I walked out along the Kepwari Trail, running along Woody Lake, and also to Lake Monjingup, about 10 km north of Esperance. Haven’t yet seen any of the birds unique to this area and the hides were, in both cases, quite a way from where the birds would be likely to be.
Still here we go. Ah yes, the more observant will note these are not birds. But they attract birds, well except for the dead cone. Die-back is a huge problem in southern West Australia, and many places have brushes and shoe sole sprays.
Australasian Ibis were found in abundance at Kepwari, as were Yellow Billed Spoonbills. (which unlike their Royal cousins seem very concerned about being in the open).
The shags, ooops I meant, Welcome Swallows, were the subject of their own blog. Still, an encore seems appropriate.
A bit of excitement thinking this was the first time i had seen a Blue-Billed Duck, but turns out it is a Hardhead (the white eye is the key).
There were lots of Hoary-Headed Grebes.
And the omnipresent White Faced Heron.
Late afternoon I drove out to Monjingup Reserve, about 10 km north of Esperance. There were substantial new structures which suggest they want to get school groups out there – to be lost there perhaps? Whatever this red treat was, it was much appreciated by the junior raven.
Most other birds too far away, but there were Black-fronted Dotterels over there:
and this fella which my expert friend picked as a young Wattlebird – again the eyes (sic) have it, with the red eye being the key.
Michael Monaghan
3 April 2018
Michael Monaghan Photography 
Hi Michael,
I have really enjoyed all your pictures from Western Australia. Particularly your Osprey shots and pelican pictures.
However, your “Blue-billed Duck” is a male “Hardhead” (note the very white eye ring (the blue-billed has a dark eye)) and the possible cuckoo is a “Little Wattlebird” (note distinguishing red eye).
Impressive as your mating swallows are, I have to say that in Costa Rica I was able to photograph a pair of Scarlet Macaws mating. It went on for about 10minutes and was a real Karma Sutra of bird copulation. I have about 300 pictures of them “in-cop” as they say. So if you are interested in some bird porn I will send you some.
Cheers, Caroline
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