27 January 2024 Leaders: Hazel and Alan Veevers Species count: 57
In mild, sunny conditions the 32 attendees began by taking a short walk near the Beach road carpark where lots of bushbirds were found. These included Silvereyes, Red-browed Finches, both Yellow and Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Willie Wagtails and numerous Superb Fairy-wrens. A Little Wattlebird made a brief appearance, followed by several Red Wattlebirds. A raptor spotted flying rapidly overhead was, after some discussion and perusal of camera images, identified as a Peregrine Falcon.
Yellow-rumped Thornbill. Photo by Roger NeedhamWillie Wagtail. Photo by Clancy BensonSuperb Fairy-wren. Photo by Roger NeedhamLittle Wattlebird. Photo by Roger Needham
A lone Singing Honeyeater and several European Goldfinch attracted a lot of interest. Especially delighting those who had not seen either species before.
Singing Honeyeater. Photo by Steve HoptroffEuropean Goldfinch. Photo by Roger Needham
Members then drove to the Homestead Carpark and were just leaving their cars when an immature Black-shouldered Kite flew overhead. It obligingly perched on a nearby dead branch, thus enabling everyone to get a really good view. The group then walked down the main drive where a Brown Falcon and a Brown Goshawk were seen.
Juvenile Black-shouldered Kite. Photo by Steve HoptroffPerched Black-shouldered Kite. Photo by Steve HoptroffBrown Goshawk. Photo by Roger NeedhamBrown Falcon. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
Upon reaching the beach, at low tide, there were lots of waterbirds just offshore. These included Black Swans, Pied and Little Pied Cormorants, Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers, Pelicans and Crested Terns. Despite walking all the way along the beach to the actual Point Cook, no small waders could be found.
A few of the shorebirds seen from the beach at the Homestead. Photo by Clancy BensonAustralian Pelican. Photo by Steve HoptroffLittle Eagle. Photo by Clancy Benson
On returning to the carpark a Little Eagle flew overhead whilst several groups of Musk Lorikeets calmly fed in the nearby flowering gums.
After lunch members drove to the small wetlands, just a short distance after leaving the Park, situated between the road and a housing estate. Reeds had grown tall and dense making it hard to see the birds, but through the gaps Hoary-headed Grebes, Chestnut Teal, Pacific Black Ducks and a Coot were spotted. Keen eyes also saw Australian Reed Warblers flying between the clumps of reeds.
Hoary-headed Grebe. Photo by Steve HoptroffAustralian Reed-Warbler. Photo by Clancy Benson
Moving on, the final stop was at the RAAF Lake carpark. A pair of Masked Lapwings stood at the edge of the water and although other birds could be seen at the far side of the lake the heat haze made it impossible to identify them. Members then walked around the small wetland on the opposite side of the road and saw a Hardhead, Hoary-headed Grebes and Dusky Moorhens.
Golden-headed Cisticola. Photo by Clancy BensonCrested Pigeon. Photo by Clancy Benson
Lots of small bushbirds were heard singing lustily in the adjacent trees. These included Red-browed Finches, Golden-headed Cisticola, Superb Fairy-wrens as well as New Holland and White-plumed Honeyeaters. There had been Crested Pigeons around throughout the day, one of which posed on a bench for all to see and photograph if they wished.
This was another successful outing for the Beginners with 57 species recorded, of which six were raptors. The exceptionally mild weather for January also contributed to the enjoyment of the day. Many thanks to Steve Hoptroff, Clancy Benson and Roger Needham for contributing their excellent photographs.
The midweek outing in October took us on a 2-day adventure into Southwestern Victoria. With an afternoon walk on day 1 there was plenty of time to make the journey down to Colac where we met up at 3pm to explore the area around the lake. Local expert Adam Fry was our guide for the afternoon, and he was just as pleased as we were to welcome the change in the weather. The sunshine reflected off the mostly calm waters of the lake. The gathering group were presented with excellent views of Whiskered Terns swooping and skimming the surface of the water.
