This page contains a report on outings of the Echuca and District Branch of the bird Observers Club of Australia. It can be assumed that birds like Galah, Magpie, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Superb Blue Wren, Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike, Starling, House Sparrow, Crimson Rosella (yellow form), Red-rumped Parrot, Wood Duck, Kookaburra, Long-billed Corella, Grey Shrike Thrush, Black Duck, Maned Duck, White-plumed Honeyeater, Red Wattle Bird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Welcome Swallow, Australian Raven, Little Raven, Brown Treecreeper, White-throated Treecreeper, Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon), Crested Pigeon, Magpie Lark, House Sarrow, Blackbird and Willie Wagtail were observed on most or all outings. Hence they are probably not listed.

Reports on outings are included in branch newsletters.

 

 

List of birds which have been observed in northern Victoria and/or southern Riverina
Emu
Stubble Quail
Brown Quail
Magpie Goose
Plumed Whistling Duck
Blue-billed Duck
Musk Duck
Black Swan
Aust. Shelduck
Australian Wood Duck (common)
Mallard
Pacific Black Duck (common)
Australasian Shoveller
Grey Teal
Chestnut Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Hoary-headed Grebe
Great-crested Grebe
Australian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Pelican
White-faced Heron
White-necked Heron
Little Egret (locally uncommon)
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
Cattle Egret
Nankeen Night Heron
Glossy Ibis
White (Sacred) Ibis (common)
Straw-necked Ibis (Common)
Royal Spoonbill
Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Black-shouldered Kite
Black Kite Whistling Kite
White-bellied Sea Eagle
Spotted Harrier (uncommon)
Swamp Harrier
Brown Goshawk
Grey Goshawk
Collared Sparrowhawk
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Little Eagle
Brown Falcon
Australian Hobby
Peregrine Falcon
Nankeen Kestrel
Brolga
Buff-banded Rail
Aust. Spotted Crake
Baillons Crake
Purple Swamphen (common)
Dusky Moorhen
Black-tailed Native Hen
Eurasian Coot (common)
Little Button-quail
Painted Button-quail
Australian Painted Snipe (endangered, uncommon)
Latham's Snipe
Common Greenshank
Common Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone (usually uncommon)
Sanderling (usually uncommon)
Red-necked Stint
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Curlew Sandpiper
Bush Stone-curlew (locally uncommon)
Black-winged Stilt
Banded Stilt
Red-necked Avocet
Red Knot (very uncommon)
Grey Plover (uncommon)
Red-capped Plover
Double-banded Plover
Black-fronted Dotterel
Red-kneed Dotterel
Banded Lapwing (rarely seen now)
Masked Lapwing (common)
Australian Pratincole
Silver Gull (locally uncommon)
Caspian Tern
Crested Tern
Common Tern
Whiskered Tern
Rock (Feral) Dove
Spotted Turtle Dove
Common Bronzewing
Crested Pigeon (common)
Diamond Dove (locally uncommon)
Peaceful Dove
Galah (common)
Long-billed Corella (common)
Little Corella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (common)
Gang Gang Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (south of region)
Musk Lorikeet
Little Lorikeet
Purple-crowned Lorikeet
King Parrot (east of region only)
Regent Parrot (north-west of region)
Crimson Rosella (yellow form)(common)
Crimson Rosella (Crimson form)
Eastern Rosella
Australian (Mallee) Ringneck
Blue Bonnet (north of region)
Red-rumped Parrot
Budgerigar
Blue-winged Parrot (locally uncommon)
Superb Parrot
Cockatiel
Pallid Cuckoo
Brush Cuckoo
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Black-eared Cuckoo
Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo
Shining Bronze Cuckoo
Barking Owl (endangered)
Southern Boobook
Barn Owl
Tawny Frogmouth
Spotted Nightjar (locally uncommon)
Aust. Owlet-nightjar (locally uncommon)
White-throated Needletail
Fork-tailed Swift
Azure Kingfisher
Sacred Kingfisher
Laughing Kookaburra (common)
Rainbow Bee-eater
Dollarbird
White-th'ted Tree-creeper (common)
Brown Tree-creeper
Superb Fairy-wren (common)
Splendid Fairy-wren
Variegated Fairy-wren (north-west of region)
White-winged Fairy-wren
Southern Emu-wren
Spotted Pardalote
Striated Pardalote
White-browed Scrubwren
Shy Heathwren (Hylacola)
Speckled Warbler
Weebill
Western Gerygone
Brown Thornbill
Chestnut-rmpd Thornbill
Buff-rumped Thornbill (common)
Yellow-rumped Thornbill (common)
Yellow (Little) Thornbill
Striated Thornbill
Southern Whiteface
Red Wattlebird (common)
Little Wattlebird
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
Noisy Friarbird (common at times)
Little Friarbird
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Noisy Miner (common)
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
White-naped Honeyeater
Singing Honeyeater
White-eared Honeyeater
Fuscous Honeyeater
White-plumed Honeyeater (common)
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
New Holland Honeyeater
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Black Honeyeater
Eastern Spinebill
White-fronted Chat
Jacky Winter
Rose Robin
Red-capped Robin
Flame Robin
Hooded Robin
Eastern Yellow Robin
Scarlet Robin
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-browed Babbler
Varied Sitella
Crested Shrike-tit (locally uncommon)
Crested Bellbird (locally uncommon)
Grey Shrike-thrush
Golden Whistler
Gilbert's Whistler (locally uncommon)
Rufous Whistler (common in bushland)
Restless Flycatcher
Leaden Flycatcher
Magpie Lark (common)
Grey Fantail
Willie Wagtail
Masked Woodswallow
Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike (common)
White-bellied Cuckoo Shrike
Olive-backed Oriole
White-browed Woodswallow
Dusky Woodswallow
White-breasted Woodswallow
Black-faced Woodswallow
White-winged Triller
Pied Butcherbird
Grey Butcherbird
Pied Currawong
Grey Currawong
Australian Raven (common)
Little Raven (common)
White-winged Chough (common)
Australian Magpie (common)
Skylark
Australasian Pipit
House Sparrow (common)
Tree Sparrow
Zebra Finch
Red-browed Finch
Diamond Firetail
European Goldfinch
Mistletoe Bird
Welcome Swallow (common)
White-backed Swallow
Tree Martin
Fairy Martin
Australian Reed Warbler
Little Grassbird
Horsfields Bushlark
Brown Songlark
Rufous Songlark
Golden-headed Cisticola
Silvereye
Blackbird (common)
Starling (common)
Indian Mynah

Avian crosswords
Click on one of the crosswords listed here to download it in pdf form

Bird list for Echuca-Moama and district
Click here to download the document in pdf format

Birding spots of Echuca Moama and district
Click here to enter.

Birds observed on outings
Click here to enter.

Conservation news
Local conservation news and issues are outlined. Click here to enter (not a BOCA site).

Featured bird Click here to enter.

Latest Echuca & District BOCA newsletter (Download from home page)

Parks and reserves of northern Victoria and the southern Riverina Click here to enter.

Reviews of birding and conservation books
Click here to enter.

Links to other conservation sites Click here to enter.

Birding in the Echuca District

Echuca and District Branch
Bird Observation & Conservation Australia

 

Reports of Outings

2008

Rushworth and Whroo (joint outing with Murray Goulburn Branch)
Early in July, 20 members met at Wyuna Recreation Reserve for a joint outing of the Echuca and Murray-Goulburn branches. Led by Bev Curtis, we drove from Wyuna to a quarry along-side McBain Road. Birds observed in the quarry ponds included Shelduck, Shoveler, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Black-fronted Dotterel and Red-kneed Dotterel. After this, we drove back toward Wyuna, stopping en route along McEwan Road. Birds observed along this road included White-faced Heron, a huge flock of Sulphur-crested cockatoos, Australasian Pipit, Grey Fantail, Zebra Finch, Goldfinch and Golden-headed Cisticola.

After a brief stop in Wyuna, we drove to Wyuna River Reserve. We were impressed with the healthy state of the reserve. The under-storey of shrubs appears to be recovering well and there were Box and Red Gum trees of various ages. Some expressed a desire to revisit the reserve again in the near future. Birds observed here either before or after lunch included Little Pied Cormorant, White-faced Heron, Wedgetailed eagle, Dusky Moorhen, Bronzewing, White-throated Treecreeper, Brown Treecreeper, Striated Pardalote, Weebill, four thornbill species (Buff-rumped, Yellow-rumped, Yellow and Striated), Brown-headed Honeyeater, five robin species (Jacky Winter, Red-capped, Flame, Eastern Yellow and Scarlet), Varied Sittella, Crested Shrike-tit, Grey Shrike-thrush, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, White-winged Chough, Red-browed Finch, Diamond Firetail and Silvereye. Whilst sitting alongside the Goulburn River for bird call, we watched a small 4WD back a boat trailer down a particularly steep bank and into the river.

Including some birds seen in transit (Indian Mynah, Starling, Brown Falcon, Crested Pigeon, Spotted Turtle-Dove, Red-rumped parrot, Magpie Lark and Pied Currawong), we observed 66 bird species during the course of the outing.

 

Inglewood area
On a fine, sunny day in mid June, Simon Starr led an outing into forests to the west of Inglewood. Apart from Simon and another birder from the Pyramid Hill area, 13 BOCA members attended, including visitors from Horsham and Melbourne. Forests visited included Kingower State Forest and the Welha Hill section of Kooyoora National Park. A highlight was the sighting of two Swift Parrots.

