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Favourite Birding Spot #4 Lake Inchiquin, Clare

1 Comment »5th August, 2006; Category: Favourite Birding Spots, General
Lake Inchiquin, Clare

Lake Inchiquin, Clare

Lake Inchiquin is an artificial lake in Clare in the mid-north district of South Australia. The lake borders the southern and western parts of the Clare Country Club and its golf club. The lake is essentially an artificial one, more of a large dam to give the country club a beautiful outlook. The southern edge of the lake incorporates a picnic area, complete with a model train track several kilometres in length. This track is used by enthusiasts two weekends a month.

Convenient Birding

I enjoy birding at Lake Inchiquin because it is so convenient. It is a two minute walk from my daughter’s home in Clare. Not only that, there is a good walking path along the water’s edge. The path has many trees and bushes planted on each side making the path an elongated natural bird hide. There are enough gaps in the vegetation to get good views of any birds on the lake or along the edges. Another reason for enjoying this spot is the variety of water birds present all year round. Some species I have trouble tracking down in other parts of the state.

Waterbirds

Ducks are very well represented on the lake. I have recorded the following species:

  • Pacific Black Duck (very common)
  • Pink-Eared Duck (present in small numbers)
  • Grey Teal (common)
  • Blue-Billed Duck (common)
  • Freckled Duck (rare)
  • Australasian Shoveler (present in small numbers)
  • Australian Wood Duck (very common)
  • Hardhead (White-Eyed Duck) (present in small numbers)
  • Mallard (introduced)

Other water birds include:

  • Hoary Headed Grebe (common)
  • Australasian Grebe (common)
  • Eurasian Coot (very numerous)
  • Black-tailed Native-hen (sometimes numerous)
  • Dusky Moorhen (common)
  • Black-fronted Dotterel (usually 2-4 present)
  • Black Swan (occasional)
  • Little Black Cormorant (common)
  • Little Pied Cormorant (common)
  • Masked Lapwing (common)
  • White-faced Heron (several)
  • Nankeen Night Heron (3 recorded on one occasion)

Along the path and in the nearby golf course and picnic grounds I have recorded many more species. I will write about that tomorrow.

They’re back

No Comments »4th August, 2006; Category: Ducks Geese and Swans, Garden birds
Pacific Black Duck

Pacific Black Duck

They’re back.

Every winter we have several visitors to “Le Swamp” (otherwise known as our swimming pool, but its current shade of green would discourage most human swimmers).

Two, sometimes three Pacific Black Ducks come and take up residence on the pool, enjoying our wonderful hospitality. From time to time they will wander out to the paddock for a feed, or perhaps waddle through the orchard looking for a snail or two.

Several years ago they had a brood of 6 ducklings which proceeded to occupy the pool too. Trouble was, they couldn’t get out and by the time we saw them – we’d been away – they were too exhausted to survive. We tried hand rearing several of them but without success.

While we like seeing them around, they do make a horrible mess on the paving around the pool.

Related article:

How to be a Birder part 5

2 Comments »4th August, 2006; Category: General, Hints

Hint #5: Buy or Borrow a Field Guide

Birders are always learning more and more about the objects of their hobby. Many collect whole bookshelves, even a small library of books and magazines about birds. Prime amongst these would have to be a field guide to the birds of your area, state or country. In Australia we are in the wonderful position of having more than one from which to choose. In fact there are 5 or 6 excellent guides currently available and several more out of print editions often available in second hand bookshops. There is no excuse for not knowing about birds.

Study the field guide often. Refer to it to find out details of each species. As you see each new species read about it. Try to commit to memory the important facts about its habits, distribution, habitat preference, plumage colours, nesting habits, movements and any other useful information relevant to that particular species.

For other useful hints on becoming a birder click here.

Related article:

Crested Pigeon

Crested Pigeon

So that’s who’s been eating my flowers

6 Comments »3rd August, 2006; Category: Garden birds, Parrots and Lorikeets

We have many birds in our garden. There is a constant passing parade of parrots, honeyeaters, choughs, babblers, magpies, ravens and over a hundred other different species (113 at last count).

Constant delight

Being a birder this abundance brings a constant delight. There is always something happening. There is always something to look at. There is always something calling. There is constant activity. Near our front door we have a beautiful little Eremophila maculata bush (compact form), an Australian native. When in flower this little bush, which is not yet half a metre high, is covered in the most delightful wine-red flowers. Sometimes the ground below is covered with partly chewed bits of the flowers. Now we know the culprit, the Mallee Ringneck Parrot. We caught him in the act – and on the camera (see below).

Mallee Ringneck Parrot

Mallee Ringneck Parrot

How to be a Birder part 4

No Comments »3rd August, 2006; Category: General, Hints

Hint # 4: Seek them out

While it is true that birds are almost everywhere one goes in the world, there are some places where there are more birds than elsewhere. I love birding in the garden of our home. We are blessed with more birds than most because we have far more trees and bushes than most people.

Good birding places

If there are not many birds in your garden, or you live in a flat or an apartment or perhaps in a high-rise building you will need to deliberately seek them out. There are many excellent birding spots in most cities and towns. Seek out the local parks and gardens and you will be sure to find more birds. Botanic gardens are particularly rich places for birding. Then seek out any lakes, rivers, dams or reservoirs, all excellent places for waterbirds. If there is a beach, shoreline or better, a river estuary, these places will provide yet a different group of birds. Search out local national parks and wildlife reserves. Even zoos can provide excellent birding spots, both inside and outside the aviaries present.

Excursions

By joining a birding club or organisation you will be able to attend their regular meetings and learn of other interesting places to go. By going on any excursions they provide, you can have access to places you may not even know about. Indeed, sometimes the leaders have gained permission to enter private areas or good birding spots to which birders rarely have access.

Warning!

A word of warning: birders love visiting sewage treatment works. That may seem a little extreme but they are highly attractive places for birds, and consequently they are also attractive places for birders. These days they are more often called waste treatment plants or they are sanitised with a ‘wetlands’ name. With effective waste management these are not the smelly locations many people imagine, but are wonderful birding spots. My current favourite is the Laratinga Wetland area near Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills. This area consists of about five artificial lakes with an abundant birdlife, beautiful trees and bushes and an attractive picnic area.

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Collared Sparrowhawk

Collared Sparrowhawk

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