Abby's Big Year 2021

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AbbyGrace
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Abby's Big Year 2021

Hi All,

I'm new to this whole forum thing, and fairly new to birding. Got into it during Covid last year.

Anyways, Hubby and my son went on a little bit of a road trip at the end of last and beginning of this year, so will add the the birds we saw from the 1st onwards. 

And now I am going through them, I think I have deleted quite a few because of quality, bummer! Ah well, it is what it is. 

We stayed at Heathcote-Graytown National Park, Dargile Camping Area on the 1st of Jan. I only have 3 viable photos for today.

1. Scarlet Robin

2. Weebill

3. Rufous Whistler

Will continue in another post, after seeing how this one turns out. Any guidance is most welcomed.

Cheers Abby

AbbyGrace
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Ok continuing onto the 2nd of Jan, we travelled from Heathcote up to Charlton. (In Victoria by the way...) We had a few stops, such as a quick look at Pink Cliffs, Lake Eppalock, Lake Neangar, and Mount Egbert.

5 more birds,

4. Striated Pardalote, which I hope you can see.

5. Whistling Kite,

6. Silver Gull,

7. Australian Wood Duck looking cosy,

8. Brown Falcon.

AbbyGrace
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3rd of Jan, Went for a wander down the Avoca River at Charlton. Really enjoyed this walk, even in the heat.

9. Red-rump Parrot,

10. White-plumed Honeyeater,

11. Musk Lorikeet,

12. Peaceful Dove,

13. Crested Shrike-tit (2nd time seeing one, such a neat bird!)

14. Willie Wagtail,

15. Sacred Kingfisher.

dwatsonbb
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Hi Abby and welcome to the fun. Some nice photos of birds which I am unlikely to see. Thank you for joining and posting.

Advice - keep on birding, enjoy yourself, practice you craft. Hopefully you have read the Challenge rules, they are pretty straight forward. If you not sure of something, just post it anyway, and one of us will hopefully have an answer.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

AbbyGrace
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4th of Jan at Lake Tyrell, which is near Sea Lake.

Saw a couple of new birds for myself, such as the Black-faced Woodswallow and the White-backed Swallow (which I need to look at the factsheet for)

16. Australasian Pipit

17. Black-faced Woodswallow

18. Singing Honeyeater

19. White-fronted Chat

20. White-backed Swallow or does it come under a Welcome Swallow?

21. Yellow-throated Miner

AbbyGrace
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Thanks Dale

dannyka6
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Welcome, I'm excited to see you get started on the Big Year, I know you have a ton of photos and birds to share so it'll be cool to see them all here :) Such a great start with a lots of birds I've never seen in my last few years of bird watching, it pays to move around the place! Love those 2 different types of swallows!

AbbyGrace
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5th of Jan we went for a drive through Wyperfeld National Park, unfortunately it was closed for camping, so just the day trip this time round.

22. Blue Bonnet 

23. Splendid Fairy-wren (a favourite)

24. Nankeen Kestrel

25. Grey Butcherbird

Then on the 6th drove to Ouyen, where I finally got to see the Major Mitchell's Cockatoos! Lifer for sure! Then went from Murrayville down the Murrayville/Nhill Track through the Big Desert. (Will need to stay there for a couple of nights next time.)

26. Major Mitchell's Cockatoo

27. Mulga Parrot

28. Red-capped Robin (juv)

TommyGee
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Hi Abby, and welcome! I'm another Victorian Covid-19 birding newcomer, and I'd say you've found the right place in this forum.

Love the mulga parrot!

AbbyGrace
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Stayed the night at (6th of Jan) Lake Hindmarsh (Dry Lake) and was surprised with the amount of birdlife here, would definitely go back. 

29. Brown Treecreeper

30. Fairy Martin

31. Galah

32. White-browed Babbler

33. Regent Parrot

34. Variegated Fairy-wren

35. Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater

AbbyGrace
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On the 7th of Jan we stopped at Nhill Lake/Swamp for a stretched of the legs. (And a chance to see some more birds..)

36. Long-billed Corella

37. Australasian Grebe

38. White-winged Chough

39. Black-fronted Dotterel

That night we camped at Lake Ratzcastle, not enough water for us to swim in, but enough for emus to have a bath. This was a very cool experience!

40. Emu

41. Straw-necked Ibis

42. Black-tailed Native-hen

43. Yellow-billed Spoonbill

AbbyGrace
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On the 11th of Jan we stayed in Princetown, down on the Great Ocean Road. I saw quite a few Yellow-tailed Black-YeCockatoos at one time, probably 20 or so, which was very exciting!! love watching them fly. Also saw another lifer, after hearing its call. A Rufous Bristlebird, (which I can't seem to find on the related factsheets.)

44. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo

45. Yellow-faced Honeyeater

46. Rufous Bristlebird

47. Silvereye

48. Superb Fairy-wren

49. New Holland Honeyeater

AbbyGrace
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On the 12th we travelled from Princetown via the Otway Treetop Walk, and Triplet Falls then camped at Stevensons Falls. There were alot of Satin Bowerbirds there, however we did get to see a Adult Male Satin Bowerbird which was a Lifer!! 

