The car at the bottom end of The Marsh.
View of The Marsh
White-bellied Sea-eagle in the morning sun.
Young Spotted Harrier at Lake Bael Bael
I stopped at The Marsh first. It looks fantastic and is not doubt full because of the recent good rains. Musk Duck, Grey Teal, Hardhead and Pacific Black Duck were all on the water. A pair of White-bellied Sea-eagles were roosting by the water as well. Sacred Kingfisher, Variegated Fairy-wren Chestnut-rumped Thornbill and Pied Butcherbird were also seen here. 30+ species.
Further south at Lake Bael Bael an other White-bellied Sea-eagle, Cockatiel, more ducks, Silver Gulls and a great view of an immature Spotted Harrier. Close by a a gypsum pit there was a White-backed Swallow, White-fronted Chats, Golden-headed Cisticola, Singing Honeyeater and Stubble Quail. 30+ species as well.
More of the Spotted Harrier
Continuing on to Lake Cullen, which seemed more saline than The Marsh and Lake Bael Bael. Pink-eared Duck were here as well as a Pied Cormorant, Pied Butcherbirds and two Yellow-throated Miner as well as many other waterbirds. Kangaroo Lake was next, not much of note here, it was quite windy and the water was very choppy. A pair of Blue Bonnets along the road around the lake were nice to see.
The saline lakes and swamps of Lake Tutchewop and Kelly were next. Not many birds on these lakes besides Red-capped Plovers, roosting Australian Shelducks and birds such as White-fronted Chat and Singing Honeyeaters around the edges. I was hoping to see some more waders.
Lake Tutchewop
The Middle Lake Ibis Rookery was next, 10km north of Kerang. Tens of thousands of Straw-necked and Australian White Ibis next here. It has a good hide to look at the ibis but there are plenty of other birds around too. In a hour I also saw a Swamp Harrier, Great Egret, Pied Butcherbird, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Darter, Royal Spoonbill nesting as well just to name few. The only drawback in the hide is chicken wire placed over the windows to stop Welcome Swallows nexting which can restrict viewing.
Entrance to the rookery.
This young Crested Pigeon was quite tame.
Juvenile Welcome Swallows roosting on a bridge.
Straw-necked Ibis.
After the Ibis rookery I was finished with Victorian birds, heading home a very long way through south west New South Wales via Barham, Deniliquin and Mathoura. I stopped breifly by the Murray River at Barham which was very full, an Azure Kingfisher here was nice.
Heading out on the Moama/Deniliquin Rd I there was a lot of water around so I stopped near the Thule Creek bridge to look at a flooded lingum wetland. Lots of birds here, highlights being Pink-eared Duck, Variegated Fairy-wrens, Baillon's Crake calling, Rufous Songlark, Great Egret, Little Grassbird, and 8 Emu in an adjacent paddock.
Thule Creek wetlands
Ducks at Thule Creek, Pink-eared Duck and Grey Teal, perfect spot for ducks to breed.
Male Variegated Fairy-wren at Thule Creek
Further east there have been reports of wild Ostriches along the Moama/Deniliquin Road and sure enough, near the entrance to the Toroga Station I found 4 birds close to the road. I know they are the world's biggest bird but I didn't realise how big, and how fast they are until I saw them. There seemed top be a male, female and two slightly smaller immature birds which can run very fast. I am still undecided to add them to my Australian list. They seemed wild enough to me, especially the younger birds which shot off as soon as I opened the car door. I think someone needs to find out where they came from though.
Young Ostrich
Male Ostrich
I had lunch in Deniliquin by a small lake in town and took some good shots of birds in the vicitnity. Noisy Friarbird was here as well in a flowering Lemon-scented Gum as well as Little Friarbird, Red Wattlebird and Yellow Rosella. Just on the edge of town a Black Kite was circling over paddocks.
Australian Wood Ducks in Deniliquin
Long-billed Corellas
Next I made my way to Mathoura and the Gulpa Creek Reedbeds. WOW, what a spot. The birding here was excellent. There have been recent reports of bitterns here and as I sat in the bird hide it wasn't long before I could here 2 Australian Little Bittern giving their unusual frog like calls. Australasian Bittern could be heard booming as well, as after about half an hour I briefly saw two birds flying over the reeds to the left of the hide, amazing. There were plenty of other good birds here as well. Thousands of ibis, Misteltoebird, Diamond Firetail and White-winged Triller in the forest behind the hide. Musk Duck, Intermediate Egret, Great Egret, Nankeen Night Heron and Royal Spoonbill, breeding, on the reed beds. Two Great Crested Grebes were also seen, both breeding with young. Lots of great birds here.
Entrance sign to the reed beds.
Lots of Nankeen Night Herons were about.
Little Grassbird in the rushes.
Australian Reed-Warbler.
Male Musk Duck, earlier giving the whistling call display.
Great Crested Grebe and chicks, first time I have even seen this species breeding.
Intermediate Egret
The Reed Beds.
Last stop was closer to Mathoura by the Gulpa Creek at Pollys Bridge. Dollarbird, Red-browed Finch and Straited Thornbill were all some new birds for the trip. Rock Pigeons on various colours also lived around the bridge, giving me a good chance to practice with the camera. A group of young Yellow Rosella were also nice to see, but alas no Superb Parrots.
Gulpa Creek
Pair of Rock Pigeons by Pollys Bridge
"Grizzle" Rock Pigeon
Young Yellow Rosella, which is more lime green than Yellow at this stage.
On the way home the last bird to add to the trip was a Zebra Finch near Tungamah.
All up I had a fantastic couple of days. Probably over 150 species, some great photos taken and birds seen as well. I will definately be going back to the Gulpa Creek Reedbeds, excellent spot and to the Corop area wetlands this summer as well.
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