Bronzewing Birding Services

Clip of some NE Victorian birds..

2011-07-18T08:04:00.002+10:00

Thanks to Matt Weeks my birding pal for the footage

Australian Painted Snipe

2011-06-30T08:27:00.001+10:00

Awesome Picture of an Australian Painted Snipe pair at Coreen, NSW
taken on the 25/4/11 by Chris Tzaros, thanks Chris.

Winton Wetlands

2011-03-17T15:37:00.002+11:00

The Winton Wetlands webpage has your truly on the home page.

WINTON WETLANDS HOME PAGE

Dowdle Swamp (again)

2011-02-26T15:33:00.000+11:00

An hour or so at the north west side of Dowdle Swamp this afternoon yielded 45 species. Best of which the Bush Stone-curlew which has been seen on and off ,was back again. A Western Gerygone was also a first sighting for here.

There are many ducks breeding, mostly Grey Teal and also Hardhead. It worries me what will happen to all these birds when duck shooting starts in a few weeks.

Quail at Home (Wilby)

2011-02-19T21:30:00.000+11:00

It has been a fantastic year for quail. I have recorded 4 species at home in the paddocks behind the garden, and even Little Button-quail in the garden itself.

A walk this evening along Martin Street behind home was sensational for quail. Martin Street is the most northern street in Wilby and has a few houses but most of the land in wheat and canola paddocks. Many Stubble Quail were calling and flushed. Two Brown Quail also seen. One Little Button-quail was near the corner with the Yarrawonga Rd. Then the best bird of all, a female Red-chested Button-quail. I had been hearing this species on and off over the last few months at night, never seen one though. Then I flushed one from the weedy edge of a canola crop. Excellent!!!

Looking south over the paddocks were many quail have been seen.

Spotted Harrier and Nankeen Night Herons also good sightings for the day.

Ovens Valley

2011-02-13T18:22:00.000+11:00

I have a tour in a week around the Bright-Mt Buffalo area so I thought it would be a good idea to check out the area before it started.

Unfortunately my camera card died so I don't have any pictures.

I checked out Mt Buffalo, highlights being a Pilotbird calling at Lake Catani and Red-browed Treecreeper at Rollasons Falls. Around Bright Satin Bowerbird, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo and Gang-gang Cockatoo were some nice birds.

I finished off the day at Myrtleford Sewage Ponds and nearby at Reform Hill State Forest, a Leaden Flycatcher at the latter. At the sewage ponds a nice selection of ducks and some drier forest birds in the box-stringybark forest behind the ponds such as Fuscous Honeyeater, White-throated Gerygone, Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo and Dusky Woodswallow.

92 species for the day.

Boweya Forest in February

2011-02-06T15:13:00.002+11:00

A late afternoon visit to Boweya Forest was very rewarding with 45 species. Not as many birds as other visits, but numbers and species or birds are usually down in the late summer.

Highlights of this visit were a male Painted Button-quail flushed, White-backed Swallows, Hooded Robin and Rainbow Bee-eaters.

Swifts at home in Wilby

2011-02-06T13:13:00.000+11:00

It hasn't been a cracking year from swifts though I have had a few sightings this season. A couple of note over the last few days were 31 White-throated Needletails over home at Wilby on the 06/02/2011 and one Fork-tailed Swift, the first for a long time over home as well today.

There has been plenty of humid unsettled weather with all the rain so far this year, so maybe more to come.

Budgerigar again at Wilby

2011-01-28T21:00:00.001+11:00

A few day ago I saw a young Budgerigar out the front of home at Wilby. Today it was around again, at the back of the garden near the dam.

A nice walk at the bushland reserve this evening also produced over 40 species. Just the usual resident birds in late summer, but always nice to check my local patch.

Australian Wood Duck on the dam at the Wilby Bushland Reserve

Spotted Harrier

2011-01-27T14:54:00.008+11:00

It has been ages since I have had a good view of a Spotted Harrier. They have been very scarce this season. In the drought years of 2007, 2008 and 2009 they were regularly seen around home at Wilby in the surrounding paddocks.

The pet guinea fowl today at home were carrying on, this time for real as a young Spotted Harrier was overhead trying to catch some of their chicks.

It was unsuccessful in its attempt but it was till good to see this species again, and at home.

Warby Ranges and Winton Wetlands

2011-01-27T14:13:00.000+11:00

A great route through my local area is a trip to the Warby Ranges (or Warbies) and then by Winton Wetlands. Over 100 species can be comfortably seen in a morning and today was no exception.

I started the day off at Granite Track, one of the best spots in the Warbies, as it is on the edge of the park attracting a variety of birds. Highlights here this morning were a young Black-eared Cuckoo, Peregrine, Painted Button-quail, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, breeding Hooded Robin and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters. The honeyeaters are quite odd, usually a winter visitor, some birds may have stayed the summer in the ranges due to the wet and cooler conditions this year.

Granite Track in the lovely early morning light.

After Granite Track, Adams Road, where seven Turquoise Parrots were found, always great to see as well as calling Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo and over 20 bush species.

Winton Wetlands (the old Lake Mokoan) are still very full. I stopped first at the duck pond area, Grey-crowned Babblers here were a good surprise. This is second record if this species at the wetlands, they may be recolonizing after the lake was drawn down. Over 50 species here including breeding Darters, ducks, Horsfield's Bushlark and Crested Shrike-tit.

Next stop was at the boat ramp area were there was over 60 species found. Highlights were a Fuscous Honeyeater, usually more in the nearby hills, Pied Cormorant, Musk Duck, Brown Quail calling, White-bellied Sea-eagle and Diamond Firetail.

White-breasted Woodswallow at the boat ramp.

Winton Wetlands looking beautiful.

Balldale-Coreen (southern NSW)

2011-01-26T20:02:00.000+11:00

Australia Day! What no better way to spend it than birdwatching. Teamed up today with my great birding pal, Matt Weeks to explore the area around Balldale-Coreen, north of Howlong and Corowa in southern NSW.

We were not sure what we would find but were very pleased to find many wetlands, full of birds after the recent (and continuing) good rains through the area. First stop was at Howlong on the Murray were an Azure Kingfisher and Dollarbirds were a good sighting. Next stop was at Kentucky State Forest, a Box-Cypress Pine Forest which is good for dry forest species. We were very happy to find two Diamond Doves here, one of which was seen well. Quite south of their usual range here.

Oil Tree Lagoon west of Balldale was also very full but hard to get a good look at with lots of Red Gum saplings around the edges. However some Plumed Whistling-Ducks and breeding Pink-eared Ducks here were a nice sighting (we saw many through the whole day) as well as many waterbirds and usual species here such as Apostlebird and Grey-crowned Babbler.

Plumed Whistling-Duck.

We passed some impressive wetlands along Mahonga Lane, were there were hundreds of Whiskered Terns over the swamps, breeding Black-winged Stilt and Red-kneed Dotterel as well as more Plumed Whistling-Ducks and many ducks of most expected species.

Wetlands on Mahonga Lane.

Breeding Black-winged Stilt.

Lonesome Pine State Forest a few kilometres from Mahonga Lane was fairly quiet, the usual Chestnut-rumped Thornbills here.

The day finished off near Lonesomw Pine were there was another impressive wetland a kilometre or so across, more Whiskered Terns here, Brolga, flushed Brown Quail and more waterbirds. We will definately visit this area again to see what else we can find and what changes there are.

111 species for that day.

Budgerigar at Home

2011-01-26T14:38:00.000+11:00

I have seen Budgerigars twice at home (in Wilby) before but was still surprised to find one today. It was a young bird perched in bushes out the front of the neighbours house. It may have been an escaped pet, but was green and flew quite well over home and out towards the north. Sadly it was too dark to take any pictures. I will have to keep a look out to see if more are around home.

Eildon Area

2011-01-25T13:51:00.000+11:00

The Robin Rednecks twitchathon team (of which I am part of) last year visited the Eildon/Snobbs Creek area as part of the race, targeting wet forest birds. As twitchathons are always rushed events I drove down to this area to spend the night and see some birds at a more leisurely pace.

I managed to see or hear most wet forest species I was looking for such as Superb Lyrebird, Red-browed Treecreeper, Lewin's Honeyeater, Rufous Fantail, Bassian Thrush, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Olive Whistler and Cicadabird. The big bird for the trip was a Sooty Owl that was heard calling around 10pm at Morris Lookout, where I camped.