Whiskered Tern. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
After introducing Adam and giving a nod to the book on Colac Otway birds he has co-authored (see note at the end of the blog), we began our walk. The route took us over mostly flat and even ground across Barongarook Creek toward the Colac Bird Sanctuary. There was a short diversion to a raised viewing platform. Then a return to the creek, exploring the Eastern bank before recrossing behind the caravan park and heading up into the Botanical Gardens. This provided several different types of environment: Open Water; Lakeside reeds and edges; Path side mixed vegetation; open grassland; The Sanctuary Wetland; Creekside trees and Shrubs; The larger trees and lawns of the gardens.
The experience began with a closer look at the Whiskered Terns perched on the old pier near the boat ramp. Such dainty birds with an expert agility over the water. These views were a harbinger of the remarkably good views we would get of the local birdlife. Adam’s bird knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for his local patch certainly sealed this as a very enjoyable afternoon. For a group of 22 people to somehow blend in and not scare off the birds was a real bonus. Walking between the caravan park and the lake we noticed other birds of the open water that included Eurasian Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorants, Silver Gulls, Black Swan, and on the foreshore, Masked Lapwing. In the caravan park a few Purple Swamphen and some Wood Duck loafed around. Whistling Kite glided overhead in the direction of the gardens where we had previously noticed a large raptor nest.
Whistling Kite (photos left and top right by Steve Hoptroff – left photo showing Whistling Kite with lunch; bottom right by Katmun Loh
Reaching the bridge over the creek we were treated to good views of roosting Little Pied and Little Black Cormorants, and a few Hoary-headed Grebes. About a dozen Freckled Duck with their lightly speckled feathers and peculiar peaked heads were quietly resting under the trees.
Freckled Duck (photos left top and middle by Clancy Benson; left bottom by Steve Hoptroff and top right and bottom by Katmun Loh)
This relatively rare duck has been at the lake since the middle of winter in varying numbers. White-plumed Honeyeaters could be heard and observed moving about in the larger trees. From here the path snaked away from the creek and alongside a largish ditch separating the path from a small island. This area was busy with Superb Fairy-wrens, Red-browed Finches, Australian Reed Warblers and Little Grassbirds. All except the latter were at times very obliging in perching and foraging at the base of the reeds or near the path.
Australian Reed Warbler. Photo by Katmun Loh
Australian Reed Warbler. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
Superb Fairy-wren. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
Dusky Moorhen pushed their way through the wet grass. The open grassland on the other side of the path held upwards of 80 Purple Swamphen, interspersed with small numbers of Wood Duck, Black Duck and Moorhen. We crossed a muddy causeway (Beware!) and made for a raised platform on the island. This position gave excellent views of Great Crested Grebes in courtship behaviour and reminded us just how handsome these birds are. Their numbers were now up to 30…perhaps the high water levels in the lake were a plus for this species.
Great Crested Grebe (photo at left by Clancy Benson; photo at right by Katmun Loh)
Great Crested Grebe. Photos by Steve Hoptroff
We were also able to observe the presence of White-faced Heron, Great Egret, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck, and Black Swan near the edges of the lake.
White-faced Heron. Photo by Steve HoptroffGreat Egret. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
Heading back across the muddy causeway (Beware again!) we became aware of lots more Freckled Duck in the shallows near the edge of the lake and a small Crake that was skulking along a sparsely vegetated bank. This bird, a Spotted Crake, eventually came out into the open just long enough for most of us to get great views.
Spotted Crake. Photos by Katmun Loh
Spotted Crake. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
Heading on toward the sanctuary the path side vegetation yielded Grey Fantail, Grey Shrike-thrush, European Greenfinch and New Holland Honeyeater.
European Goldfinch (Photos by Katmun Loh (left) and Steve Hoptroff (right))
The wetland itself was not particularly busy but we added a Pelican, some Australian White Ibis, Welcome Swallows, and some lovely sunlit views of Greenfinch.
