Little Desert Lodge and National Park, Victoria. En route to the
Flinders Ranges from Melbourne – two nights and one leisurely day.
Peter & Pat Thomson, Peter & Barbara Taylor. August 10th 2007.
The weather was very cold with light rain and fairly constant winds
of moderate intensity – unpleasant for birders and presumably the
birds. There had been moderate autumn and early winter rain but much
more rain is now needed to signal a return to more normal seasonal
conditions after many years of drought.
Bird numbers appear to be low but this could have been influenced by
the cold windy weather and the reduced enthusiasm of we four birders.
A few early wildflowers, but almost no banksias or eucalypts in
flower. Many of the shrubs in the revegetation area covered in buds.
Only a few flies and insects present. Very many bandicoot scratchings
in the area enclosed by the vermin-proof fence. Echidnas have
breached the perimeter fence by digging under the netting base.
Dipped out on Shy Heathwren, Southern Scrub-Robin and Painted Button-
Quail, which had all been seen recently in the revegetation area near
Whimpey’s dam. Diamond Firetail and Hooded Robin, Darter and Scarlet
Robin readily seen close to the Lodge. A few New Holland, White-
Naped, and White-Eared Honeyeaters and the occasional Jacky Winter,
Golden Whistler, Brown Tree-creeper, Buff-rumped Thorn Bill, Black-
faced Cuckoo-shrike and Hobby were seen along the nearby and more
sheltered Keith Hateley Nature walk, the Kiata Campground (no
campers) and along the start of the Salt Lake track. Moderate numbers
of the usual parrots along local roadsides.
Given the prevailing seasonal conditions our visit was probably a few
weeks too early. If there is more rain in the next few weeks a visit
in the spring should be very rewarding.
It was great to see the educational activities in full swing at the
Lodge with a large group of year 11 students and teachers in
residence for the weekend under the expert guidance of Whimpey. The
new motel type accommodation was very comfortable with the shared
self-catering facilities and the dining room giving many
opportunities for interaction with other visitors. An ideal set-up
for those of us who now find camping rather too arduous, but still
enjoy the peace and quiet of the bush.
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