Fifteen members/guests joined me on this outing designed to help newer members learn about water birds. It was centred on the upper parts of Lake Burley Griffin and the adjacent Molonglo River (Reach) and Jerrabomberra Creek using the all electric boat, the “E.L. Cygnet”. As this boat holds a maximum of 10 people, we split the morning into an early shift (a full boat lead by Jenny Bounds) and a smaller later one, which I lead. The advantage of the boat is that it allows both a quiet approach as well as a relatively quick and easy access to a number of different spots normally very difficult to get to.
The area is rich in waterbirds with large numbers of Eurasian Coot and Dusky Moorhen seen. While there were fewer Purple Swamphen, the three species were often seen together feeding in the open paddocks, so that participants could clearly see the differences in plumage and size. Several duck species were also seen, but unfortunately the vast majority were the Pacific Black Duck, with surprisingly low numbers of the Australian Wood Duck and only a few Grey Teal. Several Hardhead were seen as well but only by participants on the early boat. We enjoyed seeing a number of Black Swan flying low over the water, and in addition Jim the skipper was able to point out several on nests very well hidden under the willows.
A species not expected for a beginners outing was a single Freckled Duck seen sitting on the same part-submerged log as where up to 4 were seen when COG did a trip on 31 May. I’ve always understood they were loafers, but this takes the cake. The bird obligingly came off its perch and swam sedately by at close range, allowing all participants to see the key identification features of Australia’s rarest duck, the “ski-jump” bill and the “peak” at the back of the head. The second group saw at least one more, possibly two, in clear water slightly upstream, both of which took to the wing. Australasian Grebe were also seen, but surprisingly considering the relatively deep water, no confirmed Hoary-headed Grebe, though each bird needed to be examined closely given the identification difficulties that their non-breeding plumages present.
Several Great and Little Pied Cormorants were seen at close quarters, but somewhat of a surprise was the numbers of Darters still in the area. Both groups saw at least 15, mostly spaced out at intervals along the river on a low perch just above the water, and characteristically drying their wings once the sun finally came out. Several were seen in the water where, with only their snake-like head and necks visible, they provided a sharp contrast to the cormorants, which have a much more significant part of their body above water. A highlight for the second group was one emerging from under the water with a fish in its bill, which it then proceeded to swallow whole alongside the boat.
Another surprise was that the majority of the Darters were males. While this was the third such trip I’ve taken since mid April, I clearly have still more to learn about their plumages differences, particularly the males. Several still had a very dark red brown patch about the neck, indicative of breeding, including what appeared to be at least one immature male with basically a dirty white chest and belly. While only old nests could be seen in the willows along the riverbank their continued presence seems a pointer to a further nesting season approaching.
Various small bush birds were heard in the surrounding willows and vegetation including Golden Whistler, Superb Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrub-wren and Silvereye. However, the non-water bird highlight, though a species often associated with water, was very good views of a Whistling Kite obtained by both groups. Following my short presentation on raptor identification at the July COG meeting I was able to point out the key diagnostic features (broad, bowed wings with long fingers of dark feathers at the ends, a long rounded tail, and an M-shaped pattern underwing with a white leading edge). For the second group the bird sat obligingly for a while in a nearby bare willow, illustrating how much more difficult raptors can be to identify when perched.
All in all it was a very good morning for both beginners and those a little more familiar with waterbirds. Once again my thanks to Jenny Bounds for agreeing to help share the leading of this important COG outing. The “Cygnet” opens up the opportunity for exploring other parts of Lake Burley Griffin, and I am anticipating organising further trips during spring/summer/autumn of 2003-2004, including a repeat trip up the Molonglo River if the Darters do decide to nest there again in significant numbers next season.
Jack Holland