Melbourne birding

Hi Dick,
 

Some notes on where to find your target
species:

Fairy Tern - Not an easy Tern to track down...i
haven't seen one personally in probably 4-5 months. Check the western coastline
of Port Philip Bay - in particularly Williamstown shoreline, Altona, Pt
Kirk (WTP) or then further around on the Bellerine Peninsula at Pt Edwards.
 

Blue-winged Parrot   - One reliable
spot of BWP at the moment is the Airey's Inlet Reuse Dam, behind Airey's
Inlet. With an open ear you'll definently hear their tinkling in the area.
Another good spot for them is behined Anglesea on the Anglesea River. The
third good spot, is on the Bald hills in the Anglesea Heath. On Salt Creek
rd , near the Salt creek i saw one very close.  Near here is also
good for southern emu wrens and chestnut rumped hylacolas. 

Green Finch      - Pretty
common around geelong at the right spots. Places to try include Belmont
Common and  Pt Henry.

Tree Sparrow  - Queenscliffe is the
prime spot to see Tree Sparrows, just drive along the channel where all
the ships are, and look in the gardens along the road. Another good spot
is Bachuss Marsh, but that a bit out of the way.

Song Thrush  - Suppose
to be common in the household gardens around Newtown and Shilwell in Geelong.
 Try looking  behind the cafes at  the southern end of Pakington
street. 

Rufous Bristlebird - Despite what you
may have heard about the Point Addis Carpark, and Airey's Inlet lighthouse
walk being the best spots, i've always found it hard to see them here,
and you have to be lucky - both with weather, tima and people.  But
by all means still have a search at both places....they are worth it for
the views!  But to be almost guaranteed a sighting, go down Hopkins
Street (small street to the right, just before entering Airey's Inlet.
Follow this road to the coastline, and then turn right. This road runs
along the coastal heath, and there is a couple of walking paths into the
heath, demarked by pine posts. When you hit the second lot of pine post,
park on the side of the road, and walk into the heath along the path.  I
often drive along this road with my window down and hear them calling within
the heath.  Some even sit up on exposed branches to sing.    


Contact me for more info or more detailed directions.

Peter 
  
  


Hi All Southerners 
 
I am heading south in March and will have
an afternoon and a morning in Melbourne on route to Tasmania. I have never
birded around Melbourne before and am hoping to catch up with a few species
I haven't seen before. Also if anybody is going to Werribee on the Monday
afternoon , March 15th or Tuesday morning of the 16th and wouldn't mind
a hanger on please let me know.
 
The main plan will be to see Rufous Bristlebird
, probably at Point Addis or Airey's Inlet as recently mentioned by Russell
Woodford. The other birds on my list include three introduced species and
some which may also be seen in Tasmania so not necessary to chase all over
the place as I would like to see Werribee as well if possible.
 
Fairy Tern - likely in Tassie as well
Blue-winged Parrot   ditto but also
while looking for RBB
Green Finch       ditto
Tree Sparrow
Song Thrush  
 
If anyone can help please e-mail me privately.
I will have a hire car but being a country boy hope to avoid the big smoke
traffic! 
 
Thanks in advance
 
Dick Jenkin
DUNGOG NSW Outgoing
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