61 bird species were observed, including White-faced Heron, Collared Sparrowhawk, Wedgetailed Eagle, Masked Lapwing, Common Bronzewing, Peaceful Dove, Musk and Little Lorikeet, White-throated and Brown Treecreeper, Spotted and Striated Pardalote, Weebill, four Thornbill species (Chestnut-rumped, Buff-rumped, Yellow-rumped and Yellow), 12 Honeyeater species (including Spiny-cheeked, Yellow-faced, White-eared, Yellow-tufted, Fuscous, Black-chinned, White-naped and New Holland), Jacky Winter and three other robins (Flame, Eastern Yellow and Scarlet), Varied Sittella, Restless Flycatcher, Dusky Woodswallow, Mistletoebird & Indian Mynah.

 

Rushworth and Whroo
Rain prevailed and those who attended this outing in mid May soon decided it was too wet for birding.

 

Bowra
A number of members recently went on a private tagalong to northern NSW and the Cunamulla area of Queensland. Places visited included Bowra station, a huge property 120km NNE of Bourke, Cocopara National Park, North Bourke and Round Hill. There is a report in Newsletter 49. Birds observed included Grey Falcon, Halls Babbler, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Flock Bronzewing, Crimson Chat, Orange Chat, Bourkes Parrot and Red-winged Parrot. As a result of good summer rains, there were large numbers of budgies, Zebra Finches, Diamond Doves, Crimson Chats and wood-swallows. Raptors were plentiful. White-breasted, White-browed and Masked Woodswallows were also abundant. The group saw over 100 bird species on the northern NSW property and over 100 species at Bowra. June 2008.

Some members at 'Bowra' in May 2008

Three consecutive one-day outings
In early May, three consecutive day outings were held in the greater Echuca district.

Day One: Gunbower area
Led by Jenny Spence of DPI Kerang, the first outing was to to the Gunbower area. Those of us who travelled from Echuca met up with Jenny and some Gunbower area birders at a creekside park in Gunbower. There were now 20 of us. Shortly after our arrival, someone spotted an Azure Kingfisher in a tree alongside Gunbower Creek. After showing us some aerial photos of areas we were to visit,

Jenny led us Barry Toll¹s block which is located on the inside of a meander of Gunbower Creek. The block was once a tobacco farm with some residual vegetation alongside the creek. Much of the small farm is now an agro-forestry plantation, 3,500 trees having been planted already with another 2,500 to be planted when drought conditions ease. We walked over a huge sandhill onto some creekside property owned by a neighbour, Jenny Johnson, who accompanied us all day, and on to some public creekside land. 2.4km of fencing has been erected to protect the residual vegetation. In places, revegetation work has taken place using direct seeding. Drought conditions have resulted in disappointing results. 42 bird species were observed at this location, including Little Pied Cormorant, White-faced Heron, White Ibis, Whistling Kite, Wedgetailed Eagle, Little Eagle, Black Falcon, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Common Bronzewing, Yellow Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Western Gerygone, Yellow-rumped and Yellow Thornbill, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Red-capped Robin, Golden and Rufous Whistler, Grey Fantail (lots!), Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Zebra Finch and Silvereye. The Black Falcon and Little Eagle were sighting highlights.

Gunbower Creek alongside Sandhill Farm (D Ong)

After a brief stop in Gunbower, Jenny led us to Rowland Reserve which is alongside Pyramid Creek near Hird Swamp. Before Jenny started work at rehabilitating this area of public land, it had been severely overgrazed by neighbouring land-holders and many of the trees had been cut. There was a lot of rubbish and it was infested with rabbits. Apart from the creek frontage, the reserve has recently been fenced, cattle and rubbish removed and native vegetation has made a dramatic recovery ~ Creeping Saltbush, Ruby Saltbush, Dillon Bush, young Black Box and Lignum.

Nothing seemed to be in flower so there was limited food for birds. Although there were few birds of any species, a total of 20 species were observed including Whistling Kite, Red-rumped Parrot, White-winged Fairy Wren, White-fronted Chat, Australian Shelduck, White and Straw-necked Ibis and Yellow-rumped Thornbill. Given time and some wet seasons here and in the other areas Jenny is working on along the creek, the bird life should increase significantly. Birds seen in transit included Pelican, Black Kite, Red Wattlebird, Grey Currawong, Starling and Common Mynah.

Day 2: Womboota-Bunnaloo area
On the following day, 13 of us met at Moama and travelled along the Perricoota Road to the Ferguson property north-west of Womboota village, stopping en route. First stop was an artificial lake opposite the entrance to the Rich River Golf Club. Birds observed here included Black Duck, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, and Hardhead.

Next stop was the entrance to Benarca State forest. Birds observed here included White-winged Chough, Restless Flycatcher, Little Pied Cormorant, Brown Treecreeper, White-throated Treecreeper, Pied Currawong and a family of Wood Duck. North-west of Womboota village we stopped to observe a small party of Grey-crowned Babblers.

Morning tea was at ŒWomboo¹, the Ferguson family¹s 1,00 hectare property. Joan Ferguson, an Echuca and District BOCA member, outlined the local geomorphology and how local farmers are working to overcome salinity problems. We enjoyed a walk around the house block and lake where birds observed included Restless Flycatcher, Dusky Woodswallow (nine were huddled together on a tree branch), Willie Wagtail, Red-rumped Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Yellow Rosella, Whistling Kite and, possibly, Collared Sparrowhawk. The Fergusons have been planting indigenous vegetation on their property for many years. Joan then led us across along some of the property¹s tree-lined roads to a large strip of indigenous vegetation. Birds observed in or near this arboretum included Wedgetailed Eagle, Striated Pardalote, Common Bronzewing, Peaceful Dove, Superb Fairy Wren, Pied Butcher Bird and Kookaburra. After lunch, Joan led us to Rob Meare¹s [property ŒBultarra¹. Tens of thousands of Old Man Saltbush have been planted in an ancestral course of the Murray River, Green Gully, to reduce the saline water table. The property¹s saltbush-fed lamb fetches premium prices.Birds observed in the saltbush plantation were Grey Shrike Thrush, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Willie Wagtail, Singing Honeyeater and Magpie.

On the way back to Moama, we stopped at the Five Mile (Moama State Forest). About 37 species were observed at The Five Mile including Varied Sittella, Weebill, Rufous Whistler, Golden Whistler, Little Friarbird, Noisy Friarbird, Restless Flycatcher, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Red-capped Robin, Azure Kingfisher, White-faced Heron, Whistling Kite, Weebill, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Yellow Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote and Striated Pardalote. Birds observed in transit on this Monday included Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Pied Currawong, Masked Lapwing, Long-billed Corella, White-winged Chough and Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike. 17 attendees. 68 bird species.

Day 3: Kotta, Pine Grove and Terricks
On the third of the three consecutive day outings 27 of us visited Drew Gailey¹s block of remnant indigenous vegetation at Kotta, areas of indigenous plants on Eris O¹Brien¹s sheep grazing property at Pine Grove and Terrick Terrick National Park (Mitiamo). Some of the 58 species observed on the day were Shelduck, Wedgetailed Eagle, Common Bronzewing, Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Horsfields Bronze Cuckoo, Brown Tree-creeper, Weebill, Yellow-rumped and Yellow Thornbill, Southern Whiteface, Singing, Black-chinned and Brown-headed Honeyeater, White-fronted Chat, Red-capped, Flame and Hooded Robin, Varied Sittella, Golden, Rufous and Gilberts Whistler, Dusky Woodswallow, White-winged Chough and Zebra Finch.

 

Mathoura Estate
In April, 11 branch members visited Mathoura Estate which is located several kilometres west of Gulpa Island. Our hosts were Lorna and Stan Kerrle. After lunch, we visited an arboretum of indigenous plants and a drought-stricken Gulpa Island.

Mathoura Estate was founded in 1842 by Peter Stuckey, a 19 year -old who had driven cattle overland from Bombala. A few months earlier, Henry Sayer Lewes had claimed Moira station. The two estates were huge, Mathoura estate covering 90,000 acres and Moira 100,000 acres. Both estates remain large today but are of vastly reduced size. Mathoura Estate presently covers over 16,000 acres. After running the estate for 18 years, Stuckey retired to Melbourne ~ Mathoura Road Toorak ~ but died shortly thereafter. Peter¹s son died when the Loch Aird sunk amongst western Victoria¹s 12 Apostles. Three subsequent leaseholders battled drought and then the bulk of the estate fell into the hands of a creditor, Goldsborough Mort Ltd. Lorna¹s father purchased the property from Goldsborough Mort in 1910. It was officially surveyed in the same year. Several 1,000 acre blocks were sub-divided off as soldier settlement blocks after World War One. These proved too small to be economically viable. Lorna was born when her father was quite elderly. She inherited the property and purchased some adjoining irrigated land. Lorna and Stan built their home on the irrigated section, several km south of the estate¹s shearing shed and workers quarters (they employ three full-time staff). Until about 14 years ago, most of the estate had never been ploughed. Plunging wool prices, however, forced Lora and Stan to plough much, but not all, for lucerne, wheat and barley. Some land remains unploughed. Last year, 4,000 acres of crop failed because of drought, an enormous financial loss. In January, a terrible hail storm battered the workers accommodation and shearing shed, smashing 51 panes of glass windows and even smashing the ball floats in the drinking troughs and the mirrors of vehicles.

After meeting Lorna and Stan in Mathoura (the township is named after the estate), we travelled to the northernmost section, north of Walliston Road. Although there are lots of old box trees in this section, there is relatively little under-storey, few signs of regeneration, and the ground has been ploughed. We observed 16 bird species here, including Peaceful Dove, Bronzewing, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Brown Falcon, Tree Martin and Red-rumped Parrot. We then travelled to a paddock which has never been ploughed. One participant was particularly interested in the indigenous grasses. Again, there were several old box trees but few shrubs. Six species were observed here, including Pied Butcherbird and Grey-crowned Babbler.

