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.
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
9 more species, from Birdsland Reserve and my own property in Selby. Total of 18 species.
3rd January
Taken on my property in Selby. 3 species, total of 21 species
4th January
Taken at the Blue Lotus Water Gardens, Yarra Junction. 7 species, totaling 28
5th January.
In our garden at Selby. 3 species, totaling 31.
6th January
At home and in our garden. Very few of the larger regular birds have yet to show up. We hear them early morning but don’t see them during the day. Hopefully soon. Total 35 species.
9th January At home and in the garden, 2 more species, now totaling 37 species.
10th January Also at home, totaling 38 species
11th January Visit to Berwick Springs Wetland Reserve. 10 more species, now totaling 48.
13th January, visit to Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. 8 more species, totaling 56.
14th January, 1 new species at home, a Silvereye. Now 57 species
15th January, a visit to Braeside Wetlands saw a further 13 species, totaling 70.
16th January, Lysterfield Lake, saw one more bird added to the list, now making it 71 in total.
18th January, Western Treatment Plant. One of my most favourite places to visit. Total now 86.
20th January, Birdsland Reserve, total 87
29th January, my own garden in Selby. Been awhile since I’ve seen one of these here. Total 88.
30th January, On the ferry from Stony Point to Cowes and back. Total now 91.
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 92
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 93
8th February Alongside the Lilydale Sewerage Treatment Plant, an Australian Pipit. Total 94
10th February, at the Monbulk Market. Finally got a shot of a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo – had heard heaps but first shot I’d gotten of one for the year. Total 95.
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 96.
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