 An eastern rosella was glowing like a Christmas tree decoration - this was a sure sign that summer had arrived at last...
The first thing we noticed as we set out was the absolute proliferation of Common Brown butterflies, and we guessed this was a result of the recent rains. It wasn't quite so easy to spot the birds we were hoping for, especially around the gorge area. We were soon encouraged, as we always are, by the appearance of a kookaburra, then shortly after, near a waterhole, what we think were brown thornbills (but we're happy to be corrected, of course! Leave us a comment if we have it wrong, thanks).  Always an encouraging sign - a kookaburra!  We think this is a brown thornbill - do you agree? It was all looking pretty quiet, and as often happens, bang - action! We found a few eastern rosellas in the trees by the track, as we headed to the wetlands. The wetlands were a different kettle of fish, so to speak....banded lapwings were clearly very exercised by our presence, and wheeled overhead, in between keeping watch at the lake. There were quite a few waterbirds about, more than we're seeing elsewhere around Melbourne at the moment. We particularly enjoyed watching a Eurasian coot and its chicks among the pink weed.  A white-faced heron stood sentinel, while blue-billed ducks and grebes seemed to enjoy plain sailing. For us though, the catch of the day (apart from the eastern rosellas, was a reed warbler who entertained us with melodious song, and even better came out into the sunshine and within range of the lens for the briefest time. It was enough! The picnic lunch just capped off a great day in nature. Here's a little two and a half minute movie recap we put together. We hope you enjoy it.
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