Union Creek Observations

Howard observed a large number of very big migratory birds in multiple colours about to travel to the four corners of the world.

They had script like markings on their tails which might be interpreted as tiger, Jetstar and there were even virgins in large numbers.

They were very loud when they took to the air and landed on wheel like legs situated at the front and back. The location was approximately 100 to 150 km north of the bridge.

It is highly unlikely that they are going to breed in the bull rushes as they will not be landing in that small space and the vast majority are virgins anyway. Sent from my iPad

Debra and Howard went to the creek with the intention of looking to see if birds may have started to breed.

Howard went into the reeds in about 10 places within 30 m of the old bridge, crossing totally in a couple of places. There were no signs of nests or birds within the reeds.

* There was a pair (regular) of Pacific Black ducks adjacent to the southern side of the bridge.

* further north there were purple swamp hens, black ducks and the exotic domestic ducks grazing.

* earlier at about 1 pm there was a white faced heron just north of the bridge

Debra saw 2 Australian Wood ducks sitting on northern side of bridge on grass in EXACTLY the same spot as the Pacific Black Ducks have been sitting.  Beside them were 3 galahs.

A bit further north on the grass was either a Great Egret or Cattle Egret.

Howard observed:

* Pair of pacific black ducks on immediate northern side of bridge – regulars

* Pair of purple swamp hens

* Group of wood ducks

* Buff Banded Rail (see photo) near bridge on northern side

* Royal spoonbill at far end near Gray street

Howard visited the creek at 3pm and again at 5pm:

In the middle area of grass I saw

* a flock of cattle egrets

* two royal spoonbills (see photo)

* a white cockatoo and a flock of galahs

* lots of wood ducks

* a couple of Pacific Black ducks

* a couple of Purple Swamp hens

I saw no birds near the bridge

Howard at bridge 1:45 pm:

* Pacific black ducks under bridge.

* One Purple swamp hen directly adjacent to north side of bridge

Debra saw 3 Purple Swamp Hens grazing on grass left hand side of bridge (northern side) – believe they are the same 3 spotted previously.

Howard attended the creek this morning at about 10 am:

* There were a pair of black ducks on the southern side of the bridge where previously seen.

* On the northern side of the creek there were no ducks near the bridge.

* There were purple swamp hens in the middle area as well as a single white faced heron and two ravens

Debra and Howard attended the creek about 1 pm:

* There were two pacific black ducks on the southern side of the bridge.

* There were two pacific black ducks on the northern side of the bridge about 10 metres from the bridge. One remained settled low in the short reeds the other was higher up the bank. This latter bird was very aggressive towards another pacific black duck which came from the southern side of the bridge.

* There were purple swamp hens in the middle area of the clearing moving from the creek to the bank area.

* There was a white faced heron on the grass adjacent to the Mayflower Village.

* There were three exotic ducks in the creek at the northern end of the area, species unknown.