As we drove out to Badger Creek, rain was splattering our windscreen. We thought, for our first outing with Birdlife Yarra Valley, a local birding group I found, would be a big dip with very soggy twitchers. But it turns out, the birds don’t care.
After we introduced ourselves, we walked towards the dam. Someone spotted a Sacred Kingfisher, perched on a branch, looking gorgeous. I saw a few White-naped Honeyeaters feeding in bush, (a new lifer for me) Australian King Parrots, Galahs and Crimson Rosella where seen. Eastern Whipbirds, Yellow-faced Honeyeater and Fan-tailed Cuckoos where heard in the background.
When we reached the lake, we were greeted by the squawk of the Little Corella overhead. In the lake, there where 100s of Eurasian Coots swimming about, Black Swans perched on the muddy banks, Little Black and Great Cormorants observed the lake from branches. A Little Pied Cormorant circled overhead and Swaphens strutted the banks. We saw Hoary-headed and Australiasian Grebes (also a lifer for me) as well as two Hardheads swimming about (another lifer). Musk Ducks splashed about, causing foam and bubbles to arise. A Swamp Harrier flew overhead, its distinctive white rump showing (also a lifer).
We moved on from the lake and heard both Striated and Spotted Pardalotes calling, Brown and Striated Thornbills and a White-browed Scrubwren near a small swamp.
As we walked back to the carpark a patch of scrubby woodland resulted in good views of a Female Golden Whistler. We also heard Rufous and more Golden whistlers calling nearby. It was quite the challenge to pick them apart! There was also Eastern Yellow Robins and Eastern Spinebills calling.
Towards the more Eucalyptus Forest area, we saw a few Varied Sittella (a new lifer for me), White-eared Honeyeaters and that Sacred Kingfisher from before. Faint Bell Miners were calling in the distance.
Check out the full eBird list here.
Overall, a very successful outing.
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