View over the upper Goulburn Valley looking down over Eildon from Morris Lookout.

The following day some time was spent around the Lake Eildon Dam wall and Eildon township. Wonga Pigeon a nice sighting here.

It was quite cold on the Lake Eildon dam wall.

On the way home I walked the rail trail bridge over Lake Eildon at Bonnie Doon, a nice group of cormorants here, including a Pied which are fairly rare in North East inland waters. The lake is also filling up well after recent rains and would be 75% full.

View of Lake Eildon from Bonnie Doon.

120 species for the couple of days.

Barmah-Mathoura

2011-01-22T13:39:00.001+11:00

Earlier in the year I went to the Mathoura Reedbeds at the end of my northern Victoria trip. I was very impressed and wanted to visit again and as I was still on holidays made the trip again.

On the way over from Wilby I was very surprised to find a Bush Stone-Curlew by a small Red Gum woodland near Nathalia. Close to Mathoura, just over the Murray River near Barmah were a pair of Emu feeding by the road and many Long-billed Corellas.

As soon as I arrived at the reed beds (5 minutes east of Mathoura) the excitement began right away. I could hear an Australasian Bittern booming and hundreds of ibis, Great Egret and Nankeen Night Heron were streaming overhead, probably heading out into the flooded forests to feed from their nest sites. A few Intermediate Egrets were also seen and an Australian Little Bittern was also heard giving its weird croaking call. Bush birds were about as well with Southern Whiteface, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and White-winged Triller highlights. Great Crested Grebes which were here last time, were also still about, still with young. Swamp Harriers, Dusky Woodswallows, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants were also some other birds breeding.

Intermediate Egret (red bill) and young Swamp Harrier in the background.

Royal Spoonbills were also breeding at the reedbeds.

A drive to Picnic Point was worth it for a female Leaden Flycatcher in willows by the Murray River. By Pollys Bridge at Mathoura itself, Dollarbird, Red-browed Finch, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Crested Shrike-tit and Azure Kingfisher were some nice sightings.

Red-browed Finch on seeding grasses.

Immature Dollarbird. Note the dull, not red bill.

On the way I stopped at Barmah and had a great, close sighting of a Nankeen Night Heron of which I managed some great photos.

This Night Heron was very close.

100 species exactly for the morning.

Dowdle Swamp

2011-01-21T13:32:00.001+11:00

Dowdle Swamp (just 5 minutes from home) just keeps better and better. With so rain lately the level of the swamp keeps getting topped up, just as it starts to dry out. There has been much breeding, ducks in particular, many Grey Teal (below) have ducklings.

This visit was no different, 50+ species in an hour and a half. As usual I went to the area on the north west side were the swamp overflows into a large grassy wetland, with the Red Gum swamp, behind.

The usual species here today, such as Grey Teal (hundreds), Black Duck, Australasian Grebe, Wood Duck, White-necked and White-faced Herons. Three Plumed Whistling-Ducks (having such a good season) were also found today and 2 Nankeen Night Herons were also good to see.

Duck shooting season starts in March, it will be interesting to see how the ducks respond, hopefully by clearing off.

Western Treatment Plant, Werribee

2011-01-14T13:06:00.003+11:00

I was visiting family in Melbourne and could not pass an opportunity to visit the Western Treatment Plant. There have been great sightings of late, Stilt Sandpiper, Ruff, Long-toed Stint, birds people generally only dream about seeing.

Unfortunately I choose a bad day to visit. There had been over 50mm of rain the night and day before and many of the ponds (around T-section and western lagoons) that these waders have been seen on were full. Part of the plant were closed as well so I couldn't even get into some areas. However I could still manage to see the western lagoons and a large flooded paddock nearby (below).

These ponds were quite flooded after recent rains.

The flooded paddock where I saw the Ruff and a Pectoral Sandpiper.

I spent around 4 hours looking for the Stilt Sandpiper in particular, but could not manage to see it. Consolations however were two Pectoral Sandpipers and a Ruff. Also many terns, Caspian, White-winged Black, Little, Common and Whiskered. Not birds I see that often in North East Victoria. There were many waders as well as expected (below).

Red-necked Stint and Curlew Sandpiper.

Red-necked Stint, many were orange flagged.

70+ species for the afternoon.

Dave's Hill, Winton Wetlands, Chesney Vale Hills

2011-01-12T11:09:00.004+11:00

It has been very humid and raining of late, still I thought I'd brave the weather and head out this morning to Dave's Hill and the Winton Wetlands. It was quite dull and windy, especially at the Winton Wetlands but I still managed to see some good birds.

Dave's Hill near Thoona is a mixture of grassland, granitic woodland with Blakley's Red Gum and creek woodland with Grey Box. It alwaus has quite a good mix of species.Just after I arrived I noticed quite a few White-throated Needletails over Mt Meg. The humid and tropical conditions this week mean great conditions for this species. There were approximately 120 in the flock. Other interesting sightings here were 2 Rainbow Bee-eaters, the reliable Southern Whiteface, Red-capped Robin, and lots (10) Diamond Firetails. Three Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoos were also a surprise. Red-browed Finches were here too. 47 species here.

Next stop was the Land for Wildlife Swamp along the Glenrowan-Boweya Rd. Australian White Ibis were breeding here last year and a few nests were left. Also interesting to see breeding were Little Black Cormorant and White-necked Heron, with three young. It has been a great season for White-necked Herons. Three Cockatiels along the road also great to see.

I moved onto Lake Mokoan/Winton Wetlands (above) and stopped at the duck pond, on the north east side of the wetlands first. Straight away I noticed a cloud of Needletails overhead. Over 200 birds, great numbers and a spectacular sight. It was very windy at the duck pond but I did notice Darters with a nest and many Stubble Quail were calling. A Black Kite was also noticed along the Lake Mokoan Rd (below) where it is regularly seen.

I headed off nest to the boat ramp area which was quite windy as well with showers coming over, which you can see below. A White-bellied Sea-Eagle was breifly seen, a single Pink-eared Duck, White-breasted Woodswallows, Golden-headed Cisticolas, Peregrine Falcons (which I had a good morning for, also at Dave's Hill) and a Brown Quail calling were highlights. The wetlands are still very full and with the rain so far this week, and more forecast, it will only stay that way.

Finally made my way up into the low hills behind the Winton Wetlands to the Chesney Vale Block of the Mt Meg Nature Conservation Reserve (same reserve as Dave's Hill, but abouyt 5km to the south west). I have known of this site for a while but have not really explored it till a few months ago. It's a great little spot for bush birds and today with no exception with Painted Button-quail, Turquoise Parrot, Speckled Warbler, Western Gerygone, Buff-rumped Thonrbill and Red-capped Robin some highlights.

100 species exactly for the day. A great mix of bushland and wetland species.
It is pouring with rain outside now so I think I made it home just in time.

Chiltern and Rutherglen

2011-01-10T12:59:00.004+11:00

This morning's visit was over to Chiltern and Rutherglen to look at some of the tried and true spots such as Bartley's Block, the dams at Chiltern and the swamps around Rutherglen. It had rained the night before which usually makes for fresh conditions, but it was quite humid and cloudy.

I started off at Bartley's Block, which was a bit quiet to start off with, but the bird action started happening eventually. Near the gate a Turquoise Parrot was feeding in a open grassy area, Spotted Pardalotes were calling overhead and a female Red-capped Robin was perched on a dead log. Further into the block a White-throated Gerygone (reliable spot here) was seen in a Golden Wattle, chasing Western Gerygones. A Speckled Warbler also seen nearby as well as Buff-rumped Thornbills. These last two species are fairly recent arrivals to the block, they moved here a year or so back during the drought. Black-chinned and Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters could also be heard calling. Back near the gate a Shining Bronze-cuckoo was seen and a White-browed Scrubwren was in an old oleander bush, my first record for the park.
47 species here.

I moved on to No.1 Dam (above) which was bit quiet birdwise. The dam itself is still very full, with very few muddy edges to attract some birds. A White-backed Swallow here was a highlight, a male Crested Shrike-tit came quite close and the summer resident White-breasted Woodswallows were good to see. I continued on to No.2 dam which was even quieter. At the gate a Jacky Winter (below) pair and their fledgling (below), just out of the nest were great to watch. The fledgling was very tame so I could get very close for a picture. Four Diamond Firetails, and three Dollarbirds were also highlights here.