Over lunch in the shearing shed ~ there used to be a much bigger shed but vandals burnt it down ~ Lorna and Stan were able to tell us much more about the history of the estate. They have had problems with theft of equipment and sheep. As we drove out of the estate, we observed several kilometres of young trees and shrubs which have been planted to form wildlife corridors. In addition, much land has been fenced and ploughed ready for direct seeding of indigenous vegetation once good rains fall and providing that funding continues to be available (the Australian government has slashed funding for such activities). The planting was organised by well-known Deniliquin botanist Martin Driver.

We drove east from the property along Walliston Road to Gulpa Island State Forest. Our first stop in the forest was at an arboretum just north of Walliston Road, between the Cobb Highway and some billabongs of Gulpa Creek. In conjunction with Forestry NSW, Phil Maher and the Southern Riverina Field Naturalists have planted three vegetation communities: pine, mulga and box woodland. We were greeted by two male emus with a number of young emus. Other birds in or near the arboretum included Jacky Winter, Red-capped Robin, Peaceful Dove, Bronzewing, Striated Pardalote, Brown Tree-creeper, Grey Shrike-thrush, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill and Rufous Whistler as well as some of the most common bush birds. On the adjoining lagoon were White-faced Heron and Wood Duck.

We then drove through Red gum forest to a spot across Gulpa Creek where we added a few more species to the day¹s list. Final stop was a drought-stricken Langmans Sandhill alongside the Edward River. Unfortunately the Banksia trees appear to have all died and the once thick blanket of Cherry Ballart and Calytrix has all but withered away. To make matters worse, the area surrounding the fenced sandhill has been very heavily logged over the past year or two. Most depressing. What was an area of near pristine beauty has been all but destroyed by drought and loggers. Needless to say, we failed to observe many of the less common birds which used to be resident here. But we did observe Azure Kingfisher, Dusky Woodswallow, Yellow Rosella, Red-capped Robin, Brown Tree-creeper, Grey Fantail, White-browed Scrubwren and several of the more common local bush species. About 47 species for the day. We sincerely thank Lorna and Stan for being friendly hosts.

 

Kamarooka
On Sunday 16 March 2008 Northern United Forestry Group hosted a visit to Kamarooka by the Echuca and District Branch, Bird Observers and Conservation Australia (BOCA), led by Keith Stockwell. The group was impressed by the transformation of the project site from a salt wasteland to a site with enhanced environmental values. During their visit BOCA members observed Brown Falcons, Magpies, White-fronted Chats, Weebills, and Galahs despite the heat wave being experienced by north-central Victoria at the time. Mal Brown provided an overview of the NUFG Kamarooka Project and Phil Dyson explained the cause of the salinity problem along with the ground water and sap flow monitoring programs. This was the first time that Mal and Phil had seen and heard such numerous Weebills on the site. Perhaps it takes a visit by a Bird Observers Group to bring such species to your attention!   By Mal Brown, NUFG Kamarooka Project Manager

Site of the Kamarooka Tree Project (K Stoickwell)

The Kamarooka Tree Project aims to grow forestry trees and increase the carrying capacity of a formerly degraded, salt-affected grazing property. One of the farm forestry trees is Acacia stenophylla. In addition to the farm trees, there are extensive plantings of saltbush and indigenous plants. The carrying capacity of the area has risen from 10 sheep (on 50 hectares) to 400 sheep!

After visiting the tree project site, we drove south-east into the Kamarooka Forest, stopping en route at a large farm dam where we observed Shelduck, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Black Swan and other water birds. We then went on a short walk from Black Rock Flat Road to a rock reef where we disturbed an Owlet Nightjar which flew up and landed on a branch a metre or so in front of us (photos below). Other birds here included Red-capped Robin and Buff-rumped Thornbill.

Lunch was taken in the shade of some ironbark trees along Burtonclay Road. We enjoyed good views of a Golden Whistler. A short distance on, we stopped to examine a recently-fenced plot in which endangered plants, including Whipstick Westringia, are now protected from foraging wallabies and kangaroos.

By this time, it was very hot, so we drove to Millwood dam and sat in the shade. A number of honeyeater s came in to drink, including White-eared, Yellow-tufted, Yellow-plumed, Fuscous, White-plumed, Brown-headed and a juvenile Tawny-crowned. Other birds observed included Varied Sittella and Grey Fantail. Peter then led us to a dam on the corner of Millwood Road and camp Road. Here we observed Black-chinned Honeyeater, Hooded Robin, Rainbow Bee-eater, Red Wattlebird, White-browed Woodswallow, Dusky Woodswallow and Tree Martin.

Because of the heat (the temperature was around 38 degrees C), we called it quits about 2.30. Bird call: 59 species. However, two members continued on to nearby Rush Dam to observe an Australasian Grebe with chicks which had been observed the previous day. They also recorded Noisy Miner and Black Duck, birds not seen earlier in the day.

Fortunately, unlike the day either side of our outing, the day was not one of total fire ban or we would have missed out on a terrific day¹s birding. 20 attended the previous outing, but this time only seven attended. Perhaps the hot weather forecast had deterred many members from attending.

 

Easter Camp in the Strathbogies
Several branch members attended BOCAs Easter Camp on the Brook property east of Violet Town. 108 species were observed in the area and 57 species on the property. There were day trips to Mount Samaria and to a bush property west of Violet Town. Much of the time was spent birding on the Brook property and its surrounds. One morning Ben Brook led us onto an adjoining property with a lovely (but blackberry-infested) fern gully, the previous owner of which had spent much time building scores of wooden huts. The property was purchased by a benefactor to prevent the property from being purchased by a motor cycle club which intended to construct a cycling complex on it. Now motor cyclists are excluded from private properties and from adjoining pine forests.

 

Tasalong
Download Newsletter 47 and Newsletter 48 for a report (two parts of three). The report will be continued in Newsletter 49 which is due out in August 2008.

 

Goulburn River near Rochester and Kamarooka East
Although 17 members were on our Branch tagalong in Tasmania at the time, in mid February 20 members attended an outing led by Peter Allan. It was pleasing that several Cohuna members came along. The outing was advertised as being to the Campaspe River near Rochester. The group did, indeed, stop alongside the Campaspe River for some birding, observing 23 species including Black Kite, Peaceful Dove, Musk Lorikeet, Azure kingfisher, Brown Tree-creeper, Little Friarbird, Crested Shrike-tit, Grey Shrike-thrush, Reed Warbler and some of the area¹s more common birds. However as the wetlands which we intended to visit were dry, Peter took the group into two areas of the Kamarooka Forest. Species observed at a dam in Clays Road, on the edge of the forest, included Grey Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Australasian Grebe, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Black-fronted Dotterel, White-fronted Chat, Jacky Winter and Australian Pipit. Within the forest ~ which is now part of Greater Bendigo national Park ~ birds observed included Wedge-tailed Eagle, Common Bronzewing, Peaceful Dove, Eastern rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Sacred Kingfisher, Brown Tree-creeper, Striated Pardalote, Weebill, Western Gerygone, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Yellow Thornbill, Crested Bellbird, Grey Shrike-thrush, Rufous Whistler, Grey Butcherbird, Red Wattlebird and a range of honeyeaters ~ Yellow-tufted, Yellow-plumed, Fuscous, White-plumed and Brown-headed ~ as well as the more common bush birds. 63 bird species in all, plus Black Wallaby and a Goanna (Lace Monitor). By 11am the day had become very hot and the outing ~ a good social day ~ finished somewhat early, in mid afternoon.

 

Moama Wetlands
An early morning bird walk in the Moama wetlands in January exceeded hopes and expectations. Following a rain shower a few weeks prior, town runoff water had entered the wetlands. We observed 43 species over the course of a few hours. And the list did NOT include Magpie, Starling, Sparrow or Blackbird. An enormous flock of Long-billed Corellas made their presence known. Other birds observed included Grey Teal, Australasian Grebe, Darter, Little Pied cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Black Cormorant, Great Egret, Royal and Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Whistling Kite (nesting), Purple Swamphen, dusky Moorhen, Peaceful Dove, Azure Kingfisher, Sacred kingfisher, Dollarbird, Weebill, Yellow-rumped and Yellow Thornbill, White-plumed and Brown-headed Honeyeater, Varied Sittella (with young), Crested Shrike-tit, Magpie Lark, White-winged Chough, Silvereye and Red-browed Finch. The wetlands are alongside the Echuca-Moama Bridges.

 

2007

Benjeroop-Lake Boga Area
Our big day out to Benjeroop and Lake Boga on 10th November was very well attended, especially since most of the 'regulars' were unable to come. It was great to meet BOCA members from Barham, Kerang and Cohuna. Spots visited included an unusually shallow Lake Boga, Round Lake, Tresco West Bushland Reserve, a private riverside property at Benjeroop and Kelly Lake. Over 70 bird species were observed, including Avocet, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck, Whiskered Tern, Coot, Red-capped Dotterel, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, White-browed Babbler, Rainbow Bee-eater, Variegated Wren, Blue Bonnet, Singing Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Varied Sittella, and Brown Songlark. We missed seeing such common birds as White-winged Choughs, Spotted Pardalote and several thornbill species. It was not until we were on the way home that we sighted our first Black Duck for the day! After the Benjeroop Grey-crowned Babbler reserve was officially opened, we enjoyed a luncheon provided by Benjeroop Landcare Group. The local ABC naturalist was the guest speaker. Unfortunately we did not have the time or, rather, energy to search for the Orange Chats reported to be in low vegetation around Lake Tuchewop or to check out the Cohuna Sewage Treatment Works for Glossy Ibis.

