Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Another Phillip Island cormorant, Swan Lake

There are five species of Cormorant in Australia and all can be readily seen at Phillip Island. Yesterday's post focussed on the Black-faced cormorant and featured a photo of an old jetty which was being used by three cormorant species. The detour to the jetty was actually a drop-in visit on our way to Swan Lake. No sooner had we reached the first of Swan Lake's two bird hides when a fourth cormorant species was noted.

Little black cormorant, Swan Lake, Phillip Island
Other highlights included seeing a good number of duck species. After many years of not seeing Freckled duck there continues to be a group readily seen from the northern bird hide.

Freckled duck, Chestnut teal with Black swan, Swan Lake, Phillip Island
Australian wood-duck, Chestnut teal & what I suspect are a two female Hardheads
What a hotchpotch of species on what must be prime real estate!
Two Yellow-billed spoonbills and a Royal spoonbill (at left)
Yellow-billed spoonbill demonstrating some breeding plumage
A distant but unmistakable silhouette of a Musk duck in profile
For mid summer it's a pleasure to see a good amount of water in the lake and so many different species (34) readily viewed from the well-placed hides.

Bird on!

2 comments:

  1. Wow, some of these birds would make a great sighting in SE QLD - Musk Ducks are quite rare here! Though we had an influx of Freckled Ducks recorded last year, they are still considered rare in the area also, and Yellow-billed Spoonbills are uncommon also. Looks like a fantastic birding spot you've got there!

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  2. Great set of birds - I am going to have to find a red Sunday and visit some of these places!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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