Tim Dolby's Bird Trip Reports

The VicTwitch Record is Broken
Tim Dolby

Crimson Chat, currently common at Goschen FFR and the Murray Sunset NP.

As part of a fund raising event to raise money for Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary this year I've attempted to break the VicTwitch record. So here's a rundown on where the VicTwitch09 currently stands. The good news is that the VicTwitch record is broken! My current standing is 340, 5 more than the previous record.

Special thanks Jonathon Thornton for the use of some of his excellent photographs (they're the good ones), all taken at the wonderful Goschen Flora and Fauna Reserve.

This report deals with the period from late September to November. It's rather long, it is spring after all! It begins with brief reports on Anakie Gorge, Royal Park and the You Yangs. Then covers the reconnaissance of northern Victoria for the Twitchathon, and then THE big race itself! Finally I discuss the book launch of Where to See Birds in Victoria and a trip to the Australian Birdfair in Leeton. On the way up and back from Leeton I stopped to bird near Barmah and Rutherglen. In the process I've beaten the VicTwitch record! As mentioned my current standing is 340, which is 5 more than the previous record. To cap it all off my team won the 2009 Victorian Twitchathon. Aside from the birding being great fun I'm seriously starting to question my sanity!

Royal Park!
Who'd have believed it! On my ride to work I saw 2 new species for the VicTwitch. The first was Rufous Songlark (17/09/09) and the second White-winged Triller (18/09/09). There's a wonderful little wetland at Royal Park called Trin Warren Tam-boore (Bellbird waterhole). Previously five hectares of little-used land in the north-western area of Royal Park, it was opened officially in 2006 as part of the Commonwealth Games Village. The transition of the area has been remarkable, from wasteland to seriously good bird habiatat. Next to the wetland is an area of scrubby open woodland (a site maintained as protected habitat for White's Skink) that attracts good numbers of birds. This is where the Rufous Songlank and White-winged Triller were seen. Spring 2009 is proving to be very good year for Victorian summer migrants, with large influxes of Rufous Songlark, White-winged Triller, Black-tailed Native-hen, rare migratory honeyeaters (mentioned below) and woodswallows.

Not Wyperfeld or Terrick Terrick National Park, this is Royal Park in central Melbourne. With some fortune, and through choice, I ride past this area on my way to work. Some of the birds I've seen here during spring include Rufous and Brown Songlark,White-winged Triller, Black-tailed Native-hen and Latham's Snipe.

Anakie Gorge
A day trip to Anakie Gorge, part of Brisbane Ranges NP, and the bird life was very active (11/10/2009). Spring was well and truly here. Of note were large numbers cuckoo, including no less than 4 Black-eared Cuckoo. This was a new bird for my Victorian year list, and a bird that can be devilishly tricky to track down particularly when you're specifically looking for it. Other cuckoos included Pallid Cuckoo (1), Fan-tailed Cuckoo (1), Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (numerous) and Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (numerous). They were feeding on large hairy caterpillars that seemed to be plague proportions. The caterpillars in turn were feeding on Silver Wattle which, due to recent rains in the area, was covered in new shoot growth. Honeyeater were also numerous at Anakie (perfect hosts for young cuckoos) with large numbers of White-naped, Yellow-faced, Yellow-tufted, Brown-headed Honeyeater and White-eared Honeyeater. The best spot for cuckoo was about 3/4 of the way up the 3 km walk, towards the Stony Creek Picnic Area end of the walk. Also seen flying over the gorge was a single Blue-winged Parrot.

Black-eared Cuckoo, surprisingly common at Anakie Gorge.

You Yangs
A day trip to the You Yangs showing around the CEOs of Birdlife International organisations (Birds Australia is an affiliate on Birdlife International) was rewarding. I finally caught up with Masked Woodswallow, an inland species that had eluded me up until now. There were also White-winged Triller, Rufous Songlark, Diamond Firetail, Restless Flycatcher, Brown Treecreeper, Rainbow Bee-eater, Little Eagle and Purple-crowned Lorikeet.

Black-eared Cuckoo food! An Anthelidae caterpillar, possibly Anthela nicothoe.

After the You Yangs I took the group to The Spit Nature Conservation Reserve (part of the Western Treatment Plant complex). Good numbers of waders were seen, the most interesting was Pectoral Sandpiper, another new species for the year.

A gaggle of Birdlife International CEOs at Hovell Creek in the You Yangs.

Northern Victoria & Twitchathon Reconnaissance
As part of the reconnaissance for the 2009 Victorian Twitchathon (with Greg Oakley and Fiona Parkin) I headed up to northern Victoria. On this trip I thought that I might get close to the VicTwitch record but didn't think I would break it. I was sitting on 329, still needing another 7 new species. To my surprise I broke it on the first day! After camping over night at Lake Boga, the first stop was at Goschen Fauna & Flora Reserve. It's located about 15 km west of Lake Boga, at the intersection of the Ultima-Lake Boga Rd and the Donald Swan Hill Rd. The place was running hot! Really HOT.

I saw my first Black Honeyeater for 2009 near the communication tower in the north east section of Goschen. At the time I had a feeling of great delight, and I wasn't sure if I'd see Black Honeyeater again. Moving further through the reserve it turned out that they were the common honeyeater!

The second new bird at Goschen was Pied Honeyeater, a flock of 15 birds seen in the area between the old club house and the communication tower! This was a great bird and a real bonus for the VicTwitch! To give you an example of its rarity I'd never seen them in Victoria before. The last 2 times I'd seen them was in the Simpson Desert in South Australia (2008) and Erldunda in the Northern Territory (2007), but both were nearly 2 thousand km away. It seemed that in terms of honeyeaters in Victoria there was a reversal of status - common honeyeaters were scarce and rare honeyeaters common. In the same area as the Pied Honeyeater, were several scattered flocks of Crimson Chat, another tricky bird to find, looking brilliant in the bright morning sun!

Black Honeyeater, normally rare, it was the most common honeyeater at Goschen FFR near Swan Hill.

I also added two more birds to the VicTwitch list at Goschen, Budgerigar and Cockatiel. Despite both species being icons of Australia, they're quite uncommon in Victoria. They only seem to turn up (in any number) during "good years", when there's been just the right amount of rain. I ended up seeing Budgerigar and Cockatiel with some regularity during this trip north, most flying in small flocks along roadsides. Also seen at Goschen were hundreds of woodswallows, mostly White-browed and Masked Woodswallow, but also the odd Black-faced Woodswallow. A Peregrine feasted on the woodswallows, attacking them from a vantage point on the communication tower.

