U3A Benalla - Birdwatching

Coming up in March - Kaluna Park, Wangaratta

26/2/2026

The U3A Birdwatching group will visit Wangaratta for our first outing in 2026

On Thursday 12th March we will visit Kaluna Park on the King River very close to the Wangaratta town centre. This is a new location for our birding group and I’m looking forward to the visit.

Please meet at 9am in front of the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre (in case council works are still taking up the usual car park meeting place.)

What to bring
Water, sun protection, comfortable walking footwear, and any food you need for the morning. If you have binoculars, they are a great help for viewing and identifying birds.

If you are car-pooling a small contribution of $5 to the driver is suggested.

Kathy Costello

It's the Birdwatching group's 10th Birthday this year!

3/2/2026

This photo was taken in November 2016 during a visit to a private property on Tiger Hill, Molyullah.

Thank you, Kathy, for convening Birdwatching for 10 years!

Birdwatching meets on the 2nd Thursday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Commences 12th March – more details in the next newsletter.

November - Visit to Loombah Weir

28/11/2025

Our group of eight made the trip along Upper Ryans Creek Road to look for birds around Loombah Weir on Wednesday 13 November. This weir and upstream McCall Say Reservoir were built in 1949 on Ryans Creek to supply Benalla’s water.

We walked the short track to the ford, then another track surrounded by tall forest, lots of wattles, and a few wildflowers.

It felt like a morning for grey and yellow birds. We saw a few Grey Fantails, and had close views of a Grey Shrikethrush as it hopped past us along the roadside. In the thicker vegetation we found 2 male Golden Whistlers having a territorial dispute, with much calling and chasing. Then we found a lovely pair of Yellow Robins, and near the gully a pair of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters. Flying in the background were Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas and Little Corellas.

A total of 16 bird species was recorded. Here is the eBird list.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S286147224

After a summer break, U3A Birdwatching group will resume activities on Thursday 12th March 2026.

Kathy Costello

Photos : Andi Stevenson (unnamed) and Helen Repacholi (named).

Next outing - Loombah Reservoir, Thursday 13 November

25/10/2025

Our final outing for the year is to Loombah Reservoir on Upper Ryans Creek on Thursday 13th November, where we will walk in the surrounding tall forest, looking for some birds we don’t usually find around Benalla. We may do a little off track walking.

Please meet in the car park behind the Seniors Community Centre as usual, at 9am. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring any water and snacks and sun protection you need for the morning.

Kathy Costello

October - Helen's property on Kilfeera Road

25/10/2025

Fourteen people made the short drive to Helen’s property on Kilfeera Road on 9 October for a morning bird walk. It also turned into a botanical feast in her lovely, well-established garden.

New Holland and White-plumed Honeyeaters were plentiful. We enjoyed views of a flock of Red-browed Finches feeding in grasses along the driveway. Other birds seen included King Parrot, Superb Fairy-wren, Grey Shrikethrush, Black-faced Cuckooshrike, Olive-backed Oriole and a female Satin-bowerbird. There have been several reports recently of bowerbirds visiting home gardens in Benalla. A Whistling kite was observed flying over a nearby paddock.

Helen M was the only one to spot a Diamond Firetail as we gathered for morning tea on the verandah.

"A delicious morning tea of shared treats"

Thanks Helen for a lovely morning.

Kathy Costello

Next outing - Helen's "haven for birdlife" - Thursday 9 October

25/9/2025

We are fortunate to be able to visit Helen’s 7 acre property just out of Benalla on Thursday 9th Ocober.. She has created a lovely garden and a haven for birdlife with her plantings of trees and shrubs over many years, and a good supply of bird baths.

Please meet at 9am at the car park behind the Seniors Community Centre for the short drive to the property.

Kathy Costello

September - 'Reef Hills State Park'

24/9/2025

After the cancellation of our planned visit to Reef Hills State Park in August, it was pleasing that we were able to get there in September. On a cold but sunny morning, we headed to the south eastern corner of the park along Roes Road. We started with views of small birds such as Superb Fairy-wrens, Weebills, a Brown Thornbill and several Grey Fantails and Willie Wagtails. Then a Wedge-tailed Eagle was spotted flying high overhead. Further on a few honeyeaters were observed, most notable being the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater: a colourful bird with yellow and black markings. One obliged by flying down to the road in front of us to drink from a puddle. Another good sighting was a pair of Jacky Winters. These robin-like birds like a high perch at the edge of the forest bordered by open country. We finally found a White-throated Treecreeper climbing up a tree trunk, having heard one calling throughout the walk.

