Hollands Landing
Though technically not in East Gippsland Shire, Hollands Landing is very close, so I have decided to include this post on this blog. Hollands Landing is a small community of houses, a caravan park and a wharf. It is at the north-eastern end of Mclennan straight, a narrow channel of water that connects Lake Wellington with the rest of the Gippsland Lakes.
According to eBird, 119 bird species have been seen at the Hollands Landing hotspot, and no doubt other species have been sighted too. Victoria Lagoon, which is a large lagoon behind Hollands Landing is also abounding with birds.
Many birds frequent Hollands Landing and the surrounding area. Black Swan, spoonbills, a variety of terns and waders are common here, particularly at Victoria Lagoon. Occasionally Banded Lapwings are reported, and this was the reason for my visit last week.
I had received a needs alert of a Banded Lapwing at Hollands Landing, from eBird a few days prior to my visit. Having never seen a Banded Lapwing, and knowing that they are uncommon in the area, plans were immediately made for a visit.
Friday 4th November was a warm windy day, not ideal for seeing birds, and I had little hope of sighting the Lapwings. However, two were seen in a paddock, just before Hollands Landing, as were 2 Black Winged Stilts, lots of Australasian Pipits and numerous Australian Shelducks.
The two Banded Lapwings camouflaged extremely well in the brown grass, and had it not been for their white front, they would have evaded notice. They are considerably smaller than the more common Masked Lapwing, and in my opinion, much prettier.
I then continued on to Hollands Landing, and not finding many birds about turned down a lane that led to Victoria Lagoon. The wind was very strong by this time, and I didn't hold much hope of seeing any waders. However, there were several Red Capped Plovers, a few Red Necked Stints, and four Curlew Sandpipers feeding on a small spit of land approximately 250 metres away. The long distance and shimmer made it impossible for photos, but I managed to get a few of the landscape.
Hollands Landing certainly turned out to be a worthwhile visit, though better weather would certainly make it a lot better. No doubt as the summer comes closer, more waders will congregate on the mudflats of Victoria Lagoon and Hollands Landing, making this a must visit place.
According to eBird, 119 bird species have been seen at the Hollands Landing hotspot, and no doubt other species have been sighted too. Victoria Lagoon, which is a large lagoon behind Hollands Landing is also abounding with birds.
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| Hollands Landing as seen from Google Maps |
Many birds frequent Hollands Landing and the surrounding area. Black Swan, spoonbills, a variety of terns and waders are common here, particularly at Victoria Lagoon. Occasionally Banded Lapwings are reported, and this was the reason for my visit last week.
I had received a needs alert of a Banded Lapwing at Hollands Landing, from eBird a few days prior to my visit. Having never seen a Banded Lapwing, and knowing that they are uncommon in the area, plans were immediately made for a visit.
Friday 4th November was a warm windy day, not ideal for seeing birds, and I had little hope of sighting the Lapwings. However, two were seen in a paddock, just before Hollands Landing, as were 2 Black Winged Stilts, lots of Australasian Pipits and numerous Australian Shelducks.
 |
| Banded Lapwings |
The two Banded Lapwings camouflaged extremely well in the brown grass, and had it not been for their white front, they would have evaded notice. They are considerably smaller than the more common Masked Lapwing, and in my opinion, much prettier.
I then continued on to Hollands Landing, and not finding many birds about turned down a lane that led to Victoria Lagoon. The wind was very strong by this time, and I didn't hold much hope of seeing any waders. However, there were several Red Capped Plovers, a few Red Necked Stints, and four Curlew Sandpipers feeding on a small spit of land approximately 250 metres away. The long distance and shimmer made it impossible for photos, but I managed to get a few of the landscape.
Hollands Landing certainly turned out to be a worthwhile visit, though better weather would certainly make it a lot better. No doubt as the summer comes closer, more waders will congregate on the mudflats of Victoria Lagoon and Hollands Landing, making this a must visit place.
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