Hi all,
Let there be life!!!! MARGE THE RAINS ARE ERE!!!
This weekend l made a trip up to Chiltern - Mt Pilot National Park north
eastern Victoria where they have received some good rains over the past week
(50mm or more). It was good to see all of those dying trees and shrubs
springing back to life, and all of the dams full of water (Cyanide dam 2/3
full). I had an excellent day birding with sightings of two Regent Honeyeaters
vigorously defending a number of Ironbarks in flower (hopefully they will start
breeding in this area soon). I watched the birds for about one hour feeding on
the flowering eucalypts, occasionally giving there distinctive call.
The rest of the day was just as exciting with sightings of three Hooded Robins
(one female, one immature male and one adult male). The adult male was a
magnificent male bird, glowing in the afternoon sun trying hard to devour a 5
inch worm.
A group of five Grey-crowned Babblers in their usual spot north east of the
Park.
Three Turquoise Parrots flying overhead (Donchi Hill) and a couple of birds
feeding on the side of the road (Chiltern - Rutherglen Road) on the introduced
Poa annua, (Beautiful birds).
At least three likely to be more Black-chinned Honeyeaters calling loudly near
Battery Hill Road. I also kept an eye out for Barking Owls in their usual spot
without success.
For those who love chocolate, Chiltern - Mt Pilot National Park will be the
place to visit in spring, as 95% of the understorey is covered in Chocolate
Lilies and other wildflowers, which will look spectacular when in flower in the
next couple month or so. The entire countryside, including the Park has
certainly gone through a transformation after some decent rain, and is no doubt
similar to many other area throughout central and northern Victoria.
Consistent with observations made in the north of the state (Pyramid Hill,
Terrick Terrick National Park) by Simon Starr.
After the trip to Chiltern l briefly stopped off to Killawara State Park.
Unfortunately it was pretty quite for birds but l was lucky enough to see a
small flock (nine birds) of Diamond Firetails feeding on poa annua on the side
of the road with Red-browed Firetails and European Goldfinches.
All in all a great day birding (one national and five state significant birds),
which l would recommend these spots to anyone considering a trip up the north
east.
On another note not for those who live in areas that have received recent rains
it is a good opportunity to spend an hour or two after dark listening for frogs
in areas that have been inundated. People should particularly listen out for
the elusive Common Spadefoot Toad Neobatrachus sudelli or the Mallee Spadefoot
Toad Neobatrachus pictus as these species, like many other frogs are responsive
to periods of rain. I spent Friday and Saturday night racing around Wangaratta
(north eastern Vic) in the car stopping on the side of the road and listening
for frogs and managed to get some great records (will enter them in the Atlas
of Victorian Wildlife). During the day a number of wetland birds (White
necked, White-faced Herons) were observed at these sites, presumably feasting
on the plethora of frogs, tadpoles and aquatic invertebrates.
Anyway happy birding and froging.
Cheers
PS: Great to here all the news with the confirmed OBP sighting in NSW!!
Species list
Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata
Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes
Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus
Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles
Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca
Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis
Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes
White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica
Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata
Black Swan Cygnus atratus
Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus
Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris
Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides
Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita
Galah Cacatua roseicapilla
Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans
Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus
Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella
Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae
Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis
Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena
Fairy Martin Hirundo ariel
Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa
Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys
Scarlet Robin Petroica multicolor
Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea
Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata
Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis
Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis
Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica
Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca
Crested Shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatus
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis
Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis
White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus
Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris
Striated Thornbill Acanthiza lineata
Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla
Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus
Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus
Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus
White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaeus
Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum
Spotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus
Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis
Brown-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris
Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops
White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus
Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata
Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata
Red-browed Finch Neochmia temporalis
White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos
Pied Currawong Strepera graculina
Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen
Little Raven Corvus mellori
Common Blackbird Turdus merula
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor
Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus
Red Fox Canis vulpes
Spotted Marsh Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis
Common Spadefoot Toad Neobatrachus sudelli
Plains Froglet Crinia parinsignifera
Common Froglet Crinia signifera
Sloane's Froglet Crinia sloanei
___________________________________
Aaron Organ
Zoologist
mobile: 0429 792 906
Biosis Research Pty. Ltd.
Natural and Cultural Heritage Consultants
322 Bay Street (PO Box 489)
Port Melbourne, Vic 3207
ph: (03) 9646 9499
fax: (03) 9646 9242
___________________________________
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