A springlike winter walk around Kaurna Wetlands Park

Maryann and I have been super busy over the past few weeks so we have had no time to get out.

Sunday morning dawned bright and still, so I took Kobe in one hand, and my camera in the other, and took a walk around Kaurna wetlands.    Even though we are still in winter here, the morning had a definite springlike feel to it.   It was very still, and the reflections on the main inlet pool were beautiful.

Lots of birds were singing, some common others not so.  Red Wattlebird is very common here, as is Crested Pigeon.  Magpielark is here all year round, and I have found quite a few of its mud bowl nests, though rarely with Mum in situ!

A common bird two kilometres (1 mile) away, but less common in the park is Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.  Australian Pelicans are often seen soaring over the park, so it was a nice surprise to see this one land and rest a while. 

I took a long shot of some ducks roosting, thinking they would be Pacific Black Ducks, but on closer inspection, I think they may be Freckled Duck, an irruptive species that I haven't seen here before.  It's always great to get a new bird on your local patch!

The "heron tree" had a Great Egret, but he flew to the middle of the wetlands before I got there.   Also on the tree was an Australian Darter, only the second I have recorded here in almost five years.

On the way back, a small group of Purple-crowned Lorikeets entertained, feeding busily on the Eucalyptus blossoms.

Laratinga Wetlands

This afternoon, Maryann and I popped into Laratinga Wetlands at Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills.

As we strolled around, there were plenty of birds to see.  First bird was a Yellow-billed Spoonbill, fast asleep in the sun. 

Water levels were low in some ponds, but the boardwalks helped get close to the birds.  Dusky Moorhens were everywhere, and a pair of "mixed up mallards" were keeping a close eye on their brood.

 Not so many Common Coots in the shallows, but there were plenty in the deeper water.  I counted over 20 Spotted Crakes, and some were very confiding.

The only parrot we saw were Adelaide Rosellas.   Another birder had mentioned he'd seen some Freckled Ducks, and we eventually found one on a log with a Grey Teal and a Hardhead for company.

The next pond held lots of birds, and we quickly ticked off Chestnut Teal and Australian Little Grebe.

A small movement in the reeds betrayed this Australian Reed Warbler, but the Hoary-headed Grebes were much more conspicuous against the dark water.

Then I flushed a small crake.  My immediate thought was a Baillon's, but it disappeared before I could see it properly.  On the way back, it was at the same spot, and I trod a little more carefully!!  ID confirmed, and duly photographed!! A Baillon's Crake.

On the way back to the car we passed this fluffed up White-faced Heron, some Purple Swamphen's and a single Hardhead.