Short visit to Greenfields Wetlands

This morning I made a quick visit to Greenfields Wetlands to check out any migrants. There were a few Whiskered Terns around, but I didn't manage any decent photos. The rest of the birds there were all pretty common. As usual, Black Swan, Purple Swamphen and Coot were everywhere.

There were also a few Great Egrets there, but as usual they were pretty flighty. I did manage a couple of shots of this one. When I zoomed back a bit it made an interesting shot with the Australian Ibis.

Then a small flock of White-headed Stilts flew in, and just as quickly flew off again. But they had disturbed this Australian Spotted Crake.

As usual, pelicans were flying around, and as usual I couldn't resist firing off a few shots!

Little Grassbirds ans Australian Reed Warblers were singing from every suitable spot, and with patience I managed a few shots of each, though from a distance.

Grebes were in evidence, with plenty of Hoary-headed and Australian Little Grebes feeding busily in the deeper channels.

Finally, this little fellow was happily munching on the verge.

Skywatch Friday - Limestone Coast (Part 4)

On the way back from the Limestone Coast I noticed a flock of Pelicans circling above a lake in the Coorong National Park. When I stopped and looked properly, there were waves of Pelicans circling, gaining height, and then peeling off, all heading north. I estimate that there were at least 600, in groups of 75-100. I don't know where they were going, but they all seemed to know! It was a wonderful sight.

Kangaroo Island - Part 3 - Kingscote

On the Sunday we had to make our way back to the ferry and then home to Adelaide. We took a slow drive and stopped at any likely looking spots. One such spot was a flowering Pohutukawa (New Zealand Christmas Tree) near the tidal swimming pool. It was a very busy spot with many birds coming and going. New Holland Honeyeaters and Silvereyes made up the majority. As we headed round the Bay of Shoals we found a few Pelicans, a couple of Pied Oystercatchers (recently split from Eurasian Oystercatcher) and a very cheeky Superb Fairy-wren. Finally we headed to Lathami Conservation Park at Stokes Bay to look for Glossy Black Cockatoo. This highly endangered race is found only on KI, and is separated from the mainland race by almost 2000km (1250 miles). We heard a couple, and saw one briefly as it flew away from us. This photo was taken a couple of years ago and is of the mainland race. Also at Lathami were lots of Common Brown butterflies and my favourite native plant the Grass Tree

Greenfields Wetland

This morning, before the heat of the day got too much, I went for an early walk around Greenfields Wetland. I noticed a few days ago that the water level was beginning to drop and I was hoping to see some crakes here. The level had just dropped enough to show some muddy margins, so I was hopeful of some waders (shorebirds) as well. As I parked the car, about 50 or so Black-tailed Nativehens appeared from under bushes and borders and disappeared into the reedbed, leaving this very cross Willie Wagtail to scold me for disturbing their Saturday Morning!!. There was nothing notable on the water, just the usual birds. A pair of White-headed Stilts in one corner, an Australian Pelican, and the most notable duck was a male Chestnut Teal As I got to a sheltered corner, there were a few dragonflies hawking for food. This one finally settled and I managed to grab a photo. In the reeds opposite a Purple Swamphen was making its way precariously through the reeds. Back at the carpark I heard a dove call that didn't sound quite right. It was a Barbary Dove. There has been some discussion on the Birding-Aus mail list regarding the status of this species in South Australia. It is thought that they have escaped from captivity, and they seem to be multiplying in Adelaide now. I tracked down at least four at this site and they were happily displaying to each other. Consensus is split between allowing them to continue breeding and rounding them up and destroying them. On the way home, I spotted this Nativehen by the road. They always have such a surprised look on their faces!! No crakes, and only one species of wader. As this wetland is divided by a major highway so tomorrow I will try the other half.......

Sooty Oystercatchers

This weekend was another trip up to Whyalla, and as the forecast was dull, wet and windy, I didn't take my camera with me (to be honest I forgot it). Well, I'm sure we all know by know that weather forecasting is not an exact science, and Sunday dawned bright and breezy, so we took a walk by the Marina and Beach. I have often seen a small flock of Sooty Oystercatchers here, usually flying and calling, but never withing range.......until Sunday!! I did have my compact camera with me, so I started to slowly stalk them. The main problem with a beach is that there is nothing to hide behind!! So I slowly zig-zagged along the beach...... Getting closer.... Until I took one step too far.....

As you can see from the above photo, there was also an adult Pacific Gull on the beach, accompanied by a juvenile

And also what is locally referred to as "Whyalla Gull". It is actually a Silver Gull, and a number of them have had their plumage stained by iron oxide from the local steel works.

There was no sight of the pod of dolphins that usually haunts the marina, just one solitary Pelican......

Pelicans

We had another wet weekend in South Australia, so yet again I was unable to get out and about. I used the time to prepare a new page for my website featuring one of Australia (and the worlds) most enigmatic birds......the Pelican. The Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillanus is widespread across most of Australia and is a vagrant to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The Pelican is currently experiencing a huge breeding event at Lake Eyre in South Australia and the channel country of South Western Queensland due to the floods in Queensland earlier this year. I never tire of watching them, wether it be one, soaring or swimming, or a flock loafing on the beach or squabbling whilst feeding. A great spectacle is the daily feeding of wild pelicans at Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. Groups of pelicans fly in around an hour before dusk, and some days there can be 100 or more.

Whyalla, Eyre Peninsula

I regularly visit Whyalla on the Eyre Peninsula as my fiance (Maryann)lives there. It is approximately 400Km (250 Miles) or 4 hours drive North West of Adelaide.

Whyalla is the third largest city in South Australia and is reliant on its Steelworks for most employment in the area.

Every Easter they hold the Australian Snapper Fishing Competition there. This years winner weighed over 15Kg (34lb). This photo is from last year and shows a Red Snapper of around 10Kg

As each boat comes into the marina, they are escorted by a number of Bottlenose Dolphins. there are up to five dolphins that are regularly in the marina including 2 calves born last year.

There is a lovely viewpoint overlooking the marina and the beach. The beach features a large sandbar at low tide, and the shallows are regularly used by kite boarders.

While we were up there a couple of Australasian Palicans soared around us enjoying the thermals rising from the boat ramp and parking area. I cannot resist taking photos of Pelicans, they are such enigmatic birds.

I particularly like the cloud formations in this shot.

As the night drew in, strolled along the jetty to enjoy the view. (and yes, this is still the sea)