Gellibrand Hill (Woodlands Historic Park)..

["Michael Ramsey" <>]

Hi all,

 

I spent a great morning today (14/2/05) around Gellibrand Hill in Woodlands Historic Park. The park is in the north of Melbourne, adjacent to the airport.

 

The best sighting for the day was approximately 250 Fork-tailed Swifts, birders in Melbourne keep your eyes out for them. They were over the hill and circling in thermals near the airport. A variety of birds of prey was also seen. Pairs of Whistling Kites, Brown Goshawk, Little Eagle (one dark morph) and Brown Falcons were seen in the thermals with the Fork-tailed Swifts. A Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite and Collared Sparrowhawk were also seen. The Brown Falcons and Goshawks seemed to be catching dragonflies mid-air and feeding on them.

 

In the bushland Purple-crowned Lorikeets were heard while Eastern and Crimson Rosellas were seen. A late Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo was observed as well as a small flock of Weebills.

 

On the way home at Yuroke, north of the park more Fork-tailed Swifts were seen along with a Black Kite. A great morning for birds.

 

Michael Ramsey, Whittlesea, Victoria.

 

Bird List Below: 53 Species:

 

Australian Wood Duck

White-faced Heron

Australian White Ibis

Black-shouldered Kite

Black Kite

Whistling Kite

Little Eagle

Collared Sparrowhawk

Brown Goshawk

Brown Falcon

Nankeen Kestrel

Rock Dove

Spotted Turtle-dove

Crested Pigeon

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Long-billed Corella

Galah

Purple-crowned Lorikeet

Crimson Rosella

Eastern Rosella

Red-rumped Parrot

Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo

Fork-tailed Swift

Laughing Kookaburra

Superb Fairy-wren

Straited Pardalote

Spotted Pardalote

Weebill

Brown Thornbill

Yellow-rumped Thornbill

Yellow Thornbill

Red Wattlebird

Little Wattlebird

White-plumed Honeyeater

Brown-headed Honeyeater

Varied Sittella

Rufous Whistler

Willie Wagtail

Grey Fantail

Magpie-lark

Little Raven

Australian Magpie

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Tree Martin

Welcome Swallow

House Sparrow

European Goldfinch

European Greenfinch

Red-browed Finch

Silvereye

Common Blackbird

Common Myna

Common Starling

 

 

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