Jack Winter adult, Chiltern No.2 Dam

Jacky Winter fledgling, Chiltern No.2 Dam

Moving on towards Rutherglen the swamps here were a lot better than the dams at Chiltern with lots of muddy edges, reeds and rushes around the edges. At the swamp I call Quarry Swamp on Kings Road, Plumed Whistling-ducks were breeding. Two pairs seen with 10 and 11 ducklings each. This was excellent to see (below). Also breeding in the swamps around Rutherglen were Hoary-headed and Australasian Grebes, Grey Teal, Hardhead, Black-winged Stilt and a Red-kneed Dotterel with two chicks. Great to see so much breeding activity happening. Two Grey-crowned Babblers were also seen near Rutherglen near Ready Rd, White-backed Swallows again along Great Southern Rd and two Cockatiels near Kings Rd, also good observations.

I continued on with the morning with stop at Lake Moodemere. Dollarbirds, Red-browed Finch and Western Gerygone highlights here. This spot is also reliable for Swamp Harrier with one seen on a reed bed. I also had a look at Black Swamp (Boorhaman East) which looks great, more Dollarbirds here, many ducks, Sacred Kingfishers, Eurasian Coots, Dusky Moorhen and Purple Swamphens. On the way home had I had a quick look at the swamp on Jones Swamp Rd (Boorhaman North)which is near enough done for the season, most of the water is now gone. An Apostlebird, which have a small population in North East Victoria was also spotted near Brimin Road in Boorhaman North. A great way to finish off the morning.

108 species all up!

Killawarra Forest in January

2011-01-08T10:10:00.003+11:00

I spent a few hours this morning in Killawarra Forest. It was quite a warm and windy morning, so as a result, there were not a huge amount of birds and species seen (just over 50 species). Late autumn, winter and early spring are the best times in the forest when gums are flowering and winter migrants are visiting. You can see 80+ species at a time then. Started the morning in the forest just off Mattamia Rd. A female Gilbert's Whistler calling, then seen briefly in Golden Wattles, a male Painted Button-quail flushed and a Speckled Warbler calling from a sapling were some highlights. Also the usual honeyeater species here, Fuscous, Black-chinned, Yellow-tufted and Brown-headed, espeically around the small dam.

I moved onto the camp-oval area (oval above). Not much more seen. A group of Buff-rumped Thornbills working their way through the undergorwth was interesting to watch. Next along Camp Rd a female White-winged Triller was observed feeding a fledgling. There were a few more birds at School House Road such as Varied Sittella and a lone Noisy Friarbird calling. In winter there were hundreds of these birds in the forest. One may have stayed over summer to breed.

I stopped briefly at Frosts Crossing along the Ovens River on the way home. A Dollarbird here was a nice sighting. Birding was little difficult due to the noisy Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (below) which can make it hard to hear any other birds calling.

65 species for the morning.

Winton Wetlands Visit

2011-01-07T11:51:00.004+11:00

I woke very early this morning and headed down to the Winton Wetlands (below, used to be Lake Mokoan) near Benalla. I have not been for a while and was quite excited about what I would find there.

I went to the southern side of the wetlands for a change, around Bill Friday Swamp and The Spit area. I was surprised to find the wetlands fuller than they were back in November, must have been all the rain in December. The roads were still fine, except I could not get out onto the point of The Spit.

Lots of great birds around. Brown Quail giving their upward whistling calls were commonly heard in the grasslands along with Golden-headed Cisticolas. A family of White-breasted Woodswallows buzzed overhead (above), Tree Martins and Welcome Swallows were common and a few Pelicans soared by. There were many ducks as well, of nearly every species expected. Plumed Whistling-Ducks were at Bill Friday Swamp, Australasian Shoveler and Grey Teal (below) both had ducklings as well. Black Swan pairs with cygnets were common too.

Raptors are often found here. Three Wedge-tailed Eagles, four Brown Falcon, an Australian Hobby, five Whistling Kites and a Nankeen Kestrel were all found today. There always tends to be a surprise at this site. Today I saw 3 Red-necked Avocets near The Spit. Very, very rare birds for north east Victoria, I have never seen them before in the district. Also found was a beautifully plumaged Intermediate Egret with red legs and bill (below). I wonder if they are breeding nearby. Whiskered Terns were also seen, though in lower numbers than last November when they were here in the hundreds. I think the water in the wetlands is too high at present for them. Some nice reed beds are beginning to form now as well, so hopefully some bitterns might make them their home.

71 species for a few hours.

Harvest Time

2011-01-07T11:40:00.002+11:00

The wheat crop in the paddock behind home in Wilby has had a lot of bird activity over the last few months. Horsfield's Bushlarks singing, Brown Songlarks, calling Stubble Quail, Red-chested and Little Button-quail calling at night, and raptors such as Brown and Black Falcons. So it with with some interest, and excitement, to watch the header come out in the late afternoon and begin harvesting the crop.

I was expecting quail to be flushed in front of the header and wasn't disappointed. In fact there were 10 Stubble Quail and 2 Little Button-quail seen over. A Black Falcon also put in a great show stooping down on a quail as it was flushed from the header. The falcon took the quail (not sure what species) off to a Grey Box to pluck and eat. A Brown Falcon was also soaring around the header looking for something to prey on, and nearby two Wedge-taild Eagles were seen soraing over the hills.

A great hour spent on the dam wall at the back of the garden.

Dowdle Swamp

2011-01-06T13:38:00.002+11:00

Just five minutes drive from home towards Yarrawonga, Dowlde Swamp is a large Red Gum wetland that filled last spring due to all the good rains about. It has been great to visit every few weeks and see the changes in water levels, and how this effects the species seen and their numbers. I can usually see around 50 species now, before it had water, around 25 a visit. Water makes such a difference.

This morning I visited the north west side of the swamp as I often do. The water level has dropped considerably, probably by about 20cm compared to when it was at its peak. Highlights from today were a female Peregrine Falcon, female Cockatiel and 3 Plumed Whistling-Ducks, again on the levee near Geodetic Rd. Dollarbird was here still, being chased by some Sacred Kingfishers. No Nakeen Night Herons today.

Brown Treecreepers are common at the swamp.

It has been interesting to see the duck numbers and species change. Hardhead were once the most common duck a few weeks back, now only 1 today. A few months back I saw 1 Pacific Black Duck, today over 100. Grey Teal remain common, but down from numbers in the hundreds a few weeks back.

Little Corellas.

It will be interesting to see how the swamp develops as it starts to dry out.

List of birds below.
http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=74738

Species List for New Year Trip

2011-01-06T13:08:00.004+11:00

Eremaea birds produces these lists.
177 species, pretty good effort for 2 days.
Species are listed with the first place they were observed, if they were observed at multiple places.

Bird Hide at Town Swamp, Kerang

Period: 3/01/2011 to 4/01/2011
Species: 177
Observer: Michael Ramsey
Common Names: Systematics and taxonomy of Australian birds. Christidis and Boles. 2008.
Prepared: 6/01/2011

Ostrich 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Moama-Barham Road Thule
Emu 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Thule Swamp

Swans, Geese and Waterfowl
Plumed Whistling-Duck 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Cooper
Black Swan 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Stewart
Australian Shelduck 3/01/2011 Victoria: Cohuna Sewage Farm
Australian Wood Duck 3/01/2011 Victoria: Hird Swamp
Northern Mallard 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Deniliquin
Pacific Black Duck 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Australasian Shoveler 3/01/2011 Victoria: Wallenjoe Swamp Game Reserve
Grey Teal 3/01/2011 Victoria: Gaynor Swamp
Chestnut Teal 3/01/2011 Victoria: Hird Swamp
Pink-eared Duck 3/01/2011 Victoria: Gaynor Swamp
Hardhead 3/01/2011 Victoria: Hird Swamp
Blue-billed Duck 3/01/2011 Victoria: Cohuna Sewage Farm
Musk Duck 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Stewart

Pheasants, Grouse and Allies
Stubble Quail 3/01/2011 Victoria: Gaynor Swamp

Grebes
Australasian Grebe 3/01/2011 Victoria: Hird Swamp
Hoary-headed Grebe 3/01/2011 Victoria: Gaynor Swamp
Great Crested Grebe 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Gulpa Creek Reed Beds

