There are five species of Cormorant in Australia and all can be readily seen at Phillip Island.
Yesterday's post focussed on the Black-faced cormorant and featured a photo of an old jetty which was being used by three cormorant species. The detour to the jetty was actually a drop-in visit on our way to Swan Lake. No sooner had we reached the first of Swan Lake's two bird hides when a fourth cormorant species was noted.
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| Little black cormorant, Swan Lake, Phillip Island |
Other highlights included seeing a good number of duck species. After many years of not seeing Freckled duck there continues to be a group readily seen from the northern bird hide.
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| Freckled duck, Chestnut teal with Black swan, Swan Lake, Phillip Island |
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| Australian wood-duck, Chestnut teal & what I suspect are a two female Hardheads |
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| What a hotchpotch of species on what must be prime real estate! |
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| Two Yellow-billed spoonbills and a Royal spoonbill (at left) |
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| Yellow-billed spoonbill demonstrating some breeding plumage |
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| A distant but unmistakable silhouette of a Musk duck in profile |
For mid summer it's a pleasure to see a good amount of water in the lake and so many different species (34) readily viewed from the well-placed hides.
Bird on!
Wow, some of these birds would make a great sighting in SE QLD - Musk Ducks are quite rare here! Though we had an influx of Freckled Ducks recorded last year, they are still considered rare in the area also, and Yellow-billed Spoonbills are uncommon also. Looks like a fantastic birding spot you've got there!
ReplyDeleteGreat set of birds - I am going to have to find a red Sunday and visit some of these places!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne