Werribee revisited

 Having nothing else in mind to do on 14 February I decided to have another crack at the Barking Owl seen and reported by many observers at Werribee Park.  The latest observation I could find on eBird - it doesn't show Personal Locations - was from 12 February against the Bluestone Ford hotspot.  It was annotated that the bird was near the gate to the Historic Orchard, holding a former possum.  

The drive over was OK until the turn-off the M1 when Google Maps told me again to turn right on to Duncan Rd.  This is garbage: go straight ahead on to K Rd.  However I had believed them and did the "2km and u-turn" approach, then turn right onto K road.  I did follow Main Drive past the zoo after checked the brassica alongside the road.

This is a snip form eBird.  I parked near the rose garden (top left) and headed for the Bluestone Ford (yellow point 1)  as that is where most sightings have been posted.  As I neared the ford I spoke to another walker who advised that he thought he had heard the bird between the ford and the bridge.

I had no joy at the ford so headed off towards the bridge (yellow point 2).  I heard no Jack Russel indogations although there were a few hissy noises that might have been an owl but couldn't get enough of a fix on the source to face forcing a passage across a lot of long and wildlife (such as snakes and ticks) enhanced grass.  On to the bridge, from where I saw a fair array of fowl.  This included a male Darter ...

... 2 Bin chooks.

 ... a White-faced Heron, Dusky moorhen, Pacific Black Duck and Chestnut and Grey Teal ...

 ... and not in Photos, a Great Egret, 2 Coot and a Swamphen.  I headed back towards the Mansion pausing to check Parrot calls which turned out to be at least 4 Red-rumped Parrots.  On getting to the top of the hill (by the Karen Garden) I thought to check where the orchard was and decided it was the unmarked track at the bottom of the hill so back-tracked and walked the side track to yellow point 3.  This is about 200m from the ford.  There was a ruckus going on a little off the track, like unto thornbills mobbing a roosting owl.  Indeed that is exactly what it was.

Bingo.  .

Check the talons on that.  Even though I was quite close, I reckon my phone camera did a good job with that (although I have lightened it somewhat with photoshop).

A better overall view.

I totalled 36 species including the BAD owl.  I was astonished to see the number of cars parked at the zoo, and people still pouring in.