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.

Spring is nearly here and the wattles are looking wonderful. It’s a lovely time for birdwatching.

We start our program for semester 2 on 14th September with a visit to Killawarra forest northwest of Wangaratta.Because of the travel involved, I would like us to meet at 9am, instead of 9.30am, at the carpark at the back of the Seniors Building.

Please bring the usual things for outdoor activities – a hat, water, binoculars if you have them and wear sturdy footwear. You may want to bring a sandwich or snack in case we do not get back to Benalla by lunchtime.

​If you are a passenger, please bring a small amount of money to pay your driver.
 
Kathy Costello
Mob 0447 625 755

Eight members of our bird watching group made an enjoyable visit to Killawarra Forest at the northern end of the Warby Ranges on 12 September. Instead of our usual morning outing, this time we each brought lunch to make the most of a lovely place for spring bird watching. As we approached the forest, a magnificent Wedge-tailed Eagle flew up from the roadside, carrying a small rabbit. It flew across the road in front of us, then dropped its prey as it was pursued by a magpie.
 
Our best sighting in the forest was a pair of Hooded Robins flying around Irishtown Track. This is a declining woodland bird that is disappearing from places it has been found in the past. We had good looks at a Pallid Cuckoo calling from high in a dead tree, and were surprised to see a pelican flying over the forest. Some of the other birds we saw included Jacky Winter, Grey Fantail, Rufous Whistler, Dusky Woodswallow and a flock of 18 White-winged Choughs. There were also good numbers of honeyeaters and thornbills which are always a challenge to observe. We also saw a few Leopard Orchids, Pink Fingers and Blue Fingers while walking at the old oval. At one point we were looking for babblers, and someone (was it Bev?) described us as a group of Grey-crowned Babblers. Much laughter.