Nine members celebrated World Wetlands Day with a visit to Kelly’s Swamp and the Fyshwick Treatment Plant. These are ideal locations to see a good range of waterbirds and to compare similar species, such as Australasian and Hoary-headed Grebe, and Grey and Chestnut Teal. The Royal Spoonbill families were entertaining and a Nankeen Night Heron gave a fleeting glimpse as it flew from the reeds deep into a willow. Little Grassbirds were very vocal but elusive, while Australian Reed-warblers were quite visible but quiet. The species of the morning was the Blue-billed Duck at FTP with one male in particular giving us a close up display. By 10am, with the temperature already up to 30° C, and a list of 43 species recorded, it was time to call it a day.
— Sue Lashko