Australia - TAS - Mount Wellington and Waterworks Reserve - Steady Start to Endemics!

The Tasmanian stage of my adventure began with thirteen endemics to find before I depart on the 8^th for ACT. The Waterworks Reserve is situated in the Mount Wellington jurisdiction which is a very handy fifteen minutes away. All thirteen endemics have been recorded at this reserve and the slopes to the mountain.

I spent the evening hoping to hear Morepork (split from Boobook) or even a Masked Owl but the masses of Sulphur Crestead Cockatoos were making enough noise for everything to be drowned out. The birds are much bigger that the cage birds you see at home. 

This morning I walked the Upper and Lower trails and succeeded in identifying Tasmanian Thornbill which has a white rump and rufous tinge on the tail feathers. I flushed a Bassian Thrush from the path this bird then sat tight at the back of a shrub evry time I crept forward the bird shuffled round then took its opportunity to escape the paparazzi.

On the opposite side of the reserve Yellow Throated Honeyeater were easily located.

Followed in quick succession by Black headed Honeyeater both species enjoying an early morning feed.

Around 9am a large school group was seen marching in pairs up the path. It was time to move further up the slope towards Fern Tree and the Fern Glade track which is opposite the pub. I walked up Middle track to the gravel path around what looked like a water tank. I heard and then staked out Yellow Wattlebird who were skulking around in the trees and not behaving as the book describes.

I walked most of the network of tracks from here playing another game of peek-a-boo with Tasmanian Scrubwren. The day was not overly sunny therefore I wonder if these birds were just more cautious or less active today.

That brings the total of endemics to five. I have photographed many Currawong some juvenile birds and cannot positively identify a Black from the subspecies of Grey Currawong on the island. Both are present along with Forest Raven which could be mistaken in flight.

Australia - VIC - Philip Island - Penguins Paradise!

My trip to the state of Victoria is coming to a close and the perfect way to end it was at Philip Island where I hoped to see wild Little Penguin. 

The Nobbies Visitor centre was the location that came up trumps with a pair in a nest hole just off the boardwalk. I spied another pair in a nest box closer to the centre. 

The former pair were far more entertaining acting like an old style weather vane one pushes its way out whilst the other stays indoors. 

Looking out to sea was another impressive sight with waves of Short Tailed Shearwater passing the round rock. I have never seen so many of which there are over a million that nest within the confines of the national park. The time to visit is after dusk and like the Penguins the Shearwaters return to their burrows departing before dawn to feed in the ocean.

The Penguin Parade is a popular tourist attraction where you can view the Penguins returning to their nest at dusk. I considered staying to see the spectacle at around 9pm tonight but I was content with observing the performing burrowers!

A few Australian Gannet caused the odd heart tremor showing a white underbody against the dark belly of the shearwaters. Migratory times must be very interesting along this coastline. I hope to see the odd Albatross whilst in New Zealand during the autumn period!

Tomorrow at stupid o clock I return to the madness of Melbourne and its airport on a single to Hobart Tasmania! I hope to have my tanks full for the Bruny Island endemic challenge!

Australia - VIC - Dandenong Ranges National Park - Lyring in wait!

The Danedong Ranges National Park was where the quest for the Lyrebird continued. What initially appeared to be the most unlikely locations along Ferntree Gully Lyrebird Track proved fruitful having spent the day walking amongst the masses of runners that traverse the steep stairs and narrow pathway up and down into the creek. The morning was heaving with people but a couple of runners reported that birds had been seen particularly near Emergency point two along the track. I plotted up off the path completing the circuit which appears to be somewhat of a badge of honour for the local people! It is very steep in places!

(Eastern Yellow Robin)

I moved the suv up to One Tree Hill Walk picnic area had lunch and waited for the sun to drop and had my fingers crossed that the people pressure would diminish as the day progressed. I continued with my earlier tactics completing the downhill course without success. There were only a few people around and just before I had reached Emergency point two (walking uphill) I saw a Superb Lyrebird walking down the scrub to my left. It saw me and turned just as a jogger bounded down the stairs I indicated for him to stop which he did in the mean time the bird was striding off into the scrub. I sat in the scrub hoping for a photo opportunity bus saw the bird drop over the path out of sight. Despite a lengthy wait the juvenile bird did not show itself again so that was it quest over!

Australia - VIC - Toolangi State Forest - Quest for a Lyrebird!

Toolangi State Forest was my first stop on the trail of the Superb Lyrebird. The first blow to my quest came early with boardwalk replacement work having began at the car park at the top of Quarry Road. I spoke to the ranger who stated the birds were present in the area but the work would minimilise the chance of seeing them. 

I went to the upper car park and took a 10km walk from there the loop covered the area being renovated. Gang Gang Cockatoo were regularly heard with one group stopping briefly by the road. Forest birding is always a test for photographers with many views high in the canopy or fleeting in poor light.

