chough (others in the family group saw both!)