[Note: there was also large numbers of woodswallows drinking on an irrigation channel just west of Round Lake on Long Lake Road. Black Honeyeater was also seen here.]

Put simply Goschen was amazing! Considering the heat, during the day the temperature was 38 degrees, the activity of birds was really high. By contrast when we visited other sites in the area, such as Tresco West Reserve, they were very quiet. At Goschen I had added five new species to my 2009 Victorian list (Black and Pied HE, Crimson Chat, Budgerigar, Cockatiel) and it only took 15 minutes! This was about the same as the number of new bird species I had added in the last 3 months! At Goschen I'd hope to get at least one new tick, maybe a Black Honeyeater, but to get five was outstanding. I was also within touching distance of breaking the record (335). I was suddenly and unexpectedly sitting on 334 species and I knew exactly where I could find at least 2 and maybe 3 new species - and I would see them today! It was turning into Super VicTwitch Friday!

Goschen Flora and Fauna Reserve near Swan Hill: Pied Honeyeater, Black Honeyeater, Crimson Chat, Cockatiel and Budgerigar all seen in a 15 minutes!

Lake Tyrrell
The next new species for the day was Orange Chat, a small flock of 6 at Lake Tyrrell (a large salt lake south of Ouyen). Entering via Bailey's Rd, and then birding along Lake Tyrrell Road, I also saw Rufous Fieldwren, Banded Lapwing, White-winged Fairy-wren (all previously seen at Lake Tyrrell when I'd birded there earlier in the year), and good numbers of Blue Bonnet. The Orange Chat was my 335 Victorian bird species, equalling the previous acclaimed record. Just one more species to beat the record!

Female Pied Honeyeater, Goschen.

Murray Sunset NP
A quick drop into the Honeymoon Hut Track in Murray Sunset to try once again for Red-lored Whistler. It was disappointing mainly because when we were there it was the middle of the day and extremely hot. It was therefore a bit of a waste of time searching for this rare and cryptic whistler, it would have been much better to be there early in the morning. Red-lored Whistler was going to be a dip for 2009, a real pity because I've usually seen (or heard) them easily them at this site previously.

Lake Tyrrell near Sea Lake. Orange Chat, Blue Bonnet, White-winged Fairy-wren and Rufous Fieldwren were common, as were Banded Lapwing. There are 3 in this picture.

While in the Murray Sunset I also stopped at Wymlet Tank, quiet during the midday heat, as well as a small water bore on the Trinita Rd (really just a track). This site was buzzing, being one of the most active birding spots in the Mallee. The list of birds seen here reads like a rare bird list for northern Victoria - Black Honeyeater, Crimson Chat, White-backed Swallow, Chestnut Quail-thrush, White-browed and Masked Woodswallow, most of the inland Victoria parrots including Budgies and Cockatiel. I would really like to have spent more time along Trinita Rd. I reckon this is one of the best open woodlands in northern Victoria, particularly the open grassy woodland areas.

The Honeymoon Hut Tk, Murray Sunset. Unfortunately on this occasion I didn't see Red-lored Whistler, and will probably dip on this species during 2009.

Mildura and a NEW VicTwitch Record!
After leaving the Murray Sunset I headed to Mildura. There were two good reasons to go to Mildura. One was to pick up the 3rd member of our Twitchathon team Fiona Parkin, who was flying into Mildura from Adelaide. The other was to track down a Little Crow.

The Mildura Tip, the site of the record breaking 2009 VicTwitch triumph! Very appropriate.

Mildura is considered the best site in Victoria to see Little Crow, or more particularly the Mildura Tip is the best is Victoria. A quick stop at the tip and within seconds I heard and then saw Little Crow. THE VICTWITCH record was mine!!! 336 species of birds in Victoria in one year! Hurray. Sparklers lit. Streamers flew!! French champagne popped. Well actually none of that happened. I simply gave five to Greg and then suggested we leave as it was kind of smelly. It seems a great irony that instead of breaking the record with a bird such as Pied Honeyeater or Crimson Chat (i.e. something interesting or colourful) I broke it with a crow at a rubbish tip! It's probably good thing too. It is reflective of birding in general. For example how often do you see new species of birds in places such as a treatment plant or dusty dry paddocks in the middle of no where? Birding as a past time is fantastic; almost by definition it takes you to great environments, great habitats and great places. It also takes you to some fairly crummy ones also. So breaking the Victorian record at an unattractive, highly worked over rubbish tip was poetic justice. An ironic outcome in a moment of triumph, fantastic!

Wymlet Tank, Murray Sunset NP, a good site for inland parrots.

Victorian Twitchathon
Not discussed here, for a full report on the 2009 Victorian Twitchathon follow this link:
http://tim-dolby.blogspot.com/search/label/Victorian%20Twitchathon%202009. For the record, our team [7 Year Twitchers] won the Twitchthon with a score of 215 bird species in 24 hrs. Out of interest if I had maintain the standard set on the Twitchathon for the VicTwitch (i.e. 215 bird species x 365 days) I would have seen 78, 475 species in a calander year!

Book Launch
Thursday 12 November and the launch Where to See Birds in Victoria. The launch was a great success, attended by nearly 200 people. Graeme Hamilton, CEO of Birds Australia, officially launched the book. I was particularly taken with the chant "We are birdwatchers and we vote! Louder!! WE ARE BIRDWATCHERS AND WE VOTE!!!" This is the first time I’ve witnessed 200 shouting (and now politically active) birdwatchers! Not bad.

Where to See Birds in Victoria, launched at Birds Australia National Office, was attended by approx 200 peoeple. Not bad! Quote of the night "We are birdwatchers and we vote!"

The Australian Bird Fair and North Central Victoria
As part of the promotion of the new bird book, I drove up to the Australian Birdfair in Leeton NSW. On the way up I stopped of at Yielima just north of Nathalia (near the intersection of Picola North Rd and Murray Valley Hwy) hoping to see Superb Parrot in Victoria. Disappointingly there were no Superbs - I was kicking them out of the way just across the border in NSW. Near Leeton I saw a flock of 15, and totalling 30 in the great area (3.7 km east of Yanco on the Irrigation Way). At Yielima I did see Western Gerygone, another new bird for the year, and on a small wetland between Yielima and Nathalia (east side of Murray Valley Hwy) there were large numbers of waterbirds including my first Intermediate Egret for the year, another VicTwitch tick. My 2009 VicTwitch total was now 338. The area around Nathalia and the Barmah State Forest was looking golden - it was obviously a bumper year for the wheat farmers.

