A day at Phillip Island - Part 2 The Nobbies and Swan Lake

After Fisher's Wetland we travelled to the other end of the island to the The Nobbies.

The spectacular basalt coastline here is constantly being assaulted by the Bass Strait surf and is worthy of a visit just for the scenery.

However, it also offers some great birding opportunities. Shy Albatross and Black-browed Albatross were seen cruising over the waves. The strong NW wind meant they were too far offshore for good photography but it's always great to see these majestic birds.

Shy Albatross, off The Nobbies, Phillip Island

Black-browed Albatross, off The Nobbies, Phillip Island

Swan Lake (just east of the Penguin Parade) has a track and boardwalk through coastal bush to the back of the dunes of behind Summerland Beach. There are two bird hides here offering great views of the lake.

Most of the avian activity this afternoon was on the other side of the lake but there were a few swans swimming around in classic swan pose

Black Swan, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

and I was very happy to capture this Eurasian Coot among the reflections on the water.

Eurasian Coot, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

The hides also provide good viewing of two small islands frequented by nesting and roosting birds. This Black Swan was sitting on a nest on the island just in front of one of the hides.

Black Swan, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

The boardwalk provides good viewing of the birds of prey commonly flying overhead and along the dunes. There's nearly always one or two Whistling Kite.

Whistling Kite, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Part 1 Fisher's Wetland

Part 3 Rhyll

Early evening at Swan Lake

After Seagull Rock I went to Swan Lake, my favourite place for birdwatching on Phillip Island. It has two well constructed and perfectly located hides as well as a great walk through different habitats on the way into the hides.

There were birds aplenty there this evening

Cape Barren Goose, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Dusky Moorhen, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Hoary-headed Grebe, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Hoary-headed Grebe and Eurasian Coot, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

There were seven species of ducks (Pacific Black Duck, Chestnut and Grey Teal, Australian Wood Duck), this pair of Australian Shelduck

Australian Shelduck (male left, female right), Swan Lake, Phillip Island

and a solo Musk Duck

Musk Duck, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

but the highlight was four Freckled Duck, one feeding right in front of one of the hides

Freckled Duck, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Even this Little Raven dipped it's toe in the water

before taking a full bath, then shaking itself dry on the bank.

Little Raven, Swan lake, Phillip Island

Weekend at Phillip Island - Swan Lake bird hides

There are two bird hides at the end of the Swan Lake track and boardwalk. These offer great views of two active areas on the southern arm of the lake. Best time is late afternoon when there's a lot of activity there and the sun is behind you.

White-fronted Chat, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Musk Duck, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Chestnut Teal, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Hoary-headed Grebe, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Purple Swamphen, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Little Black Cormorant, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Weekend at Phillip Island - Swan Lake bushwalk

I spent the weekend at Phillip Island, mostly helping my wife on a field trip but the best thing (apart from working on the rocky shore) about intertidal field work is that when the tide is in there's time for birding. 

Swan Lake is a large body of fresh water on Phillip Island and attracts a wide range of wildlife. The short walk to the lake through the coastal woodland offers great birding. The following were among the 20+ species seen in a 30 minute morning walk

Little Wattlebird, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Grey Fantail, Swan Lake, Phillip Island

Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Swan Lake, Phillip Island