 

Pine Grove and Terricks
On 15th September, 11 of us met Eris O'Brien at the O'Brien sheep-grazing property Pine Grove where a paddock has been revegetation with indigenous plants. Birds observed here included Black Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel, Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Cockatiel, Horsfields Bronze Cuckoo, Brown Treecreeper, Weebill, Yellow-rumped and Yellow Thornbill, Southern Whiteface, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Red-capped Robin, Rufous Whistler, White-winged Triller, Pied Butcherbird and Welcome Swallow. There were lots of wattles and senna in full bloom. The paddock contained lots of Allocasuarina (Bulloke).

After an hour or so here, we drove to Glassons Grassland, a Trust for Nature property managed, in part, by Eris O'Brien. Birds observed here included Wedgetailed Eagle, Brown Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel, Red-rumped Parrot, Southern Whiteface, Singing Honeyeater, White-fronted Chat, Australian Pipit, Welcome Swallow and Brown Songlark.

Next place was Terrick Terrick National Park where we were joined by three more members. We enjoyed a picnic lunch at the base of Mitiamo Rock (Mt Terrick) and most of us walked up to the summit and observed Gilbert Whistler, Tree Martin, Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike, Mistletoe Bird, Bronzewing and Southern Whiteface. We then drove to nearby Allan Track where we observed a good range of birds, including White-winged Chough, Weebill, Red-capped Robin, Varied Sittella, Grey Shrike Thrush, Mistletoe Bird, Western Gerygone and Grey Fantail. Most of these birds were also observed in a western section of the park where we added Diamond Firetail, Hooded Robin and Black-chinned Honeyeater to the day's list.

About 65 species were observed on the day. This was a very good tally considering that we did not stop at a wetland and considering that the area was badly drought-affected.

 

Numurkah, including Kinnairds Wetland
In mid August, 14 attended an outing to Numurkah, led by Goulburn Murray BOCA members Gary and Lisa Deayton. Gary works for Moira Shire and is partly responsible for the restoration of Kinnairds Wetland and for the planting of thousands of indigenous plants alongside waterways and lakes within the town itself. Gary helped prepare a brochure on Kinnairds wetland.

Leader Gary Deayton outlined the history and rehabilitation of the wetland (K Stockwell)

Kinnairds wetland lies along the Mukatah Depression adjacent to the creek from which it is separated by a levee bank. When the creek is in flood, the waters overflow the levee into the wetland. The wetland is a flood control basin and it last filled in 1993.

Kinnairds Wetland (K Stockwell)

Birds observed in the dry wetland included Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Shrike Thrush, Crested Shrike-tit, Restless Fly-catcher, Golden Whistler, Grey Fantail, Brown Falcon plus more-common birds like Magpies.

Second stop was a lake within Numurkah. Waterbirds observed on the lake inc luded Purple Swamp hen, Eurasian Coot, Dusky Moorhen and Great Egret. The lake made headlines a few years ago when a resort allegedly arranged for some shooters to kill many of the waterbirds. Some shots allegedly narrowly missed adjoining residents, who were furious and distressed. Some children who fed the waterbirds were terribly upset.

Third stop was another lake, the Station Street wetlands, were birds observed included Darter, Grey Teal, Masked Lapwing, Black Swan, Great Egret, Royal Spoonbill, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Rufous Songlark, Straw-necked Ibis, Musk Lorikeet and Little Friar Bird.

Nearly 60 species were observed in Numurkah on the day. Lisa and Gary were a mine of information and helped us enjoy the day.

POSTSCRIPT: Environmental water was released into this wetland during May 2008.

Yielema North
On a cold July day, we visited an area north-east of Picola. First stop was a water-filled quarry alongside the Murray Valley Highway where a number of water birds were observed, including Black Swans with young. We stopped at the 'Stack Site', Yielema North, the Yielema North football ground and several spots in the Barmah Forest. 59 species were observed, including Grey Teal, Austraasian Grebe, Swamp Harrier, Wedgetailed Eagle, Bronzewing, Musk Lorikeet, Weebill, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Jacky Winter, Flame Robin, Hooded Robin, Grey-crowned Babbler, Crested Shrike-tit, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Restless Flycatcher, Grey Fantail, White-bellied Cuckoo Shrike, Pied Currawong, Tree Martin and Little Grass Bird.

 

One Eye Forest and Mount Ida
In mid June, 15 of us visited One Eye Forest and Mt Ida. It iwas pleasing to see several Flame Robins, Eastern Yellow Robins and Scarlet Robins in One Eye Forest. Several species of honeyeater were observed, including Yellow-tufted, Black-chinned, White-eared, Fuscous and White-plumed. Other birds observed included Eastern Rosella, Varied Sittella, Crested Shrike-tit, Golden Whistler, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and White-winged Chough.

Hidden Dam, One Eye Forest (D Ong)

 

Easter: north of Barham
Over the Easter period, about 60 BOCA members, including some Echuca Branch members, attended a camp north of Barham in southern NSW. At least 129 bird species were observed within a 35km radius.

The camp site was on a 6,000 acre property which borders the Wakool River. About 70 species were observed on the property itself, including Whistling Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Brown Goshawk, Square-tailed Kite, Wedgetailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Common Bronzewing, Peaceful Dove, Yellow Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Southern Boobook, Barn Owl, Brown Tree-creeper, Striated Pardalote, Weebill, Chestnut-rumped Yellow and Yellow-rumped thornbills, Southern Whiteface, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Jacky Winter, Red-capped Robin, Splendid Wren, Grey-crowned Babbler, Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Crested Shrike Tit, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Restless Fly-catcher, Pied Butcherbird, White-winged Chough, Australian Pipit, Diamond Firetail, and Little Button Quail plus the more-common birds of the area.

Access to the property was via Millers/Thomas Road. The end of Thomas Road near the Moulamein-Swan Hill Road afforded particularly good birding ~ some White-winged Fairy-wrens darted in and out of small bushes, a Blue-winged Parrot sat atop a small bush, about 20 Banded Lapwing were hard to distinguish as they stood on ploughed paddocks, an assortment of water birds were feeding on the bottom of a near-empty irrigation channel and a number of raptors soared overhead. There were a good number of water birds in a large quarry across the road from the property. The property has been in the hands of the Thomas family for three generations. Times are tough, with a 14-year drought. The family has to pay tens of thousands of dollars a year to retain their water right despite the fact that this year¹s water allocation is zilch. That means no crops this year on this property. Neighbouring properties are in the same (stranded) boat.

A major source of income for many of the neighbourhood¹s farms is rice. Not this year. There are no more than 19 paddocks of rice in the whole of southern (Riverina) NSW this season. It is so dry that farmers have had to sell many/most of their sheep and cattle. Allowing foresters to cut trees for timber and firewood has become the main source of income. Social security payments is another major source of income. Times are really tough. The timber industry is the main industry in nearby Barham-Koondrook. For better or worse, much of the wood provides firewood for Melbourne, a contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. After having lobbied hard, local millers are breathing a sigh of relief that the Victorian Government has decided to order a large number of wooded railway sleepers to upgrade the Melbourne-Mildura line.

The local irrigation scheme provided work during the depths of the Great Depression of the 1930s. Stevens Weir near Werai was built in 1933 to raise the height of The Edward to allow for gravity-fed irrigation water (via Colligen Creek). Rice farming began in the mid 1930s. After a few years, the saline ground water rose within a metre or two of the surface, so a salt-interception scheme was essential. Today, about 60 pumps help lower the water table over 25,000 hectares. The salty water is pumped into evaporation ponds at Tullakool.

We visited a DPI aquaculture research centre at Tullakool. The cold winter nights and hot summer days preclude a whole raft of fish from surviving here. Several species of fish and crustacean have been trialled (e.g. Brown Trout, Oysters, Tiger Prawns, Kuruma Prawns and Silver Perch) but only two fish thrive in the salty water and harsh conditions, Mulloway and Rainbow Trout. These are to likely be farmed commercially.

From a viewing platform (part of the southern NSW ŒTriavian Corridor¹) overlooking a pond east of the centre, we observed Musk Duck, Black Swan, Chestnut Teal, Pelican, a Silver Gull, White-faced Heron and Hoary-headed Grebe. Some Zebra Finches and White-winged Fairy-wrens flittered about in saltbush alongside the platform at the very edge of the Barham-Moulamein Road. What appeared to be a Greenshank caused a flutter of interest in the observers as it zoomed over us. A Nankeen Kestrel patrolled from the skies above.

We then drove east a short distance to some more evaporative ponds. There were different birds on different ponds, reflecting, perhaps, the level of salinity. Over 100 Pelicans sat in a line along a bank separating two ponds. A solitary Yellow-billed Spoonbill stood amongst them. Some distance further along the chain of Pelicans was a lone Royal Spoonbill. I snapped a few digital photos in the hope of including them in a forthcoming Echuca BOCA newsletter. Some distance away almost beyond the range of our Œscopes, a Greenshank fed on a spit, sometimes partially obscuring two Marsh Sandpipers. Behind them, a number of Masked Lapwings fossicked amongst the saltbush. A Black-fronted Dotterel put in an appearance. A little group of Zebra (sorry, Pink-eared) Ducks appeared in the pond behind the Pelicans and then disappeared from view again as they swam in close behind them. Other water birds included Shoveler and Hoary-headed Grebe. Someone spotted a Black Falcon high overhead. Then we spotted a Wedge-tailed Eagle and a Whistling Kite. All the time, Welcome Swallows circled low over the water and saltbush. At the edge of the ponds, Noisy Miners and Pied Butcherbirds called loudly. Marvellous place Tullakool. Even better in summer when migratory waders are present.

