On the weekend just past (16-17 Feb), my partner and I visited the Marlo
area in Gippsland, Victoria. One of my excuses to go there was to look for
the Ringed Plover at the Snowy River mouth, initially spotted by Richard
Alcorn a couple of weeks ago, then seen by Mike Carter, Geoff Walker and
probably some others. I also had been hanging-out for a bit of
bush-birding - something I've done very little of since moving to the city,
and something I really have missed.
After arriving at Marlo at around lunchtime, the tide was in at the river
mouth so we decided to travel east along the Marlo-Cape Conran Road and
check-out some bush sites. Believe me, this was the best decision we made
all weekend! We had limited time to spend birding. We had come without
camping gear expecting to pick up a cheap cabin or van for the night, but
the place was surprisingly booked out, so we ended-up staying in Lakes
Entrance overnight. Anyway, back to the birds.
The first spot we stopped at was on the Conran - Cabbage Tree Road, just a
couple of hundred metres north of the Conran Road. The habitat was low
dense heathland on one side of the road (and as I later found-out, quite
wet in places!), and low open banksia-eucalypt woodland on the other side.
I was specifically looking for Southern Emu-wren at this spot - a species I
had yet to see. After just 10 minutes walking through the heath, I saw
three groups of them, males and females, calling, perching and flying
between bushes. Just magic. As I was heading back to the car, I also
caught a glimpse of my first ever Beautiful Firetail. How excited do you
think I was? I tracked the bird down and found a small group, obtaining
great views from just metres away. They are a very aptly named species.
And whilst watching thse delightful little beasts, I heard the unmistakable
'guinea-a-week' call of Pilotbird ringing from the thicker scrub 100 metres
away!! Could it get any better than this? After stalking the Pilotbird for
10 minutes without success, we produced the tape, gave a short blast and
got instant results - two birds perching on a stick 10 metres in front of
us. My third lifer in an hour! Walking around this area, we also spotted
Scarlet and Eastern Yellow Robin, Eastern Whipbird, Yellow-faced and
numerous New Holland Honeyeaters, lots of Bell Miners, YTB Cockatoos, Gang
Gangs, Golden Whistler, White-browed Scrubwren and lots of other species.
A great spot that we reluctantly left, but as things turned-out, so glad we
did!
Our second stop was on the gravel road leading to Burbang Caravan Park, off
the Cape Conran Road. The woodland here was just amazing. Huge Old-man
Banksia (Banksia serrata) and lovely White Stringybark (Eualyptus
globoidea) - both species flowering. The sound of lorikeets and
wattlebirds was just fantastic. I was watching Musk, Little and Rainbow
Lorikeets, and countless New Holland HE and Little Wattlebird, when my ears
pricked to a very familiar 'chip-chip' from a nearby Banksia. As I turned,
two Swift Parrots were clambering around the flowers of the banksia. I
found about 4 more in the nearby area, some feeding on blossom of the
Stringybark, some just perching. I was pleasantly surprised by this,
swifties obviously now returning to the mainland from their Tasmanian
breeding grounds. After watching them for a while, I continued along the
trail to see the Gang Gangs that had been calling for a bit. Got great
views of a small family party. Whilst watching those I noticed 90-100
White-throated Needletails crusing the skies above, some very high, some 50
metres or so up. Walking back to the car, I passed through some
spectacular banksia woodland with Grass-trees covering the ground.
Stopping to watch a Red-browed Finch and WB Scrubwrens, I saw a female
Scarlet Honeyeater in the banksias - a Vic. tick! Continuing on, almost
back at the car, I looked up after hearing alarm calls and gliding over the
road was a Square-tailed Kite. Another great spot that we knew we must
come back to again sometime, but we still had to check-out the beach site
for Ringed Plover!
The third stop was Mots Beach - Ringed Plover site. We waded out through
the backwater (only waist deep on the receding tide) to the long sand spit.
Following the very clear directions kindly given to me by Geoff Walker, we
found the area without a problem. Saw lots of Little Terns, some young
ones, and lots of Crested Terns, Caspians and Pacific Gulls. We neared the
end of the spit and had seen 6 Hooded Plovers, lots of Red-caps, lots of
Red-necked Stints, one Sanderling, a Ruddy Turnstone, a few Pied Oycs. and
two Double-banded Plovers. However, right at the very furthest tip of the
spit, we saw the Ringed Plover, feeding with stints and Red-caps. Mission
accomplished! Heading back along the beach, we watched a beautiful
White-breasted Sea-Eagle fly right over our heads.
This area is truly amazing for birding, but I was just as much blown-away
by the vegetation. I will certainly be returning as soon as I get a chance.
Happy birding.
Chris
Chris Tzaros
Co-ordinator, Threatened Bird Network
Birds Australia (Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union)
National Office
415 Riversdale Rd
Hawthorn East, Vic., 3123
Ph: 03-9882-2622
Fax: 03-9882-2677
Email:
Website address: http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au
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