When we first arrived at Karkarook Park for our April outing, it was misty, then cleared a bit, but remained rather dull all morning. An added surprise was a group of schools having a series of cross country runs. It didn't add to the birding, but we carried on.

Margaret Bosworth

As the park lends itself to spliting up for photography, we did, and one group even walked right round the large lake, seeing a few birds the rest of us didn't see. Apart from the water birds, a Black-shouldered Kite checked us out for a while, and a Brown Goshawk, provided a bit of an identification challenge in the lowish light - thank goodness for photos. Some saw a Flame Robin, and a photography favourite was a Little Pied Cormorant.

Kris Bernard and John Van Doorn

The species list is on the BirdLife Melbourne Recent Outings page, and totalled 43. Anthea's observant eyes saw Red-browed Finch as well, but we usually follow the Bird Count guidelines of 2 members to see or 3 to hear, so couldn't add it to the total.

John Bosworth

Three photographers new to the group joined us for the morning, several people learnt more about either photography or birds, and Ruth has joined the photographers with Erica's old camera so we'll expect some photos from her soon!

Margaret Bosworth

Our next outing will be to Woodlands Park on Saturday, May 19. David Jenkins is leading this, and has asked that we meet at the Providence Road (Weeroona Cemetery) carpark at 8.30. We will spend the morning there, and go to the other section for toilets and lunch. The gates are not being opened there as part of industrial action by Parks Vic. staff, but the facilities are open. We will need to park carefully as Somerton Road is a busy one.

David Jenkins

Don't forget to let me know once you have booked for our weekend away in September at Echuca/Moama.

John Bosworth

Our next AV will be about birds and water, to be called "Singing in the rain", so start taking images for that, and for anyone interested I'll be showing my own AV, "South to Macquarie" at the next Balwyn meeting as the members topic. Any BirdLife member is free to come to the meeting.

Please email me if you have any questions about the group's activities, or are not a regular member and would like to join us.

Sonja - <sonja.ross@yahoo.com.au>