Photos and story. (from FB).... Andi Stevenson

Altogether 23 species were recorded for the morning.

Here is a link to the list on eBird https://ebird.org/checklist/S273242465

Kathy Costello

Reef Hills State Park outing rescheduled to 11th September...

26/8/2025

Our August outing was unfortunately cancelled at very short notice, as I was unwell that day. So I have rescheduled our August trip to Reef Hills State Park to Thursday 11th September.

We will meet at the car park behind the Seniors building at 9am and car pool to Reef Hills on the edge of Benalla.

Reef Hills covers about 5000 acres of mixed eucalypt for forest. The wattles will be flowering and birds should be active as the breeding season is here. We will look out for wildflowers too.

As usual, please wear sturdy footwear, and bring water and any food you need for the morning. Binoculars are well worthwhile to help you observe the birds in the park and the surrounding paddocks.

Kathy Costello

Birdwatching outing to Reef Hills State Park,Thursday 14 August

29/7/2025

Our U3A birdwatching program for 2nd semester resumes on Thursday 14th August, with a visit to Reef Hills State Park, a 2,400 hectare mixed eucalypt forest with an excellent range of native understorey plants. The park is well worth visiting because of its proximity to Benalla and the diversity of bird species it supports. Perhaps some Golden Wattles will be flowering by mid August.

Please meet at the car park behind the Seniors Community Centre at 9am. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring binoculars if you have them. We may have time for a café visit afterwards.

Kathy Costello

May - Walk around the southern section of Lake Benalla

24/5/2025

Our group of 15 people had a productive visit to Lake Benalla on Thursday 8th May, with a total of 30 birds species recorded for the morning. Near the start of the walk we saw a feeding party of Superb Fairy-wrens, 3 Red-browed Finches (look for the red bill, red eyebrows and red rump on a small olive bird), a White-browed Scrubwren and Grey Fantail. A male Australian Darter gave us great views as it dried its wings in a secluded area near the walking track. We also observed three Yellow-billed Spoonbills high in a tree. An Azure Kingfisher landed on a branch above the water giving us distant views, and much closer was a pair of Brown Treecreepers near the last footbridge on our walk. These birds nest in a small tree hollow and like to be near fallen timber. Their powerful feet allow them to climb up tree trunks, looking for insects in the bark.

Photographer and 'script writer' - Andi Stevenson:

'Magpie Larks, Lake Benalla', Photographer Helen Repacholi

After the walk we convened to a café for coffee to finish an enjoyable morning.

Here is a link to the eBird list of the birds we recorded at Lake Benalla
https://ebird.org/checklist/S237620707

There will be a winter recess for June and July 2025, and the next Birdwatching group outing will be on Thursday 14th August.

Kathy Costello

Next outing - Lake Benalla, Thursday 8 May, meeting at 9am

25/4/2025

Our next outing is a walk around Lake Benalla Thursday 8th May 2025.

With a number of new members of the group this year, it seems a good idea to check out the birds around Lake Benalla. We will do the southern section of the walk which is about 2.5km. The water, the Red Gum woodland and the open parklands provide a variety of habitats for birds. And they’re used to people walking past.

We will meet beside the lake at the back of the library at 9 am (note earlier time). As usual, please wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring binoculars if you have them.

Kathy Costello

April - Birdwatching along the Glenrowan to Hamilton Park track

23/4/2025

At Glenrowan there is an excellent bitumen walking track between the town and Hamilton Park, beside Warby Range Road. Our group of twenty walked the Glenrowan end of the track past an orchard, a winery and the Grey Box trees and shrubs lining the roadside. The weather was fine but hazy from controlled burns in the area.

Our first raptor was a Whistling Kite flying over the orchard, but the second raptor was hard to identify as it flew past us. Thanks to a quick photo by Helen Repacholi with her long lens, and referral to several experienced birding friends, we identified the bird as a dark morph Little Eagle.