One evening, in a wool-shed near our camp, Evan Thomas (who ran the property for many years before handing it over to one of his sons), presented a good old-fashioned slide show, using a very old slide projector, of Barham area birds. Evan has taken magnificent photos over many years. Outstanding shots they were. And without the help of Photoshop ~ no cropping or colouring. Good close-ups of birds like Gilbert Whistler, all in a logical sequence, right way up, without long pauses between slides. Many of Evan¹s photos appear in Peter Discher¹s book.

There was time to explore some of the nearby forest areas. At the suggestion of Evan, Bob Wheller and other local birders, one day we drove south about 25km south to Clump Bend onto Gunbower Island near Koondrook (in Victoria). Just as they had predicted, Clump Bend (35 38 55S; 144 08 34E) proved to be a birding hot spot. It seemed a rather unlikely spot for birds as there were lots of campers alongside the Murray River, with barking dogs and noisy kiddies. A gun shot rang in our ears. We had no sooner parked our vehicles than we observed a group of Grey-crowned Babblers in a nearby roost. Thick Dwarf Native Cherry (Exocarpus strictus) grew under Red Gum. A small group of us took off through the scrub, away from the campers. Over a radius of about 500 metres, we observed White-winged Chough, Kookaburra, Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike, Grey Fantail, Silvereye, Common Bronzewing,Yellow Thornbill, Weebill, Noisy Miner, Whistling Kite, White-plumed Honeyeater, White-throated and Brown Treecreeper, Grey Shrike Thrush, Yellow (from of Crimson) Rosella, Striated Pardalote, Superb Fairy Wren, Willie Wagtail and Golden Whistler. Despite passing traffic throwing up clouds of dust, a party of White-browed Babblers put in an appearance. And the highlight. A male GilbertŒs Whistler sitting still in the sun on a dead twig of a nearby sapling. None of us had a camera with us. Why is my camera always left in the car when something great puts in an appearance (or the battery goes dead just as the shutter is pressed)?! After having seen Evan¹s wonderful slides the evening before, it was easy to identify, its nankeen (or should that be rufous?) Œbreast¹ being clearly visible. Then a female Gilbert Whistler appeared and sat still at a similar distance. A Pelican flew overhead and a Brown Falcon patrolled high above. Good spot that. Clump Bend.

Other good birding spots included the sewage treatment ponds, Barham Lake and some bushland around Barham Golf Club where a group of Bush Stone Curlews stood still in the shade of Box trees. The bush around the sewage treatment ponds had been so heavily overgrazed by horses and cattle that not a blade of grass remained. Horses appeared to be eating leaves but, when we approached further, realised that they were scratching at the bare soil and unearthing pieces of Lippia (Phylla nodifolia), an introduced plant used locally as a lawn grass.

 

Three consecutive day outings
Torrumbarry
Sometimes the best birding spots are private properties with a range of habitats. This was the case in May when 31 of us visited two properties in the Torrumbarry area. Early in May, Peter Allan and I led a group of 31, including several Cohuna birders and visitors from Melbourne, Chiltern and elsewhere, on a BOCA outing to the Torrumbarry area, northern Victoria.

It was to be the first of three consecutive one-day outings.

First stop was a section of Bruns dairy farm bordered by Gunbower Creek, a tributary of the Murray. The owners have about 250 unirrigated acres which is lightly grazed and regarded as a conservation paddock. Apart form the most common local species (Magpie, Galah, Little Raven etc), some of the species observed included Shelduck, Darter, Great Egret, Brown Goshawk, Little Eagle, Peaceful Dove, Red-rumped Parrot, Azure Kingfisher, Brown Tree-creeper, Weebill, Southern Whiteface, Red-capped Robin, Grey-crowned Babbler, Pied Butcherbird, White-winged Chough, Diamond Firetail (nesting) and Tree Martin. Strangely, no thornbills, no whistlers and no pardalotes. We observed 46 species on the property. 46 species. Another few birds and the day could be declared a success.

Lunch was at Torrumbarry Weir where we added a handful of species, including White-browed Scrubwren, to take the tally to over 50.

After lunch, we visited a property on the inside of the horseshoe-shaped Richardsons (Baillieu's) Lagoon. The owner has placed a Trust for Nature covenant on their land. Parks Victoria has recently fenced adjoining crown land. The property includes an orange grove, a sandhill covered in indigenous vegetation plus part of the lagoon itself. We commenced our visit by walking along a track traversing a sand hill. Then we walked down to a dry section of the lagoon. We saw nearly all the species observed on the dairy farm during the morning plus lots of other birds.

Baillieu's (Richardson's) Lagoon (D Ong)

We observed a White-bellied Sea-eagle nest and then spotted a pair of Sea-eagles. A Swamp Harrier flew overhead. Then we heard Brolgas. A pair of Brolgas took off from the lagoon and disappeared over a ridge. Those lagging in the rear saw the Brolgas return to the lagoon. Some of those near the rear observed Black-fronted and Red-kneed Dotterels. We added Hardhead, White-necked Heron, Royal Spoonbill, Pied Currawong and Eurasian Coot to our day list. At last, someone heard Striated Pardalotes. But still no thornbills or Whistlers. After walking the property for a few hours, someone spotted a Golden Whistler. But still no thornbills. Everyone enjoyed birding on the property so much that it was close to dusk before we thanked the owners and had bird call. 59 species on this property. 75 species for the day, Terrific. Still no thornbills. And only one species of honeyeater. The owner claimed that Powerful Owls, Barking Owls and Bush Stone Curlews live on the property. It was very late in the afternoon and no-one seemed to have the energy to search for the owls or curlews.

Barmah
The following day¹s outing was to the Barmah-Millewa forest. After meeting at Mathoura, we strolled alongside Gulpa Creek for over an hour. Some of the birds observed were Darter, Whistling Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Purple Swamp Hen, White-winged Chough, Red-browed Finch, Brown Tree-creeper, White-browed Tree-creeper, Grey Fantail, Grey Shrike-thrush, Silvereye and White- plumed Honeyeater. The tally for the two days rose to 82.

As everyone was in a 4WD, we drove along Sages Road, a seldom-used sandy track across Gulpa Island. We stopped a few times. At last, some thornbills! Buff-rumped, Yellow and Yellow -rumped with Weebills, all in mixed flocks. Southern Whiteface, Diamond Firetail, Hooded Robin, Red-capped Robin and Jacky Winter jumped about the fallen timber. Peaceful Doves called. Tally 85.

En route to Picnic Point for lunch we observed many emus, a Nankeen Kestrel and a Wedge-tailed Eagle. At Picnic Point, a flock of Superb Fairy-wrens scampered about at our feet. Some of us observed White-browed Scrubwrens. We searched without luck for Nankeen Night Herons. The it was off to a near-dry Barmah Lake. Birds observed there included Emu, Pelican, Great Egret, Grey Teal, Dusky Moorhen, Purple Swamp Hen, Whistling Kite, White Ibis, Masked Lapwing, Little Black Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, White-faced Heron, White-necked Heron, Jacky Winter, White-throated tree-creeper and Willie Wagtail. A Brown Falcon flew over.

Perricoota Road to Lower Thule
The following morning, our first stop was Tataila Road, at the side of the Rich River Golf Club. Here we observed singing Honeyeater, Zebra Finch, Black Kite, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Red-rumped Parrot, magpie lark and several other birds. Moving around the corner in to 24 Lane, we observed A number of water birds in an artificial lake. A flock of Musk Lorikeets fed on trees alongside the main entrance of the golf club. We also observed our first Red Wattlebird.

We then spent well over an hour at the Five Mile Reserve, alongside the Murray River. This is always a good birding spot. New birds here included Dusky Woodswallow, Varied Sittella and Crested Shrike-tit. Other birds here included Restless Flycatcher, Pied Butcherbird, Jacky Winter, Grey Fantail, Weebill and Golden Whistler. Now we had observed most of the birds I had expected apart from Rufous Whistler, Flame Robin and Spotted Pardalote. Then there was a short side trip along McKindlay Road to the entrance of Benarca Forest. We passed a paddock of ostriches but, being farm stock, we did not tick them off. We did add another bird to the list here, Varied Sittella, but only a few observed them. Peter Allan suggested we stop at the wetland opposite Perricoota Woolshed. A longish search resulted in just 15 species.

It was time for lunch. Although we had hired the Womboota School of the Arts (in case of rain and for its toilets), we ate outside. I thought we had lots of time before our scheduled meeting with a BOCA member who lives along Lower Thule Road. We ambled along Perricoota Road, past Womboo, stopped at Green Gully and stopped again to observe a flock of about nine Grey-crowned Babblers. We arrived at the designated meeting place spot on time, or so I thought at the time. In fact, we were exactly one hour late! (It was not until our host rang me the following morning that I realised I had misread my watch. How disappointing. How embarrassing).

Most of us travelled back to Moama via Bunnaloo and Thyra Road. 96 or 97 species over three days. Another success...apart from the mess up on the final afternoon.

 

Korong Vale (Wychitella NCR) and Boort
Drought conditions have impacted badly on the Korong Vale area. As our group met in Korong Vale, some Long-billed Corellas and Galahs. I hoped it would get better. Then we sighted a Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater busily feeding in some shrubs across the road.

First birding location was a walk along a narrow track through thick Broombush (Melaleuca spp), Box and Senna in a block of Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve at the edge of Korong Vale. We enjoyed good views of Southern Scrub Robin, Spotted Pardalote, Yellow-tufted Honeyeater and Common Bronzewing. We heard the calls of Gilbert Whistler and wrens.

