Birding on the Gippsland Lakes

Birding on the Gippsland Lakes

Late last month I was invited by John and Pam Hutchison to go along with them and Faye Bedford (DELWP) in a boat on a birding trip on the Gippsland Lakes. We were to check small terns and the Pelican rookery. ( See John Hutchinson's post http://avithera.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/pelican-rookery-crescent-island.html ) 

Google Map of the area

Lift-off!

We departed from Paynesville around 9 AM and headed towards Crescent Island. After inspecting Crescent, Waddy and Barton Island, we stopped off at Ocean Grange. 

The Pelican colony was spectacular, with approximately 300 Pelicans there. 

A number of Hooded Plovers were also seen.

There were also lots of Black-Faced Cormorants on Crescent Island

3 Bar-Tailed Godwits allowed us to come quite close, and posed very nicely for photos.

There were also a good number of Crested Terns, which are always fun to photograph. 

It was a great morning out, with lots of new birds around. 

The Gippsland Lakes are a great spot to go birding, however, please be VERY careful of where you land and walk around. A lot of the islands have breeding birds on them, and walking through their colonies would be detrimental to the well being of our birds. See my previous blog post "Ethical Birding" for more information.