We also saw 2 Striated Pardalotes at the top of a power pole. The holes in the pole are just right for the tiny pardalotes to enter and build their nests. Traditionally they have nested in small tree hollows.

It was useful to compare Welcome Swallows with Tree Martins as they zoomed overhead catching insects. Brown-headed and White-plumed Honeyeaters, Grey Fantail, Spotted Pardalote and Weebill were some of the birds feeding along the roadside.

Photographs and story board - Andi Stevenson

Coffee and cake at the bakery made an enjoyable end to the morning. We recorded 17 bird species.

Here is a link to the eBird list https://ebird.org/checklist/S228401160

Kathy Costello

Coming up on Thursday 10 April - Glenrowan Area

3/4/2025

We will meet in the car park behind the Seniors and Community Centre for a drive to Glenrowan. The earlier time worked well for our trip to Euroa in March, so we will again meet at 9am. We will look for birds along a quiet roadside near Glenrowan in an area with lovely views. Hopefully there will be time for coffee in Glenrowan after the walk.
As usual, please wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and bring water as well as binoculars if you have them.

Kathy

March: Seven Creeks at Euroa

27/3/2025

Seventeen people, including a number of new members, attended the first birdwatching outing for the year to Seven Creeks at Euroa. With a very hot day forecast, we made good use of the shade along the creek. A large number of very noisy Little Corellas were seen well in the Red Gums. We also had good views of Pied Currawongs, Little Ravens, King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas and several Noisy Friarbirds. Small birds were hard to find, but we did see a pair of Grey Fantails in some understorey shrubs. A White-faced Heron was observed several times feeding in the creek.

We hadn’t reached the half way mark of the walk before deciding to retrace our steps, as the morning heat was becoming oppressive. Most of us then headed into Euroa to enjoy some refreshments and a chat.

We recorded 18 bird species. Here is the link to the bird list https://ebird.org/checklist/S219356190

Kathy Costello

March - Seven Creeks Walk at Euroa

25/2/2025

Our first meeting for 2025 will be held on Thursday 13th March. I like to start a bit earlier in the warmer months so we will meet at 9am, in the car park behind the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre, and car pool for the drive to Euroa.

We will walk the southern section of the track along Seven Creeks, where there is shade along much of the walk. We should see a good range of birdlife, as the water is a great attraction in this hot dry summer. If we complete the circuit, we will have walked just under 4km. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and bring a water bottle. If you have binoculars, bring them along for a much better view of the birds around the track.

Note that outings are automatically cancelled on days of Total Fire Ban.

Kathy Costello
Mob 0447 625755

Lurg property in November - "There were lots of places for a variety of birds to find food and shelter"

26/11/2024

Our final outing for the year was to private property in the Lurg area on Thursday 14th November. The gardens and surrounding area were fabulous, with lots of places for a variety of birds to find food and shelter: Striated Pardalotes on the TV aerial, White-browed Babblers in shrubs along the driveway, Red-rumped Parrots feeding in the grass, a Diamond Firetail perched on a fence, an Australasian Grebe on the dam and a large flock of Straw-necked Ibis in the paddock next door.

We recorded 25 species for our visit. Thanks to Karen & Peter for hosting our visit, and for the bonus of a lovely morning tea.

The Birdwatching program will resume in March 2025.

Kathy Costello

Our November outing - a bird friendly garden and bushland reserve in the Lurg area

24/10/2024

Our November outing will be on Thursday 14th November, when we will drive to a home with a lovely bird-friendly garden in the Lurg area. We will also visit a nearby bushland reserve.

Please meet at 9am (note earlier time) in the car park behind the Seniors Community Centre. You should wear sturdy walking shoes and a hat, and bring drinking water, and binoculars if you have them.

Kathy Costello

Lake Benalla in October - "35 species recorded"

24/10/2024

Lake Benalla was the location for our Birdwatching outing on Thursday 10th October. Seven of us enjoyed a sunny morning for our walk around the southern section of the walking track. A busy time of day with walkers, dogs and cyclists.

At the start of the walk, we had great views of Little Friarbirds, Sacred Kingfishers and a Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, then surprisingly three Pelicans on the lake. Four more Pelicans appeared later. It was disappointing we only had distant views of a couple of Dollarbirds, but the Yellow-billed Spoonbills gave us great views on a nest. We also saw a nesting Grey Fantail and Magpielark.

