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.
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