Irish/UK trip – 20th Dec 2013 – 31st Jan 2014
Friday 20.12.13 Brisbane: Long queue at the check in – glad Jade got me here for 9.30. Didn’t get clear till nearly 10.30. Went through departures and customs – no issue. Grabbed a coffee and sat at boarding gate until flight called. Found my seat and met my neighbor – Nicole, late 20s, travelling to Geneva to spend a week skiing with her parents (who live in France) before going to Cork, Ireland for a cousin’s wedding. Her mother is Irish……..
Departed on time and uneventful flight to Singapore. Watched 2 Guns and Elysium, movies not as up to date as I thought they would be. Food not too bad.
Friday 20.12.13 Singapore: Raining when landed in Singapore, had a smoke in crowded room with 30 other smokers. Tried to use free wi-fi at gate but couldn’t get on. It popped a box but I couldn’t expand the box to put in the password. Used a free desktop terminal to email.
Boarded on time but a passenger was suffering a migraine and had to be taken off so flight was delayed by 30 mins while they retrieved her luggage from the hold.
Another uneventful flight to Abu Dhabi – watched Jobs – slept a little.
Friday 20.12.13 Abu Dhabi: Arrived a little late but no drama. Had a smoke in another overcrowded room – they really don’t want you to smoke here! Found my way to boarding gate 31 – security insisted I remove my belt, watch and passport pouch, lost a leather thong in the process. Long walk. Washed a stain out of my t-shirt in the toilet then entered the boarding area. Tried to use wi-fi – logged on OK, but wouldn’t send any emails - this wi-fi thing is a farce. Got the email re the job – didn’t get it. A bit disappointing as I thought I’d done well, but wasn’t really expecting to get it anyway, so not too distressed.
Saturday 21.12.13 Dublin: Longest section of the trip – extended by an extra hour on the ground at AD due to a baggage handling problem. Left at 3.20 instead of 2.15. Watched a movie and a couple of TV programs. Arrived at 7.05 after a hairy landing in a strong cross wind. Took a while for the baggage to come out but easy walk thru customs to meet Mum, Lorraine & Aisling. Cold and wet. Drove home to Dale Rd and had breakfast. Went for a walk with L and dog, saw a few birds.
Lorraine headed home around 3 and I lay down on the couch for a snooze – and woke at 6, having being snoring my head off according to Mum. We had some dinner and then watched TV and chatted till 23.45…… crashed.
Sunday 22.12.13 Dublin: Woke at 8.30, got up at 9. Cold, wet morning, but no wind. Had breakfast and then Mum and I sat in the dining room and we talked till 15.00!! I told her about my eye and my shoulder and my hand and my ribs and we chatted about a lot of things. Finally had a shower and then we went down to Stillorgan Shopping Centre and she bought a couple of gifts for friends. Then we had a cup of coffee and a cake and came home again. The rain came and went and came back again as sleety snow! Even had a couple of peals of thunder overhead. Weird! Managed to log onto the internet via some neighbor’s Wi-Fi, but it seems my emails still won’t go – doesn’t seem to like my server? (Note: turned out to be the Optus thing – had to use Fastmail email for rest of trip) Watched TV and crashed around 10.30
Monday 23.12.13 Dublin: Had intended to go to Dun Laoghaire, but weather awful – high winds, rain, dull - so stayed home till Mum had her hair done then we drove to Killiney and met Rodney and exchanged presents in the car park of the golf club. Drove on to Dalkey and had a look at the island, then up to Vico Rd and back around to Dalkey again for lunch in The Club – very nice. Tried to withdraw money (E500) from the AIB bank ATM but transaction failed. Tried the Ulster bank and it too failed. Drove to Mt Merrion ave and picked up turkey and ham for Christmas – weather settled a bit and the rain stopped – still pretty windy. Drove home. May Canny from next door called in and Audrey & Derek too. Watched TV.
Tuesday 24.12.13 Dublin/Wicklow. Got up and eventually had breakfast after Thelma called. I left at about 12.45 and drove to Sandycove, saw some birds – Med Gull, Great N Diver, Red-br Merg - , then walked East Pier at Dun Laoghaire. Weather windy and rain towards the end. Drove along coast to Booterstown Marsh. Raining – saw a few more species – Black-tailed Godwits, Common Redshank -
Drove home for 15.30 – called into AIB in Stillorgan and withdrew E200 - successfully. Packed and left Dale Rd at 17.20. Met L and A and Diana, Donal and Amber just outside Wicklow at 18.20 then drove to L’s place. Unpacked car and watched TV. Crashed around 23.30
Wednesday 25.12.13 Wicklow: Up at 9.30, Skyped by Kara, Jade & Antman. Spent the day opening presents, breakfasting and opening more presents. Weather calm and clear – really nice, cold, but lovely. Finally got out for a walk around 4 and walked down to the beach and along the golf course with L and the dogs. Saw a few birds – mainly in her back yard.
Thursday 26.12.13 Wicklow: Up at 8, went for a walk alone down to the golf course, beach and along the cliffs. Saw a few birds – calm and clear, icy. Had breakfast then headed up to Broadlough, stopping at river in middle of town to look at Gulls. Tried to find a way in to the north end of the lough, ended up at the end of a bitumen road and walked the 500 meters down to the coast at Kiloughter. Ducks in the semi frozen flooded field. Back to the car and drove north to Kilcoole, then down to the coast again. Started walking down the dunes to the reserve and bumped into Richard, Sandra & his sister Valerie. Talked for a few minutes and agreed on Wexford on Saturday. Walked on and saw heaps of Geese, ducks, Whooper Swans etc. By 3.30 the light was going so walked back to car and headed back to L’s. Donal, Diana and Amber over for dinner. Drank a lot of red wine and crashed early. Winds came up late in the evening and we lost power. Very wild night.
Friday 27.12.13 Wicklow: Stayed in all day – very windy, cold and occasional rain.
Saturday 28.12.13 Wexford: Met Richard at entrance to estate at 8.30. Drove to Tachumshin – heaps of duck, swans etc. Went to three different spots and saw a heap of birds – met three other birders, 2 of them friends of R’s. Went on to Carnsore Pt and had lunch there. Then north to North Slob and the geese – met R’s two friends again. Headed home at dusk at 16.30, arrived Stillorgan 18.00. Had a snack and watched TV, crashed at 21.30.
Sunday 29.12.13 Dublin: Bright clear morning, updated my records and hung out while Mum went to church. After lunch went to West Pier, Dun Laoghaire – clouding over and rain starting at end of walk. Found a Red-necked Grebe which was pretty good, Razorbills and Great Northern Divers.Came home and rang R and Dermot.