Rufous Fantail were regularly seen and were super hyperactive bouncing around with tail fanned but unlike the Grey Fantail their interaction with me was always brief but a spectacular display of the rufous tail band served as a warning with each encounter.

I saw a Rose Robin during the walk but it was mid level in the canopy and distant. A Flame Robin was more obliging in the picnic area but I think it had its eyes on my lunch!

The above species I am not sure about. My initial thoughts were a female Honeyeater based on bill shape body length and long tail but have not identified it at the time of writing.

No Lyrebirds during the 3 – 4hr walk through the forest so I moved on to Mason Falls spending the evening there without success! I still had other Lyrebird site options lined up but would I get to see this bird!

Australia - VIC - Western Treatment Plant - Raptors Re-visited!

My intention was to spend the day at You Yangs Regional Park but the area was so dry and bird less that I cut the visit short and returned to the Western Treatment Plant to concentrate on finding the various species of raptor that frequent the area. 

I did however bump into a group of Long Billed Corella that is easily identified by the red feathering around the eye and the throat. Closer views reveal the longer upper mandible.

The raptors at the plant did not disappoint with a Brown Falcon spotted in a tree before the beginning of Twenty nine mile road. 

The bird was curious about my presence and took a short fly over before returning to its original perch.

I also caught up with Black Kite which I am certain have featured over the main freeway in the Geelong area. 

These birds were far more approachable but I generally drive past perched birds and then use the cover of the suv to gain good position for pictures.

There were also a good gathering of Welcome Swallow and Fairy Martin on the wires and gravel around the car park at Kirk Point. The birds suddenly took flight and were gone there could only be reason for the reaction and an Australian Hobby landed on a post supporting the fence to the car park.

Whistling Kite were also in this area which is well worth staking out before venturing down Twenty nine mile road. Black Falcon have also been reported I had a possible candidate where the photos are not conclusive. Sometimes it is wise to have a longer look at a bird before engaging the camera then if the pictures don’t come up to scratch at least a decent view of the bird has been achieved.

The pair of Australian Kite were seen near Gate 3 later on in the day. It appears to be a favoured area as the day moves into the afternoon.

The Shelduck were still numerous  and particularly troubled by the raptor activity during the morning.  

I have changed location after some issues with a hotel in the city. I have been refunded and I am now staying at Ferntree Gully which is in the area where I sought my first Superb Lyrebird! More to follow…

Australia - VIC - Great Otway NP - Pieces of Eight!

The day was spent within the boundary of Great Otway National Park which is situated along the Great Coast Road SW of Melbourne. The reserve consists of a diverse range of habitats but my focus would be looking on the heath and within the forest looking for parrots and Cockatoos.

I went to Anglesea heath at the corner of O’Donohue Road and began walking the narrow path. I heard Fairywrens causing a commotion in a small bush and began looking through them. There was a skulker at the back of the bush which was keeping an eye on the other birds. 

After some patience the Chestnut Rumped Heathwren gave some brief views before disappearing back into the scrub. I initially thought this was a Striated Fieldwren with the buff wash but can only conclude think this is a juvenile bird as the Fieldwren does not have black through the eye with a pencil thin white eyebrow stripe and a longer wider tail.

The walk up the hill took me through some sparse forest leading up to a wider path at the bottom of a row of housing. This turned out to be a good watch point for Cockatoo watch with a party of Gang Gang squawking their way low across the trees, Yellow Tailed Black give a bit more warning!

The rain came in off the sea and it was time to move on to The Sheoak Picnic Ground deeper into the rainforest. Getting to the site was up hill and down dale but the suv handled the ground. There were a few picnickers on site which had a lot of the smaller birds some 6 – 8 metres up in the canopy. Time for some neck ache! A shower of rain came to the rescue clearing out the people in an instant. It had turned a bit chilly by Oz standards but there were plenty of covered tables! I wasn’t complaining as birds started to appear on the grass which had a covering of leaves and morsels that the Crimson Rosella seemed to like.

I added my first bowerbird to my trip total in the form of a female Satin who was scavenging around the now vacant picnic tables. There were several short flights to cover which emphasized how powerful its wings were to propel this stocky bird through the air.

Parrot of the day took a while to turn up but the Australlian King made quite an entrance from across the stream. Luck would have it that it was a male in its splendor. Fantastic and after some careful maneuvering around the site I came face to face all bar 6 metres upwards of it!

Rose Robin are reported to frequent this area but as canopy feeders it was going to be a tough call to pick one out. I have other sites where you are closer to the canopy than here! A White Throated Treecreeper made full use of the towering trees to pick insects off the bark.

Watching on from a tree stump was a couple of Eastern Yellow Robin. Every passerine has to be mentally checked with many Eastern variants having been given full species status. The Rosella above were scrutinized but lacked the yellow on the belly amongst other colour variants.

Time as usual was ticking on and the journey back to Melbourne was beckoning! Note to self: Keep the truck which would have worked out about the same price as accommodation, hire car (although I have a free upgrade to suv) and fuel to and from Melbourne. 

