Chiltern and Rutherglen

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!