Last Day of April
Hemmant reserve (Quarry) and Fuller reserve area, Wynnum West. In to the quarry reserve 6.15, this time with Robert. Altitudinal and winter migration has brought Rufous and Golden Whistlers, Spangled Drongos, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Grey Fantails, 1 Leaden Flycatcher and a Shining Bronze Cuckoo to the woodland. Some of these species may breed here during Summer but I feel the numbers have increased due to the season. They were feeding in groups, not holding territory, all in together!
Moving on to the pond and channel area off Sandy Camp rd we wandered through and around the newly developed area noting Magpie Geese, Reed Warblers, Black-fronted Dotterel and Royal Spoonbill among loads of commoner species. We sat for a few minutes in the newly built observation platform (wonder why they didn’t make it a bird hide instead?) and were just about to leave when I spotted a small dark bird at the base of the reedbed about 25 meters away to the left. Drawing R’s attention to it we shortly had 2 Spotless Crakes running in and out of the reedbed. Although not rare these, like all Crakes and Rails, are difficult to spot and it’s always a thrill to see them. In this case especially for R as it was a new bird for him! We managed a couple of long distance shots, but nothing to write home about…
Back around the corner to the Fuller reserve itself and a casual stroll out to the pond – Red-kneed Dotterels (4), Black-fronted Dotterels (17) and Sharp-tailed Sands (15) fed out on the exposed mud, 1 Coot and a Kestrel harassed by a Crow were new birds for this spot for us. A single Yellow-rumped Thornbill and 7 Wandering Whistle Ducks were nice additions to our day list.
Moving on to the pond and channel area off Sandy Camp rd we wandered through and around the newly developed area noting Magpie Geese, Reed Warblers, Black-fronted Dotterel and Royal Spoonbill among loads of commoner species. We sat for a few minutes in the newly built observation platform (wonder why they didn’t make it a bird hide instead?) and were just about to leave when I spotted a small dark bird at the base of the reedbed about 25 meters away to the left. Drawing R’s attention to it we shortly had 2 Spotless Crakes running in and out of the reedbed. Although not rare these, like all Crakes and Rails, are difficult to spot and it’s always a thrill to see them. In this case especially for R as it was a new bird for him! We managed a couple of long distance shots, but nothing to write home about…
Back around the corner to the Fuller reserve itself and a casual stroll out to the pond – Red-kneed Dotterels (4), Black-fronted Dotterels (17) and Sharp-tailed Sands (15) fed out on the exposed mud, 1 Coot and a Kestrel harassed by a Crow were new birds for this spot for us. A single Yellow-rumped Thornbill and 7 Wandering Whistle Ducks were nice additions to our day list.
