Camp-out at Merimbula 16-18 March 2007, Leader: Alan Morris.
20 adults and 2 young children made up the group that ventured to the
Sapphire Coast Caravan Park, Merimbula for our autumn weekend camp. We had
warm sunny days and rain over-night on two occasions and prior to out visit
there had been plenty of rain so that the area was lush green and many
wetlands were filling up. The camp was held at the same time as BIGnet was
being organised by the South Coast Birdwatchers Group at nearby Manna Park
Resort. Barbara Jones from the SCBW had organised for our members to receive
all the appropriate pamphlets and Bird Route Guides to ensure our Camp was a
success. Our first stop for the trip was at Pamboola Wetlands at Pambula. A
community run wetland and flood plain reserve, which provides walking trails
to explore the many wetlands and natural area re-vegetation and tree
plantation sites. Kestrels and Black-shouldered Kites were soon found,
Needle-tails swooped overhead and Black Ducks and Chestnut Teal were the
common ducks. Next stop was Eden Wharf where Pacific Gulls patrolled the
fishing fleet, Black-faced Cormorants were busy passing to and fro, and a
Reef Egret was roosting on the breakwall. From here we were off to Green
Cape Light House in Ben Boyd National Park. Unfortunately as were arriving
at the Cape a rainsquall was arriving too and eventually we were forced to
leave. Pity because we were starting to see a few interesting birds
including a pair of Pacific Gulls, a Pomerine Jaeger, Australian Gannets,
Sea-eagles, plenty of Short-tailed Shearwaters and a Shy Albatross. After
lunch when the rain stopped we spent some time on the nearby coastal heaths
hoping to sea Ground Parrot and or a Striated Fieldwren, but we did not see
those target birds but we managed to find Emu-wrens and Tawny-crowned
Honeyeaters. A visit to Saltwater Creek produced a pair of Hooded Plover and
a pair of Double-banded Plover on the beach, Sooty Oystercatcher, Wonga
Pigeon, Sittellas & Satin Bowerbirds in the car-park area, 4 people saw a
White-cheeked Honeyeater, and Lyrebirds on the way out.
On Saturday morning we headed for Kalaru and completed Bird Route No2 along
the Wallagoot Lane that takes you past Jellat Jellat Swamp. There were
plenty of birds to see, including 4 Australian Shelducks, many Whistling
Kites, a male Musk Duck, White-necked Herons & Great Egrets, Cattle Egrets
and Straw-necked Ibis. In the adjoining fields were Brown Falcon, Swamp
Harrier, Kestrel and at least 3 prs of Sea-Eagles, while bush birds were
good along the road including Scarlet & Yellow Robins, Jacky Winter &
Cicada-birds, Golden & Rufous Whistlers, a White-winged Triller and Orioles.
In the afternoon we visited Haycock Point and Severs Beach, in Ben Boyd NP
where more Emu-wrens were found, an Arctic Jaeger was located and there were
more Double-banded Plovers and a Striated Heron. That night we joined the
BIGnet members in a combined BBQ at the Manna Park Resort.
Sunday morning saw us exploring the Mantini Resort before morning tea and
Manna Park after. Mantini Resort is the site of a research programme
investigating eucalyptus die-back possibly caused by Bellminers. Here during
the past 18 months, 1600 Bellminers have been removed and there none to be
were seen during our visit but some were heard. We had a birdlist of 36
species in little over an hour where later at Manna Park, where Bellminers
reign supreme we only had half that list! Best birds were White-headed
Pigeon, White-naped & Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Musk Lorikeet and Sittellas.
Sunday afternoon we headed for Bird Route No2 based around the lightly
timbered and rolling hills of Bemboka. Again we picked up Whistling Kite,
Kestrel and Brown Falcon, finally found a Grey Goshawk along the Bemboka
River, Double-barred Finch, Striated Pardalote, Yellow-faced Honeyeater,
Black-faced Monarch, watched Dusky Woodswallows seeing off a Collared
Sparrowhawk, Sacred Kingfisher and more White-throated Needletails. We
finished the day at Mogareeka Inlet, Tathra, where we managed to find
Eastern Curlew, Whimbrel, Royal Spoonbills, Double-banded & Red-capped
Plover, Pied Oystercatchers and Caspian Terns. Altogether we had a very
pleasant time, the Caravan Park had good facilities for happy hour and
evening meals, not to mention a fine covered-in swimming pool! We saw 136
species during our 4 nights, 3 days and everyone had a good time! Many
thanks to Barbara Jones and members of the FSCBG for their assistance.
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