Pelicans
Australian Pelican 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greens Lake Corop

Cormorants and Shags
Little Black Cormorant 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Gulpa Creek Reed Beds
Great Cormorant 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Stewart
Pied Cormorant 4/01/2011 Victoria: Cullens Lake Wildlife Reserve
Little Pied Cormorant 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang

Anhingas Australasian
Darter 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang

Herons, Egrets and Bitterns
Australasian Bittern 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Gulpa Creek Reed Beds
Little Bittern 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Gulpa Creek Reed Beds
White-necked Heron 3/01/2011 Victoria: Kow Swamp
Great Egret 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Intermediate Egret 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Gulpa Creek Reed Beds
White-faced Heron 3/01/2011 Victoria: Hird Swamp
Nankeen Night-Heron 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang

Ibises and Spoonbills
Australian White Ibis 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Straw-necked Ibis 3/01/2011 Victoria: Mitiamo-Kow Swamp Road Terrick Terrick
Royal Spoonbill 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Yellow-billed Spoonbill 3/01/2011 Victoria: Tragowel Swamp

Hawks, Eagles and Kites
Black-shouldered Kite 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greens Lake Corop
Black Kite 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Whistling Kite 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
White-bellied Sea-Eagle 3/01/2011 Victoria: Wilkinsons Swamp, Kamarooka North
Swamp Harrier 3/01/2011 Victoria: Kow Swamp
Spotted Harrier 4/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Bael Bael
Brown Goshawk 3/01/2011 Victoria: Elmore
Collared Sparrowhawk 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Wedge-tailed Eagle 3/01/2011 Victoria: Gaynor Swamp
Little Eagle 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park

Falcons and Caracaras
Nankeen Kestrel 3/01/2011 Victoria: Kow Swamp
Brown Falcon 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Stewart
Black Falcon 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Stewart
Peregrine Falcon 3/01/2011 Victoria: Wilkinsons Swamp, Kamarooka North

Rails, Gallinules and Coots
Buff-banded Rail 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Baillon's Crake 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Thule Swamp
Australian Spotted Crake 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Purple Swamphen 3/01/2011 Victoria: Loddon Weir Kerang
Dusky Moorhen 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Black-tailed Native-hen 3/01/2011 Victoria: Tragowel Swamp
Eurasian Coot 3/01/2011 Victoria: Tragowel Swamp Cranes Brolga 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Stewart

Plovers and Lapwings
Banded Lapwing 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Stewart
Masked Lapwing 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Stewart
Red-kneed Dotterel 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Pacific Golden Plover 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Red-capped Plover 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Black-fronted Dotterel 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang

Stilts and Avocets
Black-winged Stilt 3/01/2011 Victoria: Cohuna Sewage Farm
Red-necked Avocet 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang

Sandpipers and Allies
Marsh Sandpiper 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Red-necked Stint 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Latham's Snipe 3/01/2011 Victoria: Wilkinsons Swamp, Kamarooka North

Gulls, Terns and Skimmers
Silver Gull 3/01/2011 Victoria: Tragowel Swamp

Pigeons and Doves Rock Dove 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Common Bronzewing 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Brush Bronzewing 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Crested Pigeon 3/01/2011 Victoria: Elmore
Peaceful Dove 3/01/2011 Victoria: Loddon Weir Kerang

Cockatoos and Parrots
Galah 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Long-billed Corella 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Cooper
Little Corella 3/01/2011 Victoria: Gaynor Swamp
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 3/01/2011 Victoria: Kow Swamp
Cockatiel 4/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Bael Bael
Mallee Ringneck 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park
Yellow Rosella 3/01/2011 Victoria: Kow Swamp
Eastern Rosella 3/01/2011 Victoria: Hird Swamp
Red-rumped Parrot 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Blue Bonnet 4/01/2011 Victoria: Kangaroo Lake

Cuckoos
Black-eared Cuckoo 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)

Owls
Southern Boobook 3/01/2011 Victoria: Wilby

Frogmouths
Tawny Frogmouth 3/01/2011 Victoria: Goulburn River Shepparton

Kingfishers and Allies Azure Kingfisher 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Murray River Barham
Laughing Kookaburra 3/01/2011 Victoria: Gaynor Swamp
Sacred Kingfisher 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Rainbow Bee-eater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park
Dollarbird 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Pollys Bridge Mathoura

Australasian Treecreepers White-throated Treecreeper 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Gulpa Creek Reed Beds
Brown Treecreeper 3/01/2011 Victoria: Wilkinsons Swamp, Kamarooka North

Fairywrens White-winged Fairy-wren 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Superb Fairy-wren 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Variegated Fairy-wren 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang

Honeyeaters
Yellow-faced Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Singing Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Kamarooka North Swamp
White-eared Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Purple-gaped Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Fuscous Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
White-plumed Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Black-chinned Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park
Brown-headed Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park
Little Friarbird 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Pollys Bridge Mathoura
Noisy Friarbird 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Deniliquin
White-fronted Chat 3/01/2011 Victoria: Mitiamo-Kow Swamp Road Terrick Terrick
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Blue-faced Honeyeater 3/01/2011 Victoria: Loddon Weir Kerang
Noisy Miner 3/01/2011 Victoria: Cohuna
Yellow-throated Miner 4/01/2011 Victoria: Cullens Lake Wildlife Reserve
Red Wattlebird 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greens Lake Corop

Pardalotes
Spotted Pardalote 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Striated Pardalote 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Thornbills and Allies
White-browed Scrubwren 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Gulpa Creek Reed Beds
Shy Heathwren 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Buff-rumped Thornbill 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section) Inland Thornbill 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Yellow-rumped Thornbill 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill 3/01/2011 Victoria: Tragowel Swamp
Yellow Thornbill 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Striated Thornbill 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Pollys Bridge Mathoura
Weebill 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park
Western Gerygone 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park Southern Whiteface 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park

Pseudo-babblers
Grey-crowned Babbler 3/01/2011 Victoria: Loddon Weir Kerang
White-browed Babbler 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)

Woodswallows White-breasted Woodswallow 3/01/2011 Victoria: Loddon Weir Kerang
Black-faced Woodswallow 3/01/2011 Victoria: Gaynor Swamp
Dusky Woodswallow 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park

Bellmagpies and Allies
Grey Butcherbird 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Pied Butcherbird 4/01/2011 Victoria: The Marsh (South)
Australian Magpie 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang
Grey Currawong 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)

Cuckoo-shrikes
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Cooper
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
White-winged Triller 3/01/2011 Victoria: Wilkinsons Swamp, Kamarooka North

Sittellas
Varied Sittella 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park

Whistlers and Allies
Crested Shrike-tit 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Crested Bellbird 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Gilbert's Whistler 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Golden Whistler 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Rufous Whistler 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Grey Shrike-thrush 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang

Fantails
Willie Wagtail 3/01/2011 Victoria: Fosters Swamp, Kerang
Grey Fantail 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park

Monarch Flycatchers
Magpie-lark 3/01/2011 Victoria: Kamarooka North Swamp
Restless Flycatcher 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park

Crows, Jays and Magpies
Australian Raven 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)
Little Raven 3/01/2011 Victoria: Hird Swamp
White-winged Chough 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)

Australasian Robins
Red-capped Robin 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park
Eastern Yellow Robin 3/01/2011 Victoria: Greater Bendigo National Park (Kamarooka section)

Larks
Horsfield's Bushlark 3/01/2011 Victoria: Mitiamo-Kow Swamp Road Terrick Terrick

Swallows Welcome Swallow 3/01/2011 Victoria: Kow Swamp
Fairy Martin 3/01/2011 Victoria: Hird Swamp
Tree Martin 3/01/2011 Victoria: Wilkinsons Swamp, Kamarooka North
White-backed Swallow 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park

Reed-Warblers and Allies
Australian Reed-Warbler 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang

Grassbirds and Allies
Little Grassbird 3/01/2011 Victoria: Loddon Weir Kerang
Brown Songlark 3/01/2011 Victoria: Wilkinsons Swamp, Kamarooka North
Rufous Songlark 3/01/2011 Victoria: Loddon Weir Kerang

