FYI. The following article appeared in VicBabbler (2003), the journal
of Birds Australia (Victoria). You may have already seen it this Vin.
Good Birding Spots ? Goschen and Tresco West Bushland Reserves
Tim Dolby
Goschen Bushland Reserve and Tresco West Bushland Reserve are two small
isolated mallee reserves west of Lake Boga in northern Victoria, which
is on the Murray Valley Highway between Kerang and Swan Hill. Both of
these delightful reserves contain Berrigan or Long-leaf Emu-bush
(Eremophila longifolia), a rough barked small tree (2-6 metres) that
act as a vital food scores for some of our rare nomadic honeyeaters
such as Black Honeyeater and Pied Honeyeater.
The range and variety of birds in northern Victoria tends to fluctuate
from year to year, depending on levels of rain and the availability of
flowering plants, such as eucalypts and Emu-bush. This year the number
of inland passerines has been excellent. For example at Goschen and
Tresco there is currently an abundance of Rufous Songlark, White-winged
Triller, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater and Rainbow Bee-eater. Various
waterbirds also seems to be doing well in this year. The small lake at
Tresco for example attracts enormous flocks of hawking Whiskered Tern
and large numbers of Red-necked Avocet and Black-winged Stilt.
The bird list for these two small reserves is extensive. Some of the
species recorded at Goschen and Tresco include Black Falcon, Spotted
Harrier, Little and Painted Button-quail, Red-backed Kingfisher,
Budgerigar, Cockatiel, Blue Bonnet (race haematogaster, the southern
yellow vented form), Mulga Parrot, Variegated Fairy-wren, White-winged
Fairy-wren (at Tresco), Yellow-throated Miner, a wide variety of
honeyeater, including Singing, Yellow Plumed, Striped, White-fronted,
Pied and Black Honeyeater, Crimson and Orange Chat, Hooded and Red-
capped Robin, all of the Victorian woodswallow, including Masked, Black-
faced, White-breasted, White-browed and Dusky Woodswallow, Zebra Finch,
and Pied Butcherbird. Other birds recorded in the area include
Australian Bustard, Southern Stone-curlew, Australian Pratincole, and
Gull-billed Tern. At the Lake Tutchewop White-winged Fairy-wren and
Rufous Fieldwren can be seen.
If you planning to go to either of these reserves please remember that
when visiting any areas of mallee you should always tread carefully!
Mallee is an extremely fragile eco-system and easily disturbed, which
can have a dramatic effect on indigenous flora and fauna.
How to get there?
Lake Boga is 320 Kilometres from Melbourne via the Murray Valley
Highways. Goschen Bushland Reserve is 10 kilometres west of Lake Boga,
on the sealed road to Ultima. Turn right into the reserve and park near
the old hall with a tennis court beside it. Tresco West Bushland
Reserve is approximately 3 kilometres west of Lake Boga on the road to
the tip, and bordering the Lake Boga golf course. Please note that the
roads in this area can be confusing. If in doubt ask a one of the local
residents.
Where to stay
There is a Caravan Park at Lake Boga. There are also caravan parks and
camping grounds at Swan Hill and Kerang and limited camping at Lake
Kangaroo.
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