Raptors around Clydebank.

Went for a drive down to Marlay Point to check out the water birds, none to be found, too many fishermen on the bank and other activity.
Came back through Clydebank where there is usually some Whistling Kites. No kites but there in the usual tree was a Wedge Tailed Eagle, who was very obliging, just sat in the tree whilst I got out of the car for some photos.
 Further on what I think is a juvenile Australian Hobby on the power lines. Also the Terns were busy diving into a wet paddock, hard to get a photo of these. Further down the road a Whistling Kite and a Tree Martin.

 Wedge-tailed Eagle.

 Wedge-tailed Eagle

 Tern.

 Juvenile Australian Hobby.

Juvenile Australian Hobby.

 Whistling Kite.

Tree Martin.

Ross.

Birdies from Nangara

Following on from my last post, below are some of the birds we ticked off at Nangara Park. Taking photos proved difficult due to the dense undergrowth.
Whilst having lunch we were inundated with Brown Gerygone's; but getting a good photo proved difficult, thought I had one until I got home and transferred to the computer. Unfortunately not the best photo. The King Parrots were probably for me anyway, the highlight of the day. Always good to see the Eastern Yellow Robins.

 King Parrot.

 Eastern Yellow Robin.

Brown Gerygone.

Fan-tailed Cuckoo.

Ross.

Orchids of Nangara Reserve.

The Heyfield birdo's latest outing was to Nangara Reserve north of Drouin. The birds were quiet at times; but we did see a few species. Golden Whistlers, Brown Gerygone, King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas.
Orchids had been seen on one part of the track in the past so we were on the look out. In all we found three species and five varieties. Lady Finger orchid, Bearded orchid and Sun orchid.

Red Bearded-orchid. ( Calochilus paludosus R. Br.)

Purple Bearded-orchid. (Calochilus robertsonii Benth)

Blue Star Sun-orchid. (Thelymitra holmesii)

Peppertop Sun-orchid.(Thelymitra brevifolia)

Pink Lady finger orchid (Caladenia carnea).

Bird photos to follow in next blog.

Ross.

More Orchids.

Have been around to a few different locations looking for Orchids and I have listed below some of the finds. Some are doubled up only because of the different locations.

 Waxlip Orchid, Crinigan Rd Morwell.

 Leopard Orchid, Briagolong Red Gum Forest.

 Purple Diuris, Briagolong Cemetery.

Leopard Orchid, Briagolong Cemetery. 

Purple Diuris, Fernbank Railway Reserve.

No Orchids were found at Munro Railway Reserve or Sappling Morass at Fernbank.

Ross.

Orchids at Swallow Lagoon.

Have checked out the Orchids at Swallow Lagoon over the past 3 weeks and have found quit a few which I have listed below.

 White Lady Fingers.

 Small Gnat Orchid.

 Pink Lady Fingers.

 Hornet Orchid.  ( I Think).

Purple Bearded-Orchid.

This now brings a total of 8 species so far this year at Swallow Lagoon, including 3 different Green Hoods.

Ross.

The Birds are Scarce.

The birds have been fairly scarce at the moment, although I have been tied up and have not been out very much. Here are a few.

King Parrot eating the fruit off the White Cedars on the highway coming into Sale.

 White-browed Scrubwren. Saw this one at Swallow Lagoon.

 Superb Fairy Wren Lake Guyatt.

 Eastern Rosella Lake Guyatt.

 Grey Fantail, Lake Guyatt.

 Raven and Whistling Kite standing over a rabbit in my back yard.

 King Parrots on the Catholic Church lawn.

Little Pied Cormorant, Traralgon Wetlands.

Ross.

Orchids

Checked out a few places in the area over the past three weeks, White Womens Waterhole, Briagolong area, Swallow Lagoon. The Greenhoods are coming out and some Small Mosquito Orchids.

 Trim Greenhood Coopers Rd Briagolong.

 Nodding Greenhood White Womens Waterhole.

 Cobra Greenhood White Womens Waterhole.

 Nodding Greenhood Swallow Lagoon.

 Small Mosquito Orchid Swallow Lagoon.

 Maroonhood  Swallow Lagoon.

Cobra Greenhood White Womens Waterhole.

 Noddings at Swallow Lagoon.

Trim Greenhood Nicholson Rocks.

Ross.

Looking for a Fox.

Last week of the school holidays my 9 YO grand daughter LuLu who is a permanent resident with my wife and I said she was bored; which is pretty normal for this generation. Said she wanted to see a fox, I said we could go and look for one but it would be luck if we say one.
So off we went to Swallow Lagoon where I had sighted one a few weeks ago. After walking for an hour, no fox; but then I started to get,how far is it to the car.  (a bit like are we there yet)
On our walk she found some fungi and as she was carrying my Panasonic camera I suggested a photo. Which follows.Then there was a Butcher bird on a fence post on our way back, this distracted her for a while.
There was also a nice reflection on the lagoon so another photo was taken.
Even though there was no fox she was happy to take some photos.

 Horse Dung Fungus.  Pisolithus arhizus.

 Swallow Lagoon Reflections.

Grey Butcher Bird.

Not bad photos for a 9 Year Old.

Ross.