In the second week of January, we spent the majority of our holiday on Phillip Island. There are so many different birding habitats on the Island, and it was fun to try to get to most of them and see a wide variety of birds.
One of the most productive area is at the west end of the Island, where the Nobbies and the Penguin Parade area is located, as well as Smiths Beach and Swan Lake. From Swamp Harriers in the sky to Kelp Gulls on the rocky outcrop, Little Penguins and a number of different Terns, and some unusual cormorants, not to mention the ducks and other waterbirds at Swan Lake, and the bush birds in between, this little area really should be visited for a time much longer than our time constraints allowed, but we managed a lot of birding in any case. There is a map of the Island available from most of the shops or Information desks and the west end should really be circled by any birder heading to the Island. The birds in this post are summer birds, and although I haven't been to the Island during Winter for many a year, I imagine the majority are still there during winter also, with a few others such as Albatross and Petrels a possibility in the cooler months. Perhaps the well-renowned blogger from Pete's Flap (click to go to Pete's Flap blog here ) could be challenged to provide a Winter blog post with some of these Antarctic visitors.
You may notice some joint observations between Pete's blogging and mine, as we are related by family and it is mainly thanks to Pete I managed to start this passion of birds and bird photography. Each year we manage to enjoy some lovely birding experiences during the school holidays and Phillip Island is one of those places we congregate due to their holiday house. Even around the house provides some enjoyable bird-watching, and it is only a short walk to the beach, or a short drive to the places mentioned above. And so to the photos, starting with one of the local Rosellas.
One of the most productive area is at the west end of the Island, where the Nobbies and the Penguin Parade area is located, as well as Smiths Beach and Swan Lake. From Swamp Harriers in the sky to Kelp Gulls on the rocky outcrop, Little Penguins and a number of different Terns, and some unusual cormorants, not to mention the ducks and other waterbirds at Swan Lake, and the bush birds in between, this little area really should be visited for a time much longer than our time constraints allowed, but we managed a lot of birding in any case. There is a map of the Island available from most of the shops or Information desks and the west end should really be circled by any birder heading to the Island. The birds in this post are summer birds, and although I haven't been to the Island during Winter for many a year, I imagine the majority are still there during winter also, with a few others such as Albatross and Petrels a possibility in the cooler months. Perhaps the well-renowned blogger from Pete's Flap (click to go to Pete's Flap blog here ) could be challenged to provide a Winter blog post with some of these Antarctic visitors.
You may notice some joint observations between Pete's blogging and mine, as we are related by family and it is mainly thanks to Pete I managed to start this passion of birds and bird photography. Each year we manage to enjoy some lovely birding experiences during the school holidays and Phillip Island is one of those places we congregate due to their holiday house. Even around the house provides some enjoyable bird-watching, and it is only a short walk to the beach, or a short drive to the places mentioned above. And so to the photos, starting with one of the local Rosellas.
Eastern Rosella
Eastern Spinebill
Little Wattlebird
New Holland Honeyeater
Silver gull
Kelp Gull
Kelp Gull with Chick at the Nobbies
Australasian Shoveller
Freckled Duck
Musk Duck
Black-faced Cormorant
