The morning after the gannet-fest saw us in the You Yangs, north of Geelong. We went on a couple of walks and turned up some life ticks.
I kept saying to Robert as we walked past every tree with dead branches and hollows that it was ideal territory for an Australian Owlet-nightjar. My reasoning was that the Complete Compact Edition of Morcombe says, "especially in the arid interior ... even the smallest stand of trees seems to have its resident Owlet-nightjars." How could I lose? Well, we flushed one from a hollow and it allowed close-isn examination for five minutes or more. I think we were privileged to see one out in the open during the day. Robert -- lifetick.
This Common Bronzewing was nice. They are a very wary bird, usually zooting off at the first hint of trouble. This is a male.
Speckled Warbler [lifetick x 2] was next bird to be seen. He sat up very nicely for a photo-opportunity.
Right next to the Speckled Warbler was a Buff-rumped Thornbill. The buff rump is not obvious in the photo but we did see it fly a few times to view the "buff rump" and the colouring and white eye clinch the identification. Lifelike x 2.
Galahs are always a delight to see and this quintet contrasting against the greys of the eucs were lovely.
Next stop Werribee. The world-famous, "it has to be on my trip list" Western Treatment Plant.
