Here's a bit of a rundown on the birds of Mt Arapiles.
Firstly it's great place to see Peregrine, which nests in the areas. It's a bit
like Mt Zero in the Grampians. Fantastic sheer rocky faces facing east (which
is why it's popular with rock climbers) with Peregrine's doing what Peregrine's
do best. Hunting.
Apart from the rocky areas, there are basically 2 main places to go birding:
1. In the SURROUNDING dry eucalypt woodland and heathland you can expect to see
Common Bronzewing and Peaceful Dove. Parrots include Musk Lorikeet,
Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Crimson Rosella, Eastern
Rosella and Red-rumped Parrot. Tree Martin, Sacred Kingfisher and Rainbow
Bee-eater may be starting to arrive. Both Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike are present. Rufous Songlark in the fringe areas.
Restless Flycatcher, Jacky Winter, Scarlet Robin, Flame Robin, and Hooded Robin
are all present, while surprisingly Red-capped isn't there or is very rare.
Gilbert's Whistler is moderately common, as are Golden Whistler and Rufous
Whistler is common. White-browed Babbler is common.
It is also one of the only places in Victoria where you can record both
Chestnut-rumped Heathwren and Shy Heathwren together (or nearby in the TOOAN
block). Thornbills are Buff-rumped, Brown, Yellow-rumped, Chestnut-rumped,
Yellow, and Striated. Also Weebill and Southern Whiteface and both
White-throated and Brown Treecreeper.
Honeyeaters include Yellow-faced (common), Singing (uncommon), White-eared
(common), Yellow-plumed Honeyeater (rare), White-plumed (common), White-naped
(rare), Black-chinned (mod common to uncommon) Brown-headed (common), New
Holland Honeyeater (very common), White-fronted (mod common) Tawny-crowned
(uncommon), Spiny-cheeked (common), and Red Wattlebird (common). Look out for
White-browed and Dusky Woodswallow, the black winged ssp of the Grey Currawong
and Diamond Firetail.
2. In the TOOAN block of the Mt Arapiles-Tooan State Park the birds are
somewhat different. This area is dominated by Brown Stringybark heathland with
Yellow Gum, Buloke flats, and mallee scrub. Access from the east from St Mary's
Lake, from the south from the Wimmera Highway and from the north from the
Duffholme Road. Here you can add to you list Emu, Southern Scrub-robin, Shy
Heathwren, black-caped ssp of the Varied Sittella and Yellow-tufted Honeyeater.
Good luck, and really interested to hear what you see.
Cheers,
Tim Dolby
-----Original Message-----
From: on behalf of Bert Harris
Sent: Wed 03/09/2008 16:47
To:
Subject: RFI-Mt Arapiles
Dear all,
I am heading to Mt Arapiles St park (Vic) this weekend for a climbing/birding
trip. Has anyone visited the park recently? Did you see any interesting
birds? Please reply off-list.
Thanks!
Bert Harris, Adelaide
==============================www.birding-aus.org
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