Fairy Dell

Fairy Dell Flora Reserve contains a small section of East Gippsland warm temperate rain forest, it is home to the vulnerable Prickly Tree Fern. To get to the reserve we took the Deep Creek Road turnoff from Wiseleigh, which is near Bruthen. As we approached Fairy Dell interesting birds began appearing, a King Parrot flew over the road, Rufous Whistler, Fan-tailed cuckoo and were heard calling and a Wonga Pigeon was flushed from the side of the road. As soon as we arrived in the picnic ground we could hear Olive-backed Oriole calling and a Sacred Kingfisher was seen perched near the picnic tables.

A circular walk leads from the picnic ground, the right hand side of the path leads downwards into the rainforest, while the left hand track leads up into drier forest. In the rainforest we located Satin Bowerbird, Golden Whistler, thornbills and numerous honeyeaters. About half way around the loop track another track leads off the path, this section of the forest is thick with ferns and Lilly pillys and was alive with the who whoing calls of the Wonga Pigeon and the lovely melodius calls of numerous Golden Whistler, Scarlet Honeyeaters seemed to be every where and easily found by their clear, piercing, far reaching calls. Small parties of Brown Gerygone buzzed around foraging in the ferns.

When back in the picnic ground we heard White-throated Gerygone and saw a small flock foraging high up in the Eucalyptus. We stopped for a while to have a coffee and while sitting there a pair of Dollarbirds flew over, one perched long enough for us to have a good look.

Other interesting birds seen in the area by other observers are Cicadabird, Topknot Pigeon, Australian Koel and Rose Robin, so this area is really worth a visit. The area is thick with mosquitoes so repellant is a must.

Fairy Dell Species List