Kimberley Reserve, Chirnside Park

This reserve is on the urban fringe of eastern Melbourne. It is probably most recognised locally as the home of the local footy and cricket clubs with two ovals at its southern end. A chain of man-made ponds extends northwards fed by storm water drainage. The reserve has a crushed gravel walking trail along both sides of the wetlands. This is well utilised by walkers with dogs - a good 50% of which were off-lead during my visit (despite signage making it clear that this was prohibited).

The eremaea list impressed me so I was bound to be disappointed of course! However nice views of this White-plumed honeyeater as well as sightings of Hardhead lifted the spirits (which weren't really all that low given it was a spankingly sunny winter's afternoon!).

It's good to see Australasian grebe getting their colour back making them easier to differentiate from their Hoary-headed counterparts!

Kings in Grass Castles

I was intrigued by these clumps of reeds. Are they planted that way or are they growing naturally. The Purple swamphen loved them

Hardhead and Grey teal

Purple swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Little pied cormorant

Large block residential living in Chirnside Park - where the suburbs are taking over the paddocks

Each pond had a low wall and covered drain

Urban fringe - Google Maps satellite image of Kimberley Reserve

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday

Bird on!

Shearwater Estate's ugly ducklings

It's OK. I'm talking swans and grebes!

The idea that a cygnet could be mistaken for an ugly duckling entertained Hans Christian Anderson. In a similar vein I remember being fascinated to discover that those funny-looking little ducklings that never grew bigger were actually things called grebes!

Whatever can be said about island developers they have certainly been successful in creating what is currently a bird-attracting wetland at Shearwater Estate.

Many other species also frequent the wetland (Ereamea list - 59 species) ..... including actual ducks!

Hoary-headed grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)
Immature bird (similar to non-breeding winter adult plumage)

I think we are seeing here the grebe's nictitating membrane
which is said to serve as a contact lens when diving.

Like water off a grebe's back!

By way of comparison - adult breeding plumage
Fishers Wetland, Phillip Island, 5/1/2009
(all other photos Shearwater estate)

Black swan (Cygnus atratus)

Can reach to scratch anywhere on it's back
and see the spot as well!

Hardhead or White-eyed duck (Aythya australis)

Little pied cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)

Welcome swallows (Hirundo neoxena)
& Fairy martins (Petrochelidon ariel)