The thick fog and cold conditions meant that only a few members and guests joined me on this outing designed to help newer members learn about water birds. This area is rich in waterbirds, though unfortunately many have been attracted by the easy pickings due to their regular feeding by a variety of people. This does, however, mean they are unusually tame, and can be approached at very close quarters.
Luckily the cold grey conditions did not deter the waterbirds. There were large numbers of Eurasian Coot and lesser Dusky Moorhen, seen together on one occasion with the Purple Swamphen, so that participants could clearly see the differences in plumages and size. The vast majority of the duck species present was the Pacific Black Duck, with lower numbers of the Australian Wood Duck. However, a male Mallard and several females were also seen, again allowing a direct comparison with the closely related black duck. We enjoyed seeing a number of Black Swans, one pair with cygnets but no nests could be found in the fringing vegetation. This is not an introduced species from the west, as the Canberra Times would have us believe!
On the pontoons close to our parking spot were several Great and Little Pied Cormorants, which could be seen and compared for size, plumage characteristics etc at close quarters. A surprise was that they were accompanied by two Darters, one appearing to be an adult female, and the other still an immature bird, perhaps bred nearby at the Black Mountain Peninsula. Again these could be examined closely and the differences with the cormorants, in particular the long neck and snake-like head, pointed out.
We were able to confirm that the Silver Gull nesting season had begun, with several nests, one in a quite advanced state, on two boats moored in Yarralumla Bay, and the start of a nest on another in Orana Bay. A bird was also seen carrying nesting material between these bays.
There were fewer land birds due to grey and cold conditions. However, over 31 species was a pretty good count for a morning, with the added bonus of being able to see the birds so close.
Jack Holland