Chiltern

[Greg Oakley <>]

Hi all,

Had an interesting day’s birding last Friday at Chiltern (NE Victoria) with Tim Dolby and Fiona Parkin.

The weather was generally cold and overcast with the occasional shower, but bird activity was fairly good in a number of locations.

The highlight was undoubtedly a pair of Barking Owl only 30 mins after dusk, with excellent extended views of one bird.

Other highlights included a single Turquoise Parrot and a Scarlet Robin at Bartley’s Block, and good views of several Black-chinned Honeyeater, a single Swift Parrot and a very early Rufous Songlark at Honeyeater Dam.
Eucalypt flowering was generally sparse and localised.

Tried unsuccessfully for Chestnut-rumped Heathwren at several locations (the undergrowth was pretty thin in most areas, but seems to be slowly recovering after many years of drought).

All up, a pretty good 80 species for the trip.

Thanks to Sean Dooley for some local info.
And, I have a trip list if anyone is interested,

Cheers,
Greg