A wheat farm near Leeton. Wheat farmers in northern Victoria and NSW are having a good year in 2009.

The Australian Birdfair was fun; catching up with a few people. A couple of dramas on the trip (of course) - I was locked into the grounds of the Yanco Agricultural Secondary College for several hours (when I first arrived in Leeton) after mistakenly thinking it was the Yanco Agricultural Institute. As I drove in someone else drove out, and they locked the gate behind them! I was eventually bailed out by a woman in a bikini! It's a long story! The school was actially a good birding spot, for example Superb Parrot was a school ground bird, and Yellow Rosella, Wood Duck, Blue-faced Honeyeater and Little Friarbird feed together on the school lawn. I also locked myself out of my room and fortunately Vic Hurley came to the rescue with a few cold beers. And then I lost my wallet... but that's another story.

Birds in the area included Pectoral and Wood Sandpipers, Black-tailed Godwits and Freckled Duck, Brown Quail and Glossy Ibis Fivebough Wetlands, Leeton. There was good numbers of Black Honeyeater and Painted Honeyeater in the Mia State Forest near Yanco, and a single Pied Honeyeater was seen. As mentioned Superb Parrot were common in the area, with birds regularly seen flying over the fair itself. A flock of 40 Superb Parrot was seen 3.7 km east of Yanco on the Irrigation Way.

Then back into Victoria via Howlong on the Murray River. I still hadn't seen Dollarbird, so was hoping to track it along the Murray. This part of Victoria is a hot spot for them in summer. Dools suggested Lake Moodemere just west of Rutherglen, however just after crossing over the bridge and entering Victoria there was a Dollarbird flying down on Barnarwartha Rd, near Brown Plains.

Bush Stone-Curlew, a pair near Rutherglen.

The next stop was the DSI Research Station near Rutherglen for Bush Stone-curlew. Following up on a tip, I found a pair next the public car park. Bird number 340! Bush Stone-curlew is such an interesting species; due to foxes they're under increasing threat, particularly in Australia's southern states where foxes are common.

I visited a couple of other sites around Chiltern hoping for Painted Honeyeater. Bartley's Block was quiet except for Turquoise Parrot, Western Gerygone, Rufous Whistler and Yellow-tufted Honeyeater. There were some nice birds at the Chiltern dams including Hardhead, Great and Intermediate Egret, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, White-winged Triller, Dollarbird, Masked and White-browed Woodswallow and Rainbow Bee-eater.

Birds Not Seen in Northern Victoria
To sum up, in the north I'd dipped on a number of key species I was seeking. These included Red-lored Whistler, Red-backed Kingfisher, Regent Honeyeater and Superb Parrot and Spotted Harrier. (There are a few others, but I may still catch up with them.) I've got sites for all of the above species, but I'm not sure I will be able to get back up north this year to pick them up. In terms of the Spotted Harrier I've seen this nearly every year with ease, but despite being in the appropriate places many times I dipped. In terms of the Superb Parrot, dipping around Yielima and Nathalia was disappointing because I was kicking them out of the way just across the border in NSW.

There is one still one month to go, so I have plenty of time to add more birds to the list. If anybody has any tips please don't hesitate to contact me.

The Victoria border! The Murray River near Howlong. I've crossed the Victorian border many times during 2009: from far east Victoria near Croajingolong, far west near Portland, to central Victoria near Tocumwal and Howlong.

Species Comment

Emu : Jan 18, x2 birds seen near Cape Conran; April 13-16, common west side of Grampians NP; April 18 Wyperfeld; April 19 Hattah; Rennick State Forest Aug 1;
Magpie Goose : Jan 11, 200+ Serindip [Note: non-ticketable population]; 50+ Reedy Lake via Lake Connewarre - Moolap Station Rd, 7th Feb [Tickable population.]; Deen Marr near Port Fairy, Aug;
Cape Barren Goose : First seen WTP 11 Jan. Seen at this sites on subsequent visits.
Freckled Duck : March 29, McLeods Waterholes Reserve, Drysdale, Bellarine Pen. [Note: nearby Lake Lorne, which normally supports Freckled Duck, is dry].
Black Swan : First seen Jan.
Australian Shelduck : First seen Jan; large numbers in Portland district Aug;
Mandarin Duck : May 14, single male bird Dights Falls, Yarra River. (NB: not officially tickable for the Victoria list.
Australian Wood Duck : First seen Jan. Common; of note, 3 flew over house at night, 28 April.
Northern Mallard : First seen Feb, Northcote All Nations Park.
Pacific Black Duck : First seen Jan.
Australasian Shoveler : First seen Jan.
Grey Teal : First seen Jan.
Chestnut Teal : First seen Jan.
Pink-eared Duck : WTP 11th Jan
Hardhead : WTP 11th Jan, Mallacoota Water Treatment Plant 25th Jan
Blue-billed Duck : Jan WTP 11th Jan.
Musk Duck : First seen Jan.

Superb Parrot were common near Yanco and Leeton in NSW. Unfortunately, despite looking for them near Barmah State Forest, I dipped in Victoria.