Monday 30.12.13 Dublin: Wet and windy morning. Late start – went to library at Stillorgan to find it closed. Drove to Dundrum and got a library card and tried to print off boarding passes for Ryan Air flights. Unable to do so as didn’t have passport with me. Went on to Dundrum centre and had coffee and then shopped. Bought a scarf (26E = $40) and 3 x 100E (= 3 x $140) gift vouchers for L, A & Mum. Also got a new phone card for my mobile – 20E ($30).
Came home and then went back to library and printed off boarding passes and answered emails and paid bills (body corp fees and car rego). Very cold and grim looking day – stayed in.
Tuesday 31.12.13 Dublin: Quite a nice morning – Mum went off to meet a friend for coffee after I picked up a drill from Uncle Derek so I could put up curtains on front door. Turned wet and windy at lunch time, but it appeared to break around 14.30 so took a quick trip to Dun Laoghaire west pier. Red-necked Grebe still there plus 2 Little Gulls. Met another birder who was born in Melbourne, but lives in Dublin.
Home by 17.00, out for dinner with Mum at 18.00, Leopardstown Inn. Nice meal – 67E = $100. Home by 20.00. Sat up till midnight, a few local fireworks, watched some of the fireworks on TV.
Wednesday 1.1.14 Dublin: Rained all day, didn’t do much apart from talk for ages then did some odd jobs around the house for Mum – changed the toilet seat, got the bulb out of the oven etc. Lorraine and Aisling arrived around 3 and went to Dundrum Centre to change presents. Had fish and chips for dinner, crashed around 22.30.
Thursday 2.1.14 Dublin: Lovely day – clear and dry, a little windy. Tried to go for breakfast at Airfield, but it was closed so went to Bewley’s Hotel. Waited again fro L&A to come back from Dundrum (took Missy for a short walk) then went round to Auntie Audrey and Uncle Derek to deliver her birthday presents. I went down to Stillorgan library and got on the free wi-fi to answer and send emails. Got replacement bulb for oven and dining room – spent the evening trying to fix the oven dials after replacing the bulb successfully…..
Friday 3.1.14 Dublin: Up at 9, DHH turned up at 9.30. Went to West Pier – really, really, windy & cold, but dry. Saw the Red-necked Grebe again and thousands of Dunlin including several Ringed Plover, 2 Purple Sands and a Grey Plover. 3 Grey Seals towards the end of the pier. Moved on to Sandycove and counted approx. 20 Med Gulls among the Black-headed. Drove to Bull Island – very windy, very high tide, water right up into sand dunes. Walked for a bit looking for Snow Buntings- no luck, but approx 1000 Shelduck, Pintail, a few Skylarks, hundreds of Sanderling. Looked for L-t Duck with no success. On to Howth and a bit of a waste of time- nothing much around despite it being much more sheltered. Home at 17.30. Had dinner and DHH left at 18.45.
Saturday 4.1.14 Dublin: After breakfast drove down to New Town Mt Kennedy to see friends of Mum’s – Michael & Heather. Michael and son-in-law took me to Newcastle to show me the two hides – both closed as a result of vandalism. Saw Long-tailed Tit there and in Michael’s garden. Met Lorraine for lunch in Greystones – The Happy Pear – and then walked around the harbor – disgusting! The old harbor has been completely removed and replaced with a concrete monstrosity – completely destroyed the character of the old harbor. The bad side of European money….. After lunch headed home stopping only so I could get some new insoles etc. Spent the evening packing and watching TV.
Sunday 5.1.14 Langford: Up at 5.00, left home at 5.45, bus at 5.50, saw a Fox on the way. Bus (15 euro return) arr airport at 6.30. Checked in, no problem, through customs – needed to take off my belt and shoes and was body searched – no problem, very polite. Got a coffee at Butler’s and then found the smoker’s place upstairs. Went to gate 105 and boarded at 7.45. Got an exit seat so plenty of leg room. Flight arr Stanstead uneventfully.
Met Stu and had a coffee in Costa’s. Then headed out to bird – first stop in 5 minutes for Fieldfares. On to Amwell and a female Smew (L) and heaps of other stuff incl Bearded Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Went to Grafham Water for Long-tailed Duck, dipped. On to Holm Fen and out to Trundle Mere – Short-eared Owl. Long fast walk through the woods and return to the car in the dark.
Arrived Stu’s place at about 17.30 – had dinner, watched TV, updated records. Crashed at midnight.
Monday 6.1.14 Langford: Stu was working today so I walked the local area myself. Windy with sunny periods and one shower of rain. Walked up river, saw Glossy Ibis and Green Sand, near sewage works had a single Green Woodpecker badly. Back along river and on to Biggleswade, Jordan’s Mill coffee shop. Walked ‘home’ via the road, rained all the way home. Bought a bag of sugar in village store. Answered emails and chatted with Elliot. Stu & Della home at 18.30, had dinner and watched TV.
Tuesday 7.1.14 Peak District, Broomhead Res, Sherwood Forest: Left at 8.00, dropped Della off in Stafford at 10.00. Got to Dovedale in the Peak District around midday. Quick look found a single Dipper then it was on to Broomhead Reservoir – at 13.00. Found other birders and within 5 minutes had Two-barred Crossbill (L) in the scope. Moved up road to a track and found Siskin and Common Crossbill. Back into car and heading for Sherwood Forest to try for the triple in Crossbills. Picked up MacD’s on the way and got to Sherwood Forest visitor centre at 14.30. A thirty minute walk in found us at the site for Parrot Crossbill, but were unable to locate it, did get Nuthatch which was very nice. Left the area at 16.30 following rain and arrived in Langford at 18.30. Big day for relatively small return, but interesting all the same. Took out 400 Pounds at a Cashpoint ATM at Sainsbury’s.
Wednesday 8.1.14 Brixham Harbour, Berryhead, Broadsands, Dawlish Warren, Devon: Up at 2.40, porridge and coffee and left at 3.20. Stopped near Bristol for Mackers at 6.00, arrived Brixham Harbour at 7.55. Found an Iceland Gull (lifer) within 5 minutes, Black-throated and Great Northern Divers and, eventually, the resident White-billed Diver (lifer). Went up Berryhead – Fulmars, Peregrine, Raven, Gannets, a Blackcap, Goldcrest, Bullfinches and a Jay. Drove to Broadsands, 15 mins east along the coast. Located Cirl Bunting flock in car park in the rain. Picked up a pie and coffee in a local take away for lunch, then drove to Dawlish Warren in search of a Bonaparte’s Gull (lifer) – found it in the end – excellent!
Headed home at 15.00, stopped for Mackers only, arrived home at 19.00. Drove about 500 miles – 9 hours approx.. Had dinner and updated records.
