Birds of 2024

I’m setting myself a challenge, spurred on by another photographer, Ian Smissen, to see how many species of birds I can photograph this year.

In 2023 I recorded 195 species and in 2022 it was 156, 2021 just 43.  2022 was when I started to really start taking notice and looking for birds. So I’m hoping I’ll get well over 200 this year.

This, indeed, will be a challenge. I already do an eBird report on a regular basis of birds I’ve seen and heard but that doesn’t always mean I’ve photographed them too. I recognise the sounds of many birds in my region these days, but it doesn’t mean I get photos of them, if they’re hiding in foliage or flying past too quickly. So, at any rate, I’ll see how this goes. Check back for regular updates, won’t you?

1st January
9 species, a mix of photos from Birdsland Reserve and my own property in Selby.

 

2nd January
11 more species, from Birdsland Reserve and my own property in Selby. Total of 20 species.

 

3rd January
Taken on my property in Selby. 3 species, total of 23 species

4th January
Taken at the Blue Lotus Water Gardens, Yarra Junction. 10 species, totaling 33

5th January.
In our garden at Selby. 7 species, totaling 40.

6th January
At home and in our garden and one at Birdsland. There are still some regular birds have yet to show up. We hear them early morning but don’t see them during the day. Hopefully soon.  Total 43 species.

9th January  At home and in the garden, 1 more species, now totaling 44 species.

10th January Also at home, totaling 45 species

11th January  Visit to Berwick Springs Wetland Reserve. 9 more species, now totaling 54.

13th January, visit to Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. 6 more species, totaling 60.

14th January, 1 new species at home, a Silvereye. Now 61 species

15th January, a visit to Braeside Wetlands saw a further 13 species, totaling 74.

16th January, Lysterfield Lake, saw two more birds added to the list, Musk Duck and Masked Lapwing, now making it 76 in total.

 

18th January, Western Treatment Plant. One of my most favourite places to visit. 22 more, total now 98.

20th January, Birdsland Reserve, total 99

29th January, my own garden in Selby. Been awhile since I’ve seen one of these here. Total 100.

30th January, On the ferry from Stony Point to Cowes and back. Total now 104.
The Australasian Gannet is also a #lifer for me, a ‘first’ as I’ve never photographed one before. That makes a total of #209 species since I began recording 2022. Exciting.

6th February Blue Lotus Water Gardens visit Total 105

I thought I was photographing a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in flight, but it wasn’t till I got home and saw the image on computer, that I learnt it was, in fact, a Grey Goshawk, white morph. In fact, there were two of them. Also a #lifer for me as well (#210 species I’ve ever photographed).

7th February In our garden at home, a Satin Bowerbird. Beautiful bird to see. Total 106

8th February Alongside the Lilydale Sewerage Treatment Plant, 3 more species. Total 109

17th February, in our garden at home. Rufous Fantail. I’d seen one back in December here, before that it’s been a few years. Total 110.

20th February, Western Treatment Plant.  12 more species. Total 122.

2nd March. Musk Lorikeet at our home. Total 123.

7th March, Blue Lotus Water Gardens, Azure Kingfisher, Golden Whistler, Total 125.

12th March, Braeside Park Wetlands, 4 more species, total 129.

12th March, at home, White-throated Needletail. Not good pics but have been confirmed. A #lifer for me. Total 130

16th March, Nhill, Long-billed Corella, White-winged Chough, total 132

17th March, Cape Jervis, SA, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, total 133

18th March, Kangaroo Island, Kelp Gull, total 134

20th March, Kangaroo Island, Osprey (#lifer for me!) total 135

21st March, American River, Kangaroo Island. Common Greenshank and Australian Hobby. Total 137

24th March, Brownlow Beach, Kangaroo Island. White-bellied Sea Eagle, Total 138.

25-30th March, Western KI Caravan Park, Kangaroo Island. The caravan park had lots of birds and I went for daily walks.  
Western Whistler, Scarlet Robin, Restless Flycatcher and Crescent Honeyeater, Australian Raven, Bush Bronzewing. Total 144.

29th March, Flinders Chase National Park (Platypus Walk), Purple-gaped Honeyeater. Another #lifer! Total 145.

31st March, Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Glossy Black Cockatoos – not a good shot, but another #lifer. Total 146.

4th April, Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. Spotted Scrubwren #lifer and Black-faced Cormorants. Total 147.

9th April, heading back home via Horsham. Blue-faced Honeyeater (a juvenile without the blue as yet). Total 148.

12th April, Superb Lyrebird, Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens. Total 149.

20th April, Birdsland Reserve, Eastern Cattle Egret. Don’t often see them there. Total 150

23rd April, Western Treatment Plant. An international visitor that caused a lot of excitement for 2 weeks. An American Golden Plover (on the right). Definitely a #lifer for me – and for many others too. Plus a Golden-headed Cisticola and Eurasian Skylark (amazingly on the ground!)  Total 151

1st May, Lilydale Sewage Treatment Plant, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Total 154

8th May Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary, Plenty Gorge, Flame Robin Total 155

22 May, Western Treatment Plant, more species spotted. Total 159.

22nd June, Wicks Reserve, The Basin. Striated Thornbill, Total 163

3rd July, Western Treatment Plant. Two lifers!  Orange-bellied Parrot and a Spotless Crake. Total 165

 

1st August, Wicks Reserve, The Basin. Been awhile for any ‘new’ birds and got two more lifers!

An Olive Whistler – very rare for the location it was seen in and a Red-browed Tree Creeper, again, not commonly seen in this area.
Total 167 now for this year, but this also makes #223 and #224 total species I’ve ever seen.

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Alphabetical list of birds seen

* indicates #lifers / first time sightings