Stubble Quail : April 10, numerous birds (x12) spotlighted Terrick Terrick NP.
Brown Quail : Jan 25, 2 birds flushed from Mallacoota Aerodrome; 1 Shipwrech Creek Jan 25.
Indian Peafowl : Seen Newlyn Res. May 2. (NB: unfortunately not tickable for VicTwitch.).
Australasian Grebe : First seen Jan.
Hoary-headed Grebe : First seen Jan.
Great Crested Grebe : WTP 11 Jan, May 24 T-sectoin, WTP.
Little Penguin : Jan 28, x1 Mallacoota Inlet near Goat Is; Feb 25, x1 Queencliff-Sorrento Ferry
Yellow-nosed Albatross : Jun 7 single bird identified Kenneth River, few others seen; August, common Cape Nelson
Shy Albatross : March 29, Point Addis; Kenneth River June; August, Cape Nelson
Black-browed Albatross : Jan 25, Shipwreck Creek heads; Kenneth River June; August 2, Cape Nelson also 2 in Portland Habour.
Wandering Albatross : Possible bird June 7 (Note: not ticked on year list.); large albatross, possibly this species Cape Nelson Aug;
Southern Giant-Petrel : June 7, at sea at Kenneth River, Otways.
Great-winged Petrel : possible bird June 7 (Note: not ticked in final year list).
Fairy Prion : March 29, Point Addis (Note: distinguished from other prion by black-tipped tail feathers); common Cape Nelson, Aug;
Wedge-tailed Shearwater : possible flock Shipwreck Creek (called by Wedge-tailed Shearwater by another member of the group). (Note: not ticked on year list.)
Short-tailed Shearwater : 25 Jan 1000s Shipwreck Creek, with possible Wedge-tailed Shearwater), Howe Flat 26 Jan.
Fluttering Shearwater : Feb 28th, x5 on way to Mud Is; x3 Feb 28th with Short-tailed S, Queenscliff Ferry; common Cape Nelson, Aug;
White-faced Storm-Petrel : Feb 28, 1 bird seen on the way to Mud Is (also dead bird found at Sorrento Pier, Feb 28)
Common Diving-Petrel : Possible small flock (10+) Cape Nelson Aug 2.
Australasian Gannet : First seen Jan; Large numbers Cape Nelson, Aug;
Australian Pelican : First seen Jan.
Little Black Cormorant : First seen Jan.
Great Cormorant : First seen Jan.
Pied Cormorant : First seen Jan.
Black-faced Cormorant : Feb 7, x6 Point Lonsdale; Feb 28, 10+ on way to Mud Is; March 13 - 16, common in Apollo Bay harbours; August, Cape Nelson
Little Pied Cormorant : First seen Jan.
Australasian Darter : x1 Jan 4 Northcote; x1 Feb 28th; Flying high over house Northcote, Aug;
Australasian Bittern : 1 flushed Reedy Lake 7th Feb (Lake Connewarre - Moolap Station Rd)
Little Bittern : x1 seen Mill Park Lakes, northern Melbourne March 7.
White-necked Heron : First seen Jan.
Great Egret : First seen Jan.
Intermediate Egret : small wetland just nth of Nathalia, east side of Murray Valley Hwy Nov 13; single bird Chiltern Number 1 Dam Nov 15.
White-faced Heron : First seen Jan.
Little Egret : Jan 11, WTP, Spit; Goat Is Mallacoota, Jan.
Eastern Reef Egret : Single grey bird on rock nth of Tip Beach, Mallacoota, 28th Jan. Also single bird in flight Betka Beach 30.th Jan.
Cattle Egret : First seen March 29 Point Addis.
Nankeen Night-Heron : Single bird flushed Gypsy Point, 29th Jan; Cherrypool, Grampains;
Glossy Ibis : Single bird in full breeding plumage WTP, Conservation Ponds, 11th Jan.
Australian White Ibis : First seen Jan.
Straw-necked Ibis : First seen Jan.
Royal Spoonbill : First seen Jan; interesting record = 1 seen Moonee Ponds Creek 1km from Melb CBD.
Yellow-billed Spoonbill : First seen Jan.
Square-tailed Kite : Two separate observations nth of Marlo Rd (possibly same bird), 18th Jan; April 14, possible bird over trees at Wartook State Forest (seen at this site previously).
Black-shouldered Kite : First seen Jan.
Black Kite : WTP 11th Jan; Western Hwy March 15;
Whistling Kite : First seen Jan.
White-bellied Sea-Eagle : Seen regular Mallacoota Inlet 22nd - 31st. Nest site north east of the Goodwin Sands, seen while on the the 'Loch-Ard' (see http://www.cruisemallacoota.com).
Swamp Harrier : First seen Jan.
Grey Goshawk : White morph seen on the Old Hordern Vale Rd, and forested area just west of Mariners Lookout, March 14 and 15
Brown Goshawk : Jan; Apollo Bay March 15;
Collared Sparrowhawk : You Yangs 11th Jan, Cape Conran 17th Jan, Croajingolong several times (22nd - 31st); Apollo Bay March 14; Port Fairy, Aug;
Wedge-tailed Eagle : Mallacoota Rd 31st Jan.
Little Eagle : You Yangs 11th Jan.
Nankeen Kestrel : Jan.
Australian Hobby : Northcote 3 Jan; WTP 22nd Feb; Hobby seen taking WPHE 25 March, Northcote;
Brown Falcon : Jan.
Black Falcon : 15 Jan, x1 near Paradise Rd, WTP; Feb 7, x1 Point Henry (near Geelong); April 12, x2 birds excellent views of a pair (male & female larger) of Black Falcon along Leahys Rd, Terrick Terrick NP.
Peregrine Falcon : Healesville Jan.
Painted Button-quail : Saturday July 11, hillside valley between White Box Walk and road. Chiltern Mt Pilot NP.
Little Button-quail : April 10, 3 birds spotlighted Terrick Terrick NP.
Buff-banded Rail : x1 WTP, The Spit, 11th Jan; x2 Mud Is, Feb 28th; x2 Banyule Wetlands, March 4th; Mill Park Lakes, March 7;
Lewin's Rail : x1 WTP, east side of The Spit, 11th Jan.
Baillon's Crake : x1 Mill Park Lakes, 9 March; April 12 Little Lake Boort, 2 seen near reeds on sth side of lake.
Australian Spotted Crake : WTP, east side of The Spit, 11th Jan; Mill Park Lakes 9 March;
Spotless Crake : April 12, Little Lake Boort, 1 seen near reeds on sth side of lake.
Purple Swamphen : Jan.
Dusky Moorhen : Jan.
Black-tailed Native-hen : WTP, 11th Jan. (Note: none seen inland during April's northern Vic trip); May 24, 2 birds on island near T-section, WTP; single bird 16th Sept Royal Park.
Eurasian Coot : Jan.
Brolga : 2 birds in flight WTP 11th Jan and 2 in paddock 14th Jan near T-Section; 3 Reedy Lake 7th Feb (Lake Connewarre - Moolap Station Rd)