European Greenfinch. Photo by Clancy Benson
The Eastern side of the creek was another surprisingly productive spot. We got some clean vision of a Sacred Kingfisher perched quite high but out in the open.
Sacred Kingfisher (photos top left and right by Clancy Benson; photo bottom right by Katmun Loh and photo bottom left by Steve Hoptroff)
A Little Corella was using a feeder on a nearby dead stump. The lower branches of some trees that serve to blunt the intrusion of the local housing into the Creekside landscape became quite busy with Spotted Pardalote, Grey Fantail, Golden Whistler, and White-winged Triller.
Spotted Pardalote, female (left) and male (right). Photos by Clancy Benson
Spotted Pardalote. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
This latter bird, an uncommon sighting for the area, gave us nice views with 2 females and 1 male bird being present.
White-winged Triller, female (Photos by Steve Hoptroff – top left; Clancy Benson – top right and bottom left; Katmun Loh – bottom right)
White-winged Triller, male (photos by Clancy Benson at top left, top right and bottom left; Steve Hoptroff at second left and middle right; Katmun Loh at third left and bottom right)
On the creek itself, amongst the waterhen and Wood Duck, we spotted a few Chestnut Teal. Recrossing the creek, a Silvereye showed briefly and a few more Red-browed Finches were seen around two nests built right in the open.
Silvereye. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
Heading up into the Botanic Gardens, two Crimson Rosella did a fly-by and we heard Gang-gang Cockatoos overhead … on their way somewhere else, but notable, nonetheless. Satin Bowerbird females played hide and seek in the lush green foliage before one briefly flew through a splash of sunlight providing a splendidly luminous display of its Green and Brown plumage.
Satin Bowerbird. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
King Parrots were eventually located foraging mid-story, and finally, 23 Rufous Night Herons roosting high in a Monterey Pine proved a challenge to find and count!
Nankeen Night-Heron. Photos by Katmun Loh
Nankeen Night-Heron, juvenile. Photo by Clancy Benson
There will be some species that didn’t get a blog mention (they will, of course, be on the survey list) probably because they are rather commonplace, or their presence was less memorable. I have resisted naming a bird of the afternoon or even doing a special mention list. I confess to overhearing many exclamations of excitement and enchantment at the birds we were seeing, and it was clear that different observers have their own reasons to delight in the experiences these outings bring.
The bird records for the day can be found via the link below. Our total for the afternoon a very pleasing 55 species.
Many thanks go to Adam for a great afternoon of birding. More detail on the Birds of the area can be found in this great little book…
Colac Otway Birds, Ian Davies & Adam Fry, VICMARK Victorian Marketing Solutions Pty Ltd., 2019.
Day 2 saw us make the journey from Colac to Deans Marsh where we gathered at 9am for a morning walk on Private Property in the Otway foothills. Our host for the morning was owner James Maund who gave us a short introduction on his vision for the trees on his property and the importance of the creek rehabilitation work he has undertaken to the success of birdlife in the area. The planned walk took us on a circular route through key sections of the property combining bird observation with some detail on the planning and design philosophy behind James’s project to showcase trees of the world. Leadership today was a combined effort from the owner James, Josh, a keen young local birder, and Phillip. This worked well to serve the combined purpose and allowed us to split the group to avoid a more difficult creek crossing for some members.
The route comprised grass pathways, creek tracks, and fords with some uneven ground and gentle to moderate hills. The environment characteristics can be divided into two main types…Grassland interspersed with groves of trees and manmade structures, and a deep creek with substantial native vegetation along its length.
We had initially gathered on the deck overlooking the Northern aspect of the property. Although there are several dams on the property it was clear that waterbirds were not going to be around in the same numbers as the previous afternoon. Even so, initial observation as people were arriving, revealed a Little Pied Cormorant, Purple Swamphen, Grey Butcherbird, Crimson Rosella, and Welcome Swallows.
