The highlight of my last fortnight occurred when I was driving with my daughter along Grubb Road, near Oakdene Winery, when a flock of around 60 yellow-tailed black cockatoos flew across the road.
It was probably the biggest gathering of these birds that I have ever seen.
These birds feed in flocks and like to eat eucalypt and pine seeds. There are many pine trees around Oakdene so I suppose these birds were munching on pine cones.
I received an email from Kevin and Anne Maree, and it was a very welcomed email as I haven’t heard from them for a few years.
They were at the Eastern Beach swimming enclosure in Geelong and were surprised to see so many grebes (around 15 or so) feeding together within the enclosure. There were some others in the bay itself and a report of dolphins.
It’s hard to tell from Kevin’s photo, but I think the species of grebe was likely to be the hoary-headed grebe, which prefers large, open waterways, whereas Australasian grebes are usually found in freshwater ponds. These two species look very similar from a distance, and it’s common to see hoary-headed grebes at Eastern Beach.
Interestingly hoary-headed refers to the plumage colour of grey or white, so I could be termed hoary-headed myself.
I received an email from Carole, who wondered if she had told me of the fantastic performance put on by the pink-eared ducks at the Western Treatment Plant. They appeared to be feeding as a team.
Carole contacted Bird Life about her observation, which she describes as the most amazing scene of synchronised swimming she had ever observed. The ducks were paddling as a team and all moving together to frighten the food into one area where they could all feed together.
One duck seemed to be elected ‘watcher’ in case the birds themselves were attacked but everyone else swam in a tight pack moving as one. In all Carole’s years of birding she never viewed this before. Thanks so much Carole, this sounds a sight to behold.
I received a message from a work colleague Tenille, who lives at Mount Moriac. She told me that a large raptor (which I identified as a little eagle) was hanging around her property, and she managed to take a photo of the eagle on her phone.
There were two other larger birds (I’m guessing wedge-tailed eagles) also sitting on the fence posts, but Tenille didn’t manage a photo.
Tenille told me that there are many rabbits around Mount Moriac currently so I’m assuming that the birds are having a rabbit feast. How amazing to have such magnificent birds hanging around a property.
Stay warm and happy winter birdwatching.
