American Coot (File photo)
Whooper Swans
Untouched beach
Barnacle Geese
Rock Doves
Rock Doves
Purple Sandpiper
Purple Sandpipers with Turnstone
Turnstone
Looking out across Balranald
Luxury visitor centre
Black Guillemot
Black Guillemot
Everyone loves an Oystercatcher
A hearty breakfast started the day off well before we set out the short distance to RSPB Balranald. We were both unsure if Balranald is deemed a reserve when in fact it,s just a working farm with some super habitat. Viewing of the lochs is very difficult so advice pre-visit took us to the best available location. In our first ninety minutes we were scratching our heads as there were no coots at all so we had a quick coffee in the car before returning. Thankfully I picked up the part of the loch where the coots were hiding, it was then just a waiting game until we finally saw the first winter American Coot. Whilst pleased we had found the bird it was never one of those always to be remembered moments.
With the Coot safely in the bag we then investigated the rest of the reserve. We were hindered as sea fog came in making afternoon viewing unpleasant. Balranald is one of the best places to see Rock Doves and these were visible at times. Two flocks of Twite were very busy going about their business whilst other farm sightings included Corn Buntings, a Peregrine, large numbers of Common Gulls, Lapwing, Greenland Barnacle & Greylag geese whilst our best finds were a Glaucous & Iceland juvenile gulls.
On the shoreline Purple Sandpipers fed along side the Turnstones whilst close to the water there were Sanderlings, Oystercatchers & Ringed Plovers.
At 4pm we called the day to an end as the fog was not lifting so we headed back to our bed & breakfast before having an enjoyable meal out in the the evening.
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