St Kilda Saltfields

This morning I had a couple of hours in the Saltfields. There were thousands of stilts there, both White-headed and Banded.

Other waders (shorebirds) included Red-necked Stint and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.

There were also good numbers of fairywrens there, but this female White-winged was the only one I photographed. Fours species of Cormorant were seen, and only Little Pied was snapped.

I caught this Whiskered Tern plucking insects from the bushes, and also got long range shots of Red-kneed Dotterel and Sacred Kingfisher.

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.......

Spring Evening at Kaurna Wetlands Park

After a stressful day at work yesterday, it was turning into a lovely evening as I walked home through the local wetlands. So I decided to grab my camera and see what I could find. I am so lucky to have this wetland park right on my doorstep. It is certainly becoming my "local patch" and I also tend to think of it as an extension to my garden (yard). The southern and eastern tracks were very quiet, a few wattlebirds and honeyeaters in the trees, and unusually, no lorikeets. I did notice there were fewer flowering eucalypts so they have probably moved on to find new sources of nectar. The northern end opens out into the wetland proper, and it was brimming with life!!. At one spot close to the path there were two Royal Spoonbills (only the second group I have seen here), some White-faced Herons, Great Egrets and a very smart White-headed Stilt. Using trees for cover, I slowly inched forward and got into position for a nice close-up of the Spoonbills, only to have them spooked by a family out with their dog. I did get a couple of nice flight shots so it wasn't all bad.

As I carried on towards home I unwittingly disturbed a young Pacific Black Duck family. On the last pool were a couple of Black-tailed Nativehens. Due to the good winter rains this year, these birds are in plague proportions around Adelaide at the moment.

After dinner, I noticed light streaming through a window at home. It was this wonderful full moon. I must try and get some photos of the moon in other phases.........hmm I can feel another post coming on.........