East Gippsland

Bastion PointThe Mallacoota Walking track is a great walk to do if you don't have a lot of time in Mallacoota, the walk is around 6-7 km and has 5 different sections passing through different habitats. You can start at any point or just do a small section if you like. We have walked most of the sections twice in the last couple of years and seen some great birds.

The Casuarina walk passes through a forest of black she oak a favorite of the Glossy Black Cockatoo which we saw here in April 2006, after passing through the she oak the path dips down into a fern gully which was alive with bush birds last time we visited in November 2008, including Sacred Kingfisher, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Rufous Fantail, Olive- Backed Oriole and Satin Bowerbird.

Coastal scrubOn the heathland walk we were lucky enough to find Southern Emu-wren and last time we were here we saw a Tawny-crowned Honeyeater. It may also be possible to see Ground Parrot here. The heathland leads out onto Betka Beach where we have seen a Black Bittern just casually feeding out on the sand flats at the mouth of the Betka River, Hooded Plover, Red-capped Plover, Godwits and Eastern Curlew are also here.
On the Pittosporum walk we have seen Bassian Thrush and Wonga Pigeon.

You can find more information on the walk here http://www.mallacoota.com/scenery/walks/mc_walking_track.html

Thurra River from Drummer WalkThere are a couple of rainforest walks off the Princess Hwy in East Gippsland that can provide some interesting birding. The first is Drummer Rainforest Walk which can be accessed via Drummer Road. Drummer Road is situated 10 Km east of Cann River off the Princess Hwy. The walk is only about 1 km long and takes you through warm temperate rainforest passing the Thurra River at a couple of points. Interesting birds that may be seen on this walk are Rose Robin, Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone and Black-faced Monarch (in summer).

Another short, warm temperate rainforest walk can be found on the McKenzie River, to find the walk turn off the Princess Hwy 300m east of the McKenzie River bridge. The day we visited this walk it was cold and wet and few birds could be seen however the walk through the forest was very beautiful in particular passing over the river on the swing bridges.

Another walk worth visiting is the Cabbage Tree Palms walk. This walk features the southern most stand of Cabbage Fan Palms. We took a quick walk though this area as there were swarms of mosquitoes, don't forget to bring your insect repellant if you don't want to be eaten alive here. Interesting birds frequently seen in the area are Brown Gerygone, Rose Robin, Topknot Pigeon (summer) and Black-faced Monarch (summer). Other interesting birds could include Olive Whistler, Azure Kingfisher and Pilot Bird.
Cabbage Tree Palms

I've always wanted to visit McLeod's Morass on account of it's interesting name. So we took the opportunity to stop by for a while on the way from Lakes Entrance to Melbourne. To access the morass turn right off the Princess Hwy near Bairnsdale onto Forges Creek Road, the Morass is at the end of Bosworth Road. You can park outside the entrance and walk down to the boardwalk.

When we visited there was little water in the area near the boardwalk but a number of Australian Spotted Crakes could be seen from the bird hide. Also present was a Red-kneed Dotterel, a White Bellied Sea-Eagle flew overhead and many Golden Headed Cisticola, Australian Reed-warblers and Superb Fairywren could be seen amongst the reeds.

Another bird hide, situated off the main track facing north, revealed Little -black Cormorant and Chestnut Teal. It's also worth checking for birds in the trees on the walkway down to the hides where we saw Rufous Whistler, Yellow Thornbills and Yellow-faced Honeyeater.

McLeod's Morass

View from the garden at Adobe Mudbrick Flats

On our two trips to Mallacoota we stayed at the Adobe Mudbrick Flats. This is recommended as it not only has great views, beautiful ambiance, friendly owners but there are also great birds to be seen from the flats themselves and in the forest around Karbethong Avenue, which runs behind the flats.

Bird feeders hang in front of the flats just outside the window. Although I do not recommend feeding birds you can try just putting out a small amount of seed in the late afternoon. This will bring an array of birds straight to your front window Rainbow Lorikeet, Galah, King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, White-browed Scrubwren and Red-browed Finch will all be there. In the bushes just a short distance away are Satin Bowerbird, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Little Wattlebird and Spotted Pardalote with Laughing Kookaburra and Crested Pigeon sitting on the telephone wires. Occasionally a Whistling Kite will fly over the lake and on our last trip a Grey Goshawk was also seen over the lake. In the distance Black Swan and Pelican can be seen on the lake. And that's just from the front of the flat.

On the driveway leading to the forest behind the flats Superb Lyrebird can be seen scratching around in the garden. In the trees along Karbethong Avenue are Lewins Honeyeater, Wonga Pigeon, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Fan-tailed and Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (summer), White-winged Triller (summer), Olive-backed Oriole (summer) and White-winged Chough amongst other birds. Head down the slope to the gully (check yourself for ticks after this) to see Eastern Whipbird, Rufous Fantail and Golden Whistler. Wood Duck, Chestnut Teal and Pacific Black Duck can be seen by the dozens on the dams at the back of the house.

More information about the flats can be found at www.adobeholidayflats.com.au