I took a train journey to Herdsman’s Lake which is situated
6km NW of Perth CBD. I was hoping to connect with more wildfowl and possibly
herons and egrets. I caught the first train which was at 6.30am on a Saturday.
The reserve has a surface area of 3km square featuring water and areas of reed
bed with shallow areas of exposed mud around some of the margins. The reserve
has a very healthy population of Tiger Snakes which meant strictly no off pathing
and eyes down as well as skywards!
I connected with a family group of Tawny Frogmouth courtesy
of a local birder and residents. This was a nice bonus to the morning which was
heating up very nicely by 10am.
A Musk duck was found on a small pond in a park adjacent to
the reserve. There were quite a few ducks in the margins but nothing new to add
to the growing list of species.
I startled a Nankeen Night Heron but it remained motionless
for long enough to photograph it after the initial contact was made.
Purple Swamphen were
scattered about the open parkland and were not troubled by the human presence.
Fairy Martin was busy hawking insects overhead but even they
took a rest in a tree as the temperature rose.
Welcome Swallow were also feeling the effects of the rush of
heat as a group rested on power lines adjacent to the reserve.
A small group of Black Fronted Dotterel was seen flying onto
a patch of exposed mud not far from the visitor centre.
The tally of un-identified passerines is rising but I have
joined some Australian birding facebook groups should I fail to complete the
identification process.
No comments:
Post a Comment