Victoria

Steerage sculpture overlooking the Yarra River

Herring Island is a small island located in the Yarra River 3km from the city. You can access the Island by private boat or Parks Victoria operate a punt across the river during the summer months. While waiting on the jetty the island looked like a promising inner city birding destination. The arriving punt disturbed several Little Pied Cormorants which circled around looking for somewhere to settle, Dusky Moorhen and Pacific Black were on the river and on the other side there was a promising patch of reeds, although it's a little late in the season for Australian Reed Warblers I wouldn't be surprised if they are located here in summer. Once we arrived on the island very few birds could be located, although it was already 11am (time the first punt arrives) and the best part of the day had already gone. Rainbow Lorikeets, Red-rumped Parrots, Grey Butcherbird and Willie Wagtail could be heard nearby. We caught a quick glimpse of what we thought were Superb Fairy-Wrens. Welcome Swallows, Australian Magpie and a Noisy Miner flew overhead and on one occasion we saw a White-plumed Honeyeater.

Falling Fence sculpture

Best bird of the day was the Brown Gashawk we spotted in the distance circling over South Yarra, while sitting in the picnic area.

Although we saw few birds on the island a list on Eremaea indicates that others have been luckier. There are various outdoor sculptures in the park and an art gallery which makes the island an interesting visit if you happen to be in the area.

Location of Herring Island

View of the Maribyrnong River

Brimbank Park is accessed via Brimbank Road off Keilor Park Drive, Keilor East.

Driving down Brimbank Road, the first sight of the park is of dry plains where the grass has all but disappeared due to the large rabbit population in the area. On our visit Dusky Woodswallow, Crested Pigeon and Welcome Swallow where perched here on the powerlines and low trees.

The road heads down into the River Valley 55 metres below the plains. The river is lined with huge old river red gums with read beads in some sections. Although the water level is low there was still plenty of water running down the river on the day we visited. Although there was little grass in the areas around the car park many Superb Fairywrens were foraging on the open ground.

In the Silver Wattles near the ford in the Kulin Wetland were Brown Thornbill, Yellow Thornbill and Grey Fantail. Spotted Pardalote were heard calling from the gums along the river. A Sacred Kingfisher was fishing and White-browed Scrubwrens were foraging around the river banks. Dusky Moorhen and Pacific Black Duck in the river. A Little Eagle was flying over the treetops.

As we were walking along the river banks we spied a Swamp Wallaby in the undergrowth and Long-necked Tortoises were swimming near the surface of the river.

After finishing a walk in the park its worth driving up to the lookout off Keilor Park Drive for a spectacular view over the river valley.

Brimbank Park Map

Brimbank Park Bird List

Mangalore Flora Reserve is a great place to stop off if you are heading up the Hume or Goulburn Valley highways. Although the Flora Reserve runs along the highway access is only via Mangalore Road. It's a fairly small reserve but contains a number of interesting birds. Many cockatoos and parrots can be seen along the roadsides leading to the reserve. On the day we visited (January 09) on entering the reserve the first interesting bird we came across was a White-backed Swallow sitting in a dead tree. There were many White-browed Woodswallow, Dusky and Masked Woodswallows were also present. Other interesting birds in the reserve on the day we visited were, a White-bellied Cuckoo Shrike, White-browed Babbler, White-throated Needletail, Brown Treecreeper, Crested-shrike Tit and White-winged Chough.
Swift Parrots have been seen here in winter, also look out for cuckoos, Rainbow Bea-eaters, Tawny Frogmouth and Black-chinned Honeyeater.

Map of Mangalore Flora Reserve

Mangalore Flora Reserve Trip List

Mangalore Flora Reserve