Thursday 9.1.14 Pittsford Res, North Hamps, Old Warden, Beds: Up at 8.30, Left at 9.15 and dropped Della off to a meeting in Milton Keynes – had coffee in Costas. Went to Pittsford Res looking for Red-crested Pochard, found 4 Smew including a male – excellent. Very cold wind, bright, sunny, clear. On to Old Warden and Swiss Gardens looking for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – no luck, just lots of Tits and a Treecreeper. Picked up Della at 15.30 and had a hot dog at Costas. I took the Warrens out to dinner to a local Indian restaurant – average. Cost 53 pounds (~$77).
Friday 10.1.14 Brighton, Shoreham, Leip: Left home at 5.15. Arr Brighton 7.45. Found wading pool and the resident Grey Phalarope (L). Brilliant viewing down to a couple of feet. Moved on to Shoreham and found the Glaucous Gull on the east pier – distant, but satisfying views. 2 hour drive to Leip, near Fawley, west of Southampton. Found the Lesser Yellowlegs on a marsh, good scope views. Had a toasted tea cake and coffee then headed home – I drove. Arr home at 16.15. Friends of Della’s from Brisbane arr shortly afterwards – Don and Anne. Spent the evening sending emails and went to bed around 21.30.
Saturday 11.1.14 Norfolk, Leighton Buzzard: Dropped Stu off at work mate’s place at Sawtell, then I took myself to Holme View to try for the Great Grey Shrike again – success this time. Headed then for Lowestoff, Norfolk. 2.5 hr drive, parked in South Beach car park and walked for ages to Ness Pt to try for Bl Redstart – no sign. Had a ‘cone’ of chips and coffee on the seafront then drove to Caistor-on-sea, north of Yarmouth. Walked the beach looking for Snow Buntings and Shore Larks – nothing. Almost nothing at sea too. Drove back to Langford, changed and then drove to Karen’s at Leighton Buzzard. Saw Pere David’s deer beside road at Woolton (?) Abbey. Had dinner with K, Molly & Meg. I crashed in Tom’s room at about 1.30am.
Sunday 12.1.14, Leighton Buzzard: Up late, had breakfast, then took Boz for a walk along the canal with K & Molly. Had a coffee in a pub and walked back! Spent the afternoon reading and relaxing, then had dinner (Meg came over again) and talked till about 9.
Monday 13.1.14 Budby, Lynford Arboretum and Langford: Headed for Budby and Sherwood Forest - 2.5 hrs. Walked in to forest and found Parrot Crossbill (L) – excellent! Got lost walking out and had to ask for directions…. Had coffee and an Eccles cake in the café.
Took off at 13.45 for Mumdford and Lynford Arboretum – to look for Hawfinch – 2.5 hrs. Arr at 16.00 and it was too late. Drove ‘home’ to Langford (1.45 hrs) A lot of driving for little return but the Crossbills were very good. Got heaps of photos of Nuthatches and Tits. Bought a couple bottles of wine for Della. Had dinner, updated this and crashed.
Tuesday 14.1.14 Lynford Arboretum, Harrogate: Up late, took car to be hand washed by Polish guys in Biggleswade (6 pounds). Drove to RSPB reserve near Sandy, Bucks and had a look in gift shop – bought 4 x lens cleaning clothes (4 pounds each). Drove to Lynford Arboretum near Mumdford again (2 hours) and walked in to bridge area. Wandered around for 2 hours until finally a Hawfinch (L) turned up, followed by 3 others – saw them through old Yorkshire man’s scope. Left there at 14.30 and drove to Harrogate arriving at 18.30 (stopped for Mackers). Sneaked stuff in to hotel room, then went for a meal at Cattlemen’s restaurant with Stu and his work colleagues. Crashed at about 23.00.
Wednesday 15.1.14 Teeside, North Yorks, Holme View: Up at 5.30 and left at 6.00. Breakfast in Mackers – porridge & coffee. On up the mountains to Langdon Bec. Snow in fields and along side of road, mist and rain and Red & Black Grouse (L)! Watched for ages getting very close followed by coffee and scones in Langdon Bek Hotel. Left area at about 11.15 and headed south towards home. Dropped off sample of compost to Stu’s customer, then stopped off at Holm View and got Red-legged Partridge, Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl. Got home at 17.30, then went to pick up the Mini from Biggleswade. I cooked omelets for dinner.
Thursday 16.1.14 Norfolk: Left early at 6.15 and headed for Acle for the Cranes – dipped. On to Greater Yarmouth for Shorelark – dipped, after a lengthy cold two hour search of the sand dunes. Drove up the coast to Winter-on-sea and saw a flock of approx. 120 Snow Buntings, then pager message advised S-larks were back at G Yarmouth so back again – to dip again….Headed back to Acle to try for Cranes again with updated info – still no sign. On to Waveney Forest for the end of the light for a very distant Rough-legged Buzzard (L), a handful of Marsh Harriers and a Northern Goshawk (L) fly by. Ran into heavy traffic due to a crash presumably so took a longer way home, arr 19.00. Had dinner crashed early.
Friday 17.1.14 Langford: Got up late, had light breakfast and went to Biggleswade for coffee with Stu – met Della and her friend Manvir. Stu and I birded locally – the area opp his house, Broome Gravel Pits, Old Warden area, Deepdale Quarry and visited the RSPB headquarters shop again – didn’t buy anything. Nothing new but did get good views of common birds. After dinner Stu, Elliot & I went to see ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ (2 adults, 1 student = 31 pounds=$50) in Letchworth (cinema famous in ‘World’s End’). Home and bed by 23.00
Saturday 18.1.14 Grafham Water, Amwell Reserve: Stu and Della went for an apt with their accountant – came back at 11.00. I packed and Stu and I left at 12.30. Went to try for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker again – no luck, on to Grafham Water and found the female Long-tailed Duck. On to Amwell reserve and I found the Bittern (L) in the reed bed. Picked up coffee in Costa’s in Ware then on to Standstead. Stu left me there at 16.45, c hecked in and flight left on time at 17.55. Plane almost empty – got the exit row to myself. Arr on time at 18.50. Picked up bag and went to bus stop. Called Mum from bus and arranged to meet at overflow car park in Stillorgan. Met there at 20.05. Car wouldn’t start. Rang for assistance from Mum’s insurance, Alliance. Had to call three times until eventually the guy showed up at 21.40. (Mum and I had to go to the toilet in the bushes……). Home and crashed at midnight.