Second stop was Mt Egbert but rain prevented us from venturing out of our cars. Not heavy rain, but a constant light shower. Badly needed rain. As the rain appeared to have set in, we decided to drove north for about 25km to Boort for lunch. We enjoyed a lovely lunch and great coffee in the local cafe.

After lunch, when the rain stopped, we drove to nearby Little Lake Boort, one of the few lakes in the area which still contained water. There we observed 33 species, including a group of Brown Quail, Shelduck, Hoary-headed Grebe, Intermediate Egret, Royal and Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Whistling Kite, Purple Swamphen and Dusky Moorhen, Red-capped Plover and Black-fronted Dotterel, Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot and many of the more-common birds.

We then drove south to a track in another block of the Wychitella NCR. A group of White-browed Babblers were busy feeding at the side of the track. Some Weebills came close enough for David to obtain some good photos. Other birds observed along the track included Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Brown-headed Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Wedgetailed Eagle and Brown Goshawk. Then a sighting to cap off a great day. Just a few hundred metres after leaving Wattle Track to return to a nearby caravan park, members observed a Lowan (Malleefowl) crossing the Wedderburn-Wychitella Road. Another successful day, with well over 50 species observed despite the rain interruption.

 

Kanyapella Basin
On 18th March, 23 birders attended an outing to the Kanyapella Basin and its surrounds. Led by Dallas, the group observed 73 bird species, a great tally in view of the ongoing drought in this area. The first two stops were in the Kanyapella Reserve, a flood retarding basin. Although management plans were drawn up some years ago, they have yet to be signed off. In the meantime, sheep continue to graze in the area and have impacted upon the ground cover. Those of us who accompanied Dallas on a walk in the forest enjoyed good views of Diamond Firetail, Red-capped Robin, Varied Sittella, Jacky Winter and other bush birds.

We then visited some spots alongside the Murray in Echuca Regional Park. Dallas then led us to a lagoon which supported a good range of waterbirds.

We stopped along O¹Dea Road for Singing Honeyeater.

After that, we visited the Allan Corry Roadside Reserve where most of the shrubs some of us planted last year appear to be thriving. There was a quick stop at a roadside dam.

Final birding stop was a quarry in which we saw Black-fronted Dotterel, Welcome Swallow, Pelican and White-fronted Chat. A highlight was a Black Falcon soaring over the Falcon Hotel. Other species observed included Shelduck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Australasian Grebe, White-faced and White-necked Heron, White and Straw-necked Ibis, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Collared Sparrowhawk, Little Eagle, Hobby, Dusky Moorhen, Bronzewing, Musk Lorikeet, Weebill, Restless Flycatcher, Red-browed Finch and Fairy Martin as well as our more common birds. The day after our excursion saw the best rainfall for several months. Dallas spent much time planning this outing and was assisted by Bev and Alan Curtis. It was whilst surveying for the outing that they discovered the wonderful lagoon referred to above.

 

The Narrows, Barmah Forest
In February 2007, 18 of us cruised through The Narrows of the Murray River, through Barmah Forest, aboard the MV Kingfisher. 41 species were observed, including Darter, Nankeen Night Heron, Whistling Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Brown Godshawk, Collared Sparrowhawk, Azure Kingfisher (7), Blue-faced Honeyeater, White-breasted Wwoodswallow and Tree Martin.

 

Echuca Regional Park
On 21 January, a small group carried out an early morning 5km survey in and around Echuca Regional Park. Around 45 species were observed, most of the expected birds. But we failed to record any Rainbow Bee-eaters, Spoonbills, Coots or Dollarbirds. In a lagoon alongside Boileau Estate, we observed Azure and Sacred Kingfishers plus a number of other water birds. A Little Eagle was observed sitting on a branch looking down at a Red-bellied Black Snake along StewartsBridge Road outside Madowla Park. A Wedgetailed Eagle and Peaceful Dove were also seen here. We retired to Cape Horn Vineyard on lawns alongside the Murray River for morning refreshments. After the break, a family of Tawny Frogmouths was observed on private property, within the 5km radius, belonging to three of our members.

2006

Challenge Bird Count
BOCA organises a bird count in late November or early December each year. he aim is to find as many birds as possible within a 40km radius. This year, we observed 136 species, including those listed in the column to the left plus Feral Goose, Black Swan (breeding), Pink-eared Duck, Chestnut Teal, Darter, Great, Intermediate and Cattle Egret, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Little eagle, Hobby, Nankeen Kestrel, Black-tailed native Hen, Greenshank, Gull-billed Tern, Little Corella (as well as Long-billed), Superb Parrot (nesting), Tawny Frogmouth, Rainbow Bee-eater (just 7, none last year), Dollarbird, Weebill (nesting), Bue-faced honeyeater, Singing Honeyeater, Brown-headed Zhoneyeater, White-fronted Chat (nesting), Grey-crowned Babbler, Crested Shrike-tit, Dusky Woodswallow (nesting), White-breasted Woodswallow (nesting), Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Currawong, Skylark, Pipit,Tree Sparrow, Zebra Finch, Red-browed Finch, Diamond Ffiretail, Goldfinch, Mistletoe Bird, White-backed Swallow, Little grassbird, Rufous Songlark, Golden-headed Cisticola and Indian Mynah.

Dalyenong Nature Conservation Reserve
In mid September, 11 of us visited a drought-ravaged Dalyenong Nature Conservation Reserve. Many of the wattles and shrubs were dead. Whilst those who attended enjoyed the scenery and flowering plants, we observed just 26 bird species in the reserve, the lowest number observed on an outing for several years. Some particpants observed as many species en route to and from the reserve than they did in it. Species observed in Dalyenong NCR included Wood Duck, Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Musk Lorikeet, Crimonson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Kookaburra, Superb Fairy-wren, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Weebill, Red Wattlebird, Fuscous, White-plumed, Black-chinned and Brown-headed Honeyeater, Hooded Robin, Grey Shrike-thrush, Willie Wagtail, Dusky Woodswallow, Little Raven, White-winged Chough, Mapgpie and a raptor which we could not identify. When visiting in preparation for the outing, Keith observed several Eastern Yellow Robins. During the outing, apart from Michele, no one observed one. Although a few orchids were in bloom, we were about two weeks too early to see large numbers of orchids in bloom. But Astraloma, wattles, Hibbertia (Guinea Flower), Yam Daisy and Calytrix were in bloom. Some participants were determined to revisit the reserve a few weeks later to observe the ochids in bloom and to further explore this interesting reserve.

Deniliquin
Last time we visited Island Sanctuary, we observed a new bird for Tom Wheller's island Sanctuary list, a Purple-crowned Lorikeet. This time Superb Parrots were observed in the sanctuary for the first time. A pair were checking a potential nesting hollow. We observed 84 species in the town, including Australian Shelduck with young, Shoveller, Nankeen Night Heron, Collared Sparrowhawk, Whistling Kite, Black Falcon, Black-tailed Native Hen with young, Banded Lapwing, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel, Eastern Rosella, Azure Kingfisher, White-browed Scrubwren, Weebill, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Varied Sittella, Rufous Whistler, Grey Fantail and Clamorous Reed Warbler. Whilst returning to Echuca, some participants observed several Superb Parrots in box trees at the side of the Cobb Highway. Large numbers of emus were observewd grzing in paddocks alongside the highway. Click here to download our Deniliquin pdf brochure.

Gunbower Island
On 19th August, Norma Sheridan and Norm Wilson led 15 of us around Gunbower Island. We drove from Cohuna along Island road, Chettle Track and Wee Wee Rup Track to the Murray River, followed the river downstream,and stopped at Little Gunbower Creek, Black Swamp and Reedy Swamp before returning to Island Road. Several emus were observed, including a flock of about 20 near the start of the Forest Drive. Although we observed a Black Swan with young cygnets, we saw no sign of birds breeding. The region has experienced a decade-long drought, the past five years being the driest since records began. As a result, bird numbers throughout the region have plummeted and the lack of nesting activity is of concern. But a wide range of species was observed including Shelduck, Grey Teal, Australasian Grebe, Darter, Little Black Cormorant, Royal Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Whistling Kite, Wedgetailed Eagle, Dusky Moorhen, Coot, Bronzewing, Azure Kingfisher, Weebill, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Red-capped Robin, Flame Robin, Grey Shrike Thrush, Rufous Whistler, Dusky Woodswallow, Zebra Finch and Silvereye. Click here to download pdf Gunbower Island brochure

Whipstick Forest
On a cool and overcast day in July, led by Pam and John Land, members visited the Whipstick section of Greater Bendigo National Park. 50 species were observed including Black-shouldered Kite, Musk Lorikeet, Jacky Winter, Hooded Robin, Eastern Yellow Robin, White-browed Babbler, Golden Whistler, Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike, Grey Butcherbird and ten species of Honeyeater: Red Wattlebird, Noisy Miner, Yellow-tufted, Black-chinned, White-naped, White-eared, Fuscous, White-plumed, Yellow-faced and Brown-headed. Members then had a meeting to plan forthcoming outings. Click here to download our Kamarooka Forest brochure.

Rushworth and Whroo State Forest
Led by Peter Allan, 6 BOCA members visited the Rushworth area early in June. 52 species were observed including Painted Button-quail, Musk and Little Lorikeet, Speckled Warbler, five species of Thornbill, eleven species of Honeyeater (Little and Red Wattlebird, Spiny-cheeked, Yellow-faced, White-eared, Yellow-tufted, White-plumed, Brown-headed, White-naped, New Holland Honeyeater and Eastern Spinebill), three species of Robin (Red-capped, Flame and Scarlet), Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Currawong, Grey Currawong, Mistletoebird and Blackbird. The Speckled Warbler was near a tower at the edge of Rushworth.