We commenced the walk by heading downhill from the deck and were almost immediately alerted by Josh to the presence of a Black-shouldered Kite perched in one of the groves. This bird and a possible mate were observed flying and interacting with each other several times during the morning. A harbinger for some good raptor sightings. We moved on down through an avenue of Olive trees to Cleopatra’s pool where we found ourselves looking back up the hill as the Black-shouldered Kite spent some energy harassing a Nankeen Kestrel.
Black-shouldered Kite – Photos by Clancy Benson
Black-shoulderd Kite. Photos by Steve Hoptroff
We also kept an eye on a large dead Blue Gum that often serves as a perching spot and possible nesting site for hollow seekers. Striated Pardalote, Eastern Rosella and Yellow-faced Honeyeater were noted here.
The next major stop was the Ancestor’s Henge, and the first arrivals unwittingly flushed a Latham’s Snipe which some of us stragglers luckily got “in flight” views of. More Welcome Swallows were using the pool in the Henge and the call of a Shining Bronze Cuckoo was heard from the vicinity of the creek. The adjacent grassland was quite busy with European Goldfinch and a familiar buzzing call that indicated the presence of Golden-headed Cisticola. It took a while, but our keen bunch of observers soon located the bird.
Golden-headed Cisticola. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
Flyovers are regular in this kind of environment, and we noticed Little Corella and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.
The next port of call was the Oak grove and here there was somewhat less of a variety than normally encountered but Grey Fantails, Silvereyes, European Goldfinch and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were noted. The path Northward led us up to the creek and more Grey Fantails and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were in evidence. About 30 Straw-necked Ibis were noted flying overhead.
Grey Fantail. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
Straw-necked Ibis. Photos by Clancy Benson
The creek, having been carved out by erosion in the past, is at the bottom of a deep gully. Here the environment is calmer and a little more humid. New Holland Honeyeaters were active in the trees lining the gully and White-browed Scrubwren were soon spotted in the undergrowth. Grey Fantails love it down here and seem to be around every corner. The sound of Whistlers became more insistent as we crossed the creek and climbed to “the Land of the Giants”. Here there are groves of some of the world’s tallest tree species. The birds were very much still associated with the creek vegetation though, and we were able to note both Rufous and Golden Whistler. Grey Shrike Thrush were being heard regularly too, and eventually sightings were recorded.
Golden Whistler, female. Photo by Clancy BensonGolden Whistler, female. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
There are some large Eucalypts on the Eastern boundary that are often used as resting stops by raptors, Cockatoos, Ravens etc. The plan was to check these out before heading down into the creek again. On the way up we heard the call of a Horsefield’s Bronze Cuckoo, and a scope toting member got this bird centre lens…great views for everyone. Another bonus of being at a raised point in the landscape was the ability to take in the surrounding landscape.
Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
This revealed the presence of a small flock of Straw-necked Ibis, one Australian White Ibis, a White-faced Heron and an Australian Shelduck in a neighbouring paddock. It wasn’t long before a raptor showed distantly and approached close enough to identify as a Swamp Harrier … being harassed by a couple of Galahs. A short time after we had logged this quite large raptor, a somewhat smaller bird of prey turned up circling the nearby hill … a Brown Falcon which we were able to follow to a perching spot on a dead stump. Keen eyes … so important … and this is how we picked up Tree Martins hawking the hillside paddock … another good sighting.
Back down to the creek and some more supercharged bird activity from Grey Fantails, Brown Thornbill, Superb Fairy-wren, and White-naped honeyeaters. The latter were very active in chasing and harassing each other and anything else in the vicinity. Here, we split the group with a small group heading back along the top path on the Western edge of the creek and the remainder staying down on the creek path. We did all get the chance, however, to see a Grey Goshawk (White Phase) …a lifer for some members.
Grey Goshawk. Photo by Steve Hoptroff
The top path revealed more Whistlers and a Striated Thornbill, while the creek walkers scored Eastern Yellow Robin, Red-browed Finch, Willie Wagtail, and an Azure Kingfisher…along with some Yellow-rumped Thornbill as they made their way out.