Photographs and script - Andi Stevenson

Thirty-five species made for a very successful morning bird walk. We then enjoyed morning tea and Ray and Bev’s place, while watching the birds in their garden.

Here is the link to the full bird list on eBird
https://ebird.org/checklist/S199958281

Kathy Costello

Next - "A walk around Lake Benalla", 9am Thursday 10 October

24/9/2024

It is several years since we have walked around Lake Benalla as a group, so that is what we will do on Thursday 10th October. The lake is an excellent place for finding birds, with huge old red gums, a mid-storey of various wattles, grasses for small birds like finches, and of course the all-important water required by all our local birds. With the warmer weather, we will meet half an hour earlier, at 9am at the carpark behind the Seniors and Community Centre.

Kathy Costello

Reef Hills State Park and Broken River Natural Features Reserve

24/9/2024

Our September outing was to Reef Hills State Park, on the southern edge of Benalla. Although the morning was sunny, there was a cold wind blowing, so we had to work hard to identify birds in the waving branches. We moved to a more sheltered area and started seeing a few more birds. They’re not silly.

Our birding highlight was a pair of Varied Sittellas; thanks Brian for spotting them. Unlike the treecreepers which move up a tree probing the bark for insects, the smaller sittellas land high in the branches and work their way down the bark. Other birds seen included a pair of Rufous Whistlers, Brown Thornbills, Grey Shrike-thrush, White-winged Choughs, Grey Fantails and several honeyeaters. We looked hard for a Mistletoebird which was calling above us, but failed to locate it. All up 14 species recorded.

We then drove to the nearby Broken River Natural Features Reserve, and found some different birds near the river. It was nice to see and hear a pair of Western Gerygones here. These small birds are nearly all summer breeding migrants to our area. Another summer migrant, the Australian Reed-Warbler, had also arrived and was calling from the reedbeds where it nests. We had good views of a pair of Striated Pardalotes in a dead tree near the river – they nest in small hollows – while a Black-Faced Cuckoo-shrike flew down river. Eight species recorded here.

Our eBird checklist for

Reef Hills https://ebird.org/checklist/S196197393
Broken River Natural Features Reserve https://ebird.org/checklist/S196198143

Kathy Costello

August - Euroa Arboretum, Swift Parrots and Diamond Firetails!

24/8/2024

We had planned to walk the Seven Creeks track at Euroa for our outing on 8th August, but at the last minute we ended up at the Euroa Arboretum instead. And what a great decision that turned out to be. Although it was cold and cloudy, the birds and plants made the visit a pleasure.

There were two bird highlights: Swift Parrots and Diamond Firetails.

We had a small flock of Swift Parrots in trees along the track to the nursery. These fast-flying endangered birds breed in Tasmania over summer, and fly to the mainland for the winter, following flowering eucalypts as far as SE Queensland if necessary in their search for food. The Diamond Firetails have been breeding at the Arboretum for several years. They like to feed on the seeds of native grasses and can find suitable nesting sites in spiky native shrubs. Andie did well to get photos of both species.

We also had great views of Spotted Pardalotes and Yellow Thornbills beside the large dam near the entrance. A flock of 25 Straw-necked Ibis circled overhead, while Red Wattlebirds and White-plumed Honeyeaters were common. All up, 22 species were recorded.

We then headed into Euroa and enjoyed a light lunch and hot drink at a café in the main street.

Here is the link to the eBird list for the birds we recorded at the Euroa Arboretum
https://ebird.org/checklist/S191861480

Kathy Costello

Photographs and narration - Andi Stevenson

Our Winter Break ends - Seven Creeks, Euroa Walk - August 8th!

25/7/2024

The Birdwatching group will resume from a winter break with a trip to Euroa on Thursday 8th August. We will walk the southern section of the track beside Seven Creeks, starting from the carpark in Foy Street around the corner from the Seven Creeks Hotel. The walk is about 3.5 kilometres, and provides suitable habitat for a good range of bird species. If the weather co-operates, we can look forward to a pleasant morning walk on a well-maintained track. There is one steep section to an elevated bridge at the southern end.

Please meet at the car park behind the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre at 9.30am. Bring any food and drink you need for the walk, and bring binoculars if you have them.

