The 250 hectare, Serendip sanctuary was a new experience for many in our group, and we all enjoyed the delights of this wildlife oasis.
In particular, it was just amazing to be able to come so close to many bird species, which were once common, but are now, except for those being bred in captivity, rare or extinct in Victoria.
Magpie Geese
Scores of the magnificent Magpie Geese were flying in and out of the sanctuary, sometimes forming a striking border on the outer branches of the highest trees.
Magpie Geese in the trees
These are a testament to an active breeding program, started by the Victorian Government in the 1960’s, using northern species, since, by the early 1900s, they were extinct in this state.
Caged birds in close-view included: Bush Stone-curlews, which are endangered in northern Victoria, and very rare to extinct in the south; Blue-faced Honeyeaters; and a Masked Owl.
Ignoring the Bush Stone-curlews
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Masked Owl
Other spectacular large birds were Brolgas, Bustards (several males with evidence of their unusual white-plumaged breast sac), Cape Barren Geese and Emus.
Brolga
Male Bustard
Cape Barren Geese
We noted mating behaviour in several animal species, which may be due to the projected ‘El Nino weather’–a warm, dry winter and early breeding all around. We spent an hour eating lunch, while sitting on the bridge facing North Arm, as there were so many water birds to be seen, including some of the less common species such as Pink-eared Duck, Shoveler and Shelduck.
Lots of ducks at lunch
During the day, we saw 47 bird species plus many mammals such as kangaroos, wallabies and, sadly, a fox.
Just before returning to the car park, we spent some time at the pond near the information centre identifying a female or young Blue-billed Duck; we were hindered by having left our bird books in our cars, and by a total lack of bird apps.
Yes…its a Blue-billed Duck
We can certainly recommend Serendip to anyone with some spare time when travelling between Geelong and Melbourne – and it’s free!
Below are all the birds identified:
* captive birds
1. Emu*
2. Magpie Goose
3. Cape Barren /goose*
4. Black swan
5. Australian Shelduck
6. Australian Wood Duck
7. Pink-eared Duck
8. Australasian Shoveler
9. Grey Teal
10. Chestnut Teal
11. Pacific Black Duck
12. Hardhead
13. Blue-billed Duck*
14. Australasian Grebe
15. Crested Pigeon
16.Tawny Frogmouth*
17. Little Pied Cormorant
18. White-faced Heron
19. Australian White Ibis
20. Straw-necked Ibis
21. Whistling Kite
22. Black Kite
23. Brolga*
24. Purple Swamphen
25. Dusky Moorhen
26. Buff-banded Rail*
27. Eurasian Coot
28. Australian Bustard*
29. Black-Winged Stilt
30. Black-fronted Dotterel
31. Red-kneed Dotterel
32. Masked Lapwing
33. Galah
34. Eastern Rosella
35. Red-rumped Parrot
36. Masked Owl*
37. Superb Fairy-wren
38. White-plumed Honeyeater
39. Red Wattlebird
40. New Holland Honeyeater
41. Blue-faced Honeyeater*
42. Australian Magpie
43. Willy Wagtail.
44. Little Raven
45. white-winged chough
46. Magpie-lark
47. Welcome Swallow
48.Red-browed Finch
49. House Sparrow