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
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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
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"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! 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
“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 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 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 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 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 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 |
BirdwatchingIf 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 detailsPhotographs - Andi Stevenson
Meeting TimesSix 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 membersIf 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
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Photographs - U3A members; Benalla Art Gallery website; Weebly 'Free' images;Travel Victoria and State Library of Victoria
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