Wilson Reserve, Melbourne (1 Viewer)

I finished work early today, and spent an hour at Wilson Reserve, a small suburban park on the Yarra River in Melbourne. Mostly, I was hoping for some swifts to go overhead as a cool change came through today (it was 35 deg. yesterday, and about 28 deg. when I went out today, with 75% humidity). Unfortunately, no luck, although there were dozens of Welcome Swallows out hawking for insects over the cricket pitch. Over the last 6 months, I've seen over 80 spp. in the reserve, but today, only 37.

The main billabong is very low on water, which means lots of exposed mud. On it were a pair of Latham's Snipe, probing the mud, White-browed Scrubwrens, Superb Fairy-wrens, Dusky Moorhen and a Blackbird. Black Duck and a Mallard (unfortunately) were swimming nearby, and Red-rumped Parrots, Red-browed Finches, Eastern Rosella and Tree Martin were flying around.

Other highlights were excellent views of a Spotless Crake, Golden Whistler and a Common Bronzewing Pigeon dusting itself on the track.

I've got to look up Superb Fairy-wren - it sounds amazing!

Is your Blackbird the same as our (UK) Blackbird - and do I take it you have a problem with MallardS?

Great to hear about the birds Down Under.

"Oh my word!"

That was my reflex response.

Thanks for the link TonyK - and Mike, I'm now even more envious than first time round!

Hi Birdman,

yes, the blackbird here is the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula). It was introduced along with a whole suite of other feral nasties in the nineteenth century, in order to "beautify and civilise the bushland".

And yes, Superb Fairy-wrens are absolutely gorgeous, as well as fairly common, wherever there is multi-layered undergrowth. Although they are perhaps not quite as gorgeous as the Splendid Fairy-wren, where the male is completely blue - about 4 different shades.

Sounds nice! I would love to visit Aussie or NZ one day. Is a Billabong a small pond or can it be any size?

Hi Andrew, a billabong is an old curve of a creek or river that has been isolated as the river has changed its course. They can be anything in size from a short jump across, to needing a boat to navigate.

Aah, thanks for that. We call them Oxbow lakes here.