Cisticolas and Allies
Golden-headed Cisticola 4/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Bael Bael

Thrushes and Allies
Common Blackbird 3/01/2011 Victoria: Loddon Weir Kerang

Babblers
Silvereye 3/01/2011 Victoria: Back Swamp Reserve, Kerang

Starlings Common Myna 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Cooper
Common Starling 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Cooper

Flowerpeckers
Mistletoebird 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park

Wagtails and Pipits
Australasian Pipit 3/01/2011 Victoria: Mitiamo-Kow Swamp Road Terrick Terrick

Siskins, Crossbills and Allies
European Goldfinch 3/01/2011 Victoria: Johnsons Swamp

Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow 3/01/2011 Victoria: Lake Stewart

Waxbills and Allies
Diamond Firetail 3/01/2011 Victoria: Terrick Terrick National Park
Red-browed Finch 4/01/2011 New South Wales: Pollys Bridge Mathoura
Zebra Finch 4/01/2011 Victoria: Tungamah Main Road Youarang

Black Swans

New Year Trip (Day 2)

2011-01-05T12:54:00.000+11:00

Continuing my northern Victorian trip, I started off from Kerang very early in the morning to check out the Kerang Lakes. I first headed out west to Sandhill Lake near the Avoca River. It was full with water and had a variety of ducks on it such as Musk Duck, Grey Teal and Pacific Black Duck. Variegated Fairy-wrens were nice to see in the lingum as well as a pair of Blue Bonnets on the roadside. From here I headed off the the Koorangie Game Reserve, which has two parts, The Marsh and Lake Bael Bael.

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.

New Year Trip (Day 1)

2011-01-05T11:00:00.001+11:00

Each year I usually go on a trip for a couple of days around the start of the new year. In previous years I have travelled up to Leeton and Griffith areas, but this year I thought I would go across to the Kerang Lakes area. There has been so much rain this year the wetlands would be in good condition and I also planned to stop at other places on the way.

COROP AREA

Starting off very early on Monday 3rd January I left home hearing two Southern Boobooks calling. Travelled over to the Corop area between Shepparton and Bendigo. There have been many recent reports of exciting birds here such as Australian Painted Snipe so I thought it would be worth a visit.

Greens Lake.

Plumed Whistling-Duck at Lake Cooper. Later I saw over 20 nearby at Wallenjoe Swamp.

I started off at Greens Lake (above at sunrise) before moving to Lake Cooper where I found a single Plumed Whistling-Duck (above). It was quite windy so birds were hard to find but Swamp Harrier over the reeds was nice. I moved onto Gaynor Swamp (below) which was fantastic.

Entrance to the swamp with a Willie Wagtail on the sign.

View of the swamp from the causeway.

I made my way to the causeway where Painted Snipe have been seen. No Painted Snipe but lots of other great birds. A big surprise was a family of Black-faced Woodswallow, not usually seen so far south. Waterbirds were in abundance with many kinds of ducks, highlights being Blue-billed and Pink-eared Ducks. Two Stubble Quail were seen beside a track and many Australian Reed-warblers and Little Grassbirds could be heard in the reeds. Over 40 species here.

Pink-eared Ducks where some of the many waterfowl.

Black Swans in flight.

Black-faced Woodswallows were a surprise.

Next stop was Lake Stewart just east of Gaynor Swamp. Lots more waterfowl here, though a big highlight was 2 Black Falcon over an adjacent paddock with Brolga in it! Nearby next to what looked like a capsicum crop where about 9 Banded Lapwing in bare looking paddocks. Lots of great birds seen already.

Brown Falcon, maybe a young bird as it was very dark.

Pair of Brolga in stubble.

I tried to get into One Tree and Two Tree Swamps but the roads around them were still flooded. I settled on looking at Wallenjoe Swamp from the Midland Highway. More Plumed Whistling-Ducks were here, Black-winged Stilt and White-necked Heron were some of the many waterbirds.

KAMAROOKA

Moving on from Corop I made my way over to Kamarooka section of the Greater Bendigo National Park north of Bendigo. I have always wanted to spend a bit more time here as I have always seemed to rush through here on a Twitchathon. Kamarooka has some great birds as it is an isolate of mallee habitat found more extensively in north west Victoria. I was aiming to get these mallee birds today.

Young Red-capped Robin.

White-eared Honeyeaters were common at Kamarooka.

The mallee at Kamarooka is looking great.

Starting off an on unnamed track on the north side of the forest I picked up Tawny-crowned Honeyeater straight away. The forest looked great, very green. I could hear a Crested Bellbird in the distance and tracked down a small group of Variegated Fairy-wrens. A Black-eared Cuckoo flew over small clearning and I also found an Inland Thornbill with some Chestnut-rumped Thornbills. Moving on to Burnside Rd I could hear a Shy Heathwren singing, a Brush Bronzewing "ooming" and found some more Variegated Fairy-wrens. I also found a group of about 6 Purple-gaped Honeyeaters. I could also hear a Gilbert's Whistler calling. More of the same at Campbell Dam nearby before I had a look at Mulga Dam where a White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike was a big surprise. The only mallee bird I missed out on was Yellow-plumed Honeyeater.

North of Kamarooka are couple of swamps I wanted to look at as well. Along Wilkinson Swamp Rd (though not the swamp itself) is a shallow grassy swamp where there were many waterbirds, a Brolga here was a highlight. Brown Songlarks and Stubble Quail were also calling from paddocks here. Further north at Wilkinson's Swamp itself a young White-bellied Sea-eagle was a good sighting. Red-kneed Dotterel. Latham's Snipe, Peregrine Falcon, White-winged Triller and lots of waterbirds were also here.

Red-kneed Dotterel and Wilkinson's Swamp. There were 6 birds altogether, at least 1 was an immature.

TERRICK TERRICK NATIONAL PARK

As I kept moving north next stop was the Terrick Terrick National Park. I made my way to the picnic/camping area, stopping on tracks along the way. Black-chinned Honeyeaters were seen along these tracks as well as Southern Whiteface, Western Gerygone was heard, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills, Yellow Thornbills and some Red-capped Robins. At the picnic area itself Mallee (or Australian) Ringneck, Varied Sittella, Diamond Firetail, Rainbow Bee-eater, heard Gilbert's Whistler and a Singing Honeyeater. White-backed Swallows were also seen near the park boundary as well as a Wedge-tailed Eagle. I had a tip about Plumed Whistling-Ducks nearby but as I already seen them today decided to move on fro the Terrick area.

View from Mt. Terrick Terrick

Heading north to Kow Swamp there were plenty of grassland birds to be seen such as Horsfield's Bushlark, Australasian Pipit and Brown Songlark. White-fronted Chats were along the roadsides as well.

Entrance to the park.

COHUNA AREA

First stop in this area was Kow Swamp were hundreds, probabaly thousands of Straw-necked and Australian White Ibis were wheeling overhead. A Yellow Rosella here was nice to see, many waterbirds and a White-breasted Woodswallow were also common. As the swamp is so vast and covered with reed beds in areas, it is hard to find places to get a good look.

Moving on the the Cohuna Sewage ponds where I was hoping to find a White-winged Fairy-wren and Red-necked Avocet, both were there along with a Blue-billed Duck, many Black-winged Stilts, Black-fronted Dotterel and other waterbirds. On the edge of the town there was a very nice looking dark morph Little Eagle.

Hird (above) and Johnsons Swamps were the next places to visit. Johnson's was basically dry, very few birds here, though a Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo was nice. Hird Swamp did have water but was very overgrown, the track was rough and it was hard to see the swamp in parts. A good selection of waterbirds here, nothing unsual though.

KERANG

By now it was later afternoon and I was coming into Kerang where I was staying the night. Before I stopped and relaxed for a bit I drove just out of town to Tragowel Swamp (below). Compared to Hirds Swampm, access and viewing areas were much better here. Some good birds straight away such as Black-tailed Native-hen, Yellow-billed Spoonbil, a co-operative pair of Musk Duck (they came very close) and many Whistling Kites.

After a rest I headed out to a few sites around Kerang. I started at Foster's Swamp on the east side of the town, which is large salt lake which has can have waders. On the small pond before the big salt lake itself where many Black-winged Stilts, including many young birds, Red-kneed Dotterel, Black-fronted Dotterel, Marsh Sandpipers and a brief view of an Australian Spotted Crake before it ran into some rushes.

