Winter birds of Lake Galletely Gatton


20 August 2016

Lake Galletely ~ Gatton, South-East Queensland

Lake Galletely & Lake Lenore are both located in the Environmental Park at UQ Gatton Campus and it is an amazing place to see a wide range of birds in one location.  Today I had to go to the Small Animal Hospital with a couple of wildlife critters, and after, couldn't resist going for a walk along the boardwalk to the lakes.  Previous years in August we have seen Pink-eared Ducks and Red-necked Avocets at Lake Galletely, and I had hoped they would be there again today (and hoping so, as I recently told someone that this location was a good place to go in August for a Pink-eared sighting! oops).  These two were not onsite today, but the birding didn't disappoint.  

The Magpie Geese are such an incredible sight, and their sheer size always takes me aback, especially when a Black-fronted Dotterel is standing side by side one!  As I was leaving the lake, I went to have a look at some Golden-headed Cisticolas on the edge of the lake, when a large flock of Plumed-whistling Ducks flew overhead and landed on the far bank of the lake, it was at this time that I almost stood on a massive brown snake, basking in the sun amongst the long grass - luckily he saw me before I saw him, and quickly unravelled into the thick grasses.  

We are back at the uni again later in the coming week, so will visit again in hope of getting a photo of the avocets.  

J.G.

Magpie Goose - Lake Galletely, Gatton

Magpie Geese, Lake Galletely, Gatton

Tiny Black-fronted Dotterel with Magpie Goose in the background at Lake Galletely

Grey Teal, Lake Galletely, Gatton
Black-winged Stilt, Lake Galletely, Gatton  (The water really didn't look quite this yellow, but the sun has made it look quite unusual in this shot)



Domestic Duck at Lake Galletely (Mallard maybe?)

Gatton Uni - Nesting Box Project

Short-necked turtles caught kissing - Lake Galletely, Gatton

Superb Blue Fairy Wren, Lake Galletely, Gatton

Had to add this photo, although it's not the clearest - cute Daddy Superb Blue feeding his 'big' little one.

Crested Pigeons at Lake Lenore, Gatton
Purple Swamphen - Lake Lenore, Gatton

Please correct me if I am wrong on this one - Female Golden Whistler?  Lake Galletely, Gatton.

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