A TRIP TO THE WESTERN TREATMENT PLANT

Some friends from Sri Lanka had arrived, and wanted to see Australia's birds. We gave them a choice of going to Anglesea, or to the Western Treatment Plant. They chose the Treatment Plant, so off we went, showing the friends little ravens, magpie-larks, Australian magpies, house sparrows, spotted doves and New Holland honeyeaters that were near the road as we drove forwards.
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