Lumby's Bend, Murray River 11-12/06/05

["Michael Ramsey" <>]

Hi all,

 

I spent a great weekend camping and birding at Lumby's Bend which is along the Murray River between Wahgunyah and Bundalong in Victoria. Over 60 species were observed along the river including winter feeding flocks of Flame Robins, Spotted and Striated Pardalotes, Superb Fairy-wrens, White-browed Scrubwrens, Thornbills and Grey Fantails. More unusual sightings were an overwintering Rufous Whistler and Western Gerygone and an adult White-bellied Sea-eagle. At night three Boobook Owls were heard calling and a Tawny Frogmouth caught a mouse 3 metres from the campfire. A pair of Barn Owls were also observed giving eiree calls in the top of a River Red Gum.

 

In farmland back from the river around Brimin a pair of Brolga with an immature bird, 3/4 the size of an adult were seen foraging in a freshly ploughd paddock. Still at Brimin in a remnant patch of White Cypress-Pine woodland a pair of Red-capped Robins were observed as well as two Chestnut-rumped Thornbill and three overwintering Dusky Woodswallow. Nearby at Dugays Bridge a Pied Butcherbird and 18 Zebra Finch were also seen.Around Boorhaman North a flock of 10 Apostlebird were observed in White Cypress-pine along the roadside as well as two groups of Grey-crowned Babblers.

 

This area contains some remanant areas of Grey Box and White Cypress-pine woodland and holds a variety of species like those above which are found no where else or in few other areas in North-East Victoria. Some of the remaining woodland has been fenced off and other areas are being revegetated through the work of Trust For Nature. Hopefully this good work will continue.

 

Michael Ramsey, Broadford, Victoria.

--------------------------------------------
Birding-Aus is now on the Web at
www.birding-aus.org
--------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message 'unsubscribe
birding-aus' (no quotes, no Subject line)
to