Plenty Valley Birding..

["Michael Ramsey" <>]

Hi all,

 

I have just spent a pleasant morning in the Plenty Valley, just north of Melbourne, at Yan Yean and Toorourong Reservoir Parks.

 

Yan Yean was alive with birds, particularly with returning spring migrants. Horsfield's and Shining-Bronze Cuckoos, along with a Fan-tailed Cuckoo were recorded. Small flocks of Yellow-faced and White-naped Honeyeaters were seen. The 20-30 Great Crested Grebes that seem to resident in the reservoir during Spring and Summer were back. A Nankeen Night Heron was found roosting in a large pine tree. The wetlands below the reservoir wall were full (first time this year) where Black Duck and Chestnut Teal were seen with ducklings, a pair of Australasian Shoveler were also in here. Raptors were hard to find with only 1 Wedge-tailed eagle soaring overhead and the resident White-bellied Sea-eagles not showing themselves. This is possibly the closest place to Melbourne where this species can be seen, any thoughts? 74 species seen in 2 hours.

 

Toorourong was a little quieter than Yan Yean. A pair of Shleducks and Swans had young on the dam and a pair of Musk Duck were feeding close to the dam wall. Plenty of Crimson Rosellas were feeding in the park grounds. Corellas, both Little and Long-billed were seen and occur in moderate numbers in this area. I am not sure of their provenance but I have heard they could have originated from avairy escapes, does anyone know? Spring migrants had also made a return here too with Yellow-faced Honeyeaters calling vigourously and Dusky Woodswallows overhead.

41 species here in 1 1/2 hours.

 

These parks are easily accessible from Melbourne along Plenty Road and always have a wide variety of species. Birdos in Melbourne should consider the drive.

 

Michael Ramsey, Whittlesea.

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