I however was still in South Australia and could not get a day off until Sunday! AAAGGGHH I cried! What if it leaves before then?
So, I made daily enquiries and by Friday evening bit the bullet and booked my flights for after work on Saturday. My friend Dave very kindly dropped me at the airport and Vik kindly collected me from Tullamarine.
I was hoping my Lucky Birding Shirt would deliver the goods!
That evening we checked the days sightings, it had been seen that morning so things were still looking hopeful!
Sunday morning we were up and out early, armed with coffee, we arrived at the Plant by 7.40am.
By 7.41am we had the bird, thanks to my many birding friends who had already arrived armed with massive camera lenses and scopes.
I was surprised at how small this bird is, it was dwarfed, by even the dainty Marsh Sandpipers! We could not get near it though, although it did fly a bit closer to us at one stage, so the photos are not great, but hey, I'm just extremely grateful to have seen it at all! We had extended views before it flew off, not to be seen again during our time at the plant.
Red-necked Phalarope
TICK! Red-necked Phalarope has become 717 for my Australian Life List. Oh happy day!
After THE sighting, the pressure was off and the day became a reunion, being able to catch up with friends who I rarely get to see while enjoying the wonderful birding.
Me waving, with Ruth (left) Paul to my right and Vik (dutifully photographing the Phalarope) behind Paul. Selfie courtesy of Ruth Woodrow!
Paul, Ruth and me - our annual Selfie!
Great-crested Grebe
Spotless Crake
Curlew Sandpiper
Australian Shelduck
Brolga on the move
Curlew Sandpiper
It was definitely worth the trip! Thank you Vik for taking such great care of me, yet again!
