Merri Birdwatch report - May 2026

By Ann McGregor, FoMC Committee
7 June 2026.

A very wet morning on 3 May dampened the enthusiasm of birders and reduced the diversity of birds recorded for the first set of May FoMC bird outings. A couple of surveys were abandoned partway through. Fortunately, it was fine for the second set of surveys, on 17 May.

Despite poor visibility and blurred binoculars at galgi ngarrk, 13 intrepid participants saw the first male Flame Robin of the winter and a Black-shouldered Kite, hovering low. This was a joint event with Merri Creek Management Committee, one of a series exploring the marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parkland, supported by the State Government’s Suburban Parks Program.

The survey at Edwardes Lake started early at 8:00am, before most of the park users arrived. In addition to the numerous Coots, Swamphens, Wood Ducks, Silver Gulls and White Ibis, there were three species of cormorant. It was good to see four Eastern Rosellas, who have moved into the Lake reserve, and an increased number of Crested Pigeons.

Little Ravens were abundant on the bababi marning survey, with a total of 29 recorded.  A big flock of Common Starlings brought the total there to 39.

Single Collared Sparrowhawks were recorded on the Kirkdale-Merri Parks survey and at Galada Tamboore.

At Coburg Lake, the White Ibis count was unusually low (10). There were many more Rock Doves, Coots and Moorhens: their numbers boosted by human food. Moorhens were even cleaning up the barbecue plates!  A pair of Tawny Frogmouths were in their usual roost in a Peppercorn tree.

Image credits: all photographs by Peter Mollison.