Hi everyone,
I visited Mt. Korong ( this is different to the nearby Mt Kerang ) in central
Victoria today. Having lived in the region for 15 years, and driven past this
granite outcrop too many times to mention, remarkably this is the first time
I've spent a decent amount of time there. I realise how lucky I am with so
many great birding areas on my doorstep that I still haven't checked them all
out.
Its not a site I have heard much mention of before so thought I'd share the
experience.
It is situated just north of the Calder Highway between Inglewood and
Wedderburn, and is the most impressive of the many granite outcrops around (
almost a mountain ),
however nearly all of the box woodlands around it's base have been cleared for
agriculture. Amongst the large expanse of granite boulders is a mix of acacia
shrublands and scattered eucalypts, many of which are very old, hence plenty of
hollows and Cockatoos. Nice and green at the moment, a perfect early spring day
and many wattles in full bloom. Best access is from the Wedderburn-Serpentine
road where the Major Mitchell trail sign is. The picnic area is signed to the
right, this track does a loop right around the whole reserve, my 2WD would only
go in this anti-clockwise direction to get back to where you've started as
there is a very steep section once you are nearly back which I could only
tackle in a descent.
Once you get up a little higher in the rocky scrub the landscape is very
scenic, though bird diversity is a bit limited ( I'm sure losing much of its
woodlands has something to do with it). The birdlife is almost identical to
"The Granites, Mt Egbert " a little to the north. Common and widespread are
White-browed Babblers, Brown Treecreepers, Southern Whiteface, Spiny-cheeked
Honeyeaters, Cockatoos etc. Also widespread are the scarcer Gilberts
Whistlers, Diamond Firetails and Hooded Robins.
Due to the time of year I bumped into 3 sp of Cuckoo, Horsfields, Shining
Bronze and Pallid. Other Honeyeaters included New Holland and Singing. As
expected a Wedgie was circling.
In some spots there is a lot of mistletoe on the Deane's Wattles. Nearby
Mt.Egbert is a regular site for Painted Honeyeater, I see no reason why Mt
Korong shouldn't have them too, late spring into mid summer seems best for this
particular species of mistletoe to be fruiting ( its flowering now ) .
At some point in recent times there has been an extensive fire, and this has
encouraged a thick regrowth of Deane's Wattle, much more than on other nearby
hills. Much of this regrowth is still fairly short.
Bee-eaters should return soon and I guess it will be a good site for
Woodswallows too.
It was worth driving right around to the north side of the highest rocks, a
great feeling of isolation and some of the nicest habitat.
I'll definately be going back for more !!
Regards,
Simon Starr.
==============================www.birding-aus.org
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