I spent four days in NW Victoria last week with Simon Starr of Firetail
Birdwatching Tours - 16-19 November 2009. The good numbers of spring
migrants continues. We travelled from Pyramid
Hill-Beauchamp-Goschen-Bronzewing FFR-Timberoo-Murray Sunset
NP-Hattah-Kulkyne NP-Wyperfeld NP and back. We bush camped in the southern
Murray-Sunset NP in an area of old growth mallee near a dam. Not having
visited the area much, the trip was amazing. Simon Starr is highly
knowledgable, personable and an excellent birder - highly recommended. With
his local knowledge, no doubt I saw birds that would be virtually impossible
to find by myself.
We found most of the specialities of the region. Here are the trip
highlights:
*Inland Dotterel*
A pair in the Beauchamp district. Probably the highlight of the trip.
*
Orange Chat*
At several locations including Beauchamp district, Lake Tyrell and southern
Hattah-Kulkyne NP.
*Crimson Chat*
Half a dozen at Goschen Bushland Reserve.
*Black Honeyeater*
Goschen Bushland Reserve.
*Pied Honeyeater*
Roadside emu-bushes - Patchewollock district. Probably at other emu-bush
roadside areas in NW VIC - we did not stop search for them at other
localities.
*Cockatiel*
Widespread.
*Budgerigar*
Goschen Bushland Reserve. A memorable mixed feeding flock of Spring migrants
- Budgies, Crimson Chats, White-browed Woodswallows and Masked Woodswallows.
*Blue Bonnet*
Widespread along treed roadsides, Goschen Bushland Reserve, Murray Sunset
NP, Pink Lakes,
*Regent Parrot*
Widespread in small parties of 6-10. Roadsides, mallee.
*Rufous Fieldwren*
Lake Tyrell.
*Chestnut Quail-thrush*
A pair at Bronzewing FFR and one male at Pink Lakes.
*
Shy Heathwren*
Bronewing FFR, Murray Sunset NP, Wyperfeld NP.
*Black Falcon*
One bird Walpeup district. Finally caght up with my most long-standing bogey
bird :)
*Australian Owlet Nightjar*
Many calling at night in the southern Murray Sunset NP, one seen at dusk.
One bird flushed in daylight at Hattah-Kulkyne NP giving great views.
*Spotted Nightjar*
One bird came in siliently to drink at a dam in the southern Murray Sunset
NP giving brief views. None were heard calling.
*Red-lored Whistler*
One - frustratingly brief views, southern Murray Sunset NP. Diagnostic call
and colour of underparts noted. Face not seen.
*Striated Grasswren*
A pair at Pink Lakes. The male sat up on a low branch and sang for several
minutes. Magical.
*Striped Honeyeater*
Three, northern Wyperfeld NP.
*White-browed Treecreeper*
Two, northern Wyperfeld NP.
*Australian Pratincole*
Four, Pyramid Hill district.
Mark Bennett
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