Gippsland Trip 2017 - Part II: Cape Conran

On the third day of our trip Karen and I headed out to Cape Conran Coastal Reserve as early as we could. We possibly didn't get to the heathland at the start of the Estuary View Walk as early as we should have for maximum Ground Parrot potential, but there was no one around and I think we were the first ones to walk the trails that morning.

Ground Parrots in there somewhere

We covered all the tracks we could find through the heath but any Ground Parrots were eating their breakfast well under cover.

Despite the lack of Ground Parrots an Australian Hobby flying over was a good addition to a trip list pretty light on raptors, and a Fan-tailed Cuckoo singing its heart out from the powerlines gave good views.

estuary views, as promised

The sound of Fan-tailed Cuckoos was pretty constant as we followed the trail away from the heath into the bush along the Yeerung River where, among other things, we found another Bassian Thrush and Rose Robin, with a Great Cormorant flying over every so often.

no birds here, but pretty

The estuary and beach at the end were pretty quiet, except for a welcome but distant White-bellied Sea-eagle.

there was some evidence of bird activity on the beach

After the Estuary Walk the plan was to try for Turquoise Parrots along the recommended Old Coast Road but we got bogged in sand on the way via East Yeerung Track. We got out ok and continued but when we reached a bigger patch of suspicious-looking sand we realised my car wasn't going to make it the rest of the way.

Gippsland Trip 2017 - Part I: Orbost + Marlo

In November last year I went on a Gippsland birding trip with my friend Karen from Perth. So this obviously a super delayed trip report but if that doesn't offend you, read on!

the green hills of Gippsland

Originally we'd planned this trip around a pelagic out of Merimbula in southern NSW that didn't end up happening. And originally we were going to travel through East Gippsland to Merimbula and continue further north in NSW in search of Rockwarblers and Eastern Bristlebirds. But when the pelagic was called off we instead reorganised ourselves to stay in Victoria and explore both East and South Gippsland - all Gippsland, all the time.

Lots of birdy firsts awaited us on this trip: heaps potential lifers for Karen, who had only done one real day of East-coast birding before this, and lots of state birds and new birding sites for me.

The first day, way back on 12 November 2017, we left Melbourne early and headed for Orbost. Our first stop on the way was Fairy Dell where Karen was met with an onslaught of lifers.

Brace yourself, Karen!

Shortly after crossing the bridge from the picnic area we stopped to watch an Eastern Whipbird in a tree. Then a Satin Bowerbird and Olive-backed Oriole flew into another tree overhead. Soon after that there was a female Rose Robin busy building a nest and then further into the rainforest we found Rufous Fantails, Brown Gerygones, and very briefly a Black-faced Monarch - all new birds for Karen and the last two Vic ticks for me!

a handsome male Rose Robin also joined us for lunch

After Fairy Dell we headed up to the drier habitat of Canni Creek Racecourse Reserve which was an interesting place. Here we were hoping for Turquoise Parrots, Diamond Firetails or Hooded Robins...

Birding the RBG

Usually when I go birding on the weekend I'm getting away from the city. But a couple of weeks ago I did the opposite and caught an early tram in to towards the CBD. My mission was to explore another place I'd never birded - the Royal Botanic Gardens.

morning view from Birrarung Marr

I started at Birrarung Marr where there was nothing too unexpected. Lots of Eurasian Coots, Silver Gulls, and Noisy Miners harassing most other birds not in the water.

corella and Eureka Tower

Crossing Princes Bridge a solo Long-billed Corella called from on top of a street light. And in keeping with the usual corella modus operandi of greatly annoying people, this one was sitting just outside my 5MR. I had Little on my 5MR list, but not Long-Billed. After a few minutes it flew off down Southbank and remained not on my 5MR list.

I continued through Alexandra Gardens and then the colourful Queen Victoria Gardens.

ooooooh pretty

I found Magpie-larks and Crested Pigeons on the lawn, and Wood Ducks, Pacific Black Ducks and a couple of Chestnut Teals in the ponds.

two of the PBDs

And I have to say that one of the most numerous birds hanging out in all this exotic, landscaped finery were the also exotic but not so fine Common Myna.