Sunday 19.1.14 Wexford & Wicklow: Got up had breakfast and finally managed to leave at 11.00. Left Mum at Lorraine’s in Wicklow and headed down to Tachumsin. Got to site at 14.00 after a false start. Found the Ivory Gull (L) feeding on a goose carcass – brilliant. Called in to North Slob on way back – not much, bumped into one of Richard’s friends there. Back to L’s at 17.30 – the M11 was easy driving, sat on 130 ks/hr most of the time. Chatted to L for a while until Mum woke up then drove home. Watched TV and crashed at midnight.
Monday 20.1.14 Dublin: Up at 8, had breakfast then went to Woody’s and bought wing nuts and washers and fixed the toilet seat. Mum went to Chairobics and I hung at home. When she came home I went to Dundrum Library and cleared my emails then dropped into The High School and spoke to a deputy head master. Dropped the car with Paul Crosbie who replaced the battery. I had lunch – mushroom soup and bread - at a local restaurant then picked the car up and drove home. Went down to West Pier – nothing new - and then came home for tea. Talked with Mum, lost 2 GB camera card in sofa – unable to locate.
Tuesday 21.1.14 Dublin: Got the Luas into the city – Stephen’s Green. (E4.60 = $7.60 return). Walked Grafton st, had lunch in Captain America’s, walked to O’Connell st, Trinity etc. Bought gifts for K, J, Ant, Linkman, Sue & Bec. Got Luas back home and walked home. Went to Stillorgan library and cleaned up emails. Looked up details for west trip proposed for Friday. Got text from Richard re Thursday. Home for dinner, Mum went out to bowling.
Wednesday 22.1.14 Dublin; DHH and Mary arr at 9.30 and had coffee. At 10.30 we took Mary to the Luas and DHH and I headed for Kilcoole. Met RHC there at 13.00. After a chat DHH and I went to Newcastle and had a picnic lunch – Eric Dempsey turned up. Found a Glaucous Gull on the beach, but missed out on the Crane. Went down to Wicklow Harbour and found a Purple Sand there. Picked up fish n chips take away on way home and when DHH and Mary left at 19.30 I dashed to the library and organized library books for my e-reader.
Thursday 23.1.14 Dublin: RHC picked me up at 8.30 and we headed for Bull Island, Howth, Rogerstown, Malahide, Swords, Knock Lake and finished at Skerries – good birds, but nothing new. Got back home at 18.00 and showered and shaved before Derek and Audrey picked us up at 18.40. They took us for a meal at the Boxtree in Stepaside – very nice and quite expensive. Had a huge meal and crawled into bed at 22.00.
Friday 24.1.14 Achill Island, Carramore Lake and Belmullet: Up at 5.15, left at 5.50, arr Achill Island 10.15 – raining and windy all the way. Birded Achill as best possible – found a Glaucous and 2 Iceland Gulls and rain eased late morning, On to Carramore lake, north of Bangor and found Ring-necked Duck (L) among Tufteds. Arr Belmullet and sussed the place out –eventually called into an adventure centre that was closed, but a girl found B&B for me after 3 phone calls. – in Gaelic. Got to B&B and checked in – very friendly. Went down to town (B) and had a pint of Guinness in Linda’s Corner House, then a burger and chips in the local takeaway. Returned and updated records – wind and weather not looking good for tomorrow……
Saturday 25.1.14 Belmullet, Lisadell, Sligo: Breakfast at 8 – left the B&B (Maureen) at 9.30 – wild, wild wind, rain showers, hail… Sat at Elly Bay for a while – no tern, but did have a close Black-throated Diver. On to pier at Blacksod – 8 Great Northern Divers, weather crazy, almost blown over… Drove over island and found a sacred spring to cure eyesight problems. Drove on and found an Iceland Gull. Checked the lake for Green-winged Teal, but only Wigeon. Left Belmullet at 12.30 and hammered onto the road for Sligo. Got to Drumcliffe and the turnoff to Lisadell at about 14.15. Headed down to the coast – weather absolutely terrible, extreme winds, rain and more hail. No sign of Barnacle Geese or Eider. Gave up at 15.00 and returned to Sligo and the Markrell Castle to find Lorraine, Mum & Aisling just arrived. Checked in and had afternoon tea. Shared fish and chips with Mum for dinner, then Lorna and Maurice arrived and we had a few drinks before crashing around 23.00.
Sunday 26.1.14 Sligo, Dublin: Breakfast at 9.00 – good spread. Left at 10.15 and hammered down to Lisadell area again to try for birds. (Put in E30 fuel at E1.53/litre) Got Barnacle Goose (L) but couldn’t find any Eider. Several GN Divers off Ragley Pt. Back to hotel at 12.30, changed, packed up and headed for Lorna and Maurice’s place. Wayne, Jenny and Oscar, Stephen, Fay and Sonny turned up with dogs Mocha (Lorna & Maurice’s), Sally and Bosco. Spent the afternoon there – left and headed home at 17.00. Stopped at Carrick-on-Shannon for coffee, arrived home at 20.15.
Monday 27.1.14 Dublin: Dropped Mum to chairobics at 10, then filled car with rubbish for the dump and picked her up again. Went straight to Ballyogen and dumped the old PC, garden cuttings etc. Then went to Derek & Audrey to return his tools and say goodbye. We both then went to South Wall near Sandymount so I could look for the Ross’s Gull. Unsuccessful after 2 hrs so went to Sandymount village for lunch in the pub – beef stew, potatoes, Danish and coffee. The barman was very friendly and funny. After lunch we went back again, but still failed to find the bird. Went home and spent the evening watching TV.
Tuesday 28.1.14 Dublin: Drove to Avoca in Kilmacanouge and picked up Missy from Lorraine. Mum then went out for a while and when she came back I took the car to go to the library, but went again to look for the Ross’s Gull, on the north wall at Bull Island this time – where it was seen yesterday when I was on the south wall. Got there at 12 and looked with two other birders till I had to leave at 13.20….the bird was seen shortly afterwards at exactly the same location. Put E30 fuel in car and got home in time for Mum to go to the AGM of the Active Retirement Committee. Aisling got the bus from Wicklow and Mum picked her up. Lorraine came over after work. I packed. I did a quick dash top the library when I took Mum to indoor bowls at 7.30. She wasn’t happy, but I needed to check for any flight changes – there weren’t. Crashed at 22.30.
Wednesday 29.1.14 Dublin – Abu Dhabi: Up at 5.15, left at 5.45. Lorraine, Mum and I got to airport at 6.20. Checked in and had a coffee and pastry before I went thru to the departure. Boarded at 8.00 and plane left on time for 7 hour flight to Abu Dhabi. Sat beside a woman from west Cork who lives in Kilcoole… In AD managed to find a guy in a shop that helped me change the SIM card in my phone back to my Optus card. No idea how much credit is left on the Irish one. When we landed at AD we had to walk down external stairs off the plane and get bussed to the terminal. All a bit weird considering this is the airline’s home base.
