Goose and fish done to a turn

Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) – one of trio probably nesting deep in scleria in main lagoon – takes a turn below the Tyto lookout over the weekend.   

Down the road, Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) takes turn with fish whose goose is cooked. Immature bird feeding daily in shallowing pool beside highway.

Click pix to enlarge  

Varied catch, luck for fishers

Varied diet among birds stalking alongside and in the lagoon lately. Eastern Great Egret (above and below) grabbed and scoffed six fish in a 20-minute burst.

Darter didn't do so well with this large catch. It tried many times to flip the fish (about 30cmx12-15cm in my estimate) and catch it head-first. But the bulk and size of the silvery 'monster' proved too much and the fish slipped away.

Little Pied Cormorant did better with slender eel. Took a few false swallows, but eventually the catch slithered to oblivion.

White-necked Herons don't seem too interested in trying for large fish. This bird content to grab small prey from the muddy shallows. Must be satisfying enough. It's been working the western end of the main lagoon for more than two weeks.