Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park
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.