Bush Stone-curlew : Two birds DSI Research Station near Rutherglen, Nov15.
Banded Lapwing : April 10, 11, Terrick Terrick NP.
Masked Lapwing : Jan.
Red-kneed Dotterel : Conservation Ponds WTP, Jan 11th.
Grey Plover : x15 Feb 28th Mud Islands.
Pacific Golden Plover : x1 15th Jan WTP near Kirke Pt.
Lesser Sand Plover : x1 Feb 28th, Mud Island.
Double-banded Plover : x4 Feb 28th, central lagoon, Mud Islands; also common during winter at WTP and Bellarine Pen (such as 13th Beach)
Red-capped Plover : First seen Jan.
Hooded Plover : 2 birds March 15 on beach near the Hooded Plover notification fence, half-way between Apollo Bay and Skenes Creek; 3 birds on Thirteenth Beach near Barwon Heads, July 4th; 10 birds (2 gorups of 5) at Killarney Beach, Aug 2.
Black-fronted Dotterel : Jan.
Australian Pied Oystercatcher : First seen Jan.
Sooty Oystercatcher : Single bird WTP Kirke Pt, 15th, & 2 seen Mallacoota, late Jan.
Black-winged Stilt : Jan; Mill Park Lakes 7 and 9 March;
Banded Stilt : At least 2 birds Point Henry, July 4. Glad that I finally catch up with this bird - it seemed to have dissapeared from Victoria (heading inland to central Aust).
Red-necked Avocet : Jan.
Grey-tailed Tattler : x3 Feb 28th, Mud Island
Common Greenshank : First seen Jan.
Marsh Sandpiper : WTP 11th Jan.
Wood Sandpiper : WTP, 15th Jan.
Eastern Curlew : Mallacoota Inlet, and Betka River, Jan; Barwon River Inlet, Feb.
Black-tailed Godwit : 7 WTP, 11th Jan.
Hudsonian Godwit : x1 with 3 BTG, 11th Jan T-section, WTP. Amongst the group with first identified bird, and a life tick.
Bar-tailed Godwit : Common in Mallacoota, seen Inlet and on beach; large flock of 500+ birds Mud Islands Feb 28th.
Ruddy Turnstone : x30 Feb 28th, Mud Islands.
Great Knot : WTP, 15th Jan; x15 Feb 28th, Mud Island.
Red Knot : x20 Feb 28th, Mud Island.
Sanderling : Single bird 13th Beach near Barwon Heads, July 4th; 3 birds at Killarney Beach, Aug 2.
Red-necked Stint : First seen Jan.
Little Stint : 24 May. After entering the gate at the Spit, seen in the first pond on the right (4:30pm). Please note: this report is now considered erroneous, with the bird most likely a Red-necked Stint.
Pectoral Sandpiper : The Spit, WTP, seen while guiding representative from Birdlife International, 25 Oct.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper : First seen Jan.
Curlew Sandpiper : First seen Jan.
Latham's Snipe : x7 Lake Lorne Drysdale 7th Feb.
Plains-wanderer : April 10, 3 birds spotlighted Terrick Terrick NP, 1 female and 2 males.
Silver Gull : First seen Jan.
Pacific Gull : First seen Jan.
Kelp Gull : 20 birds seen in paddock with Little Raven and Magpie between Port Fairy and Portland. 5km inland.
Little Tern : Mallacoota Inlet, Jan, nesting at The Entrance; x10 Feb 28th Mud Islands
Fairy Tern : x10 Feb 28th Mud Islands
Caspian Tern : Goat Island and Goodwin Sands, Jan.
White-winged Black Tern : WTP 11th Jan; Feb 25th WTP.
Whiskered Tern : WTP Jan.
White-fronted Tern In good numbers 20+ Cape Nelson, Aug 2.
Common Tern : x1, on rocks near Kirke Pt Jan 11th.
Crested Tern : First seen Jan.
Brown Skua 3 seen Portland Habour (on the Lee Breakwater) and 1 Cape Nelson, Aug 2.
Arctic Jaeger : x5 Feb 28th, Queenscliff Ferry; x 10 Feb 28th on the way to Mud Islands
Rock Dove : Jan.
White-headed Pigeon : 5 birds 28th Jan, seen flying from the walking track west of Gypsy Point boat ramp (end of Macdonalds St), and another 5 roosting briefly in trees.
Spotted Dove : Jan.
Common Bronzewing : Common in Mallacoota, Jan.
Brush Bronzewing : Mallacoota, Jan, reasonanly common; June 3, 4 birds seen Kamarooka, including bird on roaside, when I pulled over to have a look, was responsible for me becoming bogged; Cape Nelson, Aug;
Crested Pigeon : Jan.
Wonga Pigeon : Common Mallacoota, Jan.
Diamond Dove : May 14, single bird Westgate Park.
Peaceful Dove : April 10, numerous bird seen Kamarooka along Angle Rd; also seen regularly between 10 April to 19 April.
Topknot Pigeon : 15 birds Jan 28th seen on walking track east of Gypsy Point boat ramp (end of Macdonalds St).
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Flock of 20+ Rennick State Forest, Old Caves Road, flush by 2 Wedgies, Aug 1.
Glossy Black-Cockatoo : 26th Jan Glossy Black-Cockatoo: 2 birds seen on New Bins Rd near intersection of Duncan Rd, just inside the Victorian border.
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo : First seen Jan, regularly seen in inner city including on backyard list, July and August;
Gang-gang Cockatoo : Mallacoota, Jan; common Wartook State Forest April; Northcote, Aug;
Galah : Jan.
Long-billed Corella : Near Little River, Jan; large flock Long Forest, Feb, and also Western Hwy.
Little Corella : Near Little River in association with LBC, Jan; Royal Park, Aug;
Major Mitchell's Cockatoo : April 19, 2 birds seen Little Lake Hattah.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo : First seen Jan.
Cockatiel : First seen Oct 30, 5 birds at Goschen FFR. Seen on 5 other occasion between Oct 30 and Nov 1.
Rainbow Lorikeet : First seen Jan.
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet : 20 birds, near Northcote Pool 9th Feb; good number west side of Zoo, Aug;
Musk Lorikeet : You Yangs 11th Jan; large numbers West side of Zoo, Aug;
Little Lorikeet : Watertrust Rd, Mallacoota, Jan; Thooma, large flock in flowering Grey Box and Spotted Gum (street tree) 12 July; good number west side of Zoo, Aug;
Purple-crowned Lorikeet : You Yangs, Hovel Creek 11th Jan; WTP Feb; few birds seen Royal Park, Sept 1;
Mallee Ringneck : April 11, numerous Terrick Terrick; numerous birds seen between April 17 - 19

