ML613342983

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Several birds which have been seen by many birders in the past few weeks. First bird seen in second lake, perched on tree in the water of second lake. Was quite far away to properly ID with binoculars, so was observed with spotting scope. In full breeding plumage with courtship flush. Completely red legs, yellow tipped red beak with green gape that did not extend past the eye. Compared to Royal Spoonbill and Ibis that were close by it was half the size. One the way back towards the end it had moved closer to the bank in trees where it was harassed by Noisy Miners, eventually flying off. Second bird was seen in a open, marshy area between to lakes in the centre of the wetlands. Was observed actively foraging for around 10 minutes. Noticeably small bird, with short thickset neck. Breast plumes present. Short, pointed and completely yellow bill, with gape clearly not extending past eye. On the way back around an hour later, it was still there. It ended up flushing and flying around 75 meters to a more shaded spot alongside Ibis and White-faced Heron. In flight neck didn't bulge much and the top half of legs were an orange-yellow. After landing beside White-faced Heron it was around the same size, only slightly smaller. Photos of both birds attached.

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot SX100 IS

ISO

80

Focal length

60 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/4.3

Shutter speed

1/640 sec

Dimensions

3264 pixels x 2448 pixels

Original file size

2.35 MB