April - Our Outing to Euroa

Photograph: Andi Stevenson (Pink-eared Ducks (the stripy ones) with several Pacific Black Duck & Grey Teal).

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10 of our group made the trip to Euroa on a mild autumn morning. As we looked into the Euroa Water Treatment ponds, we saw good numbers of ducks, including Australasian Shoveler, a threatened species in Victoria, and Pink-eared Duck which has a lovely striped body. Also seen were several Hoary-headed Grebe, a pair of Chestnut Teal, and a few Black Duck and Grey Teal. An adjacent pond had 17 Black-fronted Plover on the mudflats. Details of birds recorded at the plant can be viewed on the eBird web site at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55195784

We then headed to the Euroa Arboretum just across the road, where the very dry conditions meant few birds were seen. A White-faced Heron was seen well beside the dam, and a few Red Wattlebirds, Eastern and Crimson Rosellas flew past us. A Grey Fantail was also seen well. Some of us then bought a few plants from the Arboretum nursery. The Arboretum bird list can be viewed on eBird at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55195449

Photographs: Margaret Walshe

Our next outing will be to Reef Hills State Park on the outskirts of Benalla, on Thursday 9th May 2019.  We will meet at the Seniors Building car park at 9.30am for a morning walk. We will visit an area of the park that is closed to vehicle access from June to November.

Please wear sturdy shoes and bring your binoculars and any food or drink you require for the morning. A folding chair would also be useful as we plan to spend time watching birds visit one of the dams in the park.

​​Kathy Costello