A Mixed Bag.

This will be my last post for 2017, so is a mixture of photos.

 Things are bad when you start taking photos of Ibis. 

Australian White Ibis. (Threskiornis Molucca).

 Australian Hobby. (Falco longipennis).

There were three on the road to Marlay Point.

 Tiger Moth. (Flyinusii riskissia lifisaei)

 Meadow Argus butterfly. (Junonia villida).

Sale Common.

 Immature Pied Butcher bird. (Cracticus nigrogularis)

Sale Common.

 Unknown. Lake Guyatt.

Tiger Snake. (Notechis scutatus).

Near Car Park Lake Guyatt.

Ross.

Juvenile Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo

Took some photos of this little bird on Xmas morning, ID confirmed Horsefield's Bronze-cuckoo Juvenile.

Ross.

Common Again

Two Whistling Kite juveniles have left the nest, but there are still two in the nest at the left of the tree. The parents are still keeping guard.
The young Wedge Tailed Eagle is still in the nest as of today 17/12. Pardalotes were plentiful this day, assisted by a Tree Creeper.

 There were plenty of Rufous Whistlers around.

 Young Wedgie in the nest.

 Whistling Kite on guard.

 Tree Creeper.

Pardalote scratching in the bark.

 This was taken from a long way, looked like a Dusky Wood Swallow, but they don't have a red beak. So I am not sure of the species.

Pair of young Whistling Kites in the nest.

Ross.

(click photo to enlarge)

Heyfield Birdos.

Last week was the last outing for the Heyfield Birdos, which was around Lake Guyatt and a property at Longford, then a barbeque lunch. I had a prior lunch engagement so could only spend about 2 hours around Lake Guyatt. Some of the birds we ticked below.
Full round up on Heyfield Birdwatchers Blog.

 Mistletoe Bird. First one I have seen this season.

 Sacred Kingfisher near the Powder Magazine.

Superb Fairy Wren.

Ross.

Raptors

Some more from the Sale Common, some of the Whistling Kite young have left the nest, but there are still two in another nest. (see next blog). The young Wedge tailed Eagle is still in the nest, last noticed today 9/12. Darters have left the nest, but are still sitting close by.

Parents sitting at the empty nest, the young were nearby.

 Young Wedgie still in the nest.

 One of the parents circling..

Young Darter on nest. Two others have left but are close by.

Ross....

(click images to enlarge)

Common Birds

A few more birds from the Sale Common. The Common has dried up considerably over the past few months, there is now no water under any of the board walks or bridges. Most of the Cormorants have left. There has been no Cormorant nesting's this season. This may change due to the rain we are having at the moment.

Whistling Kite on guard.

These are what are being guarded, they must be nearly ready to leave the nest.

 Rufous  Whistler, there are a few of these down the Common.

 One of the Darter nests, getting a bit crowded.

 Sacred Kingfisher.

 Young Wedge tailed Eagle, close to leaving the nest.

 Another Darter nest.

A pair of Grey Teal.

Ross.

click to enlarge photos.

More Birds.

You will never guess, but it's back down the Sale Common again. I am now walking the common 4 times a  week. Good exercise and plenty to see.

 This one is the Young Whistling Kite

 Mother or Father looking back towards the nest.

 Wedge tailed Eagle and chick.

 These babies soon grow up.

 Whistling Kite organising lunch.

Young Darters on the nest.

Not a good photo, first sighting of a Mistletoe Bird at Lake Guyatt.

Ross.

click photo to enlarge.

Out and About.

Out and about, you guessed it, back down the Sale Common. Found another Whistling Kite's nest could be one or two young. There are more than birds down the common as the first photo shows.

One well fed Wallaby

Darter drying out

 Whistling Kite's Nest. Young bird on right hand side of the nest.

 Sacred Kingfisher

Sacred Kingfisher. Also saw an Azure Kingfisher further around, unfortunately no photo.

Grey Currawong.

Striated Pardalote.

   European Goldfinch.

Ross.

Click photo to enlarge.

Sale Common Again

Another one of my walks around the Sale Common brings up some more highlights. Have been hearing a Whip bird calling for the past couple of weeks, saw one today, and got a fairly good photo. Some other finds were 2 young in the Whistling Kite's nest and a couple of Darter nests with 2 young in each.

Yellow-faced Honeyeater, was from my walk out at Swallow Lagoon on the 34 degree day. I had planned to sit in the one spot for an hour or so, as there were plenty of birds around. It was too hot so I came home.

 Whistling Kite attending her young.

 Two young in the nest.(need to look closely).

The Kite sitting below the nest.

 Black Fronted Dotterel.

This ground is indicative of most of the Common. The water is drying very quickly.

 This photo made my day. Well worth the 5km walk.

Eastern Whip Bird.

 Lone baby Wedge-tailed Eagle.

Pair of Chestnut Teal.

Ross.

(click photos to enlarge)