Eventually we reached Gate 5 and drove through the grasslands. As house sparrows, superb fairy-wrens and Willie wagtails perched on the fences, crested pigeons, yellow-rumped thornbills and silvereyes were feeding in the trees. The friends had really wanted to see raptors, and soon a swamp harrier flew over the road. We stopped at two dead trees to show the friends a pale phase brown falcon, and a black-shouldered kite. We went further and saw a black kite, as well as three dark phase black falcons and a swamp harrier. All of us carefully approached and photographed these, getting some good shots and views.
A black-shouldered kite perched in a tree
A dark phase brown falcon stretches its wings
A pale phase brown falcon takes off, photo taken by the friend
A black kite in the distance, photo also taken by the friend
We went on to Lake Borrie, showing the friend some Eurasian coots, hoary-headed grebes and black swans that were in the lake. Several whiskered terns in breeding plumage flew by as we stopped to take photos of some sharp-tailed sandpipers.
A whiskered tern in breeding plumage
A sharp-tailed sandpiper, note the characteristic rufous crown
After some more driving, spotting a yellow-billed spoonbill, Australian pelican, hoary-headed grebes, an eastern great egret and some chestnut teals and Pacific black ducks, we finally reached the hide, and I knew the day would get even better.Just in front of the hide was a flock of red-necked stints, sharp-tailed sandpipers and curlew sandpipers. We stepped inside the hide, opened the hatch and . . .
TERNS! TERNS! TERNS!
Hundreds of them! Whiskered terns were everywhere. Further out were red-necked avocets and pied oystercatchers, and closer in were a few bar-tailed godwits. Even closer in were many red-necked stints, curlew sandpipers and sharp-tailed sandpipers feeding on the rich nutrients of the Little River. Further out were grey teal and black swans. In the bushes on the beach, just to top it off, were singing white-fronted chats. 
The red-necked stint is one of Australia's commonest waders
We then drove back along the Coastal Road, stopping for another flock of waders which had whiskered terns, silver gulls, Australian pelicans, red-capped plovers, black swans, grey teal, Eurasian coots, curlew sandpipers, sharp-tailed sandpipers and red-necked stints!
After stopping to see two Cape Barren geese we headed back home.
LIST OF SPECIES SEEN
1. Hoary-Headed Grebe
2. Pacific Black Duck
3. Chestnut Teal
4. Grey Teal
5. Cape Barren Goose
6. Black Swan
7. Eastern Great Egret
8. Australian White Ibis
9. Yellow-Billed Spoonbill
10. Little Pied Cormorant
11. Australian Pelican
12. Black-Shouldered Kite
13. Black Kite
14. Swamp Harrier
15. Brown Falcon
16. Purple Swamphen
17. Eurasian Coot
18. Bar-Tailed Godwit
19. Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper
20. Curlew Sandpiper
21. Red-Necked Stint
22. Black-Winged Stilt
23. Red-Necked Avocet
24. Pied Oystercatcher
25. Red-Capped Plover
26. Silver Gull
27. Whiskered Tern
28. Common Tern
29. Spotted Dove
30. Crested Pigeon
31. Rainbow Lorikeet
32. Galah
33. Superb Fairy-Wren
34. Yellow-Rumped Thornbill
35. New Holland Honeyeater
36. Red Wattlebird
37. Magpie-Lark
38. Willie Wagtail
39. Australian Magpie
40. Little Raven
41. Silvereye
42. Welcome Swallow
43. House Sparrow
44. Common Myna
45. Common Starling
TOTAL: 45
LIFERS: 1
