27-08-13 Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

A sunny late afternoon visit provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (7 inc 2 pairs with young), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (Lynsters G.P), Greylag Goose (1 Lynsters Farm), Canada Goose (16 Lynsters Farm), Gadwall (3), Common Teal (2), Mallard (10), Northern Shoveler (10), Common Pochard (7), Tufted Duck (17), Common Moorhen (5), Eurasian Coot (38), Black-headed Gull (3), Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet (1), Common Kingfisher (2), Green Woodpecker (adult and immature), Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Common Blackbird (adult and juvenile), Common Chiffchaff (10), Long-tailed Tit (19), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (1), Eurasian Jay (1), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Chaffinch.
While in the Teal Hide a movement of Chiffchaff was noted followed by a large gathering of Long-tailed Tit.
In the clear shallows below a large shoal of some 50+ Common Roach were observed feeding.

 

Western Australia Day 19

A brief late morning visit to Yanchep National Park after heavy rain produced two lifers Red-kneed Dotterel and Red-necked Avocet. A full list of species observed as follows:-
Musk Duck, Australian Shelduck (pair with young), Australian  Wood Duck, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Spotted Turtle Dove,  Australian Pelican, Purple Swamphen, Black-taiked Native-hen, Black-winged Stilt, Red-necked Avocet, Red-kneed Dotterel, Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Australian Ringneck, Laughing Kookaburra, New Holland Honeyeater,  Red Wattlebird, Australian Magpie, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Tree Martin, Welcome Swallow.

                                                              
                                                               Red-kneed Dotterel

                                                                  Australian Pelican

                                                               Red-knecked Avocet

                                                                Purple Swamphen

Western Australia Day 18

A family visit to Serpentine Falls and Dam located in the Darling Range to the east of Perth produced three new lifers, Golden Whistler, Wedge-tailed Eagle and Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. The latter eventually observed at close quarters while having lunch in the cafe above the dam. Dozens of very tame Australian Ringnecks were fed from the hand giving spectacular views. Many flowers were beginning to bloom resulting in dozens of Monarch butterflies taking to the wing in search of nectar.

                                                               Golden Whistler

                                                          Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

                                                             Common Bronzewing

                                           Splendid Fairywren (female) at cafe feeding table

                                                                Australian Ringneck

                                                      Monarch (wanderer) Butterfly

Western Australia Day 17

A family visit to the sleepy city of Mandurah provided us with an opportunity to watch Bottle-nosed Dolphins during a one hour cruise along the estuary and canal region. Unfortunately the Dolphins did not show but the following birds were observed:-
Australian Pelican, Australian Darter, Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Grebe, Black Swan, Pacific Black Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Eastern Great Egret, Australian White Ibis, Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Black-winged Stilt, Caspian Tern, Crested Tern, Osprey, Nankeen (Australian) Kestrel, Spotted Turtle Dove, Galah, Australian Ringneck, Red Wattlebird, Australian Raven. 

                                                                    Pied Cormorants

Western Australia Day 16

A late morning visit to Joondalup Lake produced two new species, Pink-eared Duck and Inland Thornbill. The former a surprisingly uncommon species despite being listed as common in the Perth area. A full list of species observed as follows:-
Pied Cormorant, Eastern Great Egret, Australasian Grebe, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Australian Wood Duck, Musk Duck, Hardhead, Pink-eared Duck (1), Eurasian Coot, Swamp Harrier (1), Australian White Ibis, Feral Rock Dove, Spotted Turtle Dove, Galah, Little Corella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian Ringneck, Laughing Kookaburra, Inland (broad-tailed) Thornbill, Western Gerygone, Singing Honeyeater, Tree Martin, Welcome Swallow, Red Wattlebird, Grey Fantail, Splendid Fairywren, Willie Wagtail,  Rufous Whistler, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Australian Raven.

                                                               
                                                             Pink-eared Duck

                                                              
                                                                  Inland Thornbill

                                                                    Grey Teal

                                                                   Rufous Whistler

Western Australia Day 15

A late morning visit to Moore River produced crippling views of the river meeting the sea while Caspian Terns and Silver Gulls rested on the sand.

