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Birding trip report Anglesea Heathland and Bellarine Peninsula Geoff was keen to add to the 250 species of Australian birds that he has already been able to photograph. I was keen to help out and our mutual friend, Gordon, came along to assist. The day started poorly, with showers turning to rain while we peered across the saltworks trying to find Marsh Sandpipers and Banded Stilts. The Marsh Sandpipers were seen briefly, but disappeared before a good photo could be taken. Jerringot wetland provided a few more birds, with good views of a Australian Spotted Crake and Lathams Snipe, but the rain persisted as we moved on to the Anglesea area. We were chasing Southern Emu-wren and they obliged by poking their heads up from the heathland, just after the rain ceased. Of course the camera was in the van and the birds disappeared from sight as soon as the camera was retrieved. A search in the Gum Flat area produced some interesting birds. A lovely male Satin Flycatcher posed for the camera, but it took quite a while to get a shot of the elusive female. The mosquitoes were busily draining our blood, but Geoff managed to get shots of Varied Sitella, White-naped Honeyeater and a juvenile Golden Whistler with rufous colouration. Other birds nearby included Grey Fantail, White-eared Honeyeater and Eastern Yellow Robin. It was great to be in a patch of woodland where there was an abundance of birds. Further searching of the Anglesea Heathland was less productive, but Geoff was able to spot and photograph a Diamond Firetail. There are very few records of these lovely birds in the Anglesea/Otway area. A visit to the Bellarine wetlands allowed views of a Common Sandpiper, a pair of Hooded Plovers with a 3/4 grown chick, Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-capped Plover, Common Greenshank and red-necked Stint. A flock of more than 13 Banded Lapwings was seen near Connewarre. We had a good day,and Geoff reckons he will be back soon to add a few more species to his tally of photographs. Barry |
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