We set the alarm for 3:45 am this morning for our 6:00 am flight from Tasmania to Melbourne. Birdingpal Richard picked us up at the airport and along with another visiting birder, Homer from Texas we birded until dark. We did the You Yangs park where we had wonderful grassland/field birds such as the Spotted Pardolote (really stunning), the Yellow-rumped Thornbill, the Yellow Thornbill, Weebee, the Eastern Rosella Common Bronzewing, Wedgetail Eagle. We could have spent all day here as there was so much activity. Plus we had several Honeyeaters.
From there we moved to Werrabee and it is a huge huge area with an abundance of birds everywhere. We had great views of a Brolga, Whiskered Tern, Skylark, Greenshank, White-fronted or Australasian Chat, Sharptailed Sandpiper, Baillons Crake, Australian Spotted Crake, Little Grassbird, Red-nicked Avocets, Buff-banded Rail, and numerous ducks including Shelduck. The day was super and Richard was an exceptional guide. We ended the day at dark (sounds familiar doesn't it) and now we are at a motel near the Melbourne airport for a morning flight to Christchurch NZ tomorrow am.
Melbourne birding was spectacular as we saw many of the local specialties and probably saw about 100 birds today. We are happy but tired since our day started so early. It was a memorable day in many ways.
I am pretty sure Colleen took several really beautiful photos today.
No comments:
Post a Comment