On Saturday it was a superb warm morning, with light sea breezes. Walking along the fine sand we were lucky to sight many birds, icluding:

Welcome Swallow Greenfinch (pair) Willie Wagtail Hooded Plover

Banded Plover White-fronted Chat Oystercatcher Crested Tern

Masked Lapwing Red-necked Stint Pacific Gull (adult and juv.) Red-capped Dotterel

We watched a seething mass of Stints in the kelp, running forward into the water and then back again. On the way back we were lucky to see a Little Eagle in flight, above the edge of the sand dunes. There was also a Gannet feeding in the surf.

All in all it was a beautiful morning, especially for us land-lubbers. Thank you.

Chris

On Sunday it was overcast with a south-west wind. We parked on private property, and then crossed green, grassy horse paddocks to the beach. Singing Honeyeaters were heard.

Birds seen along the beach included:

Sooty Oystercatcher Pied Oystercatcher Gannets (over sea) Sooty Albatross White-fronted Chats (5) Masked Lapwing Pacific Gull Crested Tern

Hooded Plover (c.50) Red-necked Stint Double-banded Plover Red-capped Dotterel Kelp Gull Striated Field-wren Great Cormorant Caspian Tern

White-faced Heron Pacific Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone (c.30) Greenfinch Turtledove Willie Wagtail

Many thanks to Barbara for conducting the excursion and to the land holder for allowing access.

Contributed
1. Bird watching at a private beach west of Port Fairy. Many Hooded Plovers were seen.
2. Rocks at the private beach.
Photos: Val Hocking.