Young Black-winged Stilt

Black-fronted Dotterel

On the salt lake area itself were many roosting Australian Shelduck and Silver Gulls, Red-necked Avocets, Red-capped Plover and Red-necked Stints. Scanning with the scope I found a Pacific Golden Plover roosting by an old tree stump out of the wind. I am not sure, but I don't think they would be very common inland.

Foster's Swamp

Towards evening I went to have a look at the Kerang Weir on the north side of town. A family of 4 Grey-crowned Babblers was good to see, Black Kite here as well, Rufous Songlark, Peaceful Dove and Sacred Kingfisher were just some of the nearly 40 species here.

Last stop for the day was Town and Back Swamp Reserve by the Loddon River on the west of town. I found over 40 species, Buff-banded Rail, Royal Spoonbill, Nankeen Night Heron, Variegated Fairy-wren, Darter and many other waterbirds were here. This reserve is well set up for birders with well marked tracks, a hide and a levee bank which is gives great views over the wetlands.

Entrance sign.

View of the swamp.

Silver Gulls roosting.

Nankeen Night Heron (immature).

Bird sign on the levee bank.

White-necked Heron and Australian White Ibis

The Birdhide.

Buff-banded Rail (poor shot).

What an excellent spot (over 40 species here) to end an excellent day of birding. Tomorrow the plan was to spend time around the Kerang Lakes and over to south-west New South Wales to find some bitterns, read on in New Year Trip (Day 2).

Wilby Bushland Reserve

2010-12-31T10:24:00.000+11:00

Hopped out of bed very early this morning (as the predicted temperature is 40 degrees) to go to the Wilby Bushland Reserve, just 5 minutes walk from home.

The reserve was "going off" in spring with 50-60 species recorded at a time then. It seems to be a bit more quiet now with the regular resident species around and also a couple of surprises.

A big highlight for the morning was more Buff-banded Rails (above). I saw one last week and thought it was just a bit of luck, a fluke I saw it passing through. But this morning I actually saw 2, and watched one for quite some time (and took a bad picture). There is quite a lot of long grass around the reserve with water still in drains, ditches and along the Sandy Creek, as well as the small wetlands (below) near the race track so I guess there is suitable habitat around.

The Dollarbird which seems to have made this area home for the summer was also seen again. Seven Cockatiels, very scarce this year (compared to previous years during the drought) was a nice surprise too. Two Hardhead were also seen, probably flying to Dowdle Swamp to the north. This is my first record for this species in Wilby.

The usual grassland species, Stubble Quail, Brown Songlark, Australasian Pipit and Horsfield's Bushlark were also found again in the paddock behind the race track (above).

Some other resident and regularly seen species are pictured below.

Female Red-rumped Parrot. This species is in small flocks now with a few young birds joining them.

A White-winged Chough nesting in a Grey Box at the old cemetery. There are 3 groups of Choughs in the bushland reserve.

Pied Butcherbird, which has my favourite birdsong.

Grey Shrike-thrush are present all year, a pair or two remain over summer. Numbers increase in autumn and winter when birds move out from forests and woodlands to the south.

Laughing Kookaburras in the early morning light.

A female or young Eastern Rosella. This species has bred well this year with many pairs seen with young.

47 species for the morning. List of species below.

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=74193

BOCA Challenge Count

2010-12-30T13:36:00.000+11:00

A late posting this one, but just wanted to write about the BOCA (Bird Observation and Conservation Australia) Challenge count in early December. Birding pal Matt Weeks and I clocked up 162 species in about 10 hours from Beechworth, across to Chiltern, Rutherglen, Boorhaman, Warby Ranges and Lake Mokoan. It was a real good day to get a snapshot of how local birds are doing and to check out local conditions. We had a few highlights.

Plumed Whistling-Ducks (above) were seen at 4 sites. These ones were at the old quarry swamp near Rutherglen and were actually breeding with ducklings. It has been a great year for this species locally.

The resident, though often hard to see Bush Stone-Curlews (see above, distance shot) were luckily found at the Rutherglen Research Station (DPI Victoria).

Many birds were breeding as well in wetlands such as Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Black-winged Stilt and Australasian Grebe (see above).

Click on the link below to see a species list from Eremaea Birds.

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=72418

Murray River

2010-12-30T13:23:00.000+11:00

Spent the morning along the Murray River west from home towards Cobram. The river has been in flood of late, and although there was much damage, it was good to see small wetlands and billabongs filled.

Stopped first at the Bourke's Bend entrance to the Murray River at Burramine, half way between Cobram and Yarrawonga. An Azure Kingfisher along a small billabong was great to see. These little birds are always an exciting find. Small groups of Weebills and thornbills, Buff-rumped and Striated also moved about in the canopy. An Olive-backed Oriole was the first one seen in a while and 3 Noisy Friarbirds were unexpected, though I suspect there is a small population along the Murray River during summer.

Next stop Quinn's Island near Cobram. The gate to the island was closed (no doubt flood damage) but I still has an enjoyable walk along the river. Dollarbirds here are quite reliable, I saw 3 and Rainbow Lorikeets were here again. An odd sighting, well north of their usual range on the other side of the Great Divide. There is a small population at Shepparton directly south, I suspect these birds come from here. 49 species seen here.

On the way home I stopped briefly at the wetland along the Barooga-Mulwala Rd. Many ducks and Black-winged Stilts here. Two Zebra Finches as well just nearby. Last stop was Boomanoomana Wetlands (below) where of late I have had some good sightings, Magpie Goose in November just to name one.

The wetlands are still quite full. Dollarbirds here put on a good show chasing a young Brown Goshawk. Another Brown Goshawk, adult this time, was nearby as well. Perhaps they bred here. Many ducks as well (Pacific Black Duck below), Little Grassbird calling from the rushes, a Cockatiel heard and vocal Sacred Kingfishers were just some of the 44 species here.

84 species for the whole morning!

Tungamah District

2010-12-29T10:56:00.001+11:00

Tungamah is not far from home so it is often worthwhile to check out some of the local swamps and creeks, especially now as they are full with so much all the rain we have had this year.

First stop was Tungamah Swamp which is looking great (below). Many Grey Teal are breeding (below) and have lots of ducklings, or should I say tealings of various ages. A very dark teal seen was probabaly a young male Chestnut Teal as it had a hint of that colour in its plumage. Sacred Kingfishers have had a great year and they are quite vocal here at the swamp.

Next stop was just west of Tungamah at the Broken Creek. Four Plumed Whistling-Ducks (below) were a great sighting. They have been having a great year locally, probably because it has been so wet. I have also seen them near home in Wilby, at Dowlde Swamp, near Rutherglen and Lake Mokoan. A Brown Quail was also surprised on the edge of a wheat paddock. I assumed it was a Stubble Quail at first which are often heard calling, but it didn't have any obvious streaking as Stubble Quail do, and yellow legs.

I also had quick look at the Boosey Creek along the Tungamah Main Rd again, nothing exceptional here bird wise but there quite a lot of flood damage along the fencelines and creeks (below).

Last stop was in Tungamah itself along the Boosey Creek which is often a good stop. Today turned up a Purple-crowned Lorikeet feeding in a River Red Gum. These trees as flowering well after recent floods. Although common, it was nice to see some Red-rumped Parrots (below) up so close having a late afternoon drink by the creek.

55 species in two hours only 10 minutes from home!

Killawarra Forest and Scarlet Honeyeater!

2010-04-25T19:06:00.000+10:00

Spent an amazing morning at Killawarra Forest today searching for Regent Honeyeaters (unsuccessful) and Swift Parrots (successful). The forest just keeps getting better with the diversity of species and sheer numbers (hundreds of Noisy Friarbirds alone) as the flowering of Mugga Ironbark and Grey Box continues.

