Wednesday 15 February 2017

170215_Lakes Entrance Pelagic and Lunch at The Beacons

Commiserations to Jim who missed today's outing due to a personal encounter of his car with a kangaroo near Startford on his way to the rendezvous point at Lakes Entrance. Despite his absence, Jack had still over-catered with the numbers and, as Skipper Pete's boat was licensed for 12 passengers, he walked around to Nancy's place, "The Beacons" at New Works collecting 33 species on the way.

Goodbyes are so hard.
The others cruised to Flanagan Island, did a lap of Rigby Island, landed at the Barrier and walked across to the Southern Ocean, checked out the Entrance and were back at Nancy's for lunch at about noon with ... 33 species under their belt[s]. John and Pam headed off straight away to do a Shorebird 2020 survey at Glasshouse whilst the other initiate, Reuben, stayed for lunch. Highlights of the day were White-bellied Sea-eagle, Musk Duck and Sooty Oystercatchers on the boat and a pair of Eastern Whipbirds in Nancy's back garden after lunch. Following images courtesy of John Hutchison.

Great Cormorant
Sooty Oystercatcher
Musk Duck
Crested Tern
Australian Pied Oystercatcher. Immature left, adult right.
Her two dogs were looking slightly hungry as we watched a family of magpies steal the dog's crunchy food.

Dad [right], mum [centre], the begging youngster on his/her fifth biscuit [left]


The weather was perfect with little breeze, a few clouds and nice, warm sun. Thank you to Nancy for the use of her summer vacation residence.