Jan 2018 bird survey

Pleasingly, almost all recently hatched Australasian Grebes, Dusky Moorhens, Eurasian Coots and Black-winged Stilts recorded in December are now healthy juveniles. Water levels are very high in the main lakes, but lower in smaller water bodies. 
Land-based bird species commonly seen were much less evident – for example only two New Holland Honeyeaters, one Little Wattlebird and no Rainbow Lorikeets.
However, there were Interesting/notable sightings:
– The first record of a nesting Hoary-headed Grebe since monthly surveys began
– At least two Brown Thornbills (one seen, another heard) indicate this species is now a likely resident
– Three Nankeen Night-Herons: one adult and one immature roosting in a eucalypt beside the dam, and an adult flying over FOWP compound towards Wharf Road
– An unconfirmed distant call, possibly a Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo
– A Common Bronzewing was observed earlier

Andrew McCutcheon, Euan Moore and Rob Youl  

Weather: Mostly fine with light to moderate south west wind. Temp 18⁰ C – 23⁰ C. Entire survey route completed. Time start 0910, finish 1330

* seen at/along Yarra River only.  D- Denotes dependent young plus number of separate broods.

Note: For species seen in large numbers, or for which accurate counting was difficult the number seen is rounded off to the nearest of tens or fives followed by a +.

Habitat: The water level in the Large Freshwater and Saltwater lakes remains very high, but has fallen considerably in the smaller water bodies and the dam. It appears that almost all the recently hatched young Australasian Grebes, Dusky Moorhens, Eurasian Coots and Black-winged Stilts recorded during the December survey have survived to become healthy juveniles according to the numbers counted this month. 

Numbers of all land based bird species commonly seen in the park were much lower than the previous month. Most notable were only two New Holland Honeyeaters, one Little Wattlebird and noRainbow Lorikeets recorded today.

Interesting/notable sightings:

The first ever record of a Hoary-headed Grebe on a nest in the park today (since we commenced our regularly monthly surveys).

At least two Brown Thornbills (one seen and another heard) indicate this species is now likely to be resident in the park.

Three Nankeen Night-Herons, one adult and one immature were roosting in a eucalypt beside the dam, and an adult in flight over the track to the FOWP compound from Todd Road. 

A distant call, possibly a Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo was heard but could not be confirmed.

Opportunistic sightings: