Birdwatching at the Lilydale Sewage Treatment Plant was a must for my local big year. As the number one hotspot in the Yarra Ranges on eBird, I had to plan a visit.
When I arrived in Lilydale, I turned down Nelson Street. On your right hand side, you will see the Yarra Valley Trail heading towards Coldstream. Since there is no public access to the Lilydale Sewage Treatment Plant, this is the best option. The trail runs parallel to the plant with views to the ponds. This is where the birds are.
As I walked down the flat gravel trail, the open paddocks to my right where full of Common Starlings, Common Mynas, Little Ravens and Noisy Miners. On my left (the sewage ponds side) there was tall fence, disabling view into the area where the buildings are located. There are medium sized gum trees with Galahs, Grey Butcherbirds and more Noisy Miners.
Walk along a little further, and you can see through the fences the sewage ponds. Full of Eurasian Coots, Grey and Chestnut Teals and Hardheads swimming about. Australian Shelducks turn upside down and Black Swan sail gracefully through the water. Pink-eared Ducks (a lifer for me) tuck their heads into the body’s, Straw-necked and White Ibis sit on the banks with Masked Lapwings huddled behind. Pacific Black Ducks fly over, Wood Ducks waddle and Australasian Swamphens patrol.
Walk a little further and there is a viewing platform looking across a pond. Signs there tell you there is Freckled Ducks, but we didn’t see any. I couldn’t see many of the birds at the back as I left my binoculars in the car (the camera couldn’t reach that far).
In the reeds alongside there where very noisy Australian Reed Warblers and chatty Superb Fairy Wrens.
