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Private birding trip report Lake Victoria, Point Lonsdale. It was late afternoon when we arrived at the carpark and as we walked along the track towards the golf course, we noted plenty of White-fronted Chat on the ponds and about 700 Chestnut Teal in the lake. Further on, a small flock of Red-necked Stints and Red-capped Plovers was feeding on the shore. After a pleasant walk through the Moonah woodland, we got the telescope out to view the rocky outcrops near the island in the southwest of the lake. I noted about 300 Red-capped Plover, a few more Red-necked Stints, about 10 Double-banded Plover.
After further scanning some larger dumpier waders came into view. A second look confirmed 7 Red Knot loafing on the Rocks, with some in partial breeding plumage. I was excited by this, but stunned when a large flock of at least 130 more Red Knots flew in to join them. One lovely bird was in complete breeding plumage. (See Red Knot photos on Peter Fuller's website.) First year Red Knots over-winter in this region. There were reports of up to 128 birds at Sand Island and Mud Island in July 2006. (Ref: Geelong Field Naturalist Club publication "Geelong Bird Report") A flock of 4 Little Egret were feeding in the shallows. They often visit the lake after breeding near Corio Bay. Seven Little Terns were perched on rocks and hovering over the lake, some having black-tipped yellowish beaks and yellow legs while many appeared to have black legs and beaks. The diagnostic dark outer primary feathers were noted. On the return walk, a single Greenshank called overhead, and we saw a raft of 250+ Hoary-headed Grebe near the centre of the lake. Once again, Lake Victoria was confirmed as a vitally important wetland. It is under pressure from the nearby Stockland development of Lonsdale Lakes, plans by the Golf course to extend into privately owned sections of wetland at the southern end and by plans to subdivide land near the lake shore that is currently used by shell grit miners. Barry |
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Wyld By Design |
