It was a freezing morning with strong wind and intermittent showers and we all waited for each other to cancel but in the end eight hardy birders set off to Lot 2 Bambra Road in Aireys Inlet.

It was the interest of a new location that drew us out into the rain.

Mick Loughnan has recently purchased this land and invited us to observe the birds here. He is undertaking vegetation regeneration so it was an opportunity to begin documenting the birdlife.

Welcome Swallows

Despite the dreadful weather we counted 31 species. We shared the paddocks with Eastern Grey Kangaroos who were moving freely as Mick has removed some fences and the bottom strand of barbed wire from others.

Superb Fairywren

Birding highlights were Magpies warbling brightly in the rain, a flock of 37 European Finches, Satin Bowerbirds and a Wedge-tailed Eagle.

White-faced Heron

STOP PRESS! Conrad White brought along his new lens and snapped a Bassian Thrush on Old Coach Road. So we can add another species and highlight for the day.

Bassian Thrush

Marg Lacey

Below are all the birds identified:

1. Australian Shelduck
2. Maned Duck
3. Pacific Black Duck
4. Gray Teal
5. Little Pied Cormorant
6. White-faced Heron
7. Wedge-tailed Eagle
8. Laughing Kookaburra
9. Galah
10. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
11. Crimson Rosella
12. Satin Bowerbird
13. Superb Fairywren
14. Eastern Spinebill
15. Red Wattlebird
16. New Holland Honeyeater
17. White-eared Honeyeater
18. White-naped Honeyeater
19. Australian Magpie
20. Gray Currawong
21. Gray Shrikethrush
22. Willie-wagtail
23. Magpie-lark
24. Little Raven
25. Scarlet Robin
26. Flame Robin
27. Welcome Swallow
28. European Starling
29. European Goldfinch
30. Red-browed Firetail
31. Bassian Thrush