I made a quick visit to Tempe Wetlands during the late afternoon. My main aim was to watch out for Rails, especially to look for a possible Lewin’s Rail. Earlier, a pair of Buff-banded Rails had been observed at the top pool of the wetlands.
Fairy Martin
It was a fairly dull day, but it is always interesting to see the huge number of skinks lurking around the wetland surrounds. The path has a retaining wall on its upper side made from large rocks and the gas between them provide very good refuges for the skinks. I have also seen Blue Tongue Lizards in the area.
At the top pool, I watched for a while and eventually spotted a single Buff-banded Rail foraging on the beech at the upper end of the pool.
But no signs of a Lewins Rail this visit. One bird flew close – I think it is a young White Plumed Honeyeater –
I then went to the middle pool and photographed the Fairy Martins and Welcome Swallows flying fast and close to the water –