Thursday 30.1.14 Abu Dhabi – Brisbane: Had a smoke and walked to gate 32 for onward flight to Melbourne scheduled to leave at 22.20. Nowhere to sit, huge number of people standing in a queue, sat on floor until almost all gone, security inspection checking all bags – again… seemed to be very particular about visas, passports ect – just because its Australian or has there been a threat? Finally boarded at 22.50, I was one of the last to sit. Didn’t take off till 23.35 – over an hour late. I wonder how this will affect my connection for Brisbane? Food very average, lousy, half stale bread roll, coffee foul, main meal OK, but appetizer was dreadful. Watched several movies – Diana, Despicable Me 2, Runner, Runner. Prisoners, Slept a little – very little. Charged Mac, iPod and E-reader via ports on seat back in front of me.
Landed in Melbourne at 19.10. Got thru customs, collected bag and reached check in for Brisbane flight (scheduled to leave at 20.00) at 19.55 – too late to get on board, no more flights to Brisbane tonight so Ethiad put me up in the Park Royal beside the airport. Requested additional assistance for trip home from Brisbane airport but was advised the only responsibility Ethiad had was to get me to the airport and to write in and complain if I wasn’t happy.
Walked over to the hotel and checked in – was given meal vouchers - $45 for dinner and a voucher for breakfast but as it starts at 6.00 and my flight leaves at 6.00 won’t be able to have that. Took my stuff to room 744, had a shower and changed. Called Jade and arranged a lift home for tomorrow, Jade will take time off work and pick me up. Texted Lorraine and asked her to tell Mum. Went down for dinner and had an awesome steak - $40 - + coffee. Went to bed and tried to sleep.
Friday 31.1.14 Melbourne, Brisbane, Home: Dozed for a short time then lay awake until 4.00. made two cups of coffee with the complimentary supplies and left the hotel at 4.30. Checked in and Virgin gave me a $8 voucher to use in the terminal! Got a Boost Juice and boarded the Virgin flight which was almost empty and left on time at about 6.10 (Vic time). On board they gave me a muffin, apple & coffee for breakfast! Excellent! Arrived early (6.55 Brisbane time), cleared baggage, rang Jade, had to wait till 7.45 for her to pick me up, home at 8.15.
1.2.14 Belkje-Petersen Dam, Nanango
Up at 6, left at 7, drove (alone) to Barambah Dam (aka Bejkle-Petersen Dam) west of Nanango – approx. 250 kms, 3 hours. Arrived on site to find Paul Wallbridge and Brian (?) feeding the Silver Gulls and the vagrant Franklin’s Gull with Hoki fillets. Excellent views of bird in flight and scoped on water at approx. 50 meters. Watched it for about an hour, then set off on return trip. Stopped in Nanango for excellent burger and coffee. Stopped off again at North Lakes to look for White-browed Crake on cnr Kinsella’s Rd and Memorial Drive – no luck. Went on to Port of Brisbane following a text from Stu but unable to locate Asian Dowitchers as tide had dropped too low. Home at 16.30.
2.2.14 Oxley
R picked me up at 6. Lazy walk through Oxley. Nothing exceptional – 1 White-throated Needletail, 3 Channel-billed Cuckoos. Went for breakfast to Deedot, but no tables so moved on to Rare Pear. Home by 11.00.
8.2.14 North Lakes
Picked R up at 5.30 and headed over to North Lakes. Started at the corner of Kinsella’s and memorial Drive off Anzac Ave. Looking for the White-browed Crake. Saw a single Spotless and a single Buff-banded Rail, but unable to locate the WBC. Met Gavin G who had had a Little Bittern, but we were unable to find it either. Watched the oxbow pond for about an hour and a half, then headed off to other ponds in the area where good birds had been seen over the Summer period. Nothing else of consequence for us so retired for breakfast to the Lakeside Café then headed home for about 11.00.
15.2.14 Sandy Camp Rd & Manly wader roost
Got to Sandy Camp Rd at 6.30. a trio of birders already on site. Had Spotless and Baillon’s Crakes on the first two lakes and a Glossy Ibis on the back one. 10 Wandering Whistle Ducks flew in and we flushed a Snipe from the central walkway. Met Marie Tarrant and we all went looking for the Black Bittern. Failed to find it, although it appears to be still on site – but very discreet.
Moved on to the Manly wader roost and walked part way only along the front ‘wall’. Sandra H and the monthly count crew arrived and we backed off to avoid flushing the birds. Not big numbers on the roost but we managed to miss an Asian Dowitcher that the others saw and was most likely on site when we were there…. Usual selection of waders, although in much lower numbers than usual. Work has begun on the upper roost area – digging up the surface and building up the wall. Went for breakfast at Celtic Corner in Manly as usual and I showed Rob the photos of the UK/Ireland trip on my mac.
Home by 12.00.
22.2.14 North Stradbroke Island
Got the 7.00 ferry with Stu P, on point at 8.00 as usual. Very strong south easterly, lots of birds off shore all heading south. 600 Wedgies per hour, peak hour - 200 Common Noddys and 200 Little Terns. A few Black Noddys, Hutton’s and Short-tailed Shearwaters, 5 Pom Skuas and 2 Buller’s Shearwaters. Some debate re the first Buller’s - Stu felt strongly it might be a Streaked, unresolved for him, I am comfortable it was a Buller’s. The wind increased during the morning, a couple of Mantas and a few Dolphins off the point. We got the 13.50 bus and the 14.30 ferry.
23.2.14 Oxley
Didn’t hear from Rob so went to Oxley alone. Got there at 6.30 and walked the track. Nothing of great consequence – aWhistling Kite over the ponds and a few White-throated Needletails hawking the creek vegetation line were probably the ‘best’ birds – for the site.
1.3.14 North Stradbroke Island
Winds predicted to be 15–20 knots didn’t eventuate – gusted to a max of 10 knots, so birds few and decreasing. Only stayed till 10.30 and then headed home (on my own). Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, distant Common Noddys and a single Pom Skua. Lovely day and lots of Dolphins, 2 Turtles and a Manta Ray but birds were poor.
2.3.14 Minnippi
Stu phoned me at about 16.30 and said 2 Spotted Crakes had been claimed at Minnippi. He’d had a look but hadn’t seen them. Headed over there straight away and searched until dark. No sign, tuned out there were mislabelled - they were in fact Spotless Crakes – and by the president of Birds Qld no less…….
