Caspian terns, Phillip Island

These pictures were all taken last weekend while walking along a stretch of beach which extends from Cowes to Observation Point at the northeastern corner of Phillip Island.

This is the closest I have been to a Caspian tern (near Silverleaves, Phillip Island)!

Five things I have learnt about Caspian terns 

• I believe that their name relates to the region of the Caspian Sea. The name Hydroprogne caspia was given in 1770 by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas who led expeditions into "The East" visiting the Russian provinces, Ural Mountains and Caspian Sea)
• Their distribution is widespread, but scattered, occurring in Eurasia, North America, Africa and Australasia
• They are the world's largest tern with a wingspan of up to a 1 metre
• They can be quite dispersive. In Victoria we see them a little less in the winter months.
• Males and females are alike. Non-breeding birds have lighter flecks in that impressive black cap

They are a pretty regular sighting at Rhyll Inlet's Observation Point which I visited at the weekend (ostensibly to see if any migratory waders had arrived).

Looking towards Rhyll from Observation Point

This Caspian tern dwarfs these Red-necked stint while sharing a bath

Observation Point often has good numbers of Pied oystercatcher

Red-necked stint, Red-capped plover and a lone Hoodie (blurred top left) making use of the seaweed

Hooded plovers

I caught up once again with some of my banded friends. I have been photographing the bird at bottom right for some 5 years - What a trooper!

Red-capped plover

Australian White ibis crossing Westernport Bay from French Island

Grey fantail are often seen where the trees meet the beach

On this day Willie visited the beach as well

I have not noticed Willie wagtails with such brown on the wing before. I am wondering if these indicates an immature bird.

A few other beach scenes follow. The return trip had me looking into the setting sun. The clear waters of the bay were lent a metallic sheen and there were ships to be seen.

The container ship Ambrosia

What's that I spy? A tall ship at the Cowes jetty?

Closer inspection reveals the Sydney based Soren Larsen.

You can find out more about the history of this restored tall ship (and star of The Onedin Line BBC television series) here.

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday

Bird on!

I've not seen ibis look this good before!

Several weeks of wet, gloomy days have transformed the landscape in many parts of Victoria. This applies particularly to SW Gippsland including Phillip Island. There is water just everywhere and locales such as Koo Wee Rup and Lang Lang have been flooded with a few evacuations.

Birds that like to be close to water are able to disperse. This may mean reliable go-to birding spots are less "productive". On the other hand new, temporary habitats are created in the form of drowned paddocks and gardens.

A mixed flock of australian white ibis and straw-necked ibis exploring a large Silverleaves garden attracted my attention this morning.

Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)

Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca)

I was actually on my way to Oswin Robert Sanctuary. However upon opening the car door on arrival, the misty rain recommenced. I persisted for a while (missing a shot of what I believe was a collared sparrowhawk) but ended up photographing wallabies once again!

The trails have become creeks at Oswin Roberts Sanctuary, Phillip Island

Blackie Lake disappointment

A pair of Sacred kingfisher have been hanging around the lake over summer. A fellow birder (thanks Trevor) had shown me where they had nested in previous years and they seemed to be hanging around the exact same nesting hollow.

Sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)
Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, 2 Feb 2012

When wandering around the lake yesterday I passed said nesting hollow and heard the sound of young birds. With much anticipation I found myself a "perch" at a respectable distance and waited. I must confess to being disappointed when this fellow stuck his head out!

Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)

I never saw the kingfishers actually enter any nesting hollow but I have just read that some astute observers reported nesting and young birds at the lake in November.

That makes me feel better!

A few other locals follow. I don't see Black-faced cuckoo-shrike frequently at the lake so I enjoyed seeing this bird yesterday.

Black-faced cuckoo-shrike 

Always obliging
Little pied cormorant 

Duck Yoga 

These guys have been hanging around a bit lately
lowering the tone of the neighbourhood.
Australian white ibis

Wha...what happened? What's that?
Maybe 20th wedding anniversaries
do weird things to a bloke

P.S. - I enjoyed creating my new blog background which is a photoshopped variation of a shot taken at one of my favourite spots, Deen Maar in Southwestern Victoria. The original can be seen in one of last year's Deen Maar posts.