Hi,
about 10 days ago I spent 4 days in Tasmania and managed it to see all the
endemics.
I arrived in Devonport by ferry and saw the first one within minutes after
arrival: a Green Rosella. I then headed off to Cradle Mountains. On my way I
saw a few ponds in the so called "Tasmanian Arboretrum". This is about 20 km
from Devonport. I stopped because I thought there should be Tasmanian Native
Hens around and indeed I saw dozens there. Astonishingly, the Tasmanian
Arboretrum proved to be an excellent spot! Here I saw several Dusky Robins,
Strong-billed and Black-headed Honeyeater.
Around the Visitor Centre in Cradle Mountain NP it is impossible to miss the
Black Currawong. In a small patch of forrest a few metres down the Bordwalk
at the visitor center I got good views of Tasmanian Scrubwrens, Pink Robins,
Crecent Honeyeater, Yellow Wattlebird and Tasmanian Thornbill.
From Cradle Mountains I drove to the east cost and stayed the night at
Bicheno. Here I saw my first Yellow-throated Honeyeater on the trip. So
without too much effort I have had already seen 10 endemics within a few
hours!
That evening I went to the beach in Bicheno to see the Little Penguins
returning to their borrows. Here I also saw 2 Hooded Plover. Having seen the
Penguins being stopped several times on their way by some tourists, being
scared off by flashlights and pushed back to the sea I am really wondering
how they can cope with this kind of pressure every day. One group needed 3
attempts to finally reach the grassy area behind the beach! Running about 30
metres across the beach 3 times back and forth must be quite stressful for
these little birds.
The next day I travelled on to Hobart. On my way along the coast I saw several
troops of Black-faced Cormorants which was also a new species for me. In
Hobart I directly went to the Peter Murrell Reserve. It was quite windy and I
was not able to find the Forty-spotted Pardalote although I saw the two other
Pardalotes. In addition I saw Black-headed, Strong-billed, Yellow-throated
Honeyeater as well as Yellow Wattlebird here. After a while I decided to
drive to Fern Tree and give the other missing species, the Scrubtit, a
chance. However, that evening I only saw dozens of Tasmanian Scrubwren and a
single Bassian Thrush along the Fern Glade track.
The next morning I returned to the Peter Murrell Reserve. This time I was more
successful and got excellent views of two Forty-spotted only about 3 metres
up in a small tree. I found them not directly at the pond but a few metres up
the hill. I do not know if they prefer this area but it might be worth to
describe that place: Just follow the track which leads from the car park
upwards, turn left at the first junction (fire trail). After a few metres you
cross a little gully. Here I saw the 2 Forty-spotted.
I then tried again the Fern Glade Track. After walking up the track for about
2 km I found 2 Scrubtits which was the last endemic I was looking for. Here I
also saw Pink Robins, Tas. Scrubwren and Tas. Thornbill.
The last day I spent at Lake St. Clair which has had lots of Black Currawongs
and also Tas. Scrubwren and Thornbill.
In retrospective it was very easy to find most of the endemics except of the
Forty-spotted and the Scrubtit.
I would like to thank again everybody who has replied to my request,
Jesko
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