7 Sept bird survey

Thanks to bountiful recent rains, both main lakes are nearly full. Nevertheless, two Black-fronted Dotterels were observed, much to the surveyors’ surprise given the current limited area of bare shoreline.

During the last month, numerous trees have been cleared along the park’s northern boundary, as part of a new data centre construction project. This has probably encouraged Noisy Miners to come into the park from neighbouring landscaped spaces. As it is, almost all birds observed were close to the park boundaries.

Nesting has started for several species, and there are numerous blue males amongst the population of Superb Fairy-wrens.

A further 24 species were recorded on eBird over the last month in addition to today’s tally of 45. This indicates how important it is to include these records to get a clearer understanding of the bird diversity that occurs in Westgate Park.

Some observations from Ursula

I was in the park on the 31st August and saw a good number of birds and noticed a couple of Dragonflies. Two days later there were Dragonflies everywhere which attracted many Silver gulls to the park for the feast. Spring has defiantly sprung and the birds looked happy. I managed to get a shot of the Little Grass Bird we have been hearing of late. Also, a Grey Fantail.

Birds are feasting on the nectar of the flowering plants in the park as well as Lerp on the gums.