Willie Wagtail. Photo by Steve Hoptroff (taken in Colac)
We all met up again at the Lookout up the top of the South Hill…not much more to report on the walk back to the deck but a few Noisy Miners and a White-necked Heron.
White-necked Heron. Photo by Clancy Benson
I have again resisted picking favourites…I’m sure you each have one. What a fabulous morning walk to conclude our 2 day visit.
The bird records for the day can be found via the link below. Our total for the morning a very pleasing 56 species.
Many thanks again to James for opening his property and sharing his knowledge with us, and to Josh for his local knowledge and enthusiasm.
The joint bird list for the two days yielded 82 different species. Please note that a few sightings, although input, may not be visible to users who don’t own the data, probably due to Birdlife protocols. At this stage 2 birds from the Colac list (Rainbow Lorikeet and White-winged Triller) and 1 from the Deans Marsh list (Common Myna) are not visible or counted in the above links.
Photos kindly provided by Steve Hoptroff, Katmun Loh and Clancy Benson.
27 May 2023 Leaders: Hazel and Alan Veevers Species count: 56
This month the Beginners were very fortunate with the weather, having a beautiful sunny day at Braeside Park. Three Cattle Egrets were feeding just outside the Southern Entrance and a Buff-banded Rail was seen crossing the track just inside the gate. Above the carpark a pair of Little Eagles, both in the dark morph, were seen circling high overhead and they were soon joined by a lone Swamp Harrier.
Little Eagle, dark morph. Photo by Steve HoptroffLittle Eagle, dark morph. Photo by Eleanor Dilley
A female Common Bronzewing was resting beneath a nearby bush whilst an Eastern Rosella and several Rainbow Lorikeets were also spotted close to the cars. Unfortunately, there were also lots of Noisy Miners close by (and throughout the park) which no doubt reduced the number of small bushbirds willing to show themselves. Purple Swamphens were also in abundance, both in and out of the water.
Common Bronzewing. Photo by Eleanor DilleyPurple Swamphen. Photo by Eleanor Dilley
Walking anticlockwise around the wetlands a variety of Duck species were seen. The most unusual of these being Freckled, Blue-billed and Pink-eared. Apparently, word of the Freckled Ducks had spread amongst other birders, and we met several people who were eager to find and photograph them. We were happy to be of assistance.
Pink-eared Ducks. Photo by Steve HoptroffFreckled Ducks. Photo by Steve HoptroffPink-eared Ducks. Photo by Eleanor DilleyBlue-billed Duck (m). Photo by Steve Hoptroff
A Little Pied Cormorant struggling to eat an enormous fish caused some amusement! Eurasian Coots and Dusky Moorhens were plentiful but there was only single sightings of Great Egret, Australasian Darter and White-faced Heron.
Little Pied Cormorant and fish. Photo by Steve HoptroffGreat Egret. Photo by Eleanor DilleyGolden-headed Cisticola. Photo by Steve HoptroffWhite-plumed Honeyeater. Photo by Eleanor Dilley
Several Golden-headed Cisticolas kept popping up and down on a large expanse of tall grass, causing much frustration to some of the photographers. After the morning walk most of the members drove to the Northern Entrance and had lunch near the Visitor Centre. The Heathland Trail was the route for the afternoon walk, where rabbits appeared to be in plague proportions, outnumbering the bird species. Alongside the ponds there were fewer noisy Miners and hence more bushbirds to be seen. These included Yellow-faced and White-plumed Honeyeaters, Superb Fairy-wrens and Grey Fantails.
At the conclusion of a most enjoyable excursion the total number of species recorded was 56.
Thanks to Eleanor Dilley and Steve Hoptroff for providing the excellent photographs.
