The weather was overcast but there was no wind when we commenced walking up Cecil Track, off Gum Flats Road. White-throated Treecreepers were calling and Red Wattlebirds were squawking up high in the trees.
Apart from the single note call of the Grey Shrike-thrush, there were not many other birds around. We walked awhile looking also for orchids and other interesting items, including some red lichen which attracted Penny's attention.
We then decided to go off Cecil Track and walk through the disused old Rifle Range. Over the past ten years the vegetation has grown and with all the rain this year, small ponds have developed with plenty of frogs calling.
Lots of Superb Fairy-wrens were seen and heard in the short undergrowth, and high in the tree canopies Striated Thornbills were seen feeding on the flowering eucalypts. Brown Thornbills were also sighted lower down in the trees. Heard calling were Spotted Pardalotes, Eastern Spinebill, Shining Bronze-cuckoo and Golden Whistler. On the way back, we walked along Gum Flats Road and here we saw Yellow Robins and a female Flame Robin.
Highlight of the day was the sighting of a Wedge-tailed Eagle flying low over Gum Flats Road, near Cecil Track. It gave us a great view of its wing markings as it slowly circled around.
Other birds included Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Welcome Swallow, Laughing Kookaburra (2 of them laughing at us), and Crimson Rosella. Overall, 24 species were recorded (full list below).
Morning tea was enjoyed in the bush on the corner of Gum Flats and Forrest Roads, where we spotted a Banded Greenhood and a Dwarf Greenhood.
Cheryl West Lau
Below are all the birds identified on this walk:
Mon 9:30am - 11:00am
Working bee
Thu 9:00am - 12:00pm
Propagation activities in Dec/Jan
Fri 10:30am - 10:30am
Library by appointment only in Dec/Jan
Tue 9:30am - 11:00am
FEO working bee
Sun 2:00pm - 4:00pm
FEO Annual General Meeting
There are lots of different ways that you can get involved in protecting habitats, conserving biodiversity and enhancing the natural beauty of the area around Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. Learn more
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