Monday 11 December 2006

Freeway fauna

Rural roads are good sites for spotting parrots and raptors (and brolgas in SW Victoria) but city freeways have their share of birds. Of course, it's easier to keep a look out if you’re the passenger but even the most careful and attentive driver can spot a range of species without looking away from the road.

Here's this morning's haul from my drive into work in Melbourne.
  • Pelicans
  • White-faced heron
  • White ibis
  • Masked lapwings
  • Silver gulls
  • Crested pigeons
  • Spotted turtle-doves
  • Feral pigeons
  • Galahs
  • Starlings
  • Common mynahs
  • Magpie-larks
  • Magpies
  • Ravens
Over the past few weeks, I've also seen straw-necked ibis, Nankeen kestrels, black-shouldered kites, wedge-tailed eagles and sulphur-crested cockatoos. Not to mention plenty of little brown birds that were probably house sparrows but I'd like to think were something more interesting.