Drysdale Area

Visited: summer

Recommendation: This is a fabulous area to see wildlife. From the rare Hooded Plover on the coast to Freckled Duck in the lakes, there is always something to see.

The Drysdale area is a stretch of land running north-south on the small peninsula east of Geelong. It is an area rich in wildlife as it encompasses beach, pasture, lakes and open woodland. I really enjoy exploring this place and there is always something new to see. Generally, I start on the south coast looking for the Hooded Plover. This critically endangered shorebird is endemic to Australia and breeds on the sand dune and open beaches on the southern coasts. It is particularly vulnerable to human activity from beach walkers to dogs. They are also difficult to find as, despite what you might expect, they are quite cryptic and shy. It is quite fantastic when you find them.

Hooded Plover (Thinornis cucullatus)

There are lots of other places here that I like to visit. One of my favourites, Lake Lorne.It is a natural freshwater lake, not an artificial reservoir. It has a surface area of approximately 12 hectares (30 acres). The lake's water level is thought to be connected to the groundwater system that feeds the natural springs running into Port Phillip Bay. This partially explains the fluctuations in water level. Lake Lorne is a vital wetland environment that provides habitat for a variety of bird species, making it a popular spot for birdwatching

Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia)

Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)

The Hoary-headed Grebe undergoes a dramatic transformation during breeding season, transforming from a relatively drab bird into a striking creature with a head full of "hoary" features, hence its name. Here's a detailed description of its breeding plumage:

Head: The most striking feature is the head, which becomes completely adorned with narrow, silvery-white plumes. These feathers give the grebe a distinctly "hairy" or "hoary" appearance, almost like a fuzzy crown.
Face: A characteristic white line extends from the base of the lower mandible (where the bill meets the lower jaw) to just below the eyes. This white line creates a clear demarcation between the white head and the darker neck and body.
Eyes: The brown eyes become more prominent due to the contrasting white head plumage.

Another great place here is the Begola Wetlands, which is an interesting small lake and surrounds in Ocean Grove to the south. It is a small area, surrounded by houses and I am always quite amazed by the variety of birds found there.

The Australian Kestrel, also known as the Nankeen Kestrel, is a resourceful hunter that utilizes two primary methods to catch its prey: hovering and perching. Hovering allows the kestrel to act like a helicopter, remaining nearly motionless in mid-air. Alternatively, the kestrel will perch on a high vantage point, such as a dead tree, fence post, or telephone wire. It will routinely switch between hunting methods. I found it amusing that this kestrel was perched on a television ariel and that shows how built up the area around the wetland.

Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides)

Both mainland species of wattlebird can be seen easily here. The Red Wattlebird is large, has streaky plumage, a yellow belly and small, round pink wattles. The Little Wattlebird is interesting. It is smaller and darker than the Red Wattlebird and it also has no wattles. The reason is not clear but it makes them very easy to distinguish.

Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera)

Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata)

One of my most interesting finds at the wetland was a few years ago, the Freckled Duck. True to its name, it has a distinctive appearance. It's mostly dark greyish-brown with numerous small, white or buff "freckles" scattered throughout its head and upperparts. From a distance, they can appear almost black.

These ducks exhibit slight sexual dimorphism. Males are typically larger than females and have a brighter red or orange-red base to their upper bill during breeding season, which fades to dull gray in the non-breeding season. Females have a lighter and lower contrast plumage compared to males.

Freckled Ducks have a subtle but distinctive coppery sheen to their feathers that becomes particularly noticeable when they're in flight.

Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa)

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