26 February 2023

The February field outing was to Point Peron, on the coast of Rockingham. Point Peron is a reserve that forms part of the Rockingham Lakes Regional Park, and its coastline is within the Shoalwater Marine Park.

Nine members met at the car park on a warm, sunny morning. A Buff-banded Rail was a surprise sighting at the car park. Australian Ravens were also seen and heard in this area. We set out along the footpath along the northern side of the reserve that looks out to Garden Island. We checked out the beaches for oystercatchers or migratory waders but did not see any. A Pied Cormorant flew past, and Singing Honeyeaters were busy foraging amongst the shrubbery.

Of the shrubs, Pittosporum ligustrifolium was seen to have orange berries, but few other shrub species were seen to be in flower. One Eucalypt (one of the coastal mallees?) was in bloom with bunches of white flowers.

On the leaves of this Eucalypt, we spotted a number of invertebrates, including a tiny Jumping Spider (Salticidae), some ants and the tube of a very large (around 50mm) Tube Spittlebug (Clastopteridae).

Tube Spittlebug Image
by Colin Prickett

At John Point, we looked out to one of the large offshore rocky islands and saw Pied Cormorants, Little Pied Cormorants, an Australasian Darter, Silver Gulls and a few Roseate Terns. A commotion in the shrubbery near the lookout was seen to be a territorial dispute between a White-cheeked Honeyeater and a Brown Honeyeater. On the rocky headland of John Point itself, there were many Rock Doves, plus a few Laughing Doves.

On the low rocks on the western side of John Point, we spotted a Common Sandpiper hunting flies on the seaweed wrack, our only shorebird sighting.

Common Sandpiper Image
by Colin Prickett

Many wasps and Dragonflies were seen flying around the shrubs, but they rarely stopped long enough for a picture or identification. This was also true for a Bee Fly species that Daniel had not seen before; it would rest on a twig or rock only to take off as soon as it was approached. These were spotted in several locations around the reserve, demonstrating the same skittish behavior. Roseate Terns were spotted again flying to and from the seaward side of the small rocky islet at the western end of the point.

We then turned back towards the track that would take us over the ridge back to the car park. This track is usually a good spot to find Bearded Dragons, but none were seen; the ambient temperature was probably high enough that they did not need to bask in the sun. Another outburst of noisy chatter was seen as a White-browed Scrubwren sounding a warning. Willie Wagtails were also common along the track. An Eastern Osprey was spotted soaring past on the walk back, and Spotted Doves were also present.

They would take the Birdata bird list to 17 species, a lower number than we would typically record. We set up our chairs in a shaded spot in the car park and had a well-earned cuppa. It had been a good morning.

Colin Prickett