Swifties at Bailieston (Vict.)

A nice weekend away cycle-touring in the box-ironbark forests of Nagambie-Bailieston area north of Melbourne.  It was wet and cold for the first part of the weekend in central Victoria but still good for birds.

We observed little flowering going on but those trees in flower certainly had plenty of action bird-wise.  We visited a number of the old Historic (gold mining) Reserves near Bailieston.  These reserves tend to be logged and have evidence of illegal shooting and motor bike riding but we still managed to get some good woodland birds, especially in neighbouring private property blocks.

Highlights were Crested Bellbirds and Swift Parrots south of Bailieston Historic Reserve no. 2. The Swift Parrots were often found in association with lorikeets (mainly Musk and Little but also some Purple-crowned)

Some nice views of small flocks of Flame Robins on the bare paddocks and waking to the calls of frogs outside the motel window in Nagambie.

Swifties were also picked up on Northwood Road, along the eastern edge of the Puckapunyal Army Reserve yesterday.  Small groups of them were heard not far from a large group of Little Friarbirds that filled the air with their calls.

All species, localities and other details will be forwarded to Birds Australia Threatened Bird Network and the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife.

Martin O'Brien
Melbourne