Not so quiet but pretty damp

The morning was quite cool but not raining as we set off on our early(ish) dog walk around Coulls Inlet.

I cannot remember what these flowers are and I'll try to check books a little later.  I hadn't noticed them earlier in the trip but the blossom was all along the walk today.

The White-faced Heron was in breeding plumage  and seemed quite committed to the lagoon area.  Perhaps a nest is being built somewhere nearby?

The highlight of the walk was seeing a Buff-banded Rail on the grass just before the turn around spot.  Its the first of this species I have seen in the Mallacoota area.  The Cattle Egret seen earlier in the week was also visible out on one of the islands.

By 0930 the Weatherzone radar was looking quite ominous for the South of NSW (and the Carwoola area).  It might go just North of Mallacoota.

The imminence of rain got us out and doing a couple of walks near Bastion Point.  The first was along the Pittosporum Walk where a member of the Mallacoota Birds FB group had seen some Topknot Pigeons.  They weren't around this morning (but a small flock were seen at the Narrows at about the time we were out).

We then moved on to Tip Beach to see what was there.  Not too much in the way of birds but this barnacle-encrusted Cuttlefish bone was interesting.

At the point this Pigface plant, growing on bare rock exposed to the elements was photographed as some sort of encouragement award!

A view of the rocks.

By 1200 the radar was looking a bit threatening for Mallacoota.

However I met with Janine, the administrator of the Mallacoota Birds Facebook Group, and, after peering at the waders on sandbars in Devlins Inlet and a nice lunch, we took ourselves off to the Water Treatment Plant to see what was there.

As soon as we got through the gate Janine heard a Koala growling in the eucalypt plantation but we didn't at the stage spot it.   Once at the pits (after a bird-quiet walk though the caravan parking lot) it was nice to see a Long-necked Tortoise out for a walk.

The birds on the ponds were quite good with most of the usual suspects seen.  To my surprise, on reviewing the checklist I didn't record either Chestnut Teal or Australasian Shoveler.  I don't remember seeing them either so its not just a matter of forgetting to press the button!  Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were in evidence, both on the lower banks of the ponds and over in the small pond by the hide.

As we came out of the area Janine spotted a portly person dozing up a tree.

The rain amounted to 6mm for the day at 'coota and followed on 4mm the previous day.  That should get the lawn growing!  (Carwoola seems to have got 14-18mm which is good.)