Tocumwal Bridge, Murray River

Crimson Rosella : Jan.
Yellow Rosella : Seen Hattah Campground, considered ssp of Crimson Rosella (NB: not tickable on official Victorian list.);
Eastern Rosella : Jan; Backyard list, Northcote July; west side of Zoo, Aug;
Red-rumped Parrot : Jan.
Mulga Parrot : April 17 Dattuck Tk Wyperfeld NP, also numerous birds seen over April 18 - 19.
Blue Bonnet : April 11, Goschen FFR and Lake Tyrell (south-east corner)
Blue-winged Parrot : 5 on fence line near Petticoat Creek near Apollo Bay March 13;
Turquoise Parrot : Saturday July 11, area east of Honeyeater Dam, between Dam and All Nations RdChiltern Mt Pilot NP. Very thin on the ground, with only 2 birds seen entire July trip.
Swift Parrot : April 17, small flock heard on Angle Rd at Kamarooka (part of Greater Bendigo NP)
Budgerigar : First seen Oct 30, 3 birds at Goschen FFR. Seen on numerous other occasion between Oct 30 and Nov 1.
Ground Parrot : x3 Jan 25th, Shipwreck Creek, in the top area of knee high heath.
Australian King-Parrot : First seen Toolangi Jan 6th; also seen Otways, etc.
Regent Parrot : April 18, large flocks on Parallel Rd (sth of Murray Sunset NP); April 12 numerous Lake Hattah.
Pallid Cuckoo : Jan.
Brush Cuckoo : Toolangi Jan 6th; Mallacoota Jan.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo : 25th Jan.
Black-eared Cuckoo : 4 birds heard, 2 seen Anakie Gorge, Brisbane Ranges NP, Oct 11.
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo : Jan; first spring record Aug, Bellarine Pen.
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo : Jan; first record for spring, Aug 2, Cape Nelson.
Masked Owl : x1 Masked Owl, Cabbage Tree - Conran Rd near Old Coast Rd. Just after dusk, 17th Jan.
Barn Owl : April 18, 1 heard Lake Hattah campround.
Powerful Owl : May 18, Flagstaff Gardens, central Melbourne.
Barking Owl : Friday night, July 10, single bird near (but outside) the Mt Pilot Range section of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP.
Southern Boobook : Jan
Australian Owlet-nightjar : Jan. First heard Cabbage Tree - Conran Rd 17th Jan; heard also Mallacoota, Jan; April 11, single bird seen during the day at Goschen FFR; heard most nights between April 10 - 19.
Tawny Frogmouth : Jan; Doncaster 22nd Feb;
Spotted Nightjar : April 17, 1 bird flushed from roadside on Park Rd in southern Wyperfeld NP.
White-throated Needletail : Howe Flat; Shipwreck Creek; Mallacoota township, Jan.
Azure Kingfisher : x1 Jan 28th Gypsy Point, Jan.
Laughing Kookaburra : Jan.
Sacred Kingfisher : Jan.
Rainbow Bee-eater : You Yangs, Hovel Creek Jan 11; April 11, Terrick Terrick NP,
Dollarbird :Seen Barnanwatha Rd, between Howlong and Brown Plains (Nov 15)
Superb Lyrebird : Toolangi Jan 6th, Mallacoota Jan; central highland (Buxton area, Lake Mountain, Badger Wier, July).
Scarlet Honeyeater : Croajingolong, Jan, Howe Flat, Jan.
Black Honeyeater : First seen Oct 30, over 50+ birds at Goschen FFR! Also seen Tresco FFR.
Pied Honeyeater : First seen Oct 30, 10 + birds at Goschen FFR.
Lewin's Honeyeater : Toolangi Jan 6th.
Yellow-faced Honeyeater : Jan.
Singing Honeyeater : Jan.
White-eared Honeyeater : Jan.
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater : April 10, first seen Diamond Hill Rd, Bendigo Regional Park. Seen numerous times since, including Wartook State Forest April 13; Chiltern July 10-12.
Purple-gaped Honeyeater : April 10, single bird Whipstick (Greater Bendigo NP) along Boundary Rd.
Fuscous Honeyeater : April 10, first seen Diamond Hill Rd, Bendigo Bendigo Regional Park; Chiltern July 10-12.
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater : Apri 10, a dozen birds in Whipstick (Greater Bendigo NP) along Boundary Rd; also numerous Wyperfeld and Hattah April 17 - 19.
White-plumed Honeyeater : Jan - backyard.
White-naped Honeyeater : Jan; interesting record, several birds seen west side of Melb Zoo, Aug;
Black-chinned Honeyeater : April 11, single bird heard Terrick Terrick NP, near Riegal Rock; Chiltern July 11.
Brown-headed Honeyeater : Jan.
Little Friarbird : July 11, Lake Anderson, Chiltern.
Noisy Friarbird : Baileston, near east side of Rushworth State Forest, July 12th.
Crescent Honeyeater : Toolangi Jan 6th; Mallacoota Jan; March 14 Old Hordern Vale Rd near Apollo Bay
New Holland Honeyeater : Jan.
White-fronted Honeyeater : April 17, single bird seen, other heard Little Desert NP in heath along Nhill - Harrow Rd.
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater : April 17, most common honeyeater in heath along Nhill-Harrow Rd in Little Desert NP
Striped Honeyeater : April 17, single bird seen near Rangers Office (beginning of Park Rd) in Wyperfeld NP (south),
Eastern Spinebill : Jan.
Blue-faced Honeyeater : April 11, several birds seen in main street (Murray Valley Hwy) of Kerang, near tennis courts; large flock Lake Andersen, Chiltner July 11.
Bell Miner : Toolangi Jan 6th; Mallacoota Jan.
Noisy Miner : Jan, backyard.
Yellow-throated Miner : April 18, first seen Wyperfeld NP along Dattuck Tk. Seen numerous time since, including Bronzwing FFR, Murray Sunset NP, Hattah NP, Lake Tyrell.
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater : April 11, first seen Goschen Bushland Res. (Note: I'm surprised I'd not seen this species earlier in the year, as it can be quite common in southern Victoria. Seen numerous time since, including Drysdale farm, Jul.
