Heyfield Birdwatchers - July 2011

G’day Birdos,
Although at times we almost got swept off our feet by the strong westerly gales yesterday, we had a great day in the bush. After setting off from Stratford, we headed into the Stockdale forest where we scanned the heavily flowered ironbarks. Red Wattlebirds, Eastern Spinebills, Crescent Honeyeaters, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and Golden Whistlers were some of the species spotted despite the rushing wind and thrashing foliage. 

Ironbark blossom.

Take stockDALE!

We moved down into a couple of gullies where things were a bit calmer and White-throated Treecreepers, Brown Thornbills and Grey Fantails, etc, began to appear. All the while, the ‘plant people’ were spotting greenhoods, correa, marianthus, heath etc.

Rod and Michele very kindly suggested we have lunch at Peach Flat and a wander around their property where the wind wasn’t so bad. Water birds and ducks on the ponds, Scarlet Robins and Jacky Winters, Grey Shrike-thush, Satin Bowerbirds, Kookaburras, ?-quail, (too quick), Wedge-tailed Eagle were all added to the day’s list pretty quickly. 

Some of the crew 'in suspension'.

The 'flatter' bit of Peach Flat.

Kooka waiting at the station.

White-throated Treecreeper.

The day was rounded off just nicely as we meandered back to the house with a very concealed Lyrebird going through its repertoire including Kookaburra, Black Cockatoo, White-eared Honeyeater, Butcherbird, Bowerbird, Whipbird and more.

Pity about the wind – the birds were OK, but!

Regards,

Gouldiae.