I spent the morning at Sydney Park at St Peters and had a very successful session of bird photography. I managed to observe a Baillon’s Crake foraging close to where I was, and watching it for about 15 minutes – allowing me to get some reasonable photos. And I also observed, briefly a Latham’s Snipe – the first I have seen in the park for number of years.
When I arrived at the park, I looked around the Island Pond – and didn’t see too much. But I heard the loud call of an Australian Reed-Warbler. I soon located the bird –
Some Turtles were on the island log –
Then, down at the main pond, from the refurbished viewing platform, I spotted a Latham’s Snipe. I had just been talking to some other bird watchers – Merrill and her friend, and singled for them to come down to the platform, but by the time they arrived, the Snipe had gone into the undergrowth.
Merrill and her friend were attempting to lure a Crested Pigeon close to they could catch it with a net. They had observed the Pigeon the day before and seen one of its feet was tangled up with some sort of thread. They were later assisted by Harold, but I dont think they were successful on the day.
Some of the birds nearby –
Australasian Grebe
Pacific Black Duck
I then wandered around the pool.
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
The Tawny Frogmouth open the best seems to be doing well –
White-faced Heron
Australasian Grebes
White-faced Heron
Australasian Grebes
Australian Swamphen
Two White-faced Herons flew in –
The second one had some trouble landing –
Then, thanks to Merrill, I spotted a Baillon’s Crake foraging at the place she suggested to look. I watched it for a fair while.
Before leaving, I went down to the large pond again, and entered the fenced off area. I had earlier heard but not seen a Lewin’s Rail there. I watched at the spit where I had heard it, but it did not appear. But I was pleased to see a Buff-banded Rail –
