birds watched at Woodlake

It was a cold breezy overcast day for our bird walk last week at Woodlake.  Despite that, a keen group gathered for a one-hour stroll around the lake perimeter.  The cold weather didn't deter the birds.

Here's a list of what we saw, with links for more information on each species.

Australian Magpies

Silvereyes
 

Western Wattlebirds (sometimes called Little Wattlebird)

"Twenty-eights" (Port Lincoln Parrots or Australian Ringnecks)

Galahs

White-cheeked Honeyeaters

Singing Honeyeaters

Brown Honeyeater

Eurasian Coots

Pacific Black Duck

Australasian Grebes

Spotted Turtledoves (an introduced species)

The bird highlight of the day, for me, though, occurred when returning to the carpark.  There in the shrubs was a Splendid Fairy-wren, shining out in his iridescent blue feathers.  We watched for a couple of minutes, then a female appeared and the pair descended to the ground to forage for insects. 

birdwatching at Woodlake

Our next event is a Bird Walk around Woodlake Park, on Sunday 10th July.

We will meet at the carpark next to the Woodlake Community Centre, in Highpoint Boulevard, at 9 am. 

The walk will be an easy stroll around the lake-side path, with frequent stops to look at waterfowl, honeyeaters, and perhaps many other kinds of birds.  We expect to be back at the carpark around 10 am.

Australian Wood Ducks, female on the left, male on the right

Bring binoculars and a camera.  Remember to wear a hat.  Children are welcome (with their parents or carers, of course), but pets are not.  If there is heavy rain, we may need to postpone to another day (or bring an umbrella!)

Here's a link to this event on Facebook, if you wish to share the details with friends.

The Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata) is just one kind of bird that can be seen at Woodlake Park.  The smart grey wings and chocolate head and neck are distinctive.  It is also known as the Maned Goose, because of long feathers on the back of the head and neck of the male.  This duck foregoes the usual duck habit of nesting amongst reeds on the ground; it nests in tree hollows near water.  It has a peculiar un-duck-like call, too; to me, it sounds like "meoooow"!  Although usually seen swimming around on the surface of the lake, they can also be spotted out on the lawns around the water's edge, nibbling the grass.

NEEDED - field assistants for The Great Cocky Count 2010

Wednesday April 7th is marked on our calendars for the next Great Cocky Count - a day when dedicated birdwatchers "stake out" at likely places to watch Carnaby's Black-Cockatoos as they come in to roost.

Although flocks of hundreds of birds are sometimes seen, the numbers of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo have fallen by 50% over the last forty years.  Many areas of cockatoo food plants have been cleared, and the cockatoos face competition from feral animals for nesting sites. 

This survey helps scientists to work out what is happening with this Endangered species, and hopefully show local government and other groups which areas of bushland need to be retained for the species' survival.  The survey is a joint project between Birds Australia and the Department of Environment and Conservation.

The Great Cocky Count is an excellent way to help our local biodiversity.  If you would like to join Fat Bobbie for the Great Cocky Count, and help her with recording the numbers of birds coming in to roost, please send an email to ldalgliesh at hotmail dot com with your name and contact details.  First in, best dressed!  The evening's "stake out" will start around 5:30pm, and you will need to be fit enough to walk about 2km across rough terrain (and in the dark!) to the survey site and back.  

Read more about the Great Cocky Count in my Community, and about the biology of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo on Wikipedia and the Threatened Species Day website.