Oaklands Wetland again

As my local wetlands is completely dry now, I decided to head to Oaklands Wetland this morning, before it got too crowded.

All of the usual suspects were there, including Purple Swamphen, Grey Teal, Royal Spoonbill and Noisy Miner.

On one of the bridges was this Little Pied Cormorant who allowed me to slowly creep within a few metres.

The long staying pair of Pink-eared Ducks were still there, and although they are still quite timid, they allowed a reasonable approach with a bit of patience. They are quite stunning little ducks up close.

A favourite of mine is the white-faced Heron, and this one was quite happy to approach to about 3 metres as long as I kept still.

There are quite a few nest boxes here, and this one was full to overflowing!

Birding to the south of Adelaide

The other weekend, after hearing reports of an Australian Bustard on Hindmarsh Island, I decided to head south and see if it was still about.

As I crossed the bridge from Goolwa onto the island, it started to rain and there was a spectacular rainbow.

 

 

I criss-crossed the island and did not find the elusive bustard.  There were a few flocks of Elegant Parrots, one of which was happy to perch close to a Nankeen Kestrel.

There were also good numbers of Cape Barren Geese, and a group of Straw-necked Ibis.

Heading back, I checked out the Murray Mouth, but it was high tide so no waders to speak of.  As usual there was a Great Egret standing guard just south of the barrage.

On my way through the hills I called in to Laratinga Wetlands at Mount Barker.  The White-faced Herons were very obliging, as were the Black-fronted Dotterels. 

And, of course, a visit to Laratinga is never complete without an Australian Spotted Crake or two!!

 

Local wetlands

After last night's storm, today dawned calm and sunny. But this was only to be a lull, as another front is forecast for tonight.

I decided to make the most of it and head to two local wetlands. The water was very high at Greenfields Wetlands so there were not many birds.  A Little Grassbird was very confiding though, alternating between feeding and singing in a bush right by the road.

This Purple Swamphen had a small family of chicks with it, but they all disappeared as soon as I touched the camera!

At Whites Road, the water was a little lower.  The Black Swans were feeding in one corner, with a single Australian Ibis and 100's of Black-tailed Nativehens in another.

On the way home I saw this White-faced Heron busily feeding in an old overgrown paddock.  He slowly stalked back and forth until he found lunch!

A little local birding

For the first timer in a few months, I managed to get out for a few hours birding earlier this week.  I visited the local wetlands to see if I could catch up with some summer visitors.

First stop was Wicker Road at Port Adelaide.  Not many waterbirds, but in the trees along the road were White-plumed Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird and Singing Honeyeater.

 

 

Along the road was a Kestrel, and a Black-shouldered Kite.  I managed one shot of the Kite as he flew off, but a few minutes later he returned with some unidentified prey in his talons.

At Greenfields, I noticed this Pelican - I'm not sure that he was going to obey the sign though. Nearby were Royal Spoonbills, Masked Lapwing, White-faced Heron and Australian white Ibis.

I decided to head North towards Port Gawler, and clicked Magpielark and Australian Hobby along the way.  White-headed Stilt and Grey Butcherbird were also seen before I caught up with a small party of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and a single Common Greenshank.