Category: Reef Hills

April - Reef Hills State Park

26/4/2023

The Birdwatching group made the short drive to Reef Hills State Park on the southern edge of Benalla for their April outing on the 13th. This 2400 hectare park hosts a large variety of birds and is well worth a visit.

Some Grey Box is flowering heavily at present, drawing a number of honeyeaters to feed. We spent our time birding along Wattle Road, and after a quiet start saw a good number of small birds. Many were attracted to puddles in the road.

We had great views of 2 pairs of Scarlet Robins. The males were chasing each other, perhaps in a territorial dispute. Thanks Jim Burnell for the lovely photo of one of the Scarlet Robins.

There were a lot of Grey Fantails, with pardalotes and thornbills often heard but difficult to see. Fuscous and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were feeding in the Grey Box blossom and a flock of Red Wattlebirds flew overhead.

Slide show photographs - Andi Stevenson

Here is the link to our list on eBird
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S134920973

Please note there will be no outing in May, as I will be away on a birding trip to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Instead there will be an outing on Thursday 8th June. Details to be advised.

Kathy Costello

November - Reef Hills - "It was good to finally have an outing"

26/11/2021

The group visited Reef Hills for a morning walk along Centre Road on the southern boundary of the park. It was good to finally have an outing, as the 2 previous walks were cancelled. A southerly wind off the paddocks was bracing, but eased to a mild morning as we progressed. Several Common Bronzewings flew off as we approached, but later we had a good look at a female bronzewing at the side of the road. It is good to see these large pigeons in the park. They are particularly fond of wattle seeds, and there are good stands of the prickly Hedge Wattle (Acacia paradoxa) in this area.

Female Common Bronzewing. Photo Andi Stevenson (more photos in post below)

We heard the Olive-backed Oriole calling nearby, and had good views of a Jacky Winter and several Dusky Woodswallows. A pair of White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes were heard then seen briefly before they flew. Some of us had a good look at a Crested Shrike-tit, a striking bird with a yellow breast, and black and white striped head. It can sometimes be heard before it as seen, as it tears strips of bark from branches, searching for insects underneath. We saw both Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, plus several Superb Fairy-wrens, Willie Wagtails and White-plumed Honeyeaters. Our last sighting for the morning was a White-throated Treecreeper that landed close by on a tree trunk as we returned to our cars.

We recorded 18 birds for the morning walk. Here is the link for the eBird list. https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S97906323

Thanks to U3A members who have attended during the year. The birding program will resume in March 2022.

Kathy Costello

Birdwatching in November - Reef Hills

17/11/2021

"U3A Bird-watchers finally had an outing, a lovely walk on Centre road in Reef Hills on the 11th November. The weather was cool and the birds were busy"

Andi Stevenson, photographer extraordinaire!

Our last outing for 2021 - Reef Hills State Park

26/10/2021

For our last outing for 2021 on Thursday 11 November, we will visit Reef Hills State Park, off the Midland Highway south of Benalla, just past the freeway entrance. We were not able to go there in September because of a COVID lockdown. We should see some of the recently arrived spring migrants, as well as the resident birds. The trees and understorey plants are looking good after the consistent rains we have had this year.

Please meet at the carpark behind the Seniors building at 9.30am. Bring any food and drink you require for the morning, and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Let me know if you prefer to meet at the entrance to Reef Hills.

Unfortunately our visit to Winton Wetlands on 14 October was cancelled at short notice. We had a thunderstorm the night before, but it cleared quickly, and it would have been OK as the weather turned out fine the next morning. I’m sorry we missed the opportunity to visit several small wetlands at Winton that have some water and waterbirds in them.

Kathy Costello
Mobile 0447 625755, Home Ph 5762 5755

Reef Hills - proposed September outing regretfully cancelled

8/9/2021

I regret having to cancel our proposed outing to Reef Hills this coming Thursday. There is still no word from the Victorian Government about a proposed easing of restrictions in regional Victoria. It may happen later this week, but I can’t plan an outing with that uncertainty.

