This was my fourth visit to these wetlands in recent weeks, and it was another attempt to see the Australian Spotted Crake. This time I was finally successful.
My photos however are all quite poor. It was a small bird and a long way off. I watched it for about ten minutes on the far side of the pond as it foraged along the shore. But I was happy to finally observe this reclusive bird.
Here you can see it with a Pied Stilt –
A few more photos –
I had arrived at the wetlands around 10:30 am, and it was not until close to 1 pm that I saw the Crake.
Here are some of the other birds –
Black-fronted Dotterels
Great Egret
Great Egret and Royal Spoonbill
Dusky Moorhens
Chestnut Teal family
Pied Stilts
When many of the waterbirds took to the air, I expected a raptor to be visiting. I looked up and was surprised to see an Osprey.
Pink-eared Duck
The duck seemed to be sleeping, but for a brief time it did look up –
Welcome Swallows
I left the wetlands in the early afternoon and walked to the Waterbird Refuge in Bicentennial Park, but didn’t spot any interesting birds. I then went to Wentworth Common, but when it started raining I headed to a nearby bus-stop and started for home.