Despite the forecast for extreme heat and strong winds, 17 members attended Point Cook Coastal Park. At 10am the group walked through the Beach Picnic Area to the beach. Superb Fairy-wrens and Yellow-rumped Thornbills were the most numerous birds seen in the area. A Crested Pigeon obligingly remained close to the path to enable photographers some close shots. On Port Phillip Bay rafts of Silver Gulls could be seen.
Yellow-rumped Thornbill. Photograph by Eleanor Dilley
Soon after exiting the Beach Reserve carpark, an unnamed lake on the right contained large numbers of ducks including Australian Wood Ducks, Chestnut and Grey Teal and Pacific Black Ducks. Australasian Grebes were seen gliding across the far end of the lake and Magpie-larks were numerous around the shore.
At the RAAF Lake birds were huddled close to the North shore to avoid the worst of the wind and through the ‘scope Australian Shelducks and Pied Stilts could be identified. Alongside the carpark in a patch of Dock Weed two Golden-headed Cisticolas provided all in the group close sustained views.
Golden-headed Cisticola. Photograph by Eleanor Dilley
Across the road on a small wetland Australian Reed-Warblers were seen flying across the water and landing in the reeds. Both adult and juvenile Dusky Moorhens were seen and members had close views of Australasian Grebes in breeding plumage. Flying over the wetland were Welcome Swallows accompanied by a number of Tree Martins.
The constructed wetland at Saltwater Coast beside Citybay Drive produced sightings of Eurasian Coot and a Little Grassbird. A Little Pied Cormorant was perched atop a viewing platform. In the gardens surrounding the wetland New Holland and White-plumed Honeyeaters and European Goldfinch were seen.
Little Grassbird. Photograph by Steve Hoptroff
The lunch location was under the shady trees beside the Homestead parking area. Numerous Little Ravens and Magpies were in the trees there and a number of raptors were seen hawking over the trees to the south including a Brown Falcon and a juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk.
Brown Falcon. Photograph by Eleanor Dilley
Members set off after lunch toward the Homestead and most walked along the beach toward the Point. Good sightings were had of Pied Cormorants and the youngest member of our group, picked out two Black-faced Cormorants sitting on the remains of an old jetty. Soon after passing the jetty a cooling breeze from the west arrived.
Black-faced Cormorant. Photography by Steve Hoptroff
At the Point was a multitude of Silver Gulls and numerous Crested Terns. On closer inspection a couple of flocks of Red-necked Stints were noticed foraging amongst the seaweed and a few Common Terns were perched on rocks alongside the Crested Terns. Two Black Swans were also seen there.
Common Tern. Photograph by Steve HoptroffRed-necked Stints. Photograph by Steve Hoptroff
The rain received over the past few months ensured that many of the lakes in this area held water and the vegetation looked healthy. Regardless of the heat members enjoyed the opportunity to see the 49 species some of which were new to some members.
Heavy rain overnight did not deter 10 birders from meeting in the layby beside the busy Hallam South Road. John Bosworth was our leader and knows the area well, having participated in the regular surveys for Melbourne Water for many years (covid excepted). The start of the walk involved making our way past assorted works areas before continuing into the grassland. Birding initially was limited, a fat Little Pied Cormorant perched on a well-used wooden pole at a pond’s edge, there were the introduced Common Mynas and Starlings, a skein of Australian White Ibis overhead and there was the occasional flight of pairs of Rainbow Lorikeets.
The area is manmade and designed as a flood control zone by Melbourne Water so it is interesting to watch how the avifauna react. We had added Purple Swamphen and Common Greenfinch when we encountered Golden-headed Cisticolas calling and flitting among the reeds, to the delight of those in the group who hadn’t seen them before or those who hadn’t seen them since before the pandemic started.
Golden-headed Cisticola
A Little Grassbird was heard calling and overflights included a Royal Spoonbill and a few Straw-necked Ibis. Bush birds included Superb Fairy-wrens and a couple of Flame Robins, both a male (almost fluorescent) and female (healthily plump).
