Yabbies for lunch

Australian White Ibis, Bob Corbould wetland

This ibis was struggling with a yabby for quite a while, even tried swallowing it whole, before eventually flying off to try and eat it on land - without another ibis stealing it.

This wetland has lots going on at the moment; Red-kneed Dotterels, Black-winged Stilts, Hardhead, and I even saw a Common Sandpiper. I guess it was on it's way to the SE coast to winter. Hard to imagine the vast distance it's travelled from Russia or somewhere similar, even just the Northern Australia to Mildura leg!

The adventures of a baby Shelduck

Click on image to enlarge…

I'm not normally into anthropomorphism but couldn't resist with this one!

Urban pelicans

Australian Pelican, Walnut Ave wetlands

There are still lots of pelicans around Mildura, here are a couple of them at an urban storm water drainage basin. There are obviously plenty of fish but I think they might be little schooling fish. There is usually an egret fishing for little fish too. The shoreline that the Black-fronted Dotterels used for breeding last year is now covered in reeds and there was no sign of them. The Red-kneed Dotterels were happy to feed along the edge of the reeds though.

Wild Bird Wednesday

More spring babies

Black Swan Cygnets, Etiwanda Wetlands 

Australian Shelduck with chick, Etiwanda Wetlands

I rarely go to Etiwanda Wetlands but I thought I better check it out since I'm taking a group of primary school students there next week to bird watch for Bird Week. It was terrible weather but the swans didn't seem to mind! I also saw a baby Shelduck - I couldn't get very close so not a great photo but I don't see them much so I've still included it here.

Wild Bird Wednesday

21 babies

Wood Duck family

Lock 11, Mildura

There are 21 of these babies. I think the parents may have adopted some extras...  there are definitely a few different sizes, with the one in the first photo the littlest. I've loved watching them while I incubate my own little duckling!

Wild Bird Wednesday