Another Tour-de-Poo-pits

 I try to do at least one survey of the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) each month as it is the only place in the District where some species are regularly seen.  On the principle of "do it now or forget" i went this morning.

The January survey was done on a mild, sunny day with lotsa wind, which kept the birds hunkered down and a lowish diversity recorded.  No wind today, but the thermometer in the Pajero recorded 30C when I finished at 1030hrs.  Again diversity was down!  I did add 12 species to my month list with Australian Shelduck; Hardhead; and Musk Duck being species I had hoped for.  No sign of Australian Shoveler or Pink-eared Duck which are both species hoped for here.

Some pix:

The first is a raptor: I was fairly sure this was a Brown Goshawk, but peering into the sun was unhelpful, so ....

... Prof Photoshop-Express was engaged and I think confirmed that view (primarily based on the shape of the ratty tail, with an assist from the size of the bird).   It was escorted from the premises by several antsy Magpies.

A skein of 16 Pelicans flew over, but didn't land.  They are unusual at this site.

Getting to the Big Pond the flotilla of Musk Duck is now 6 birds, the largest number seen at this site.  For the District, 8 Musk Duck have been reported from Howe Flat in October 2020, but the highest here was previously 4.  For the Shire there are several records of 10+ from The Cut and 50 (August 2017) from Jones Bay Wildlife Reserve.

A hardhead is included for those "comparison shopping".

My total list was 26 species.