50. Swamp Harrier

51. European Goldfinch

52. Grey Fantail

53. Rufous Fantail

54. Eastern Yellow Robin

55. Brown Thornbill

56. Australian King-Parrot

57. Bassian Thrush

58. Satin Bowerbird

59. Welcome Swallow

60. Grey Shrike-thrush

AbbyGrace
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On the 13th of Jan we via Wurdiboluc Reservior. Saw quite a few water birds. Also went for a drive through the You Yangs, will go back when it isn't so hot!

61. White-faced Heron

62. Eastern Great Egret

63. Red-capped Plover

64. Great Crested Grebe

65. Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (juv)

66. Red Wattlebird

AbbyGrace
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I missed a Black-winged Stilt that we saw at Lake Wallace at Edenhope on the 8th of Jan.

67. Black-winged Stilt

Also a couple of Yellow-rumped Thornbills at the You Yangs on the 13th

68. Yellow-rumped Thornbill

On the 14th we went to Serendip. We really enjoyed this. Loved what we saw in the enclosures, but also what we saw on the rest of the walks. Saw at least 12 Emus, Cape Barren Geese, and Purple-crowned Lorikeets, which was a lifer for me!! 

69. Magpie Goose

70. Purple-crowned Lorikeet

71. Cape Barren Goose

dannyka6
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Wow you are throwing a real cat in amongst the pigeons with this bird list from your travels Abby!! And worst of all you're beating my number of birds lol!! What an amazing collection of birds you've seen, can't believe it was all in a couple of weeks - thanks for sharing

AbbyGrace
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Thanks Danika! It was a great trip to start the year! Now to try and get some better/closer shots. :) 

dannyka6
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Absolutely, so many lifers and special birds, now you can work on getting some more super shots like that Splendid Fairy-wren which was just so stunning

karentwemlow
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Welcome Abby! What an awesome list to kick off your big year :-). Love that little fluffball of a Splendid Fairy-wren.

sue818
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Welcome Abby, what a wonderful start! Sounds like a fantastic trip and a pleasure to have you join the fun. I am envious of the White-backed Swallow and Regent Parrot as they have eluded my camera. My favourite would be the Major Mitchell Cockatoo, love that crest.

AbbyGrace
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Thanks everyone! 

Yesterday we went for a wander at our favourite local walk,(Cardinia Aqueduct Trail) which is always good for birds.

The whistlers were quiet yesterday, only saw one feeding a younger one. But the Mistletoebird was out for us to see which is always nice. 5 new birds to add to the count. Plus a closer shot of the Eastern Yellow Robin.

72. Dusky Woodswallow

73. Mistletoebird

74. Crimson Rosella

75. White-throated Treecreeper

76. Eastern Spinebill

Devster
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Just WOW!! Welcome Abby. You are off to a flying start. Quite a few birds I have never seen there and well done getting that bristlebird! I did a doubletake on your Brown Thornbill as the Bill looked long but I think thats because of the angle. I also did a doubletake your Bassian Thrush as I couldn't see the anchor marking on the coverts but I think again it's the angle. You have certainly set the bar high.

Alex Rogers
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Amazing series Abby - what a great trip! Let me add my welcome, so cool to have another player here, and to see all your interesting birds. Some there that I've never seen (that Bristlebird! Great catch!) and I'd never heard of the white-backed Swallow - I'll have to adfjust my swallow assumptions when looking at them :-) Looking forward to seeing more from you over the year - and chasing your admirable total!

dwatsonbb
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Well done Abby, you getting some serious photos of some serious birds, loving them all. Also looking forward to your end of year total. Please keep them coming, Thanks.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

AbbyGrace
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Finally got back out for a little bird watching this morning after dropping my son off at Kindergarten. Nice to check out the local spots again. Went for a stroll around Cardinia Lakes. (Cook Springs Reserve and Eastone Reserve). Saw the regulars, which adds 7 more to my list. It was great to see two Blue-billed Ducks, plus it was fun watching the Moorhen diving for food. Also I couldn't resist adding another photo of the White-faced Heron.

77. Eurasian Coot

78. Pacific Black Duck

79. Purple Swamphen

80. Australian Magpie

81. Chestnut Teal

82. Blue-billed Duck

83. Dusky Moorhen

AbbyGrace
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Today decided inspite of the weather conditions, would go for a wander at Reef Island. Really enjoy going there, and still haven't found a Southern Emu-wren, maybe one day I will luck it.

Light wasn't overly great for photos, and some these birds it would benefit having a bigger zoom, but it is what it is :D

84. Red-necked Stint

85. Pacific Gull

86. Eastern Curlew

87. Crested Tern

88. Royal Spoonbill

89. Australian White Ibis

90. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

91. Australian Pied Oystercatcher

92. Pacific Golden Plover

93. Masked Lapwing 

Alex Rogers
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Some more great birds :-) We don't get the Pacific Gulls up here, love their powerful beaks. And those Golden Plovers are just lovely birds. Great to see your locals :-) 

sue818
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Wow, Abby, some great birds there and what a pace you are setting. I love the look of lipstick on the Pacific Gulls.

dannyka6
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WOW Abby you're doing super!! Love all those waders you're adding to the list, that Reef Island is a special place. You're killing it for the totals!!

