Yambuk shorebirds

Identifying small shorebirds still takes me a little while. It took me some time to realise that there were three species among the dozen or so birds I was observing at Yambuk recently. The cogs turn slowly …. "Red-capped plovers (easy) .… and I think a single Red-necked stint …. but what is that other slightly larger plover I haven't seen here before?" (context is everything)

Subsequently Double-banded plover was readily confirmed and I will now be more confident when I next come across these guys having spent some time observing on them on this occasion!

Double-banded plover, Yambuk estuary, Vic

DBP with Red-necked stint and Red-capped plover at rear.

1-2 birds only per lump of seaweed please!

Red-capped plovers with stint

Typical Southern Ocean "breeze" - wind-blown sand and sea spray affecting visibility. I often remind myself that the birds live in these conditions 24/7.

The walk back to the car park can be either along the beach or the raised dune has a fenced nature trail. This affords views across Yambuk Lake (Great egret, pelican, cormorant species, Royal spoonbill and Musk duck). The coastal scrub provides habitat for species other than shorebirds...

The call of the Singing honeyeater has a slightly musical note at times but it does not "sing"!

Silvereyes look to be catching the late afternoon sunshine

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday!

Bird on!

Southern Emu-wren at Deen Maar

Another Port Fairy Folk Festival meant another trip to Deen Maar. This is a gorgeous coastal wetland area centred on the Eumeralla River and Yambuk Lakes. It is an Indigenous Protected Area which means that permission must be gained before entry. This is currently arranged through the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust.

It is cited as a spot to see bittern so I am always hopeful but have remained disappointed in this regard! However I have found it a reliable spot to see Southern Emu-wren (see, but not photograph)! These birds give just distant glimpses and seem to spend most of their time in the middle of, or on the other side of a bush!

Here are the few shots I managed that at least show some identifiable features!

GOTCHA! Heard something that sounded a little like Superb fairy-wren and after a minute saw lilac/brown instead of black/blue! 

Southern emu-wren, Deen Maar, Yambuk, Vic

Another distant view of a pair of birds just showing the tail's six long "emu feather" plumes

 As in previous visits to Deen Maar the cisticola provide some great poses ….

Golden-headed cicticola, Deen Maar, Yambuk

White-browed scrubwren

Willie wagtail

"Ummm… Whaddaya say we add bird watching to the list?"

Eumeralla River looking west

Eumeralla River looking East (downstream towards Yambuk Lake and the estuary)

I heard what might be an Emu-wren somewhere in there! 

The Codrington Wind Farm turbine provides a constant backdrop. A cisticola and silvereye are perching on the shrub. 

Bird on!

Red-capped plovers nesting, Observation Point, Phillip Island

These teensy little fellows are found throughout Australia. Measuring in at 14-16cm the Red-capped plover is the smallest shore bird I see. It is my understanding that they are at the end of their breeding season for Victoria. I have certainly noticed many distraction displays over recent months. On this day I walked right into a nesting site on my walk towards Phillip Island's Observation Point.

Red-capped plover Caharadrius ruficapillus

Pizzey describes the nest as a scrape in the "sand, shingle or bare ground; scantily lined with shells, stones, plants". This nest then, must be some sort of mansion!

With the bright sunlight affecting the screen, I didn't check this iPhone photo which is bizarrely totally out of focus. I have still included it as it shows the clever location of this nest.

Red-capped plover eggs - hopefully not hard-boiled after Victoria's recent heat wave.

The usual summer collection of birds at the end of the spit.

Bar-tailed godwit 

Crested tern and Pacific gull

Crested tern

The "red-billed" birds seem to be sticking together - Pied oystercatchers and Caspian Tern

It was Race 6 at Rhyll Inlet when this group ran along the mudflats to join a bird that was calling loudly

I missed out on Hooded plover, Eastern curlew, Whimbrel and recently seen Fairy Tern but I'll be back!

 Bird on!