Kathy Costello
0447 625755

May - Shadforth Reserve, Violet Town

25/5/2024

The Birdwatching group visited Shadforth Reserve at Violet Town on Thursday 9th May 2024. Nine members enjoyed the morning in this reserve which has an impressive variety of trees, shrubs and native grasses. We admired some massive Yellow Gum and Grey Box trees.

A highlight of the morning was watching a group of Grey-crowned Babblers feeding quietly on the ground. They are listed as threatened in Victoria, and Violet Town is a good place to observe them.

We had excellent views of a Black-shouldered Kite perched at the top of a dead tree. These raptors are more often seen in our area when there are mice around.

Several groups of Musk Lorikeets were glimpsed flying and feeding in the reserve. Not many trees were flowering and honeyeaters were few. We also observed several White-faced Herons flying overhead, a flock of White-winged Choughs and several Grey Fantails.

We only had time to investigate the eastern end of the reserve, before heading into town for morning tea.

We then visited the gallery next to the café where one of our members, Helen Ogilbee, had an art exhibition through May. A variety of paintings and some beautiful Batiks were much admired.

The Birdwatching group will have a break over winter. After consulting members, we will add an extra outing in semester 2, starting on 8th August, instead of resuming in September.

Thanks Andi Stevenson for the photos of Grey-crowned Babbler and Black-shouldered Kite in the Newsletter and the wonderful collection above and on the U3A Benalla Facebook Page.

Attached is a link to the eBird checklist for the birds seen at Shadforth Reserve:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S176869936

Kathy Costello

Birdwatching in April - Winton Wetlands

25/4/2024

The group visited Winton Wetlands on Thursday 11th April. It was a clear sunny morning, which gave us great views of the main wetland and a range of waterbirds at the Boat Ramp on Lake Mokoan Road. With the help of a telescope, we were able to identify 16 different waterbirds. There were plenty of Black Swans, Coots and Grey Teal, plus several Great Egrets, Plumed Egrets and Yellow-billed Spoonbills, while a Whistling Kite flew overhead. Helen M did well to spot a beautiful Turquoise Parrot which flew into a small eucalypt. Altogether we recorded 28 species for the morning. Then it was off to the Mokoan Café to enjoy coffee and cake.

Photographs - Andi Stevenson

Here is the link to the eBird list. https://ebird.org/checklist/S170021248

The next outing for the U3A Birdwatching group will be held on Thursday 9th May at Shadforth Reserve, Violet Town. We will meet in the car park behind the Seniors and Community Centre at 9.30am for the drive to Violet Town. Shadforth Reserve is on the northern edge of town off Shiffner Street. With a good mix of mature trees, understorey shrubs and open grassland, it is a very good birdwatching site. Please bring a hat, water and binoculars if you have them, and wear sturdy walking shoes.

Kathy Costello

March - 'Ovens River Walk, Wangaratta'

27/3/2024

A successful first outing for the birdwatching group in 2024 was held on Thursday 14 March. We managed to fluke a mild morning for our Ovens River walk in Wangaratta. Fourteen people attended including a few new members. We recorded 21 bird species along the river; a highlight for me was a pair of Azure Kingfishers perched on a log, just above the water. They are beautiful little birds.

Azure Kingfishers on a log. Photo Andi Stevenson

Andi also got this great shot of an immature male Superb Fairy-wren in full song.

Other birds of note were 2 Little Pied Cormorants, flocks of White and Straw-necked Ibis in an adjacent paddock, and several Kookaburras and Grey Fantails.

The walking track has good views of the river and showcases some of the massive River Red Gums that line its banks.

Some people stayed on in Wang for shopping, and the rest of us enjoyed coffee at a nearby café.

Here is a link to the eBird list for our walk.
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S165091467

A perfect spot for a rest. Photo Andi Stevenson

Next outing Thursday 11 April to Winton Wetlands

Please meet at 9.30am in the car park behind the Seniors building. The water at Winton Wetlands is receding, but it is still well worth a visit. Some birds really enjoy feeding in the muddy shallows. I expect we will also see a few birds of prey as they hunt over the water or the open grasslands. As usual, please wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and carry water and any food you need for the morning. Binoculars are always recommended if you have them. I hope we will have time to enjoy a cuppa at the Mokoan café afterwards.

Kathy Costello

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.

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