Pied Cormorants

A pair of Pied Cormorants (Phalacrocorax varius) were basking in the sunshine at  Jawbone Reserve on a chilly winter’s day.

 

Pied Cormorants
(Phalacrocorax varius)

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Paisley Challis Wetlands

The Paisley Challis Wetlands is one of five significant sites in Hobsons Bay that provide important habitat for a large number of migratory and resident shorebirds.

Created in 2003, by restructuring the Paisley and Challis stormwater drains to form a series of wetland tidal ponds. These ponds with reeds filter out the urban pollutants to provide valuable habitat for local flora and fauna.

 

Tidal filtration pool – Supporting spoonbills and other waterbirds

 

Royal Spoonbills roosting
(Platalea regia)

 

Paisley Drain

 

Paisley Drain – View from the footbridge

 

Plaque

 

White-faced Heron 
(Egretta novaehollandiae)
Paisley-Challis Wetlands

The White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) was well hidden behind that bush (above photo). I only saw it when it moved his head and, out of the corner of my eye, noticed its white face.

 

White-faced Heron
(Egretta novaehollandiae)
With its catch at the Paisley-Challis Wetlands

 

White-faced Heron
(Egretta novaehollandiae)
Enjoying its catch at the Paisley-Challis Wetlands

 

A pair of Royal Spoonbills 
(Platalea regia) – in a tidal filtration pool

 

Pacific Black Ducks
(Anas superciliosa)
swimming in the Paisley Drain, Paisley Challis Wetlands

 

Sign

 

 

 

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Jawbone Reserve

Last Friday, I was able to visit the Jawbone Conservation Park. Weatherwise, I could not have picked a better day. After a week of dull grey skies, Friday was the complete opposite – bright blue sky and warm autumn sun.

I entered from the carpark at the intersection of Maddox and Kororoit Roads and headed east along the Bay Trail.

 

Paisley – Challis Wetlands Stormwater Drain – iPhone image.

 

 

A pair of Black-winged Stilts (Himantopus himantopus) were feeding in one of the wetland ponds.

 

A distant shot of one of the Black-winged Stilts,
(Himantopus himantopus) feeding in a wetland pond.

 

A male Australasian Darter,
(Anhinga novaehollandiae)

 

A Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) – Preening under the watchful eyes of the Australian White Ibis.

 

A female Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) and a Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)

Further down the trail, a Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos) was busy diving for his dinner.

 

Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)

There are too many photos I wish to share so I will save them for future posts.

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Little Raven

The following photograph is of a Little Raven (Corvus mellori) which I took on a recent walk around one of my favourite birding places: Jawbone Reserve.

Little Raven on a Park Bench

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Birding at Jawbone Reserve

The other day I made my first visit for 2017 to Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve. I find this Reserve a good spot for birding – especially waterbirds.

On entering the Reserve, my first sighting was the juvenile Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) sleeping in the reeds. There was a strong cool breeze blowing and the reeds gave them protection.

Most of the birds were inactive, the Pied Cormorants (Phalacrocorax varius) were busy preening while others were content to look on.

If travelling to Melbourne I can highly recommend a visit to Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve.

Please Note: All photographs appearing on my blog were taken by me. They are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. If you would like to purchase a print please contact me by leaving a comment below with your order and contact details. I will then get back to you.