Devster
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I too like the Pacific Gull photo as we don't get them up here either. That Crested Tern photo with the adult and Juv is a good one and I recon tells a story. You're going to be hard to beat with those numbers Abby.

TommyGee
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Nice! Not surprised you added that White-Faced Heron, that's a lovely pic. :) 

AbbyGrace
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Thanks everyone! Really enjoying seeing what everyone else is seeing! 

94. Crested Pigeon

A few photos of the Crested Pigeon, we have a pair that visit our backyard so have had a bit of fun with the camera.

sue818
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Crrsted Pigeons are nice to have as backyard birds, beautiful colour in those wings. I love that you can hear them take off and the male's courting dance. 
 

I must say that this year has started with a bang... it is only February and the tallies are building quickly. It seems we are all eager to be out and about after lockdown. 

AbbyGrace
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Another visitor to our backyard. My son's favourite bird. Quite fun to watch them have a bath. And can see why the water needs refilling often.

95. Noisy Miner

Devster
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Lovely sequence Abby

TommyGee
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I do like Crested Pigeons... there aren't so many around here, but when I visit my daughter in Qld, they're everywhere! You've captured some great wing colours :)

karentwemlow
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I love watching the birds in the baths around the garden, I could do that all day! Nice one :-)

AbbyGrace
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Thanks everyone, looks like the next 5 days I will be only taking photos from our backyard. Fortunately I got out yesterday for a walk at the Cardinia Aqueduct Trail. Had an awesome encouter with a female Leaden Flycatcher, so I couldn't decide on only one photo.

Also saw Red-browed Finch's, not a great shot, but hopefully in the future will be able to get a better one, and a replacement of Rufous Fantail (53) 

96. Leaden Flycatcher (Female)

97. Red-browed Finch

dannyka6
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Always love to see a fantail shot with the tail fanned out like that! So good! And the flycatcher shots are brilliant

sue818
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Love the bird bath series but that Leaden Flycatcher is a beauty. Stay safe and enjoy the birds at home or on the laptop.

AbbyGrace
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Thanks everyone. 

Another bird that sometime visits our backyard is the Little Corellas, and have got a replacement for a Galah (31) as they visit our backyard too.

98. Little Corella

TommyGee
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That Corella has some strut!

Devster
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I can see why you struggled with the Leaden photos, they're all so good. I do love that strut with the Corella. My boys would call him a Chad. lol

AbbyGrace
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Just a couple more from our backyard. And I couldn't resist adding another Galah photo.

99. Common Blackbird

100. Spotted Dove

101. Magpie-lark

102. Common Myna

Devster
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Congrats on the 100 Abby. Looks like your bird bath is very popular

sue818
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Some wonderful shots from the bird bath, fantastic... also heard that lockdown is over at midnight, great news. Keep them coming, Abby, I am enjoying the posts. Do you think the Magpie-lark is checking out his reflection?

TommyGee
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Good to see your bird bath is the place to be! I've recently set one up but the birds have yet to find it. Makes such a difference :) 

AbbyGrace
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Yep the bird bath is popular at the present time, it made lockdown a bit more bearable! But I'm glad its over!! Had a wedding up in Wodonga this past Friday, so a weekend up there, which meant new birds for me! 

In the caravan park we were staying we were woken up by Little Friarbirds every morning. 

103. Little Friarbird

Went for a walk around Belvoir Park Lake. And got a couple more to add to the list, and got lucky and saw a Blue-faced Honeyeater. A better picture of a Easter Great Egret.

104. Domestic Duck

105. Blue-faced Honeyeater

106. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

We also went for a couple of short walks in the Chiltern National Park, but decided to come back when its a bit cooler. 

107. Varied Sittella

108. Noisy Friarbird

109. Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

110. Brown-headed Honeyeater

Then driving home today we got to see a couple of Wedge-tailed Eagles. I do like seeing these flying.

111. Wedge-tailed Eagle

Devster
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Wow another great set there Abby. A few of the Honeyeaters I don't get to see. BTW I was going back and admiring your photos and I don't think your Little Egret (62) is little. With a neck that long I think it's a Great. Happy to be corrected though. The tricky thing is it has a black bill because it's in breeding plumage. They trick me up all the time too!

sue818
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Nice ones, Abby. Love the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater and the Wedge-tailed eEagle.

Apologies but I agree with Dev re number 62. The neck is long and I think there may be a hint of blue breeding flush near the eye to go with the black bill. Check out on your original photo.

Cracking pace this year as we are not even two months into 2021!

AbbyGrace
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Thanks, no need to apologise. Have edited previous posts, did think it was a Little Egret going on the colour its bill.

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