Victoria State Part 3: Mallee; Wyperfield National Park & the coast.

The Malleefowl mound, but no bird!

On 2nd April we worked the mallee vegetation hard for Malleefowl, but without success. They are elusive beasts and our walk produced some good birds but not our main target.

White-eared Honeyeater

Spotted Pardalote

The afternoon was spent in the woodland at Wyperfield.

White-browed Treecreeper

It was getting late when we pitched up at Muckleford & found a clearing in the forest to camp. 

Powerful Owl

Simon heard a Powerful Owl & after a little persuading, a pair flew in, one being quite co-operative.

Simon, Debbie & Bill.

Simon who is the gay boy on the left? 

The main reason for coming here was to meet Debbie, who has been keeping tabs on the rare Swift Parrot for many years now. She proved to be delightful company but despite her best efforts, we failed to find the parrots!

Black-fronted Dotterel

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Male Red-rumped Parrot

Female Red-rumped Parrot

Crested Pigeon

Peaceful Dove

New Holland Honeyeater

Red-browed Finch

In the afternoon Simon knew a daytime roost for Powerful Owl. It proved to be a reliable site and we enjoyed excellent daytime views of this very impressive species.

Powerful Owl

The next day we had quite a long drive to the Brisbane Ranges National Park & then onto the Lakelands Reserve at Lara. Lara is situated on the outskirts of Melbourne & is a great location for Cape Barren Goose.

Cape Barren Goose

Australian Little Grebe

Royal Spoonbill

Purple Swamphen

White-headed Stilt

Yellow-rumped Thornbill

Point Addis.

Me on The Great Ocean Road.

A magnificent coastline.

Parked in the car park, on The Great Ocean Road!

Late afternoon we arrived at Point Addis on The Great Ocean Road & watched a few seabirds & a spectacular sunset over the water.

We were up early on the 4th April & drove to Airey's Inlet before the tourists beat us to the site!
Our tactics paid off & we saw several Rufous Bristlebirds.

Rufous Bristlebird

Little Wattlebird

We then drove through The Great Ottoway National Park & on to Werribee Western Treatment Plant. 

WWTP.

Little Pied Cormorant

Chestnut Teal

Red necked Stints

There is a Pectoral Sandpiper in there somewhere!

White-headed Stilt

Most of these birds are Banded Stilts.

Yellow-billed Spoonbill

Black Swan

Pin-eared Duck

Australian Spotted Crake

White-winged Black Tern

Striated Fieldwren

Golden-headed Cisticola

What a contrast in habitats. Werribee is vast & full of birds, numbers here are only guesstiments!

Freckled Duck

There were six freckled Ducks on this small pond

 at Eyesbury.

The endangered & incredibly rare Swift Parrot.

Simon had one more trick up his sleeve, a trip to Eyesbury where a party of Swift Parrots had been reported. We had great views of seven of this incredibly rare bird. What a way to end a very good little trip!