8.3.14 Minnippi
I picked himself up at 5.45 and we got to Minnippi at 6. Started off well with a Bush Hen calling in response to playback at the bridge over Bulimba Creek – this was my 155th species at Minnippi and a nice birthday present. As noted last weekend the water level had dropped a bit providing some muddy margins around the islands – especially the smaller islands. Seemed to be an increase in Purple Swamphens and Lewin’s Honeyeaters and a flock of 15 Little Lorikeets was the biggest flock we’d had at Minnippi. A Black-necked Stork was a nice surprise – further investigation suggested it was an imm male – with dark flecking in the otherwise white upper back and shoulder area and the legs were a dull pink colour. The back track was quite lively for the first part – nothing exceptional, just lots of birds, including a Lewin’s Rail calling from somewhere on the river bank. A few White-throated Needletails zoomed around overhead, quite low, hawking the river vegetation, as they do, not sure of the exact number as may have been repeats, but at least 3 individuals. Flocks of Silvereyes, several Drongos, a single Little Shrike-thrush, and small numbers of Figbirds seemed to suggest some sort of seasonal movement. Back past the model airplane club and down to the boardwalk things started to quieten down. However, a Shining Bronze Cuckoo was only my second on site and a couple of Double-barred Finchesfly past appeared to be Rob’s first – which I found unusual. Tried playback for Spotless to complete the triumvirate but no response. The forest near the river was dead as, only walked in the first half. Headed off for breakfast at the Spanish cafe in Coorparoo, Stu texted and claimed 2 Wedgies at Minnippi but further research demoted them to White-breasted Sea Eagles….
15.3.14 Anstead
We got to site at 6.00 and walked the usual track. Quite birdy and a good range of species, but not huge numbers. Best bird probably a brief view of a White-throated Treecreeper as a new site species. Three juvenile Black-faced Monarchswere seen well, but fairy-wrens were clearly missing, presumably in moult and hiding out. Nothing else of exception, apart from the fact that I could hear Peaceful Dove and Rob couldn’t….and didn’t believe me until we found 3 in a tree. I then heard a Currawong call once and again Rob didn’t hear it…..although he kept on hearing Long-billed Corellas which I didn’t – but that’s the usual state of affairs. Breakfast at The Plum was more expensive than I liked and not a huge meal – a bit trendy I think.
16.3.14 Sandy Camp Rd
Got up at 4.00 and arrived on site at 5.10 – 20 mins before dawn. Set myself up in the back pond area and waited to see Black Bittern. After dawn and no sign of the bird, I walked around the pond and found Peter Boyd sitting waiting for the same thing – he had seen the bird fly in 10 mins before. While we sat and Peter talked…it re-appeared and perched up for a partially obstructed view on a semi-submerged log. Peter Boyd got up to see it and flushed it deeper into the trees. I left shortly afterwards and saw it briefly twice more in a more exposed position.
Walked on around the big deep pond then into the back of the third pond from the road and found a Yellow Wagtail!Appeared to be a male in non-breeding plumage but with bright yellow underparts was quite a striking bird. Texted and called Rob and Stu, Gavin, Andy and Matt Gilfedder. They all came except Andy and Matt managed to get some acceptable photos. Quite an exciting morning! At 9.00 went with Stu to Port of Brisbane to look for 100+ Broad-billed Sands reported to be there. We saw approx. 60 birds in one area but had no access to the roost, of course, only viewing through the wire.
Still – Black Bittern, Yellow Wagtail and Broad-billed Sands in one day! Got to be good!
22.3.14 Bellbird Park
Picked Rob up and went to the Spotted Quail-thrush spot just before the Bellbird Park turn off on the road to Mt Glorious. Walked up the track an within a few minutes had a SQT walking down the slope below us. Good view. Went on down to the picnic area and wandered along the tracks and car park for an hour or so. Saw a few birds – Little and Grey Shrike Thrush, Whipbirds, Currawong, Pale-headed Rosellas, King parrots, Golden and Rufous Whistler, Striated Pardalote, Yellow Robin, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Rufous Fantail, White-throated Treecreeper and 2 Spectacled Monarchs- an immature and an adult together. Went to Ashgrove café for breakfast, home by 10.30.
23.3.14 Sandy Camp Rd
Headed out at 4.30 and got to the Black Bittern pond by 5.10. Watched dawn break and the Ibis leave the roost. About 300 White, 30 Straw-necked and 1 Glossy, a few Night herons and several Great and Intermediate Egrets. Finally saw the BB briefly when another birder flushed it back towards the papyrus. It landed in a tea tree and I couldn’t see it perched. I went on to the Wagtail pond and found a number of birders there – the bird was not around but had been seen. 1 5minutes or so and it flew ‘in’ from where? No idea. Perched up nicely in a dead tree in the sun for good viewing before dropping down onto the lily pads and mud to feed.
Checked out the Kianawah Rd mudflats on the way home – lots of Sharpies, Stilts and 55 at least Red-kneed Dotterels. 1 single Red-necked Stint had me going for a few seconds but that’s all it was. A very clearly defined breastband on one of the Sharpies was reminiscent of Pec, but…..otherwise it was a Sharpie. Home by 8.45.
29.3.14 Minnippi
At Minnippi at 6.00. Heavy rain over preceding days made conditions a little boggy, but only the back track flooded. Level in lake still down, but fewer wading birds and smaller numbers of duck. Down the back track it was fairly quiet but did have the second only observation of Black-faced Monarch, a juvenile bird, probably first recorded by Stu P earlier in the month. Back up over the hill and a Spotless Crake put in an unrequested performance under the boardwalk in the mangroves. A circling Sparrowhawk over the woods beside the creek was the only other item of interest. Breakfast at Belises.
30.3.14 Sandy Camp Rd & Manly wader roost
Yet another pre dawn Sunday at SCR! Picked up Stu at 4.45 and watched the sun rise until6.10 when the Black Bitternfinally flew out of the reeds and across the lake. We were unable to locate it again but we did find Nikolas & Raja Hass and Andrew Sunderland and later Matt G and we looked for the wagtail unsuccessfully – altho others saw it through the day.
We all went to Manly then for high tide at 9.30 and found 2 Broad-billed Sands, a Sooty Oystercatcher and an Asian Dowitcher on site. Some construction bodes ill will for future access. But at least this morning we got in and got some good birds. Lots of other stuff - Sharp-tailed and Terrick Sands, Grey-tailed Tattlers, Pied Oystercatchers, Red-necked Stints, Golden, Lesser Sand, Red-capped and Double-banded Plovers. Gull-billed, Caspian, Little and Crested Terns, Bar-tailed Godwits, a Curlew, a Whimbrel and 3 Greenshanks.
