I often do a pass by Herdsman Lake on the way to work. Yesterday while driving along Lakeside drive I spotted a small grey bird in the grass among the Purple Swamphens. Lucky it's a quiet road because I quickly braked and though to myself, "That was too big to be a dove. And it didn't look quite like a peewee." I turned and parked near where the bird sat and immediately pinned it as a lapwing, but which kind? I put my ever-present binoculars on it. Banded Lapwing. A bird I have only ever seen once before, and that was way out at Lake Grace. A female or juvenile, lacking the stark black facial markings of the adult male. But with the distinctive small red wattles each side of the bill.
I wonder if it's a new bird for Herdsman?
I wonder if it's a new bird for Herdsman?