Flame Robin (m)Flame Robin (f)Flame Robin (f)
Honeyeaters were limited to New Holland and White-plumed.
(A very cute) White-plumed Honeyeater
But, as suited a flood-control wetland, waterbirds were varied and our list soon included a White-necked Heron, standing near a White-Faced Heron and allowing easy comparison of their respective sizes.
White-necked Heron
A female Australasian Darter stood close to the bank and allowed excellent views while a solitary Great Egret foraged among the reeds and Cattle Egrets used a small mob of sheep to stir up insects in an adjacent paddock. A couple of Black Swan paddled near, a lone Little Black Cormorant flew past and the ducks were those dependable Pacific Black and Australian Woods.
Australasian Darter (f)Great Egret
Red-browed Finches in flocks of 30 flew across the track and a Willie Wagtail had been seen by most as we headed back to the cars and a lunch break.
Red-browed FinchRed-browed Finch
Lunch was at River Gum Creek, a short drive along Coral Drive, but several people were unavailable in the afternoon due to prior engagements so our walking group became 6 people for the short distance. At the start we were disappointed to see a small group “feeding the birds”. This had attracted hundreds – Silver Gulls, Pacific Black Ducks, Eurasian Coots, Dusky Moorhens, Purple Swamphens and House Sparrows – and no wonder as when the people departed there were still huge piles of what appeared to be bakery output. Perhaps acquired unsold produce. It looked like rat heaven. We walked on and recorded the same species well away from that area.
Little Black CormorantLittle Black Cormorant
Many of the species were, unsurprisingly, those we had already noted in the morning but it was good to observe another darter and to add birds of the land: Galah, Long-billed Corella and, convincingly glimpsed, a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet near a remnant mature gum known to hold nests in hollows in the past. At walks’ end we had listed 38 species at Troups and 30 at River Gum with a cumulative count of 45 species for the day. We were most appreciative of John’s preparation which reminded some of the pleasures of this area and introduced others who’d not visited before.
The venue was unfamiliar to most of our members and we were extremely grateful that Jodi Jackson was available to lead us when circumstances prevented Bridget, our advertised leader, from attending.
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Golden-headed Cisticola. Photo by Bevan Hood
The weather was favourable, light clouds and breezes, so sunscreen rather than raincoats was advisable. Our group numbered twelve and car park birding was dominated by those introduced evils, the Common Starling and Common Myna. However Crested Pigeons and New Holland and White-plumed Honeyeaters were sighted with Red Wattlebirds calling and an occasional Willie Wagtail making an appearance.
Common Starling, juvenile. Photo by Bevan Hood
Walking the track toward the ‘rusty’ pedestrian bridge we encountered brief sightings and then heard the trills of a somewhat unexpected White-winged Triller. First at least two males were seen and then at least one female flew between trees. Quite a good start to the walk. Could it get better? We doubted it.
White-winged Triller. Photo by Katmun Loh
Approaching the bridge we found the traffic noise overwhelmed any bird calls present so it was eyes only. City views can be available from the bridge but today there was insufficient wind so smog cheated photographers of clear views.
Little Pied Cormorant. Photo by Katmun Loh
Male and female Superb Fairy Wrens fluttered around each other near the low scrub and the call of a Eurasian Skylark was audible to many as we walked away from the bridge and freeway.
Group on viewing platform. Photo by Katmun Loh
A viewing platform located by the Merri Creek adjoined the reedbed containing calling Australian Reed-Warblers and Little Grassbird (seen by a fortunate few). To maintain the grasslands requires intervention and we passed a small team spraying invading broad-leaved weeds.
Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo. Photo by Katmun Loh
The track passed a short distance from a wetland where the intrepid observers who braved potential snakes (none detected) were rewarded with Hardheads, Hoary-headed Grebe, Purple Swamphen and Dusky Moorhen.
Hardhead, male. Photo by Bevan Hood
A highlight here was a Nankeen Night-Heron which flushed briefly and allowed everyone to see it.