I am hoping at some time we will be permitted to go birdwatching with up to 10 people. Until then, stay safe and enjoy a bit of outdoor exercise in some springtime sunshine. The wattles are looking superb at the moment.

Kathy

Birdwatching outing to Reef Hills, Thursday 9 September, 9am

2/9/2021

“Below is a note for the September newsletter, in case we can run activities next month. Fingers crossed. Kathy Costello”.

Birdwatching outing to Reef Hills Thursday 9 September 9am.

If groups of up to 10 or more are permitted, there will be a Birdwatching walk in Reef Hills State Park Thursday morning on 9 September. Please meet in the car park at the main entrance to Reef Hills. Turn right into Reef Hills Road, on the Midland Highway, just past the freeway entrance to Melbourne and park on the left. We will meet at 9am. Bring any food or drink you need for the morning, a sunhat and binoculars if you have them. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.

Kathy Costello Mobile 0447 625755

August - U3A Goulburn Valley birdwatchers visit to Reef Hills

2/9/2019

Report of visit by Goulburn Valley U3A Bird-watching group to Reef Hills State Park on Wednesday 21 August 2019.

Six members of our Benalla Bird-watching group joined the visitors from the GV U3A, on a visit to Reef Hills. We spent a mild, sunny morning in the south west corner of the park. There was a lot of bird activity here, as a number of White Box trees were flowering, attracting a number of honeyeaters and lorikeets. As we walked along the track we came across a number of smaller bush birds, such as wrens, thornbills, treecreepers and sittellas. Most people headed off about lunch time, but some of us also visited a drier part of the park in Wattle Road, finding a few more birds in that area. It was good to have a chance to chat with another group like ours. Perhaps we can arrange another joint activity sometime in the future.

Here is the link to the bird list for the day, compiled by GV group leader Don Roberts. 31 bird species were recorded. https://ebird.org/australia/view/checklist/S59168734

Kathy Costello

Birdwatching in May - Reef Hills State Park

12/5/2019

Our trip in 9th May to Reef Hills on the southern outskirts of Benalla was the final outing for our group this semester. Eight of us, rugged up on a cold, cloudy day, headed to the south west area of the park around Baines and Centre Roads. Red Wattlebirds were present in large numbers, feeding in a few flowering eucalypts and keeping smaller honeyeaters at bay. We had good views of two groups of White-browed Babblers as they crossed the road in front of us. It was much easier than craning our necks looking for small birds in the tree tops in poor light. We finally left the Wattlebirds behind, locating several Yellow-tufted and White-naped Honeyeaters in the canopy, as well as two beautiful male Golden Whistlers. Thanks to those who brought some home-made slices for an enjoyable morning tea to finish the outing.

Details of the 13 bird species recorded at Reef Hills can be viewed on the eBird web site at https://ebird.org/australia/view/checklist/S56645504

Photos Margaret Walshe

U3A Bird-watching will take a winter break, resuming on Thursday 12 September, with 2 more outings in October and November. We have also been invited to join the Goulburn Valley U3A Bird-watching group which will visit Benalla on Wednesday 21 August. More details later.

Kathy Costello

'Springtime birding at Reef Hills State Park in October'

29/10/2018

A small but enthusiastic group headed to Reef Hills State Park for some springtime birding on 11 October. Despite the dry conditions, there were plenty of birds to be seen. A group of White-winged Choughs was drinking at a roadside puddle, and further down the road we had good views of three Dusky Woodswallows. A pair of White-browed Woodswallows and a White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike were difficult to see as they flew ahead of us, but a Wedge-tailed Eagle and a Little Eagle were spotted soaring overhead. We found an area in the south west of the park which had lots of bird song and good numbers of small bush birds, including Red-capped Robin, Western Gerygone, Varied Sittellas, Fuscous Honeyeaters, Grey Fantails, White-throated Treecreeper, a few thornbills and best of all a Turquoise Parrot.

