We enjoyed a fine sunny morning on 14 September, when seven of us travelled to Killawarra Forest, in the northern section of the Warby Ovens National Park. The forest has large stands of ironbark eucalypts, so is quite different from the Warby Ranges to the south.
We didn’t have to walk far to see a good variety of birds. A Shining Bronze-Cuckoo was hunting caterpillars in a Golden Wattle. It is an attractive small cuckoo, with an iridescent green back. We had good views of a pair of Jacky Winters flying overhead and perching close by. They are active grey and white flycatchers. Eastern and Crimson Rosellas and a King Parrot were also recorded. Honeyeaters present included Brown-headed and White-plumed Honeyeaters and a Noisy Friarbird. We found Wood Duck and Black Duck at a small dam on the edge of the forest, and enjoyed a display of orchids nearby.
It wasn’t until later that I identified one bird that made a number of loud calls when we first arrived at Killawarra. It was a Pacific Koel. Quite a surprise to hear it in native forest, as it has become better known as a regular summer migrant to urban areas and towns in Victoria, including Benalla. On our way back to Benalla we stopped for a very welcome late morning tea the Mokoan Café.
We didn’t have to walk far to see a good variety of birds. A Shining Bronze-Cuckoo was hunting caterpillars in a Golden Wattle. It is an attractive small cuckoo, with an iridescent green back. We had good views of a pair of Jacky Winters flying overhead and perching close by. They are active grey and white flycatchers. Eastern and Crimson Rosellas and a King Parrot were also recorded. Honeyeaters present included Brown-headed and White-plumed Honeyeaters and a Noisy Friarbird. We found Wood Duck and Black Duck at a small dam on the edge of the forest, and enjoyed a display of orchids nearby.
It wasn’t until later that I identified one bird that made a number of loud calls when we first arrived at Killawarra. It was a Pacific Koel. Quite a surprise to hear it in native forest, as it has become better known as a regular summer migrant to urban areas and towns in Victoria, including Benalla. On our way back to Benalla we stopped for a very welcome late morning tea the Mokoan Café.
We recorded 29 bird species for the morning. Here is the link to our list on eBird https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S150627448
Our next outing will be to private property at Upotipotpon, west of Benalla on Thursday 12 October. Please meet in the car park behind the Seniors building at 9.30am bringing the usual things – hat, water, sturdy shoes, binoculars/camera. It’s a lovely property, well worth a visit.
Kathy Costello
Our next outing will be to private property at Upotipotpon, west of Benalla on Thursday 12 October. Please meet in the car park behind the Seniors building at 9.30am bringing the usual things – hat, water, sturdy shoes, binoculars/camera. It’s a lovely property, well worth a visit.
Kathy Costello
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