February 5 bird survey

February 5 bird survey

Despite the poor weather conditions, the species tally is high. The female Musk Duck may be the same bird that took residence for some months in 2023, and sightings of a Bronzewing Pigeon and an Australian Spotted Crake are of great interest. Of the smaller bi...

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January 15 bird survey

January 15 bird survey

With such a prolonged series of heavy downpours over the last several weeks, the water bodies in the park are all very full. Indeed, as waterbirds in south-east Australia have a wide variety of current habitat choices, our numbers are fairly low. It was pleasi...

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December 4 bird survey

December 4 bird survey

Continuing rains keep the park’s main water bodies nearly full. The sighting of one Baillons Crake along the shoreline of the main island in the freshwater lake has been especially gratifying. These small attractive birds can be elusive and cryptic. Similarl...

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November 4 bird survey

November 4 bird survey

Apologies for the late delivery of this report, which, thanks especially to the remarkable efforts of Ursula Dutkiewicz, clearly indicates the continuing range of interesting and sometimes unexpected birds visiting Westgate Park. Water levels remain high, attr...

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October 2 bird survey

October 2  bird survey

Despite the park still looking in very good condition, the weather on the day was not so favourable for birds as reflected by the results. On the other hand, a combination of observations over the last month on eBird and those by our photographer and artist, U...

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September 4 bird survey

September 4 bird survey

Water levels have risen, with the overall species number obviously high from the survey today and the efforts of several other observers reporting on eBird over the last month. We are monitoring Noisy Miner numbers within the park. Numbers are low on today’s...

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August 7 bird survey

August 7 bird survey

This survey yielded a higher numerical tally than usual. The several highlights were the return of Black-winged Stilts; a hunting Black-Shouldered Kite watching from one of bridge light standards that killed and devoured a mouse as we watched; two groups of Re...

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July 3 bird survey

July 3 bird survey

The count is low because the day was unpromising, and the top guns in terms of bird identification were unavailable. Moreover, water levels are very high. Accordingly, the range of waterbirds is low. Surprisingly no teal or Black Swans were seen today. What is...

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June 5 bird survey

June 5 bird survey

Although conditions were unexceptional, and a few common species were not observed, the surveyors had a wonderful day. The appearance in the park over the last month of Red-Browed Finches (often in the company of Goldfinches) was greatly appreciated by all, an...

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May 1 bird survey

May 1 bird survey

After a wetter than usual April with a total of over 100 mm rainfall, the water level is high in both large lakes. This has provided particularly favorable conditions for deep water diving feeders in the large freshwater lake. Birds such as Australasian and Ho...

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