At JSL today I was at the "Blue Hole", a permanent water body that has
been freshened up with the rain. While I was scanning across the water
with bins, (3PM) looking for Hooded Plovers, I was astounded to see
twice, what could only have been a platypus. It surfaced twice,
briefly, and the second time I think I caught the profile of its bill.
Jack Smith Lake Reserve is a saline area, and I would never have
thought that a platypus would inhabit a water body there, although
come to think of it they are in Lake Corringle at Marlo, Vic. which is
also brackish.
My mate and I stayed there looking for the best part of ten minutes,
but it didn't reappear. I'd be interested in any comments re. platypus
habitat, as I've only ever seen them in rivers in the past. Cheers,
Duncan.