Diamond Dove!

Back in early February two Diamond Doves were spotted at a dam in the Kamarooka section of the Greater Bendigo National Park.  I've been lucky to see these lovely little doves in north-west Western Australia but they aren't so common in Victoria.

Many successful stake-outs at the dam suggested that the doves were hanging around, and up to three individuals had been seen by some birders. It seemed like a great chance to see these little guys again - and much closer to home this time. Hello, Bendigo birding trip!

Crusoe Reservoir

Actually, it wasn't just a birding trip.  I dropped a non-birder and his MTB off in Harcourt to ride the rest of the way so I couldn't head straight up to the dam in Kamarooka.  But that's ok - there's Crusoe Reservoir!

View from the start of my walk...things looking pretty dry!

I'd always found Crusoe to be very birdy, but this time it was much quieter.  Perhaps it was the forecast 34 degrees, or maybe there wasn't enough flowering to bring in the number of honeyeaters I've seen on previous visits.

Unfortunately I didn't see any of these little Yellow-footed cuties either.

I did spy this Rufous Whistler who called just once, briefly, to let me know he was there. But overall I didn't have much luck with the bush birds.

Male Rufous Whistler

As usual though there were plenty of birds on and around the water.  Especially coots. Lotsa coots. And a few cormorants, White-face Herons, Black-fronted Dotterels and Masked Lapwings.

One of the many Eurasian Coots

Little Pied Cormorant from the blind at the back of the reservoir

There was also selection of ducks, including a Musk Duck and these sweet-looking Australian Wood Ducks.

A cute couple

After a circuit of the reservoir, I met up with the MTBer and it was lunchtime.  Luckily, I happened to know just the dam where we could sit and have lunch and you know, maybe... see a state bird?

Diamond Doves this way...

I'd never visited this dam before - it's not really on the usual Kamarooka birding hitlist - but thanks to helpful birders on Facebook it was pretty easy to find.

"The Diamond Dove Dam"

Then it was a matter of finding a shady spot and waiting. And eating -  my new favourite recipe, if you're interested. I love it and can't stop making it!

Peaceful Doves

Peaceful Doves were calling around the dam and some came in for a drink. There were also a few other thirsty and/or curious birds.

A honeyeater I don't get to see often - Yellow-plumed

Small groups of Silvereyes were hanging around the dam

This little Spotted Pardalote also came down to say hi.

And then, before I'd even finished my lunch, I heard an unfamiliar dove call from behind where we were sitting, and small dove flew directly over us and landed close by on the edge of the dam - a Diamond Dove!  It clearly had its beautiful white spots and kinda crazy red eyes, but was only there for a few seconds before it was gone again.

A Diamond Dove!!

A while later we spotted it in again a tree by the dam, where it was resting with some Peaceful Doves.  It sat there for some time, and we waited, hoping it would come back down for a drink but no.  And then I looked away, looked back and it had gone once more!

I did manage the above dodgey record shot which does not do the poor little Diamond Dove justice at all. Please see much nicer photos of these Kamarooka birds taken by other birders here, here or here! 

Anyway, I was pretty happy with my views and felt very lucky that the dove had come in during the relatively short time we were there. So time to call it a day and head back to Melbourne after a successful little trip to Bendigo.

I always like birding around Bendigo but a Diamond Dove does make it a bit more special!

PS. eBird lists here and here.