Today at the Poo pits

 I do of course refer to the Mallacoota Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), and thank East Gippsland Water for allowing birding entry to the Plant.  It is a very important site for birds in the area.  I try to visit at least once a month to stand a chance of ticking some duck species that are only seen there (at least as far as places I visit show).

Today I added 11 species to my July list for the Mallacoota District and I think 6 species to the overall District list for the month.  My checklist is here showing 32 species in total.  A few snaps follow.

When I took a photo of a female Scarlet Robin at the Airport recently the photos f the male bird were suitable to consider at the WWTP.  Today I got a nice snap of a male.

I then tried taking one with digital zoom turned on with my 400mm lens, and it came out not too bad, if you don't want to see the red breast!

Getting to the ponds the large pond was almost devoid of birds, possibly reflecting the depth of the water putting food plants out of reach.  There were still 3 Musk Ducks there.

This shows part of the horde of Hoary-headed Grebes on Pond 2.  There were far fewer than usual on ponds 3 and 4.  A good flock of Shelduck on the bank (and more swimming in Pond 1.

More Grebes, Teal and Black Duck on Pond 1.

I was disappointed to not be able to spot any Pink-eared Ducks nor Australasian Shovelers on any of the ponds today.  Both were here in fair numbers at the end of June.  Walking back down the road I was pleased to see a second Flame Robin on a fence: they are altitudinal migrants who leave the high country in Winter.

A habitat shot!

I was quite excited to see a White-necked Heron fly off the small dam.  They are not common in the District, especially away from the Genoa Flats.  Raptors were a little sparse with a Brown Goshawk seen and a Whistling Kite heard.  Parrots and Cockatoos were absent.