Nankeen Night-Heron. Photo by Katmun Loh
Continuing we often encountered Golden-headed Cisticolas rising from the grass and, on one much-appreciated occasion, perching on the grass stalk for a minute. Our only raptor, a Nankeen Kestrel, hovered characteristically over the grass.
Nankeen Kestrel. Photo by Katmun Loh
Our track rose toward an escarpment. Here was the creek and denser bush and here we added Red-browed Finches and a couple of Grey Fantails.
Grey Fantail. Photo by Katmun Loh
By now the thought of lunch was attractive and the potential rock crossing at the end of the track seemed a very good place to turn back. On the return we encountered our only Spotted Pardalote calling and glimpsed Brown and Yellow-rumped Thornbills.
Galah. Photo by Bevan Hood
We would have covered at least 4 km and sitting for lunch was very pleasant, even more so when we did the bird call to find we had a list of 45 species. We thanked Jodi whole-heartedly for sharing her knowledge with us.
Leaders: Hazel and Alan Veevers; Species count: 57
Noisy Miner. Photo by Merrilyn Serong
Twenty-six members gathered on a sunny morning at the Ibis carpark where Noisy Miners certainly lived up to their name. They were the dominant species in that area, chasing away any other bush bird that dared to enter their territory. A Little Eagle circling overhead provided an exciting diversion as the group were just about to set off down the main drive towards the wetlands. It was not easy to identify for certain until a long-range photograph (attached) was examined on the camera.
Little Eagle. Photo by Eleanor Dilley
The old dead trees, scattered amongst the lush live ones, enabled good views to be had of Red-rumped Parrots and Rainbow Lorikeets as they investigated the many available nesting hollows.
Rainbow Lorikeets. Photo by Alan Veevers
A few Crested Pigeons appeared, feeding in the grasslands alongside the track. Another raptor was seen but, after much discussion, it was decided that it was, again, a dark morph Little Eagle.
Crested Pigeon. Photo by Eleanor Dilley
Walking round the wetlands in an anticlockwise direction, a hotspot was found by a shallow muddy pool.
Golden-headed Cisticola. Photo by Alan Veevers
Here were Golden-headed Cisticolas, female Flame Robins, Red-browed Finches and numerous Superb Fairy-wrens. It took a further hour-and-a-half before a male Flame Robin was spotted by a sharp-eyed observer!
Female Flame Robin. Photo by Alan Veevers
There was a plentiful supply of Ducks to be seen on the main ponds, where the water levels were encouragingly high. Highlights were Blue-billed Ducks, Australasian Shovelers, Hardheads and a relatively large number of Pink-eared Ducks.
Pink-eared Ducks and Hardheads. Photo by Merrilyn Serong
Little Pied, Little Black and Great Cormorants, together with White-faced Herons, Australian White Ibis and Australasian Darters were also present.
Australian White Ibis and Little Pied Cormorant. Photo by Merrilyn Serong
At the edge of the wetlands a flock of Silvereyes perched on low bushes created a beautiful sight as the sun shone on their feathers. Members then returned to the Ibis carpark for lunch.
Little Black Cormorant. Photo by Alan Veevers
A short afternoon walk began at the Visitor Centre and explored the mixed bushland in the vicinity. The first sighting, much to everyone’s delight, was a pair of Tawny Frogmouths resting in typical fashion on a low branch of a nearby tree.
Tawny Frogmouths. Photo by Merrilyn Serong
Continuing along the Heathland Trail, both Grey and Chestnut Teal accompanied by Dusky Moorhens were seen in a small pond. A final productive area, amongst River Red Gums, was encountered before we made our way back to the cars. This yielded Golden Whistler, White-browed Scrubwren, White-plumed Honeyeater and a very colourful flock of Spotted Pardalotes.
White-plumed Honeyeater. Photo by Eleanor Dilley
After the bird count, it was agreed that it had been a very rewarding day with 57 species recorded.
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