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Saturday 9 March was an Extreme weather day, and the bird walk was rescheduled to 16 March. It
was a small but enthusiastic group that met at Stieglitz (historic) Court House. The bird walk was led
by John Newman, who is a very experienced birder, and leads Orange-bellied Parrot surveys and
shorebird counts.

The weather was good for birds – gentle wind only – although the sun was a bit strong as the day
wore on. Full bird lists for each of the four locations visited are given in the section below. These
lists are also recorded in eBird.

We spent around two hours within several hundred metres of the court house. Highlights included:

  • Shining Bronze-Cuckoo – good view from front and back (with sun shining) – see photo
    below (John Newman)
  • Long-billed Corella – displaying the famous ‘cut-throat’ splash of pink
  •  Weebill – apparently common around Brisbane Ranges
  • Varied Sitella – busy group of half a dozen birds
  • Scarlet Robin – constant calling, but finally in the binoculars
Shining Bronze Cuckoo

Shining Bronze Cuckoo

From an Anglesea/Aireys Inlet perspective, the number of birds seen and heard was remarkable.

The main eucalypt is Yellow Gum, and this is clearly a great species for attracting/supporting birds
(note: lots of Mistletoe). John remarked there would be twice as many birds in spring!

Next stop was an area on the Durdidwarrah Road referred to as ‘The Pines’. We did a brief search
for the elusive Spotted Quail Thrush which has been ‘spotted’ in this area, but no success for us.

Next stop was the Durdidwarrah Reservoir. On occasions this body of water has lots of ducks,
including Blue-billed and Freckled. John got his scope out (magnification 32x) but there was a
limited number of birds for our visit. Highlights included:

  • Blue-billed duck (one only and far away)
  • Hardhead (one only)
  • Whistling Kite – flying high above
  • Darter – interestingly flying very high in sky (identified by the characteristic ‘paddle’ tail)

Final stop was Stony Creek Picnic Ground, which requires driving down a fairly difficult road. We did
a short walk here. Highlight was close/extended sighting of three Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters (two
parent birds feeding a child bird). We heard an Owlet-nightjar call, but impossible to locate which
tree the call came from! While eating our lunch, there were good views of an Olive-backed Oriole
and Rufous and Golden Whistlers.

We all had an exciting day and travel time from Anglesea is around one hour only. Thanks to John
for taking us around.

James Orton

Bird Lists
The table below shows the names and count of birds seen on the walk. Note this list has been
recorded in eBird.

Stieglitz Historic Park – Courthouse

Species Count
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 1
Laughing Kookaburra 2
Galah 4
Long-billed Corella 5
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 1
Crimson Rosella 3
White-throated Treecreeper 4
Superb Fairywren 4
Eastern Spinebill 2
Yellow-faced Honeyeater 10
Red Wattlebird 2
New Holland Honeyeater 4
White-eared Honeyeater 2
White-naped Honeyeater 10
Spotted Pardalote 15
Striated Pardalote 8
Weebill 12
Yellow-rumped Thornbill 2
Brown Thornbill 4
Black-faced Cuckooshrike 2
Varied Sittella 7
Grey Shrikethrush 2
Golden Whistler 2
Rufous Whistler 2
Australian Magpie 2
Grey Currawong 3
Grey Fantail 2
Australian Raven 2
Little Raven 4
Scarlet Robin 2
Eastern Yellow Robin 1
Welcome Swallow 2
Silvereye 5
Red-browed Finch 4
House Sparrow 2

The Pines, Durdidwarrah Road

Species Count
White-throated Treecreeper 2
Eastern Spinebill 1
Yellow-faced Honeyeater 3
White-eared Honeyeater 4
Brown-headed Honeyeater 8
Spotted Pardalote 4
Brown Thornbill 2
Buff-rumped Thornbill 5
Grey Shrikethrush 1
Grey Currawong 2
Grey Fantail 3
Scarlet Robin 2
Silvereye 2

Durdidwarrah Reservoir

Species Count
White-throated Treecreeper 2
Eastern Spinebill 1
Yellow-faced Honeyeater 3
White-eared Honeyeater 4
Brown-headed Honeyeater 8
Spotted Pardalote 4
Brown Thornbill 2
Buff-rumped Thornbill 5
Grey Shrikethrush 1
Grey Currawong 2
Grey Fantail 3
Scarlet Robin 2
Silvereye 2

Stony Point Picnic Ground

Species Count
Australian Owlet-nightjar 1
Crimson Rosella 3
Yellow-faced Honeyeater 2
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater 4
White-naped Honeyeater 6
Spotted Pardalote 3
Brown Thornbill 3
Grey Shrikethrush 1
Golden Whistler 1
Rufous Whistler 2
Olive-backed Oriole 1
Grey Fantail 4
Eastern Yellow Robin 2