Mallee Safari
16 BOCA members participated in the Echuca and District safari to mallee country in north-western Victoria and the Riverland of South Australia. A few weeks prior to Easter, we commenced our trip in the Victorian mallee.

John Land has written the following about Mt Crozier in the the Murray-Sunset National Park:

A small group of participants in the Echuca branch of BOCA¹s March/April tagalong camped at Mt Crozier while others who did not fancy the sandy track camped at Hattah Lakes. Mt Crozier is situated in the magnificent Murray-Sunset National Park. This park is Victoria¹s second largest national park and can reasonably be regarded as true outback. It is remote, harsh and beautiful with abundant wildlife and a profusion of wildflowers after rain. Activities there were varied but of course bird watching was uppermost in everyone¹s mind and the Red-lored Whistler was our special target bird. (More of that later). Plenty of walking was done as a group, or in ones and twos. The walks were delightful. A loop walk scaled Mt Crozier where one could gain sensational views over the sea of mallee which extended as far as the eye could see. Another walk meandered through several very different plant communities like mallee, grassy flats, Allocasuarina and Acacia. One participant was a plant guru so her opinion was in high demand as we discovered plants which we wanted to identify. Alas, we were not able to positively identify the Red-lored Whistler. We heard calls which we thought compared favourably to our BOCA CD of its calls, but we wanted to be 100% sure before we recorded (ticked) it. We had a brief but not good enough sighting, so we had to admit defeat and vow to return another day. The species recorded were - Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brush Bronzewing, Galah (of course), Major Mitchell¹s (Pink) Cockatoo, Australian Ringneck, Mulga Parrot, Southern Boobook, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Brown Tree-creeper, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Spotted and Striated Pardalotes, Weebill , Western Gerygone, Inland Thornbill , Chestnut-rumped Thornbill , Red Wattlebird, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, Singing Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, White-fronted Honeyeater, Jack Winter, Red-capped Robin, Hooded Robin, White-browed Babbler, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Varied Sittella, Crested Bellbird, Gilbert’s Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Restless Flycatcher, W illie Wagtail, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Masked Woodswallow, White-browed Woodswallow, Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie and Tree Martin. End of John Land¹s report.

Those of us who stayed at Lake Mournpall did, however, drive along sandy tracks through mallee-Sunset national Park to meet the others at Mt. Crozier.
En route, crossing the Raak Plain south of the Nowingi Toxic dump site, we observed large mixed flocks of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows. We came across some Œpurple patches¹ where we had good views of the following species: Pied Honeyeater, Southern Whiteface, Brown Tree-creeper, Mulga Parrot, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill , Inland Thornbill , Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater and White-backed Swallow. At Mt Crozier, we observed most of the birds which John has listed above (apart from the Œowls¹ and Major Mitchells). It was a little difficult to positively identify some wrens as they were not in breeding plumage, but we concluded that they were Variegated Wrens. We enjoyed good views of Chestnut Quail Thrush but most of us only heard the Crested Bellbird. Upon finally arriving at Mt Crozier, the girls knelt down and kissed the ground, so glad they were that we had survived the last bit of the track which was somewhat challenging. After spending a few hours at Mr Crozier, we decided to return via Pink Lakes and sealed highways.

Those who didn't camp at Mt Crozier enjoyed birding in Hattah National Park.
Birds which we observed near Lake Mournpall included Emu, Wedgetailed Eagle, Australian (Mallee) Ringneck, Regent Parrot, Red-rumped Parrot, Restless Flycatcher, Inland and Chestnut-rumped Thornbill , Grey Shrike-thrush, Crested Bellbird, Jacky Winter, Hooded Robin, Red-capped Robin, Gilberts Whistler, Tree Martin, Weebill , Spiny-cheeked, Singing, White-fronted and Brown-headed Honeyeater, White-browed Babbler, Grey Butcher Bird and White-winged Chough plus lots of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows. Again, the wrens were a little hard to identify but we concluded that the ones we saw here were Splendid Wrens. Whilst birding in some mallee north of the camp ground, our party disturbed a bird that must have been sitting on the ground. It was within a metre of one birder when it flew up. Lagging behind the others, I was the only one who caught a good view: only one of the others caught a glimpse of it and none of us heard a sound. Its flight was silent! The bird was brownish with long wings and it was about the size of a raven. I can only assume it was a Spotted Nightjar. It didn¹t matter that no one else saw it, however, as we were all to obtain close up views of one at Eremophila Park later in our trip. I would have taken a fantastic close-up photo had the battery of my camera not decided to go flat at the moment when I pushed the Œshutter¹. Always carry a spare battery!!! The weather was ideal. I was pleased that a hard-working dairy farmer (Dallas) found time to join us. And our Branch founder, Jon Hosford, travelled across from Tasmania to be with us. No one enjoyed the trip more than Jon and Dallas!

After several days in the Victorian mallee, we broke camp and headed off to Chowilla in South Australia.
Early in April, we left for Chow a Game reserve, north of Paringa in South Australia. After shopping and refuelling at Renmark, we crossed the Murray back to Paringa and travelled north-east along the Murtho Road. The road was lined with orchards until just before we reached an old customs house. Although the owner of the old customs house (voluntarily) collects the camping fees for the Department of Environment and Heritage, he makes a living from hiring out house boats. Large houseboats. Enormous, luxurious houseboats. He must do a good trade as the car park was all but full. We set up camp in the nearby camping area alongside a very wide Murray River. Chow a Game reserve covers 17,508 hectares and is 280km NE of Adelaide. Much of this wetland area is covered with River Red Gum and Black Box. There is a good understorey of Wattles, Lignum, Hop Bush and other shrubs. Shooting Œwaterfowl¹ is permitted on certain designated days but, fortunately, our stay did not coincide with any of these days. We birded our way around a wetlands walkway, observing lots of birds including Great Egret, Black-tailed Native hen, Pelican, Darter, Great and Little Pied Cormorant, Black Swan, White-faced Heron, Shelduck, Coot, Royal and Yellow-billed Spoonbill , Grey Teal, Swamp (Marsh) Harrier, Whistling Kite, Brown Tree-creeper, Rufous Whistler, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Little friar Bird, Striped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, White-plumed Honeyeater, Grey Shrike-thrush, Peaceful Dove, Yellow (form of Crimson) Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Mallee Ringneck, Little Grass Bird, Pied Butcher Bird, Dusky Woodswallow, Bronzewing and several more-common birds like Willie Wagtail, Black Duck and Magpie. I was particularly pleased to enjoy outstanding views of Striped Honeyeaters, a bird I first recall seeing in the Capertee Valley last year. There were to be lots of them at Gluepot and elsewhere during our trip.

We drove back toward Paringa, stopping off at some dry mallee country south-west of the old customs house. Here we saw lots of Blue Bonnets. A pair of Pied Butcher Birds had young in a nest. A Tawny Frogmouth flew close by to us and landed for everyone to enjoy good views. A group of Chestnut-crowned Babblers attracted our attention and we noticed that their roosts are larger and higher up in the trees than the roosts of either Grey-crowned or White-browed Babblers. A few kilometres along the Murtho Road, we stopped again for a 20 minute 2 hectare survey and observed only Southern Whiteface, Richards Pipit and Tree Martins.

Next stop was Murtho Forest Reserve, alongside the Murray River. Now at Echuca-Moama the Murray is not all that wide and in the nearby Barmah Forest it has no banks at all, being a perched river. But here, near Paringa, the Murray was a most impressive, very wide river with cliffs on both sides. Excellent views were obtained from a clifftop lookout tower. The birding in this reserve proved to be excellent: most of the species listed above, plus Kookaburra, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill , White-browed Babbler, Red-capped Robin, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Crested Pigeon, Weebill , Gilberts Whistler, Australian Raven, Grey fantail, Superb Blue Wren, Dusky Moorhen and more Striped Honeyeaters. There were a few campers here and we wondered what they were thinking as we patiently tried to track down and obtain good views of a Gilberts Whistler. It turned out that some of them had some interest in bird watching and carried bird guides with them.

A farmer member, Dallas, pointed out a lovely drooping wattle, Acacia stenophylla, which he is growing on his dairy farm as a timber tree. Apparently the wood is highly prized for furniture. Trees are ready to harvest for this purpose after about 15 years. But the trees growing here were much, much older. Contrary to common belief, some species of wattle are very long-lived and, according to an expert on allergies, are not a trigger for asthma or hay fever. Dallas and another of our group, Karen, were terrific at identifying native grasses and shrubs for us.

After a few days here we set off for Gluepot with over 100 bird species ticked off for the trip.
We were keen to catch up with one of our members who was the voluntary ranger there, assisted by another of our friends, Bob from Mallacoota. To come: seeking Red-lored Whistlers and Black-eared Miners at Gluepot, lots of Lowan at Eremophila Park, besieged by emus at Stockyard Plains and a 4WD trek through Wyperfeld to visit the O¹Sullivans of Pine Plains. Echuca and District Branch of BOCA¹s Mallee Safari Part 3 On 4th April, from Chowilla, we travelled west to Waikerie where we replenished our supplies and showered before crossing the Murray by ferry and driving north through Taylorville Station to Gluepot. We camped at the Sittella Camp Ground for six days (five nights) and spent each day birding in and exploring different parts of the reserve. Shortly after arriving, I wandered off alone along a nearby walking track and soon spotted a juvenile Pallid Cuckoo and obtained an excellent view of a White-eared Honeyeater. Crested Bellbirds and Red Wattlebirds were calling and a Tree Martin circled overhead. There was a party of Chestnut-crowned Babblers near our camp. The following morning, 5th April, we travelled west, exploring the area around Old Gluepot homestead. We observed several Pied Honeyeaters which appeared to be feeding with a large mixed flock of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows. Other birds observed included Red-capped Robin; Hooded Robin; White-faced, White-fronted, Spiny-cheeked and Yellow-plumed Honeyeater; Splendid Wren; Willie Wagtail; Black-eared Cuckoo; Mulga Parrot; Crested Bellbird; White-browed Tree-creeper and Brown Falcon. White-browed Tree-creeper was a new bird for some members of our party.