Started the morning at one of my favourite spots roughly at the corner of Irishtown Track and Wallaby Hill Track. Pied Currawongs have now made there way into the forest from the hills in large numbers and plenty were here this morning. Lorikeets, Purple-crowned and Little are still about, busily buzzing overhead or from tree to tree. A small group of Flame Robins was nice to see, including a male which was my first for this autumn. Hooded Robins (see below) were also about as well. I could heard Gilbert's Whistlers calling as well and finally tracked a male down in low undergrowth. A robin in the top of a Grey Box drew my attention as robins are usually lower to the ground. It turned out to be a female Rose Robin, my first ever sighting for Killawarra Forest though I have seen them along the Ovens River nearby. This species is an autumn-winter migrant here. I walked closer to Irishtown tk and heard the unmistakable call of Swift Parrots, 10 in all feeding in an Ironbark. A pair of Turquoise Parrots were also, this is the most northerly spot I have ever seen them in Killawarra/Warby Ranges. They tend to range about in autumn and winter though.

Continuing to walk about I was looking at a Mugga Ironbark flowering and a bright red little thing flitted about and flew between branches, a male SCARLET HONEYEATER! Amazing. This species has been popping up all over the state this year but still a major sighting for the north east.

Moving on I stopped along North West Lane where there were up to 26 Swift Parrots. A nice sighting was a large group of "cuddly" Dusky Woodswallows all huddle up together along a horizontal branch (pic below). They seem to do this in autumn and winter, very cute. A friendly Jacky Winter was also, enough to get a good picture with my basic photography skills.

Later in the morning I stopped at the Camp-Oval area in the middle of the forest. A male Peregrine was over the oval. More Swift Parrots were here too along with the hundreds of Noisy Friarbirds (pic below). Red Wattlebirds seem to have moved into the forest in larger numbers now as well, Little Friarbird numbers seem to have dropped off though. Crimson Rosellas, an autumn migrant were in reasonable numbers too, some birds feeding on Ironbark blossom, the flowers themselves not the nectar.

Heading out of the park I stopped along Frost Lane, Blue-faced Honeyeater was nice to see here, a late Fairy Martin overhead and more Friarbirds. Pictured below is some flowering Mugga Ironbark which is the reason for the fantastic birding in the forest at the moment.

Birdlist for Killawarra Forest (25/04/10):

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=60424

Swift Parrots at Boweya Forest

2010-04-03T10:57:00.001+11:00

Had an excellent morning in the Boweya Forest today. I have spent most of this week out and about noticing lots of flowering in Mugga Ironbark and Grey Box trees. I have been keeping my ears and eyes out for Swift Parrots and today finally saw 2 at the north end of the forest. I first noticed them by their cheery "pip-pip-pip" calls and then observed them for a while feeding on Mugga Ironbark blossom. One bird was clearly an adult, the other maybe a young bird. It was duller, especially around the face and was missing some tail feathers, maybe it was moulting. Little and Purple-crowned Lorikeets were also about taking advantage of the flowering. Little Frairbirds were common too, more so than Noisy. The reverse is the case in Killawarra Forest to the east. This is not the first time I have noticed this as well. I wonder why?

Another bird which I have been having good luck with this week was a Painted Honeyeater. It flew over Keenan Road and landed in a large patch mistletoe on top of a Mugga Ironbark. I think it was a female or maybe even an immature as it was brown and white, rather than black and white.

Small mixed feeding flocks with Buff-rumped and Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Scarlet, Red-capped and Eastern Yellow Robins were also observed in the recently burnt areas of the forest. A minor fuel reduction burn has taken place here earlier in the week and seem not to have affected the birds at all. Two Wedge-tailed Eagles were spotted sunning themselves in a dead tree along the Wangaratta Rd. Heading home along Creamery Road in Almonds I picked up a few extra species for the morning.

Birdlist for Boweya Forest:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58988

Birdlist for Almonds:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58989

Warby Ranges in Autumn

2010-04-03T10:17:00.000+11:00

Spent a lovely morning in the Warby Range State Park of the 2nd April. The park was quite active with birds, many autumn-winter migrants around such as Pied Currawong (1st record for this year), Crimson Rosella, Silvereye (Tasmanian subspecies), quite a few Scarlet Robins, Brown Thornbill and Golden Whistler. Local birds have also moved into feeding flocks with a mixture of species such as Buff-rumped and Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Grey Shrike-thrush, White-throated Treecreeper, Grey Fantail, Speckled Warbler and Superb Fairy-wren. It was also nice to see some Turquoise Parrots near Ryan's Lookout. A pair of Peregrine Falcons was also observed along Tower Road.

The real highlight of the morning though was Noisy Friarbirds (picture below). In about a half hour period over 300 birds were noticed in flocks of 10-30 birds moving along the ridge line of the park along Tower Road. I suspect most birds were heading to Killawarra Forest where there is much flowering, which I observed earlier in the week. Small numbers of Little Friarbirds were also in the flocks.

On the way home at stop along Big Hill Road in Almonds was great for some raptor watching with Brown and Black Falcons, Wedge-tailed and Little Eagle and a Brown Goshawk all seen.

Birdlist for Warby Ranges:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58973

Birdlist for Big Hill Road:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58975

Killawarra Forest

2010-04-01T12:55:00.000+11:00

Killawarra Forest would have to one of my favourite places to go birding. Only 10 minutes drive from home and such a hotspot for woodland bird diversity make it a top destiniation. This mornings outing was not different with 70 species recorded in a morning. A lot of Mugga Ironbark and Grey Box trees are flowering at present which is great for honeyeaters, in particular Noisy Friarbirds. There must be hundreds in the forest at the moment. Also notable this morning was the number of autumn-winter migrants now in the forest. This is one of the most pleasant times of the year in the forest watching the migrants move in from the higher ranges to the south. Today Crimson Rosella, Yellow-faced and White-naped Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Golden Whistler, Spotted Pardalote and Grey Fantail were all seen. An immature Flame Rbin was also observed as well, the first for this autumn-winter. In a few weeks there will be small flocks all over the countryside.

Some more interesting sightings today included a late White-throated Needletail (I think my

latest record is 9th April), a Painted Honeyeater which also seems to be staying rather late,

Gilbert's Whistler and some Turquoise Parrots, which move about 5-20 km into the forest from the Warby Ranges to the south during autumn.

No Swift Parrots yet, but hopefully with the good flowering occuring it will be sooner rather than later. On the way home I stopped briefly by the Ovens River at Frosts Crossing. An immature Olive-backed was an interesting sighting. It seemed to be practicing singing with it getting the "ory-ory-ole" call not quite right. A terrific morning in the North East.

Birdlist for Killawarra Forest:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58931

Birdlist for Frosts Crossing:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58932

Boomanoomana and Cottadidda State Forests

2010-03-31T15:08:00.000+11:00

I spent this morning exploring these state forests which are in southern New South Wales between Mulwala and Barooga. I stopped first at Boomanoomana State Forest which has an excellent wetland along the Mulwala-Barooga Road that has recently filled. Small numbers of ducks were seen, including some Grey Teal Ducklings. Little Grassbirds were calling from the rushes and a small flock of Red-browed Finches were observed in some long grass. A Pied Butcherbird was calling in the distance as well.

From here I made my way down Stock Route Rd to Cottadidda State Forest, which is mainly White Cypress-Pine that adjoins Red Gum forest. Along the road there was a large flock (300+) of Little Corellas with smaller numbers of Galah and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo among it (see picture right). I had a pleasant hour walk through the forest, the highlight being mixed feeding flocks of Thornbills (Buff-rumped, Yellow, Chestnut-rumped), Western Gerygones, Grey Fantails, Weebills and Rufous and Golden Whistlers. Common Bronzewings were noticed feeding on the ground as well and giving their "ooooom-ooooom" calls. At the edge of the forest was a small billabong by which as Azure Kingfisher was sitting on a log.

Heading back along the Mulwala-Barooga Road I noticed a large wetland (see picture) that had filled after recent rains. No unusual waterfowl (Chestnut Teal and Royal Spoonbill were nice though) but what surprised me were singing Horsfield's Bushlarks and Golden-headed Cisticolas. These birds are usually singing in spring. A Rufous Songlark here was also out of season, usually in spring as well. Last stop was Mt Boomanoomana. On the road to here Yellow Rosellas and Zebra Finch were nice to see. On the slopes a mixed feeding flock of Southern Whiteface, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Yellow Thornbill and Red-capped Robins were great to watch as they worked their way through the low Grey Box woodland here.