I have not mentioned the Citylink (+/- $20AUS?)toll dodging and the chaos of driving in Melbourne even at 5am! Thank goodness for the birds!

Australia - VIC - Western Treatment Plant - Birds Galore!

I spent the day at the Western Treatment Plant in the area of Twenty-nine Mile Road which has general access for bird watchers. There are several gates some leading to hides which require a key. Despite a few calls to the water authority that controls the site I was unable to access the restricted areas but there was plenty to see on the pools and fields surrounding the restricted areas. 

I spent some time looking through the ducks, shorebirds, Ibis and both Spoonbills before heading to Beach Road in search of Striated Fieldwren which announced its presence from a post at the edge of the small car park which also had White Fronted Chat and a flock of House Sparrow.

I searched the area looking for Zebra Finch but none could be found until I drove along Beach Road towards Twenty-nine Mile Rd where I caught a small group of finches in my periphery vision as I crept along the track in the SUV.

I spent the remainder of the morning looking at raptors that were hunting over the fields. A Whistling Kite paid particular attention to stealth photography in the area of the finches.

Australian Kite or Black Shouldered Kite were also present a pair settling in the trees close to where I had parked up during my raptor watch. 

A couple of Brolga were found feeding in the area that was dubbed Shelduck field. There must have been a thousand birds, with around a hundred Straw Necked Ibis. This area is definitely worth putting top of the list if you are paying a visit to Melbourne!

The freeway back to Melbourne reminded me of the M40 in Oxfordshire loaded with Kites, Kestrel and other raptors. It was a shame I could not stop to view and id some of them!

Australia - VIC - Geelong Area - Mixed Bag of New Species!

The first day of my Victorian adventure began in the Geelong area at Reedy Lake which was as the name suggests but was otherwise dry. The lake is part of the Lake Corewarre Reserve which was also dry in this area. I walked a couple of overgrown paths which led into open areas. 

A couple of Golden Headed Cisticola made their presence heard and wasted no time in appearing on top of a bush.

A group of Red Browed Finch responded to some pishing giving good views in the same area.

Walking further down the track Australian Pipit was feeding on insects in a low area of heath.

I spent some time attempting to access Lake Corewarre which was now enclosed by private land. I spoke to a passing cyclist who directed me to the Hospital Swamp which ironically is maintained by hunters who protect the avian residents for nine months of the year then blast the ducks for the remaining three! 

The swamp was alive with shorebirds who took to the air sporadically giving the opportunity to take photos as they turned above me. Greenshank was present in smaller numbers with a couple of White Backed Stilt. I did not see any ducks aha its hunting season!

I had been keeping my eyes on the surrounding fields in the hope of finding Brolga but had been unsuccessful. However a single bird was stood in the far third of the shrinking lake. This was a relief to me as much of the area was inaccessible.

Time was moving on and I drove down to the headland with a view to working my way back to the Western Treatment Works to arrange access.

I stopped at Lake Lorne which regularly holds Freckled Duck. I had failed to see this species at other sites and the lake was only 5-6km away therefore the opportunity could not be wasted. There were several present on the lake along with Grey and Chestnut Teal, Pink Eared, Pacific Black and an array of other wetland species including Royal Spoonbill.

The edges of the lake had muddy areas which entertained juvenile Black Fronted Dotterel, White Backed Stilt, Latham’s Snipe and a Red Kneed Dotterel which gave the camera lens the slip a couple of times.

I stopped off at the Western Treatment Plant on my return to Melbourne avoiding the toll section of the freeway on the way back!

Australia - SA - Laratinga Wetlands - Fitting End To SA Truck Tour!

My final stop on this fantastic leg of my adventure was at Laratinga Wetlands in the Mount Barker area on the outskirts of Adelaide. This excellent wetland habitat was a local community creation from small mud splats to vibrant lakes with reed-beds and an area of swamp lined with eucalyptus bushes and scrub. The walkways are user friendly creating a peaceful environment to observe nature at close quarters.

My early morning visit had me stumbling on a Royal Spoonbill that was busily sifting a snack from a tiny reed lined pool by the entrance to the reserve. I am not certain how regular this species is at this site but it attracted some interest from local people.

Ducks were present in numbers but I could not find my intended quarry Freckled Duck perhaps the rise in water level has seen them move on. I did however catch up with Little Grassbird which was skulking in the reeds with Australian Reed Warbler.

Australian Spotted Crake were darting around in the swamp margins briefly looking up to observe the observer before continuing their morning feed.

Latham’s Snipe was also using thick clumps of reed stems to rest beside. I saw what looked like an otter swimming across the area of swamp. It took me by totally by surprise!

Crimson Rosella were noted feeding at ground and in the trees. Mulga Parrot and Sulphur Crestead Cockatoo were also present close to the car park.

I am taking a short flight to Melbourne tomorrow. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Apollo Land Cruiser and  the people I have met during my travels. Perhaps I should have driven the 750km to Melbourne!