We retired for breakfast in Manly at the Celtic Corner. Afterwards Stu and I checked out the Kianawah rd wetlands – semi-flooded again, but with only 2 Marsh Sands most birds had dispersed to other locations.
5.4.14 Survey & Minnippi
Survey time – new location, 672 Priestdale rd, Rochedale. Got there as planned at 6.30 and met the owner. She got in my car and we drove over the property to a back block where I birded for an hour and she sat and read after attending to her electric fence. Not a lot happening, but its 40 acres with a couple of dams and so picked up a decent list of birds for a survey property. Headed off to Minnippi afterwards and bumped into Stu P. Not a lot happening here either – I had a Sparrowhawk and he had a Goshawk – walked the back track together for little result. Headed home for 11.00.
6.4.14 Sandy Camp Rd
Stu picked me up at 5.40, got to SCR at 6.00. Eventually met up with Nikolas and Raja. Looked for the BB with no luck. Saw the Yellow Wagtail this time - same location as originally, i.e. on the other side on the mud. Spent quite a bit of time wandering around along with a large number of other birders. Stu and I stopped off to check the Lindum wetlands on Kianawah Rd – pretty quiet there, just a few Marsh Sands.
12.4.14 Oxley
Got to site pre dawn, 5.50, and watched the sun come up. Activity pretty low key. Walked to Pelican lagoon without seeing anyone else – but not much happening either. A large no of Black-fronted Dotterels and a Brown Falcon chased by Crows were the most exciting birds. Met the Professor halfway back and chatted for a while. Home for breakfast by 10.00
13.4.14 Lindum Wetlands & Manly wader roost
Andy called me late morning yesterday to alert me to an Eremaea report that a Ruff had been found at Lindum wetlands. He and Stu had managed to get out to see it yesterday. I picked Stu up at 5.40 and we were on site at 6.00 along with Rod Gardiner and a few other unknowns. We found it eventually from the Kianawah Rd access, although it had been seen from the side (Brumby?) street originally. Not bad scope views feeding with Sharpies. Wetlands fairly flooded due to recent rain.
After an hour or so Stu and I headed down to Manly followed by Ged Tranter and some other unknown birder.
Very small numbers of Godwits on site, 1 Broad-billed Sand, lots of Tereks and Curlew Sands, Whimbrel, Red-necked Stints and Lesser Sand Plover along with about 20 Double-banded ect. Had breakfast again at Celtic Corner.
18.4.14 Anstead & Moggill Swamp
Good Friday – arrived, alone, at Anstead at 7.00. Small flocks of Lorikeets in trees around car park – majority Rainbow but good numbers of Scaly-breasted, a couple of Little flew over. Walked up usual track seeing mostly usual birds, nothing exceptional. Very quiet at the top of the track and along the ridge to the back track – small numbers of birds between there and the river outlook. Really quiet then all the way to the sheltered outlook and even as far as the track to the quarry and the fig tree. Most notable bird - good numbers of Grey Fantail, a few Scarlet Honeyeaters, Oriolesand, half way down the bitumen a Fan-tailed Cuckoo.
Drove down to Moggill Swamp along Hawkesbury Rd and a Channel-billed Cuckoo flew across the road at no 105. A late bird!
The water levels have increased in the swamps – both sides of the road have good water again, at least temporarily. Best bird – White-necked Heron on the ‘Anstead’ side and a brief view of a Spotted Harrier down the road towards Belbowrie, large numbers of Swamphens and smaller numbers of usual birds – Egrets, Grebes, Moorhens, Stilts etc. Disappointing morning.
20.4.14 Oxley
Again alone arrived on site at 6.30. Ended up with a good list, but nothing spectacular. An unusual sight was a large, light green parakeet type bird with a pink face flying in circles calling loudly – an obvious escapee. 2 Yellow-rumped Thornbills between the cement culverts were probably the best birds – and good views of Mangrove Gerygone at the same time was rewarding. Good water in both ponds again, levels quite high. A smaller number of Black-fronted Dotterels this week and still small numbers of duck too. An adult White-bellied Sea Eagle overhead and a flyby flock of approx. 40 Topknot Pigeons were noteworthy. Totalled 59 species.
21.4.14 Minnippi
Left my car at Stu’s place and we got to site at 6.45. Ended up with a really good list of 60 species, but again, nothing much beyond the number to write home about. We did have 4 Little Lorikeets perched up in the forest near the river – which was a first for me (usually just flying overhead) and a pair of King Parrots were a site tick for both of us and only the third record for Minnippi. A Rufous Fantail on the back track was a welcome sight and three separate flocks of Topknot Pigeons totalling at least 100 birds flew past above a circling Brown Goshawk. Last notable bird – a Fan-tailed Cuckoo heard calling - and called in via playback - along the path. Went to Mackers for a light breakfast and a chat about WA before heading home.
Overall a disappointing Easter weekend’s birding – the weather is just too good!
25.4.14 Oxley
Took the kayak up the creek in search of ….Black Bittern? No luck, in fact virtually no birds seen as I got a late start. Good to kayak again, first time in ages.
27.4.14 Lindum, Sandy Camp & Manly
Lindum first – nothing reportable, a few Sharpies and 2 Curlew Sands, but otherwise just the usual Stilts, Grey and Chestnut Teal ect. Into Fowler for the first time in ages. Good potential but nothing outstanding either. The Ruff and Pec had been reported from here last weekend, but appear to have disappeared now. Sandy Camp had the usual plus a Restless Fly high in the trees at the junction of the paths between the deep back pond and The Black Bittern pond. No sign of the Wagtail or the BB. On to Manly – average number of waders, but only 1 Double-banded Plover?
17.5.14 North Stradbroke Island
Winds looked good – easterly to south easterly 15-20 knots. But outcome poor – it’s a bad time of year. A few Noddies and 3 Gannets in the two and a half hours I was there. Did have two apparent Petrels – along the lines of White-headed but seen poorly, too distant, and not positively identified.
18.5.14 Lindum & Minnippi
Went to Lindum to see the Pec and/or Ruff, but met two other birders and nothing to report. Was about to enter Fowler when Stu rang and I took off to Minnippi to see a single Musk Lorikeet in the tress over the bridge. Went on to walk the usual route – and we pulled a Mangrove Gerygone up for Stu. Also a Peregrine on the electricity towers.
24.5.14 Anstead & Moggill swamps
Met Rod Gardiner & Gavin G and found the reported Scarlet Robin along the bitumen track. Watched it on and off for an hour then walked the rest of the track – not much else to report - a very grey, dank, quiet morning.
Went on to Moggill swamp – the usual water birds, nothing out of the ordinary apart form a Black Kite overhead.