On 6th April, we set out for Froggy dam and Broggy¹s Hole. A Little Eagle hovered over the scrub near the Kangaroo Dam site. We stopped alongside an area of porcupine grass (spinifex) in the hope of attracting some different birds. In the distance, Jon, co-founder of our BOCA Branch, sighted some emus and waved a white handkerchief in the air. This attracted the attention of the emus and they came closer and closer until one of our party became somewhat apprehensive and persuaded Jon to stop attracting them. As we were travelling slowly along track 5, Jon heard some unusual calls. So we stopped and obtained wonderful views of a Southern Scrub Robin which seemed reluctant to leave its spot: it made sure we all had a good view of it. Nearby we obtained good views of a Striated Grasswren. Other birds in this purple patch included Masked and White-browed Woodswallows; Striped, White-fronted and Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters, and Crested Bellbird. Large flocks of woodswallows seemed to follow us from Hattah and Mt Crozier to Chowilla to Gluepot! There is more to Gluepot than birds. En route to Froggy Dam, a very long line of processional caterpillars was discovered. For the better part of half an hour, we watched the procession slowly make its way along. One caterpillar decided to stop crawling for a while and those behind it concertined (sic?) into one another and the chain took many minutes to reform, with the offender resuming its place further back in the procession. On the way back to camp we decided to do the Airstrip Walk and were rewarded with good views of Chestnut-crowned Babblers; Chestnut-rumped Thornbills; Striated Pardalote; Jacky Winter; Brown-headed, White-fronted and Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters; Crested Pigeon; Brown Tee-creeper, Weebill and Mistletoe Bird. Late one afternoon, three of us decided to bird near the Babbler camp site and hit another purple patch: in a small area over 15 minutes we observed (in order of sighting) Jacky Winter, White-eared Honeyeater, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Grey Shrike-thrush, Golden Whistler, White-browed Tree-creeper, Rufous Whistler, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Varied Sittella, White-browed Babbler, Yellow-throated Miner, Brown Tree-creeper, Weebill, Red-capped Robin and Chestnut Quail Thrush.

On 7th April, we travelled to the north-western section of the park and completed the walking trail near Picnic Dam (east of the Bellbird camp site).This was quite a long walk. For long periods, few birds called. But in one 500m stretch alongside the northern boundary fence we spotted up to 10 Chestnut Quail-thrush running about on the ground. Jacky Winter and Red-capped Robin flew about and sat on the fence. An emu paraded ahead of us. Other birds in the area included Spiny-cheeked, White-fronted and Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters, Red Wattlebird, Gilberts Whistler and Crested Bellbird. There was another line of processional caterpillars here. A house fly at the head of the line seemed to be trying to divert them. An ant found its way blocked by the line and crawled up and down parallel to the line before finding its way around the line. All the time, the fly persistently tried to alter the course of the line. Why we do not know. Later, a few of us walked part of a track near Babbler Camp and saw most of the birds listed above plus Splendid Wren, White-browed Babbler and Grey Butcherbird.

On 8th April, we set off for the Mallee Fowl (Callitris) Walk west of Babbler Camp Site. We hoped to find Red-lored Whistler here. I reckon I heard one calling but we could only see Gilberts Whistler and other species which we had already observed elsewhere in the reserve. Still, it was a lovely walk. Some of us returned to the start of the Whistler Walk before returning to camp.

We sighted several miners which we think were hybrids between Yellow-throated and Black-eared. We later learned that Yellow-throated are not common in the reserve, most being Black-eared or hybrids.

On Sunday 9th April, we broke camp and headed back to Waikerie, stopping at the reserve¹s southern boundary to search in vain for the elusive Red-lored Whistler. We were sad to leave Gluepot as the place had good vibes and lots of birds which we don¹t often see in our home turf. At Waikerie, we made use of the facilities at the caravan park, stocked up at the supermarket, enjoyed the lovely pasties of the highway bakery and visited a small chocolate factory before setting off for Eremophila Park.

Located east of Waikerie, Eremophila Park is an area of mallee in a sea of cleared land. The property is owned by Stella Mack who, along with her late husband, removed cattle from the bushland area when they purchased the property back in the 1980s. Part of the land is cleared and grazed/cropped. Part of the bushland has been sold to the government and is a reserve. The area of bush which Stella still owns covers a few hundred acres and supports a population of Mallee Fowl. The camping area is very pleasant, with running water in the toilet/shower block. Stella kindly allowed us to use a room in a cottage for a dinner ~ which Jon cooked for us ~ and for bird call. Apart from Mallee Fowl (Lowan), the highlight was being able to locate and observe close up a Spotted Nightjar. It patiently sat still on the ground whilst we crept ever nearer to photograph it. Alas, just as I pushed the Œshutter¹ on my digital camera I discovered that the battery was exhausted. Always carry a spare battery folks! Fortunately there were two others who captured the bird on Œfilm¹ and look forward to seeing the photos. Hopefully there will be a good one for our next branch newsletter (our newsletters can be downloaded from the branch¹s web site). The worst thing about Eremophila Park was the flies: a thick swarm of flies.

Stella gave us a list of birds which had been observed in her bushland by members of the Fleurieu Bird Observers Group a year or so back. Both of us observed 40 species. Our list was almost identical to theirs except that we missed out on Rainbow Bee-eater and one or two other birds but made up for it with Little Eagle and Spotted Nightjar. We noted that he mallee form of the Spotted Pardalote has a brighter yellow rump than the form found around Echuca.

Please note that you must book with Stella Mack, Wunkar Road LOWBANK South Australia before camping at Eremophila Park.

Birds observed on Eremophila Park Latitude 34 14 14 S, Longitude 140 11 02 E By Echuca and District BOCA tagalong members 9th and 10th April 2006 Lowan (Mallee Fowl) Little Eagle Common Bronzewing Crested Pigeon Galah Australian Ringneck Mulga Parrot Southern Boobook (heard) Spotted Nightjar Australian Owlet Nightjar (heard) Brown Tree-creeper Variegated Fairy Wren Spotted Pardalote Striated Pardalote Weebill Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Yellow-rumped Thornbill Southern Whiteface Red Wattlebird Yellow-throated Miner Singing Honeyeater White-eared Honeyeater Yellow-plumed Honeyeater Brown-headed Honeyeater Jacky Winter Red-capped Robin Hooded Robin White-browed Babbler Rufous Whistler Grey Shrike-thrush Restless Flycatcher Grey Fantail Willie Wagtail Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Grey Butcherbird Australian Magpie Grey Currawong Little Raven White-winged Chough Tree Martin

After a few nights at Eremophila Park, the 15 of us travelled via Waikerie (and its highway bakery) to spend two nights at Stockyard Plains, off the Sturt Highway19km south-west of Waikerie.
Stockyard Plains is a 1,870ha reserve which features a 500ha lake of saline ground-water extracted from beneath a 50km stretch of the Murray River and piped to the site at a rate of 340 litres per second. Much of the water evaporates from the lake and some seeps into the ground. Surrounding the wetland are open saltbush plains and mallee bushland. Needless to say a variety of water birds make use of the wetland. The saltbush and mallee supports good numbers of inland bush birds. Campers and visitors are required to collect a key (and pay a deposit for same) from a government office in Waikerie before assessing the reserve. We received our deposit back less $5 so the camping fee worked out to about 20 cents each! When we arrived, we were unsure as to which of three camp sites to say at. I checked out one of the sites. Before I managed to check out the facilities, I was surrounded by a large mob of inquisitive emus, all the time reporting to the others via UHF radio. They thought I was exaggerating as i am sometimes prone to do. As the site seemed okay apart from the emus, the the others decided to come to this camp site and they too had to fend off emus as they tried to set up tents/vans and eat lunch. I saw one participant using a bread board to fend off an emu from her lunch but it was all to little avail. There was no need to wave a handkerchief over one¹s head to attract them. It was very windy that day and we saw very few birds. We thought the birder who had recommended this place must have been here in better times. But at least there was a shower at our camp ground and the water, which came via a poly pipe lying on the ground, was very hot.

Next morning dawned and the wind had abated. The lake and its shallow edges were smothered with hundreds of ducks and water birds. It was interesting to observe a small number of Avocets and Banded Stilts feeding together. Thanks to Geoff who was first to observe that the stilts were Banded rather than Pied: the rest of us had not paid them much attention. We observed 73 species at Stockyard Plains including: Emu Musk Duck Black Swan Shelduck Shoveler Grey Teal Chestnut Teal Pink-eared (Zebra) Duck Australasian Grebe Hoary-headed Grebe Darter Great Black Cormorant Pelican Whistling Kite White-bellied Sea-eagle Collared Sparrowhawk Wedgetailed Eagle Little Eagle Brown Falcon Nankeen Kestrel Eurasian Coot Red-necked Stilt Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Banded Stilt Red-necked Avocet Red-capped Plover Masked Lapwing Silver Gull Common Bronzewing Crested Pigeon Australian Ringneck Red-rumped Parrot Mulga Parrot Blue-winged Parrot Spotted Nightjar (heard) Owlet Nightjar (he