                                              
                                              Rusty Pelicans, a new lifer? at Moore River

     

                                                       Caspian Terns and Silver Gulls

Then heading North along Indian Ocean Drive we finally reached the Pinnacles and Nambung National Park.
Here Limestone formations stand tall among the sand and it was on such a structure that a pair of White-backed swallow had excavated their nest hole. While driving around stopping to take photo's I noted a pair of Crested Pigeon resting in the sand. Then heading back south several pairs of Emu were noted along the road side.

                                                   
                                                        The Pinnacles and Indian Ocean

                                               
                                                 White-backed Swallow leaving nest hole

                                                                   Crested Pigeon

Western Australia Day 14

A family day out to Cottesloe Beach and Freemantle provided a few opportunities for a little birding and surprisingly two new lifers! While photographing the Pied Cormorants at Cottlesloe Beach I discovered a Little Black Cormorant fishing in the surf. Then later while driving over the Swan River into Freemantle I spotted 3 Australian Pied Oystercatcher feeding on a grass verge.

                                                                  
                                                              Pied Cormorant

                                                            Little Black Cormorant

Western Australia Day 13

As day 12 was a complete washout today's brighter, warmer weather was a welcome relief. I conducted an early morning patrol of Joondalup Lake south where I discovered a new species, Common Bronzewing which was present on the lakeside footpath drinking from a puddle. A full list of species observed as follows:-

Little Pied Cormorant, White-necked Heron, White-faced Heron, Australasian Grebe, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Musk Duck, Hardhead (3), Blue-billed Duck (1), Dusky Moorhen, Black-tailed Native-hen, Eurasian Coot, Swamp Harrier (1), Australian White Ibis, Common Bronzewing, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian Ringneck, Red-capped Parrot, Laughing Kookaburra, Spotted Pardalote, Western Gerygone, Singing Honeyeater, Tree Martin, Red Wattlebird, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Australian Magpie, Australian Raven.

                                                           
                                                    Laughing Kookaburra

                                                           Common Bronzewing

Then an afternoon visit with my family to Caversham Wildlife Park provided more opportunities to photograph the indigenous wildlife with Splendid Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Rufous Whistler and Common Bronzewing all seen feeding in the gardens.  

                      Australian Ringneck taking advantage of discarded foot at Caversham Wildlife Park.

                                                                Brown Honeyeater

Western Australia Day 11

A morning visit to Joondalup Lake south provided the following species:-
Australasian Grebe, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Chestnut Teal, Australasian Shoveler, Australian Wood Duck, Musk Duck, Hardhead (6), Blue-billed Duck (2),  Dusky Moorhen, Black-tailed Native-hen, Eurasian Coot, Swamp Harrier (2), Black-shouldered Kite, Australian White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Crested Pigeon (3), Galah, Little Corella, Long-billed Corella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian Ringneck, Tree Martin, Red Wattlebird, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Australian Magpie, Australian Raven.

                                                               Straw-necked Ibis

                                                                Australian White Ibis

                                                           Black-tailed Native-hen

                                                                   Australian Magpie

                                                                Australian Shelduck

                                                  Magpie-lark collecting nest material

                                                                 Crested Pigeon


Later in the afternoon a family visit to Yanchep National Park, 19 miles north of Wanneroo produced the piece de resistance, an Emu observed while driving along Yanchep Beach Road. Then while queing to visit the Crystal Cave I observed a Western Wattlebird another lifer. 

                                                            Western Wattlebird

                                                              Western Grey Kangaroos 

Western Australia Day 10

A late morning walk with my wife, daughter and Bella the dog along the west side of Joondalup Lake provided the following species:-
Little Pied Cormorant, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Chestnut Teal, Australasian Shoveler, Australian Wood Duck, Musk Duck, Eurasian Coot, Australian White Ibis, Feral Rock Dove, Spotted Turtle Dove, Carnaby's (short-billed) Black Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian Ringneck, Laughing Kookaburra, Welcome Swallow, Weebill, Western Gerygone, Red Wattlebird, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Australian Raven.

                                                                 Eurasian Coot
The Eurasian Coot at Joondalup Lake have a blue hue to the tip of the bill and this might be due to diet or water quality or may even be a genetic difference.   

                                                                Chestnut Teal

                                                            
                                                              Laughing Kookaburra

                                                           
                                                           Western Grey Kangaroo

Later I visited Joondalup Lake South where I discovered two new species, White-necked Heron and Hardhead (White-eyed Duck).

Along the footpath I discovered a large Red Bull Ant and later a recently hatched Long-necked Turtle.