Victoria

Werribee Grasslands

Posted January 11th, 2009 by nicole

Werribee grasslands with You Yangs in the distance

Some interesting birds can sometimes turn up on the roadsides of the Werribee grasslands and beyond, so when we heard that Banded Lapwings had been seen around the Bulban Road area we decided to go and have a look. We drove out along Greens Road in Mambourin and saw a large flock of Shelduck congregating in an ephemeral wetland that had developed in the middle of a paddock. Along the roadside we saw Superb Fairywren, Australasian Pipit, Skylark and an Australian Hobby on a fence post. We drove on a little further west until we saw what we were looking for on the north side of the road, there were about 20 Banded Lapwing which were fairly well camouflaged amongst the rocky paddock. On the fence nearby were White-fronted Chats.

Banded Lapwing site

We drove on further and turned left onto Edgars Road. About four kilometers down Edgars Road on the west side was a small waterhole which was close to the road. Here a small flock of Zebra finch were drinking. A Masked Lapwing, Yellow Rumped Thornbills and Galahs were also taking advantage of the water. We headed back to Melbourne via Bulban road passing the area close to Newtons Road where we had seen a Little Curlew amongst a flock of Banded Lapwing in January 2008.

On another trip in the area we drove along Sandy Creek Road, in the forest along side the Ford Proving Ground were Diamond Firetail, Brown Falcon and Collared Sparrowhawk.

Map of Werribee area

Werribee Trip List

Cobbledicks Ford

Posted January 11th, 2009 by nicole

Werribee River at Cobbledicks Ford Reserve

Cobbledicks Ford Reserve is located on the Werribee River near Mount Cottrell, the reserve can be accessed safely by Dukelows Road. If the ford is shallow enough you can also access the reserve by Cobbledicks Ford Road. The ford is an historic crossing built of bluestone in the 1850's and is named after a tenant farmer of the area.

The reserve was a past favorite for 4 wheel drivers and dirt bike riders but the City of Wyndham and local friends groups have been working hard to landscape the area to prevent further damage. Rocks have been strategically placed to prevent vehicles from entering the park, weeds have been sprayed and many trees have been recently planted.

Cobbledicks Ford with dumped car

Despite the erosion the reserve is still a beautiful place for a walk. The many old river red gums lining the river provide a haven for parrots including Purple-crowed Lorikeets, Long-billed Corella, Crimson and Eastern Rosella and Red-rumped Parrot. Water birds such as White-faced Heron, Darter and Little Cormorant can be seen in the river. Other interesting birds include Brown Goshawk, Sacred Kingfisher (summer) Crested Shrike-Tit and Red-Browed Finch.

Map of Cobbledicks Ford

Cobbledicks Ford Bird List

Tahbilk Wetlands and Wildlife Reserve

Posted January 5th, 2009 by nicole

The Long Bridge

Why not indulge in two or three of the most pleasant pastimes at the same venue. At Tahbilk Wetlands and Wildlife reserve you can taste the wine, eat a delicious meal at the cafe and complete the day by spending a few hours bird watching on the wetlands. The cost is $5 to walk in or $10 to take a boat trip but this money goes towards continuing the rehabilitation of the wetland which was commenced in 1995.

Waterlilly flower

Take the long bridge across the picturesque wetland filled with the indigenous Watersheild Lilly to the riverine woodland on the opposite bank. In the bushes around the edges of the bridge are Superb Fairywren, White-browed Scrubwren and Red-browed Finch. On our trip here in February 2008 we spotted a Dollar Bird near the southern end of the Long Bridge. Along the billabongs look out for Black Swan, Pelican, Cormorants and an array of other water birds. Whistling Kite and Swamp Harrier can be seen flying overhead. The forest near landing number 4 is more mature and contains some more interesting birds such as Crested Shrike-tit, Brown Treecreeper, Common Bronzewing and Little Lorikeets. In summer look out for Sacred Kingfishers all along the river.

The reserve is also home to other animals, on our last visit we spotted an Eastern Grey Kangaroo, a Swamp Wallaby and a Koala in a large eucalypt outside the cafe.

The Wetland

Tahbilk is located just south of Nagambie. More information on the wetlands can be found on the Tahbilk Website or you might like to read this article about the wetlands on the Environment Victoria website .

Map of Tahbilk Wetlands

Tahbilk Wetlands Bird List

Terrick Terrick National Park

Posted January 1st, 2009 by nicole

White Cypress Pine in the campground

Terrick Terrick is a great spot for an overnight birding trip from Melbourne, although it's only a three hour drive north it feels quite remote and there are plenty of unusual birds and plants to see.

The shady camping ground is set amongst stands of White Cypress Pine near the base of Mount Terrick Terrick. It was raining lightly when we arrived but the rain soon cleared and the bird activity around the camp ground increased. There were many Willie Wagtail and Brown Treecreepers, a pair of Hooded Robin were foraging on the ground and low in the trees, Rainbow Bee-eater were hawking for insects above the trees and Grey Shrike-thrush could be hear calling from a little further away. We then spotted our first Gilbert’s Whistler which allowed us a quick look before it flew off. Dusky Woodswallow were near the toilet block. A little further into the Cypress Pine forest there were flocks of White-browed Woodswallow, a couple of Peaceful Dove, a Restless Flycatcher, and White-browed Babbler.

Trees on Mount Terrick Terrick

We took the short climb to the top of Mount Terrick Terrick where many purple Rock Isotome were growing in the rock crevasses along the way. On the climb up we saw Striated Pardalote and Mistletoe Bird calling from the trees at the base and Yellow Thornbill and Superb Fairywren amongst the wattle but other than that there were few other birds. However the climb was worth it for the great views of Pyramid Hill and the surrounding countryside.

Rock Isotome

Later we took a walk from the campground along a track heading toward the east boundary fence. The forest here is predominantly Yellow and Grey Box. There were many Red-rumped Parrots, Eastern Rosella and Galah here; we also saw Varied Sitella, Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike and White-browed Woodswallow. The path turned north along the east boundary fence where we saw Mallee Ringneck, Southern Whiteface and Jacky Winter. Turning west again at the next turnoff we walked along a track which led back toward the campground north of Mount Terrick Terrick, Red Rumped Parrot and Brown Treecreepers were prolific here but we also came across a small party of Black-chinned Honeyeater.

The following morning PJ awoke early to record the dawn chorus and managed a very nice recording of the Gilbert’s Whistler. While eating breakfast a Rufous whistler was calling from a nearby tree and a little later we were able to find the Gilberts Whistler again by its distinct call. Afterwards a Wedge-tailed Eagle soared overhead being chased by an Australian Raven.

Later we took a drive to the grassland; a little Eagle was flying overhead and Richards Pipit were on the fences by the roadside.

Pyramid Hill from Mount Terrick Terrick

The grasslands in the park are also a reliable spot to find the endangered Plains Wanderer however they can be difficult to find during the day. You may want to take a Plains Wanderer night tour to see them.

Further information on Terrick Terrick National Park can be found at these links:
Notes of Friends of Terrick Terrick

Terrick Terrick National Park

Map of Terrick Terrick National Park

Terrick Terrick Trip List

Mallacoota Walking Track

Posted November 11th, 2008 by nicole

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.