Waterbirds on our flooded creek

Birds
Written By Fiona Murdoch

Since the flooding of Raakajlim Creek in November 2022, our bird list has exploded. Fifteen new species! Here are some of the birds that have come to visit. (Please click on the gallery images to see them in full size)

So. Many. Baby. Ducks. Grey Teal are by far the most common duck on Raakajlim Creek. Phil counted 500 ducklings swim past him one morning!

We’ve noticed some interesting things. Some broods are of mixed aged ducklings, and some broods are mixed species!

I have spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to capture the amazing beauty of ducks in flight along Raakajlim Creek.

The bird list for the Great Flood of 2022:

  • Grey Teal (common, breeding)

  • Chestnut Teal (occasional, breeding)

  • Pink-eared Duck (common, breeding)

  • Wood Duck (common, breeding)

  • Black Duck (occasional, breeding)

  • Hardhead Duck (occasional)

  • Plumed Whistling Duck (one pair)

  • Australasian Grebe (common, breeding)

  • Hoary-headed Grebe (occasional, breeding)

  • Black-tailed Native Hen (common, breeding)

  • Eurasian Coot (common)

  • Nankeen Night Heron (occasional, plus juveniles)

  • Pied Stilt (occasional)

  • Black-fronted Dotterel (occasional)

  • Red-kneed Dotterel (occasional)

  • Baillon’s Crake (occasional, so hard to photograph)

  • Spotted Crake (occasional, heard only)

  • Little Grassbird (common from their call, but hard to see)

  • Little Egret (occasional, breeding plumage)

  • Little Pied Cormorant (occasional)

  • Black Cormorant (occasional)

Fiona Murdoch
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The flooding of Raakajlim Creek