Birdlist for Boomanoomana State

Forest and Mt Boomanoomana:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58873

Birdlist for Cottadidda State Forest:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58875

Birdlist for Barooga-Mulwala Road wetland:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58876

Change of Seasons

2010-03-31T14:40:00.000+11:00

Myself and my good birding friend Matt Weeks spent yesterday morning (March 30th) around Chiltern Forest and Rutherglen. Birding was very good with White-throated Needletails, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and late staying White-winged Triller and Olive-backed Oriole as highlights. It was also good to see the forest humming again with activity after recent rains seems to have livened up to forest. Being the end of March many altitudinal migrants from the higher ranges are making their way down to Chiltern and the surrounding plains. It was pleasing to see numbers of Grey Fantail, Golden Whistler, Yellow-faced Honyeater, Eastern Spinebill and a lone White-naped Honeyeater and Scarlet Robin as part of this movement. We looked hard for Flame Robins, none yet but I would expect to see them in a week or two.

Also good to see in the forest was the flowering of Grey Box and Mugga Ironbark in particular. We looked hard for Regent Honeyeater and Swifties (none yet) but this year is shaping up as a good one for flowering. Little and Noisy Friarbirds were common, as were other honeyeaters such as Fuscous, Black-chinned and Yellow-tufted. Little Lorikeets were also about in small numbers too. We also had a look at the Chiltern Valley Dams but they were very quiet, perhaps too much water around at the moment so birds have dispersed. Donchi Hill was a terrific spot late in the morning with Crested Shrike-tits and Jacky Winter up close while Diamond Firetails were calling in the background.

Around Rutherglen some nice sightings were White-backed Swallows and the resident pair of Brolga east of town. White-breasted Woodswallows are still hanging about at Lake King in the middle of town and Blue-faced Honeyeaters were here also. It was also interesting to see some swamps around Rutherglen have filled after recent good rains. Although not holding many species at the moment they should kick on later in the year. We finished off the morning chasing some waterbirds at the Wahgunyah and Corowa Sewage Ponds (pic below). Both were fairly quiet though a later staying Rufous Songlark near Wahgunyah was unusual and the ponds at Corowa had a good number of Blue-billed Duck and some Cattle Egrets which was a surprise.

Birdlist for Chiltern:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58869

Birdlist for Rutherglen:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58870

Birdlist for Corowa Sewage Ponds:

http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=58871

Flowering Gums

2010-03-29T20:12:00.000+11:00

Since the large rainfall event in early March (80mm) the gums at home in Wilby have budded up and have began flowering. Most of the gums were planted 15-20 years ago before I moved here and consist of Mugga and Red Ironbark (Eucalytpus sideroxlon and tricarpa), Round-leaved Moort (a Western Australian species, E. platypus) and Yellow Gums (E.leucoxylon). The Yellow Gums are not the dwarf shrubby plant that is common in gardens but full sized trees 15 metres high. Some local Western Grey Box (E.microcarpa) are also flowering too.

With the flowering has come a small influx on nectar feeding honeyeaters. The local White-plumed Honeyeaters have certainly been taking advantage of the nectar while Noisy Miners have visited from the Wilby Bushland Reserve over the road. The other day 4 Blue-faced Honeyeaters were in the Yellow Gum right next to the house, and in the same tree today a Noisy Friarbird was calling and taking nectar from the blossoms. A few Red Wattlebirds have been around as well. Attached is a photo of the Noisy Friarbird in the tree near the house and the flowers from the Yellow Gum it was feeding on.

White-winged Choughs

2010-03-29T19:59:00.000+11:00

Every now and then a flock of White-winged Choughs visits the home garden in Wilby. These birds were seen on Sunday 28th March. The flock comes from the Wilby Bushland Reserve, which is across the road from home along Sandy Creek. The birds always tend to feed on the western side of the garden where there is enough leaf litter from the Irobarks and Round-leaved Moorts that have been planted there. Hopefully as the trees and shrubs in the garden grow they will provide their own leaf litter for the birds to feed on. The pictures show 4 birds on the edge of Cemetery Road to the west of the house and in the other two birds flying off showing their distinctive white wing patches.

Barn Owls

2010-03-29T19:51:00.000+11:00

For the last month or so around Wilby (where I live) I have been hearing the call of Barn Owls almost every night. During some early morning trips into Yarrawonga when it has still been dark, I have seen up to 5 birds perched along fence posts along the Yarrawonga-Wilby Road. I suspect there are many about at the moment because there are so many mice for them to prey on. After over 80mm of rain early in March mice numbers around the district have exploded, especially in the wheat stubble around the town. I have even heard to birds calling as I am lying in bed just before going to sleep. A Southern Boobook has been heard calling a couple of nights as well, probably taking advanta of the mice as well. Follow the link below to hear what a Barn Owl sounds like.

http://birdsinbackyards.net/images/audio/tyto-alba.mp3

Plumed Whistling-Ducks

2010-03-08T12:18:00.000+11:00

Late in February as I was driving to work I was surprised to find a small group of Plumed Whistling-Ducks on a farm dam on Lavis Road near home in Wilby. Over the next few days their numbers increased from 6 to about 35. I posted the sighting on Birdline Victoria and it attracted some interest from Melbourne birders Paul Dodd, Ruth Woodrow and Tim Dolby, who came up to Wilby to add the bird to their Victorian Lists. Members of the Murray-Goulburn BOCA branch also came to view the birds. What good timing. A few days later the birds, all 35 or so were gone! One wonders where they came from or where they went, but regardless it was still a great sighting, and so close to home.

The birds spent most of the time roosting on the clay coloured banks of the dam, in which they blended into quite well. I am assuming at night they may have flown into nearby paddocks to feed on lucerne and wheat which has recently greened up after rains. Plumed Whistling-Ducks have also been seen on odd occasion in the North East at Peechelba, near Rutherglen and further west at Numurkah. Here is a photo taken with some birds on the day wall in the early morning light.

First Post

2010-02-22T21:57:00.001+11:00

Well here is the first post for my new birdwatching guiding and tour enterprise called Bronzewing Birding Services. This blog will serve as a place to report sightings, news and information about the birds of North East Victoria, and updates about Bronzewing Birding Services. The business will be up and running soon (in a few weeks) and then hopefully I will have some keen birdwatchers willing to take tours. The tours will focus on the North East area of Victoria and just into southern NSW. There are some fantastic birds to be found in North East Victoria such as the Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Grey-crowned Babbler, Turquoise Parrot and Painted Honeyeater just to name a few. All the information about Bronzewing Birding Services can be found at the website http://www.bronzewingbirdingservices.com which will be published soon.

I have chose the name Bronzewing Birding Services as I am particularly fond of pigeons as a group of birds, and the Common Bronzewing can be found throughout North East Victoria in a variety of habitats. Here is a picture taken by David Kleinert of a male Common Bronzewing.

As for myself, birdwatching is, and always has been, the biggest interest in my life. I gain such joy and satisfaction of being outside in the environment searching for and watching birds. Having grown up and spending most of my life in North East Victoria I am intimately aware of where to find particular species, the changes in bird numbers and locations over and years, and the best times and habitats to find birds. I particularly enjoy watching the seasons change over the year and the variances in bird populations and numbers as this occurs. To describe some of my favourite North East Victorian birding experiences read on.

Watching a flock of Flame Robins in winter by the Murray River feeding in a verdant green paddock. The afternoon light is fading and the breast of the male birds is the colour of a burning ember as the last rays of the sun shine low across the landscape. Just brilliant. Spring in Chiltern Forest when the Ironbark and Box trees and in full flower. Ten or more species of honeyeater flitting from tree to tree, searching each one and checking, is it a Regent Honeyeater? The deafening calls of Noisy Friarbirds drowning out nearly every other call of bird in the forest.

A warm spring day in Wilby when a strong northerly wind blows. First of all I hear "chap-chap" calls and then look up and see flocks of hundreds of White-browed and Masked Woodswallows returning south to breed. In the following days and weeks every little patch of woodland or roadside with trees has a pair or more of birds nest building and starting to breed. A mild autumn day in the Warby Ranges. A flock of twenty to thirty Turquoise Parrots feeding on on the ground while a Speckled Warbler sings its pretty song from shrubs growing around lichen covered granite boulders. Overhead a Little Eagle soars past and the upward whistle of a Diamond Firetail can be heard in the background.

I could go on with this but as you may gather birdwatching in North East Victoria is sensational. Keep checking this blog regularly for updates, recent sightings and the latest news about the birds of North East Victoria and Bronzewing Birding Services.