It’s been a very mild few weeks, with beautiful still, sunny days, and very little rain.
This is perfect weather for birdwatching, but not great for waterways and farms that are in desperate need of rain.
I saw my first flame robin of the autumn when I was walking (unfortunately without my camera) in Oakdene Estate near Jenelle Crescent in Ocean Grove.
The beautiful male flame robin was on a fence feeding on insects. The bird remained in this spot for a few days, and then disappeared.
I saw an Australian hobby in the same vicinity a few days later, so I’m hoping that the flame robin did not fall victim to this bird catcher.
I was walking in the car park behind the Ocean Grove shops near the Coles supermarket one morning when to my surprise I saw a small flock of singing honeyeaters and a few spiny-cheeked honeyeaters in the banksia trees in the car park. I was quite surprised as usually these birds are seen in the dunes around the beach, and I didn’t expect to see them in the car park, and I hope that they avoid getting hit by my cars there.
I had a lovely trip to Western Treatment Plant with Lizzy and Stephen from Barwon Heads. We bumped into a couple who told us they had seen a pair of orange-bellied parrots, but we didn’t spot them.
We did see a lovely flock of red-necked avocets, as well as a few red-kneed dotterels and fairy terns.
I received an email from Carole, who told me that all of the campers have disappeared from the St Leonards foreshore back to the city and work, so the next arrivals, namely flocks of little corellas, have taken full advantage. The camping grounds are covered with hungry visitors and the trees are packed with those awaiting their turn.
I’ve also noticed many little corellas in Ocean Grove.
I received an email from Alan who is currently on a road trip with his wife Anne. Alan emailed from Myrtleford, where they stopped to check out the autumn leaves but of course Alan had to check out the birds as well.
Alan noted that it is extremely busy around Bright with ‘leaf lovers’ as the locals call tourists at this time of year.
On a walk along the river to the swing bridge there were so many photo opportunities for gang gang cockatoos, satin bowerbirds and king parrots aplenty.
Back at Myrtleford, Alan and Anne ventured 20 minutes out to Lake Buffalo and saw several flame robins along the way but at the lake itself they wandered amongst at least a dozen hopping around the reeds only metres away.
Alan was also surprised to find white-bellied sea eagles flying around the lake. This lake is full of bird life with different raptors, water birds, parrots and smaller birds. This sounds like heaven.
