The day before on the Greenway Bird survey, I had mentioned to Valerie, that I was thinking of heading out to the Richmond Lowlands to see a rare bird – an Australian Painted-snipe. A pair had been spotted a week or so earlier on the lowlands, just north of Richmond, and it looked like one, the male, was still around and often seen by birdwatchers foraging near a laneway. Valerie was keen to see it, and offered to drive out.
We set off early in the morning and arrived at the lowlands around 8:30 am.
We soon found the right spot – there were about twenty other bird watchers and photographs gathered along the road. Friends Diana and Lennis were amongst them, and told us they had already seen and photographed the rare Painted-snipe. At present the bird was around – but was resting out of sight in tall grass next to a pool near the road.
So while we were waiting to see if it would re-appear, we joined some other photographers who had spotted a Baillon’s Crake foraging in pool on the road verge.
Then we looked agin for the Painted-snipe. It was not visible. But I saw this Black-fronted Dotterel –
Not long after, the Painted Snipe was visible, but only just. You had to lean out with your camera over a barbed wire fence to see it –
Back to the Baillon’s Crake –
Then the Australian Painted-snipe moved out into the pond. This was the chance for some better photos.
The best angles were obtained by crawling under the barbed wire fence part way into the paddock. I wriggled back to let another photographer have that spot.
In the paddock, we saw a number of these Banded Lapwings –
And a Black-shouldered Kite was hunting –
There were also some more Black-fronted Dotterels (thanks to Ian for pointing them out).
It was time for coffee, so we headed to cafe in Richmond. After our break – we visited Pughs Lagoon. Here we found some more birds.
White-plumed Honeyeater
Australian Reed-Warbler
Silvereye
Nankeen Night Heron
Azure Kingfisher
The last spot we visited, and a good refuge from the heat, was the hide at Pitt Town Lagoon. It was a good spot for lunch.
There were many birds in the lagoon, including some very distant Crakes –
And a Swamp Harrier –
This had been a very rewarding trip, and we were indeed fortunate to spot the very rare Painted-snipe. Thanks to those who first spotted the pair on the lowlands, and then alerting other birders, and also to Valerie for driving out to Richmond and back. Much appreciated.