25.5.14 Minnippi
Usual birds – plus a juv Black-faced Monarch on the forest track. Met Stu on my return and we chatted for a while – he went on and had 2 Black Kites and a Whistler.
31.5.14 Oxley
Good morning – no other birders, but did have a female White-winged Triller at the lake, a pair of Plum-headed Finchesjust before the lake and 2 Rose Robins along the track – including one with no tail. Good bird list.
1.6.14 Lindum, Fowler, Sandy Camp & Manly
Lindum first – nothing special, no brown waders at all. Good numbers of Black-fronted Dotts at Fowler and Red-kneedand Marsh Sands. Excellent exposed mud. Sandy Camp - only 1 Glossy Ibis as notable, otherwise just usual birds. Manly – wader nos lower than expected, possibly due to not-very-high tide, 25 Double-banded, but only 3 Tattlers.
7.6.14 Minnippi
Went alone to Minnippi arriving at 7.15. Walked the tracks as usual – with 2 Mangrove Gerygones on the M1 track and a Fan-tailed Cuckoo that put in a close appearance. Good numbers of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and a few Golden Whistlers, 2 Bee Eaters (over wintering or passing through?) and a single Bush Turkey and a (later identified) White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike along the Airfield track. While sitting at the raptor spotting site an Osprey flew past being mobbed by crows.- only my third on site and the last one was in 2005. Stu turned up a little while later and we chatted for a while before I headed home and he headed on.
14.6.14 John Oxley res, Pine River
Rob picked me up at 6.00 and we picked up coffee on the way across the city to the reserve just upriver from the Pine River Bridge. Sitting in the carpark waiting for the light to improve, Gavin G appeared and the three of us headed down the track together. Our interest this morning was a roosting White-throated Nightjar and we quickly found it in its, apparently, favourite tree. Another birder had joined us – a visitor from the UK, here for a few days – and he was happy to see a bird like this perched up, appreciating the rarity involved. Mangrove Honeyeaters, Yellow Robins, Brahminy Kiteand a few other common local species were also seen on our circuit in the reserve.
Rob and I bade GG farewell and headed back to the southside, stopping off at Dowse Lagoon at Sandgate to check the occupants – the usual Ducks, Grebes & Cormorants – a Pheasant Coucal scuttled around in front of the viewing platform, but other than that it was very average.
Breakfast in Belisi’s in Coorparoo was a success with pancakes on the menu providing good value for money.
15.6.14 Minnippi
Challenged by the fact that Stu had Brown Gerygone yesterday after I had claimed Mangrove at the same place I decided to try for the birds again…..went at 12.30 which was a bit of a waste of time, as it was quite windy and there were a lot of civilians around the lake itself. No Gerygones responded to playback so I didn’t prove or disprove my sightings. Things were generally very quiet around the bush – and the usual birds only around the lake, although 40 Masked Lapwingsperched up on the mud were exceptional!
21.6.14 Minnippi
Another quiet birding weekend – only activity was on Saturday. Picked up Rob at 6.45 and arrived at Minnippi at 7. Walked the tracks and scanned the pond for a good list (60species), but nothing outstanding. No sign of any Gerygones, either Mangrove or Brown, and no migrating Pittas responded to playback. We did have a very small male Collared Sparrowhawk fly overhead at the entrance to the M1 track and an Eastern Yellow Robin called from deep in the bush. A good number of Scarlet Honeyeaters were scattered across the area and Yellow-faced, as winter visitors, sucked up the nectar while a pair of Pale-headed Rosellas finally showed after calling on and off while remaining hidden. The water levels are quite low at the moment and lots of exposed mud holds promise of waders – if it stays like this till Spring……
Met Stu at the raptor lookout point and chatted about world cup football scores and birding in South America for a while. A Brown Goshawk put in a timely appearance, circling over the creek below, before Rob and I headed off to Belisi’s again for breakfast – the pancakes of last week had left a lasting impression….
28.6.14 Oxley
Arrived at Oxley alone at 7.15 to a bright, sunny, cool morning. A flock of Brown Quail flew low overhead as I headed for the gate and quickly scuttled off into the undergrowth. The track was quite birdy with flocks of Honeyeaters congregating on available food sources. Yellow-faced were predominate. The first mixed flock included Brown HEs, Sivereyes and a bonus – an Eastern Spinebill that was a first on site for me.
Further along the track I had 2 Double-barred Finches, a White-throated Gerygone, a Willy Wagtail, a Grey Fantail, a couple of Fairy-wrens and a Rufous Whistler in the same tree! Above a trio of Pied Butcherbirds were singing together.
On to eventually reach the lakes and 4 Red-kneed and 6 Black-fronted Dotterels pattered through the mud. Black-winged Stilts, Grey Teal and a few Dusky Moorhens were joined by a Black Duck with 9 ducklings and a perched up Great Cormorant. – not a common bird at Oxley. On the fence Welcome Swallows rested between flights along with a couple of Tree Martins. Walking back along the track I flushed a groups of Crested Pigeons some of whom perched up for some easy photos! All in all it was a good morning.
29.6.14 Anstead
Rob picked me up in the dark at 6.00 and we arrived on site at 6.30. A small group of Apostlebirds flew over the car as we arrived and a Bush Turkey took his life in his hands trying to cross the road.
We parked up and walked up the grassy slope to the edge of the tree line where the visiting Scarlet Robin had been re-discovered in the past week, having re-located from the bitumen track. No sign of it in the relatively cold dawn.
On along the track and plenty of birds moving around – Noisy Friarbirds, Golden Whistlers (mainly females), Grey Fantails, dozens of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Striped and Spotted Pardalotes and Red-browed Finches while Rainbowand Little Lorikeets hammered overhead. Top of the track and a mixed flock of some of these species plus Double-barred Finches and Silvereyes took our focus. Two Fan-tailed Cuckoos showed and a well coloured up Rose Robin put in an appearance but remained outside photographic range – as they do. A Speckled Warbler was more obliging.
On along the tracks and we added other good birds such as White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Little Shrike-thrush, Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Peaceful Dove and another (plain) Rose Robin.
Returning an hour and a half later to the carpark we walked up the slope again to check for the Scarlet Robin. A Spotted Harrier flew low overhead – a new site bird for me. At the tree edge a pair of photographers had set up camp – literally - with a camouflaged hide and massive lenses set up on heavy duty tripods. They assured us the Robin had been around and, sure enough, it shortly returned to perform admirably for all.
We drove out to Moggill Swamp to find approx. 80 Purple Swamphens and a few Dusky Moorhens and Grey Teal, but little else.
Stopped off at the Kenmore Hotel for breakfast and a hot cup of coffee or two.