Photographs - Marg Walshe

Although we didn’t walk very far, from a birding point of view it was a very successful morning as we recorded 32 species. For details, please see eBird checklist:
https://ebird.org/australia/view/checklist/S49409368

Our final outing for 2018 will be held on Thursday 8 November, when we will visit Pauline’s property at Glenrowan West. Please meet at the Seniors building car park at 9.30 am. Following our bird walk around the property, we are invited to stay on for a picnic lunch while enjoying the superb views from the property, so please bring a plate to share. As usual, also come with a hat, water and binoculars, and wear sturdy shoes. It promises to be a most enjoyable way to finish the year.

Kathy Costello

Report of our visit to Reef Hills State Park on 3 October 2017

19/10/2017

We enjoyed a mild, sunny morning for our visit to Reef Hills on the southern outskirts of Benalla. There was a lot of bird activity near the entrance and we spent some time walking near the dam on Centre Road. The Grey Fantails were easy to see as they flew around us. We later saw 2 of them building a nest beside the road. The Rufous Whistler and White-throated Treecreeper also showed well. Then we had close views of a young Red-capped Robin as it flew to the ground catching insects, and two nearby Buff-rumped Thornbills. Other birds were harder to see, although we could hear many different calls. One was the Painted Honeyeater, an uncommon spring migrant to Reef Hills, but only a couple of people managed to spot it. Nineteen species were seen or heard.

We then drove down Reef Hills Road to the rotunda for morning tea and a chat, and enjoyed views of a male Scarlet Robin and 2 White-throated Treecreepers in the car park. Four other species were recorded. Vaughan then took us on a short walk to enjoy some of the many wildflowers on display in the park.

The bird list for our first stop can be viewed at http://ebird.org/ebird/australia/view/checklist/S39817516
The second stop bird list is http://ebird.org/ebird/australia/view/checklist/S39817682

Kathy Costello

Reef Hills visit

29/5/2016

Eleven members of the group visited Reef Hill State Park, 5km south of Benalla, on Thursday morning 9 June. Rain threatened but we stayed dry while doing several walks from the picnic area on Reef Hills Road. Birding was pretty quiet. A few Grey Shrike-thrushes flew into the trees above us, and a White-throated Treecreeper landed nearby. It took some time, but most of the group finally got a look at a male Scarlet Robin. We also had distant views of 2 large groups of White-winged Choughs.

At our next meeting we will visit a property on the Broken River 5 km out of Benalla on the Shepparton Road. Thanks to Carole and Godfrey, whose son and daughter-in-law own the property, and who have arranged our visit to this lovely spot.

Thursday 9 June - Meet at the Barkly St car park at 10am…..and please bring your ideas for semester 2.

Kathy Costello

Birdwatching

If you would like to know more about birds in the Benalla district and would appreciate help in identifying birds, this group could be for you. The program involves mainly morning walks in local habitats rich in a range of bird life such as Reef Hills, Winton Wetland and Benalla Lake. There may also be an all day outing to a more distant location. Bring along a pair of binoculars to gain more value and enjoyment from this activity.

Convenor and contact details

Kathy Costello 5762 5755 Mobile 0447625755
coskoy@bigpond.com

Photographs - Andi Stevenson

Meeting Times

Six meetings:
Semester 1 - March, April and May.
Semester 2 - September, October, November.

2nd Thursday 9.30am to 12 noon

Meet at the car park behind the Benalla Senior Citizens Community Centre. Check newsletter for times and details.

Please note that outing arrangements may be altered if pandemic regulations change and are automatically cancelled on days of total fire ban.

New members

If you are new to the birdwatching group, check out Birdwatching - Notes for Participants - you will also find a video link in the notes which may assist you to adjust your binoculars

Outings etc....

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