Whistling Kite, water birds and a beautiful sunset

A quick trip to the Poo Ponds after work. The air was warm, still, and on the nose. The insects were very friendly, and the main target bird nowhere to be found. Having said all of that, an enjoyable experience, especially the sunset

There were lots of Australian Pratincoles, and all the usual ducks, Avocets and Stilts. Sandpipers seemed to be staying away from where I was. A Whistling Kite seemed to be struggling a bit with the heat, either perched or flying, tongue hanging out

There were a couple of Yellow-billed Spoonbills, swishing side to side, and this Glossy Ibis was nearby

There are a large number of Whiskered Terns constantly swooping the top of the ponds for insects

One of the few sandpipers that caught my eye was this Wood Sandpiper, nicely perched on a rock

A few recent photos from the Alice Springs Sewage Ponds

Black-winged Stilt

Australian Pratincole

Black Kite

Black-tailed Native-hen

Fairy Martin

Bunny

Red-necked Avocet

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater

Whistling Kite

White-winged Fairy-wren

Wood Sandpiper

Orange Chats, Black-tailed Native Hens, Pink-eared Ducks and Sandpipers photos from ASWTP

A quick venture out at lunch today was a battle against the wind and time. The poo ponds levels were up from my last visit and the shorebirds were having trouble finding wading areas. The lack of Black Swans is a concern. But the Pink-eared and Wood Ducks made up for the Swans in sheer numbers, probably 200 + or each.

The star of the day was the Orange Chat brigade, probably 40 or so individuals, and they had found a pond that was drying out almost completed. At the first sign of danger from one of the other species around, normally the Magpie Larks, all the Chats would peep into the air and settle wither in the surrounding foliage or the mounds of dirt beside the pond.

Enough waffle, here are the photos, as always, hope you enjoy.

Orange Chats

Black-tailed Native Hens

Pink-eared Ducks

Red-kneed Dotterel

 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red-capped Plover

 Wood Sandpiper

Pelicans and others in flight at the Poo Ponds

Had a quick trip to the A;lice Springs Poo Ponds early yesterday afternoon in between helping a friend with his computer issues and picking the kids up from school. Being on holidays seems to be different these days, who gets to relax? Too many things to be done around the house. Probably what happens when you are out bush every week throughout the year! Anyway, onto the birding part.

Chris Watson (http://comebirdwatching.blogspot.com.au/) had reported a fledged Peregrine at the Poo Ponds via Twitter, so I thought if I got the chance I'd head into the ponds for the first time in a while. Chris had also mentioned some pelicans, and after learning the Peregrine was at the back part of the ASWTP, decided to just check out the birds in the near ponds and hopefully the pelicans.

There were two Pelicans, and the normally placid birds took flight with the ever-flighty ducks. They circled above the ponds for a while, long enough to take these shots. One thing I noted was the placement of the feet in flight:

Australian Pelican

There were a lot of ducks and Black-tailed Native Hens. This Native Hen I think was confused as to who it should be following:

Black-tailed Native Hen and Wood Ducks

The following photos are of other birds at the Poo Ponds:

Black Swan

Black-winged Stilts

Grey Teals in Flight

Red-capped Plover

Red-necked Avocet in flight

White-winged Fairy-wren

Wood Sandpiper

Enjoy your Bird-watching!