Red Wattlebird : Jan, backyard.
Little Wattlebird : Jan, backyard.
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike : Jan
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike : April 15, single bird seen Wartook State Forest, near the grass tree area along alomg O'Sullivans Rd; Chiltern July 11.
Cicadabird : Davis Creek, Croajingolong, Jan 28th
White-winged Triller : First seen Friday 18 Sept in Royal Park! Major influx into southern Victoria.
Little Crow : Oct 30, common at Mildura Tip! This was the bird that broke me the VicTwitch record - perhaps typically the record was broken not in an interesting forest but in a rubbish dump!
Australian Raven : Jan
Little Raven : Jan
Forest Raven : seen & heard on a number of occasions near Apollo Bay March 13 - 16 ;
Black-faced Monarch : Croajingolong, Shady Gully, Double Creek etc, Jan.
Leaden Flycatcher : Croajingolong, Jan.
Satin Flycatcher : Jan, Mallacoota; Jamieson, Sept.
Restless Flycatcher : You Yangs 11th Jan; common across most of nthern Vic, April; Chiltern July 10-12;
Horsfield's Bushlark : WTP 15th Jan.
Eurasian Skylark : Jan.
Welcome Swallow : Jan.
Fairy Martin : Jan.
Tree Martin : Jan.
White-backed Swallow : April 17, x1near dam Nhill - Harrow Rd (just sth of Little Desert NP); April 18, x12 seen Park Rd just before Wyperfeld entrance (south); April 19, x1 Calder Hwy, just sth Hattah.
Golden-headed Cisticola : WTP, Jan.
Australian Reed-Warbler : WTP, Jan; Royal Park, Trin Warren Tamboore wetland, Sept 4;
Little Grassbird : WTP, Jan;Royal Park, Trin Warren Tamboore Wetland Aug.
Brown Songlark : Jan; WTP Feb 22nd;Sept 15, Royal Park.
Rufous Songlark : First seen Wed 16 Sept in Royal Park!
Bassian Thrush : March 14 Burham Valley Rd (at car park at end of road - nice spot)
Common Blackbird : Jan- backyard.
Song Thrush : Heard calling Merri Creek, next to CERES in Hawthorn bush, Feb 15.
Willie Wagtail : Jan.
Grey Fantail : Jan.
Rufous Fantail : Toolangi Jan 6th, Mallacoota, Diamond Creek, Jan.
Jacky Winter : You Yangs, 11th Jan.
Scarlet Robin : You Yangs, 11th Jan; March 29, Ironbark Basin; April 15, Wartook SF; April 16 Black Range SP; amougst other sighting; April 27, Conglomerate FFR; common near Jamieson Sept. (This species seem to be having a good year compared to previos years.)
Red-capped Robin : April 11, first seen Terrick Terrick NP. Seen numerous occasions since.
Flame Robin : May 2, x1 Dingley Dell Rd, Mollongghip (step mother driveway) - unusual to see this 'common' bird so late in the year.
Rose Robin : Toolangi Jan 6th, Mallacoota, Jan; Burham Valley Rd near Apollo Bay March 15;
Pink Robin : 1 bird Toolangi Jan 6th, x2 Howe Flat, Jan.
Hooded Robin : April 11, first seen Terrick Terrick NP. Seen numerous occasions since.
Eastern Yellow Robin : Jan; Wilsons Reserve 9 March;
Southern Scrub-robin : April 18, single bird heard at near base of Mt Mattingley along Lake Brambuk walk.
Crested Shrike-tit : April 11, Terrick Terrick NP. (A suprisingly late date to first see this bird).
Crested Bellbird : April 10, heard on 3 occasions along Angle Rd, Kamarooka (Greater Bendigo NP).
Olive Whistler : x1 bird Toolangi Jan 6th; heard twice, once March 15from the heathy area between beach and the main street of Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Rd), and on the Great Ocean Rd March 13 approx. 10km east of Apollo Bay;
Gilbert's Whistler : April 11, heard and seen numerous occasions Terrick Terrick NP; April 18 heard Timberoo FFR.
Golden Whistler : First seen Toolangi Jan 6th.
Rufous Whistler : Jan.
Grey Shrike-thrush : Jan; also Royal Park, Aug.
Silvereye : Jan.
Grey-crowned Babbler : April 11, two small happy families seen along Bendigo Creek (Terrick Terrick NP), 6 birds near the old dis-used homstead, and 3 birds near dam near bridge on Wason Rd.
White-browed Babbler : April 11, Terrick Terrick NP. Seen numerous occassion since, including Grampians, Timberoo, Wyperfeld, Hattah NPs.
Chestnut-crowned Babbler : April 19, Hattah-Kylkyne NP, a happy family of at leatt 12 birds seen in area of Cypress pine east side of the Mournpall Tk (between Eagles Nest Tk and Raak Tk).
Eastern Whipbird : Toolangi Jan 6th; Marlo; Cape Conran; Mallacoota Jan.
Spotted Quail-thrush : 2 birds seen on hillside (near burnt ridge) nth of Buxton; one (possible) bird heard (high pitched weee,) Mt Pilot Range, July 11; 2 birds seen on the Eildon-Jamieson Rd, Sept 5 one of track, and one on scree beside road.
Chestnut Quail-thrush : April 18, single bird seen Bronzewing FFR; also Murray Sunset NP, Trinita Rd (really a trrack), 30 Oct.
White-winged Fairy-wren : April 11, several families of wren seen Lake Tutchewop.
Superb Fairy-wren : First seen Jan.
Splendid Fairy-wren : April 18, seen near Eastern Lookout, Wyperfeld NP (south) and hillside just nth of Pines Campground Wyperfeld NP (north).
Variegated Fairy-wren : April 18, Wyperfeld NP along Dattuck Tk; also seen Hattah-Kulkyne NP.
Southern Emu-wren : Common Shipwreck Creek, Jan; heard Point Addis Arpil;
Mallee Emu-wren : April 19, small party east side of Nowingi Tk (about 500 metres donw), Hattah-Kulkyne NP.
Striated Grasswren : April 19, 2 birds seen east side of Nowingi Tk (about 500 metres donw), Hattah-Kulkyne NP.
Eastern Bristlebird : x1 Howe Flat, in scrub beside Howe Flat Tk, 200 metres east of small boardwalk, 26 Jan.
