Phone + Scope + WTP

I made quite a few visits to the WTP over winter. As per usual, there were crazy amounts of birds - and so lots of opportunities for phonescoping practice!

a distant Blue-winged Parrot at Kirk Point

One morning cruising along the coast road inside Gate 8 the tide was just right and a little collection of birds had gathered in the shallow water.

preening Black Swan and some teals

There were quite a few Australian Pied Oystercatchers in this bunch and five of them obviously had some oystercatcher business to sort out.




Red-necked Avocets were plentiful on each visit, not only on the coast but at the Borrow Pits, in some of the ponds through Gate 4 and along Paradise Rd as well as many flyovers.

feeding along the shore

a group snoozing at the Borrow Pits

Also at the Borrow Pits were a lot of Red-Kneed and Black-fronted Dotterels. I noticed they were swishing one of their little feet around as they were feeding in the very shallow water, apparently stirring up tasty treats from the mud. I've only ever seen Silver Gulls doing this before. This was some good phonescoping video practice, trying to capture the cuteness!




One day I was eating my lunch when I turned around and saw a Black-shouldered Kite was doing the same on the other side of the road. His involved a lot more ripping-of-guts than mine did, so be warned.

the meal looked rat-size

there was a bit of stretching required

mmm, tail...

I've noticed that when raptors finish their meal they seem to look around like they're confused as to where all the food's all gone, like they can't believe they've finished it all already.

nope, no more

This one, after having a good look round to confirm it was indeed all gone, had a little chatter then flew off.

Besides seeing all the usual suspects hanging out at the treatment plant, highlights on these winter visits were a nice adult White-bellied Sea-eagle, the Blue-winged Parrots, Glossy Ibis, Banded Stilts, a pair of Brolgas and a lovely Barn Owl.

And, on the most recent visit, what appears to be increasing numbers of Curlew Sandpipers, a small group of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and some Bar-tailed Godwits at the birdhide - all signs that the waders are returning and that the WTP is about the get a whole lot busier!