MORNING AT CHAFFEY DAM
This morning I decided to leave the challenges of life and head to Chaffey Dam again. I thought I may be able to add to my TRC Big Year total of 215 for 2015. Once again I dragged my son along. He is used to the setup, and either has a go at spotting the birds, or plays with his cars, or today, play with my car!!!
I arrived at the western side first. There were many boats zooming around so the birds were hugging the banks. Initially there was not much to note, but upon my third stop along that side I found what looked like good wader habitat: muddy edge, some green weedy cover and a good number of birds already present. I did find 5 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, but no other migratory waders were present. There was also a lone Red-kneed Dotterel among the Black-winged Stilts.
So off to the eastern side. This side is the main entrance to Chaffey, and the best birding is up around the entrance to the dam. So we headed up there. Swans, Pelicans, Cormorants, Ducks, and a good number of Great Crested Grebes greeted us (see picture below). They were using an old road which is mostly underwater to roost along. While I was out checking the edges unsuccessfully for more migrants my son remained at loose in the car. He pulled out his favourite CD from the CD player; now it doesn't work. He had fun pretending to drive, and then tooted the horn. Well, at least that flushed a few birds nearby lol. He had alot of fun!
 |
| Array of species together: Pelican, Little Black and Great Cormorants, Great Creted Grebes in water behind. Black Swans were just out of shot to the right. |
On the way out a Australian Pipit posed for his photo too. I obliged from the car.
 |
| Australian Pipit posing. |
I totaled 55 species in just over an hour, but did not manage to add to my year tally. My complete listing for today is on eBird here:
No comments:
Post a Comment