Lake Hattah - Apostlebirds, Regent Parrot

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea)

There are not many places in Victoria where you can see Apostlebirds. The day picnic area and campground at Lake Hattah is apparently a pretty reliable spot.

I think the genus name comes from "Struth it just took my sandwich!" as they are quite keen around a picnic table.

I visited a few weeks ago and was hoping to camp at the Lake Hattah campground. Late Hattah is a flood plain lake. It is often dry but when flooded supports Red gum bushland. Currently there is a program of deliberate environmental flooding to keep this habitat healthy. Several roads and camping areas are closed as a result.

My first visit became a brief reconnaissance mission due to some pretty blustery rain storms that were coming through. It was good to catch up with these guys though at the picnic area.

iPhone shot - another bird has just left the table. Note the flooded trees in the background

The road to Lake Hattah Campground

Spirits improved when I spotted a Regent Parrot (female or immature) up high among the red gums in the lake. Gotta love a "Lifer" from a picnic table!

I only lasted about 10 minutes at the picnic area before retreating to the shelter of the car. In addition to observing the Apostlebird and Regent parrot I also saw Little corella, Hoary-headed and Great-crested grebe, Grey teal, Pink-eared duck, Crimson rosella (the yellow form). This was all from the (partial) shelter of the picnic tables or the car!

As my kids pointed out the pictures above are of the exact same location grebes heading one way, Pink-eared duck the other within seconds of each other!

Little corella

Crimson rosella (Yellow form) Platycercus elegans flaveolus

Back in the car .... good conditions for birding don't you think ....?

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday

Bird On!

Greenshanks & godwits - Port Albert treats

Lunch on a cold and bleak day at Port Albert in Victoria became quite a treat when this Common greenshank and its companion Bar-tailed godwit were seen close to the wharf.

At close range the Common greenshank has the most gorgeous plumage!

Bar-tailed godwit, Port Albert

Although I failed to nail a decent shot of the godwit before it moved further away I did enjoy reviewing photographs taken of a flock of about 250 birds as they re-positioned. I have not had the opportunity to photograph a flock in this way and enjoyed the to and fro. I was also thrilled to see that a handful of birds were developing breeding plumage. I have very little experience with godwits. Breeding plumage in these southern climes is something I'd become accustomed to not expecting to see.

Bar-tailed godwit. First passed the post! I am reminded of a horse race or cycling pelleton in these shots.

One bird at the back of the head group showing some breeding colours.

Bar-tailed godwits developing breeding plumage, Port Albert, Victoria - 5/5/2013

On this grey day even the grebes looked cold! A single bird rested in the sheltered, still waters of the wharf. This gifted views of those greeby webbed feet! I noted that a group of four Hoary-headed grebe stuck together and dived together. I was curious as to how well they may be able to interact under water!

Cute as a button - Hoary-headed grebe showing propulsion device!

OK, on the count of three guys .... Hoary-headed grebes synchronised swimming

A Great egret also flew in and happily hunted right below where our group lunched.

Great egret, Port Albert

I generally find Great egret to be nervous - but not this character! Tidal mud flats with sea grass. Much more of this habitat can be seen beyond the wharf.

Mangroves and mudflats, Port Albert. The flock of Godwit seen above settled at water's edge in the top left of this picture. The hills of Wilson's Promontory can be seen on the horizon.

I have experienced a few incidents of discovering fishing tackle injury when reviewing photos at day's end. I was attracted to this Pacific gull by its unusual colouring as it progresses to the next maturity phase of its plumage.

Pacific gull, fishing tackled snared around right leg

I conclude with a pale pelican and a policeman....

At 200m away and through the viewfinder I wondered if I was viewing some sort of albino pelican at right (not to be - just a trick of the viewing angle!) 

New-holland honeyeater overseeing traffic (KEEP LEFT in Australia!)

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)