Rufous Bristlebird Great Ocean Rd, March 13 and 15, also Paradise Picnic area 10 km inland of Apollo Bay March 14; March 29, Point Addis; August 2, Cape Nelson
Pilotbird : Toolangi Jan 6th; possible bird Bastion Point Mallacoota.
White-browed Scrubwren : Jan.
Large-billed Scrubwren : Mallacoota, Jan at Shady Gully, Double Creek, Howe Flat.
Redthroat : April 18, single bird heard at near base of Mt Mattingley along : Lake Brambuk walk (seen in same site as Southern Scrub-robin).
Speckled Warbler : Feb 20th, 2 birds seen Long Forest NCR between the Happy Valley car park and the small dam; April 22, two birds seen Wartook State Forest.
Rufous Fieldwren : April 19, 3 birds seen Lake Tyrrell in Salt Bush plantation between the lake and the lookout (near intersection on Baileys Rd and Laek Tyrrell Rd).
Striated Fieldwren : WTP 11th, Howe Flat 26 Jan (call very Silvereye'ish); March 14 near Apollo Bay Jetty; March 15 Mariners Lookout near Apollo Bay; Portland district Aug;
Chestnut-rumped Heathwren : Seen July 12, Mt Ida Road (part of Heathcote-Graytown NP), half way up to the lookout.
Shy Heathwren : April 10, heard Whipstick (Greater Bendigo NP); April 10, heard Little Desert NP.
Buff-rumped Thornbill : Mallacoota, Jan; March 29, Ironbark Basin; April Wartook State Forest; April 27, Conglomerate Flora and Fauna Reserve; Portland district Aug;
Slender-billed Thornbill : April 17, 3 birds seen Little Desert NP at the intersection of Nhill-Harrow Rd and Dahlenburgs Tk.
Brown Thornbill : Jan.
Inland Thornbill : April 17, seen Whipstick (Greater Bendigo NP); April 17-19, seen numerous occasions at Wyperfeld etc.
Yellow-rumped Thornbill : WTP, Jan.
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill : April 17, seen Wyperfeld NP (nth), and numerous occasion April 18-19.
Yellow Thornbill : Small flock at Long Forest CNR Feb 20th; April 10 - 12common at the base of Mt Terrick Terrick; common Chiltern July 10-12.
Striated Thornbill : Jan.
Weebill : You Yangs, Jan.
White-throated Gerygone : x1 Watertrust Rd, Mallacoota, nth of entrance to treatment ponds 29th Jan.
Brown Gerygone : Croajingolong, Jan, Howe Flat Jan.
Western Gerygone : Heard (and seen once) on a couple of occasion in nth Vic during Nov; at the Yielima (intersection of Picola North Rd and Murray Valley Hwy (Nov 13) and also Bartley's Block, Chiltern NP (Nov 15)
Southern Whiteface : April 11, Terrick Terrick NP; April 17-19, seen numerous occasion in northern Victoria, such as Wyperfeld rangers office.
Crimson Chat : Oct 30, 20 birds seen at Goschen FFR. Also several bird seen Murray Sunset NP, 31, on the Trinita Rd.
Orange Chat : First seem Oct 30, Lake Tyrell, 10 bird beside Lake Tyrell Tk. Also several birds seen Lake Tutchewop, Oct 31.
White-fronted Chat : WTP, Jan.
Varied Sittella : April 11, Terrick Terrick NP ('black-capped' ssp) (surprisingly late sighting in the year for this species); April 15, Wartook SF ('black-capped'); April 18, Wyperfeld NP; April 27, Conglomerate FFR (first 'orange-winged' ssp); Warbies, July 12.
White-throated Treecreeper : Toolangi Jan 6th, Mallacoota, Jan.
White-browed Treecreeper : April 17, Timberoo Flora and Pine Log Tank Reserve, along Mclivena Rd, next to (north) Lake Walpeup.
Red-browed Treecreeper : Toolangi Jan 6th.
Brown Treecreeper : You Yangs, Hovel Creek, 11th Jan.
Mistletoebird : You Yangs, Hovel Creek, 11th Jan.
Spotted Pardalote : Jan; interesting record, seen McDonnell's Park, Northcote, Aug. Uncommon all year.
Striated Pardalote : Jan. Uncommon all year.
Olive-backed Oriole : Mallacoota, Jan.
Australian Figbird : x1 Mallacoota foreshore, and one heard near Shady Gully. Nest in Main St, first record for Vic.
Magpie-lark : Jan, backyard.
White-winged Chough : Serindip, Jan 11, Mallacoota Rd, Jan.
Apostlebird : April 19, twenty seen at Lake Hattah Campground and also two other families along Lake Mournpall Tk.
White-breasted Woodswallow : April 11, township of Lake Boga.
Masked Woodswallow : You Yangs seen while guiding representative from Birdlife International, 25 Oct.
White-browed Woodswallow : April 11-12, common at Terrick Terrick NP.
Black-faced Woodswallow : April 11, 2 birds seen near Lake Tutchewop.
Dusky Woodswallow : WTP, You Yangs, Mallacoota, Jan.
Grey Butcherbird : First seen Jan - backyard.
Pied Butcherbird : April 11, first seen Ultima-Lake Boga Rd; seen regularly April 18-19 in northern Vic.
Australian Magpie : Jan - backyard.
Pied Currawong : Jan, Mallacoota. Also backyard.
Grey Currawong : Jan.
Satin Bowerbird : Toolangi Jan 6th, Mallacoota.
Common Myna : Jan, backyard.
Common Starling : Jan - backyard.
Eastern Yellow Wagtail : Feb 25, Yes! Seen on rocks near the triangular navigation sign at Western Treatment Plant, west of 85WA lagoon.
Australasian Pipit : Jan.
Common Greenfinch : WTP, Jan, Footscray, Jan.
European Goldfinch : Jan, WTP.
House Sparrow : Jan, backyard.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow : First seen CERES canteen, Brunswick, Feb 15; also Wangaratta July 12.
Beautiful Firetail : Jan 29, x1 Watertrust Rd, Mallacoota, nth of entrance to treatment ponds , also one bird heard at end of Watertrust Rd, near gate; August 2, party of 3 on the scenic drive on Cape Nelson.
Diamond Firetail : You Yangs, Hovel Creek, Jan 11th.
Red-browed Finch : You Yangs, Jan 11th, Mallacoota Jan.
Zebra Finch : WTP Jan 11th; x20 seen WTP 25 Feb.