U3A Benalla and District Inc.
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May - Shadforth Reserve, Violet Town

25/5/2024

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The Birdwatching group visited Shadforth Reserve at Violet Town on Thursday 9th May 2024. Nine members enjoyed the morning in this reserve which has an impressive  variety of trees, shrubs and native grasses. We admired some massive Yellow Gum and Grey Box trees.

A highlight of the morning was watching a group of Grey-crowned Babblers feeding quietly on the ground. They are listed as threatened in Victoria, and Violet Town is a good place to observe them.

We had excellent views of a Black-shouldered Kite perched at the top of a dead tree. These raptors are more often seen in our area when there are mice around.

Several groups of Musk Lorikeets were glimpsed flying and feeding in the reserve. Not many trees were flowering and honeyeaters were few. We also observed several White-faced Herons flying overhead, a flock of White-winged Choughs and several Grey Fantails.
​We only had time to investigate the eastern end of the reserve, before heading into town for morning tea.

We then visited the gallery next to the café where one of our members, Helen Ogilbee, had an art exhibition through May. A variety of paintings and some beautiful Batiks were much admired.

The Birdwatching group will have a break over winter. After consulting members, we will add an extra outing in semester 2, starting on 8th August, instead of resuming in September.  

Thanks Andi Stevenson for the photos of Grey-crowned Babbler and Black-shouldered Kite in the Newsletter and the wonderful collection above and on the U3A Benalla Facebook Page.

Attached is a link to the eBird checklist for the birds seen at Shadforth Reserve:
​
https://ebird.org/checklist/S176869936
​

Kathy Costello
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Next outing - Shadforth Reserve, Violet Town - Thursday 8th June

25/5/2023

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Next outing is to Shadforth Reserve, Violet Town on Thursday 8th June
 
Shadforth Reserve is on the northern outskirts Violet Town, and supports an interesting variety of birdlife. One reason is that it contains a nice mix of grassland, some very old Grey Box and River Red Gums, a planted Community Forest and a few dams. In a past life it has been a racecourse and a golf course. One bird I am especially looking for is the Grey-crowned Babbler, a known resident of the reserve.

Please meet in the car park behind the Seniors Building at 9.30am on Thursday 8th June, for the drive to Violet Town. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and any food you need for the morning. I am hoping we will also have time for a coffee in Violet Town after the walk.

I was unable to run our May outing as I was enjoying a birdwatching trip to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Thanks Andi Stevenson for hosting an informal bird walk May during my absence.

This June trip to Shadforth Reserve is an extra in our program, as promised during our visit to Reef Hills in April.

​
Kathy Costello
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    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

    Picture
    Kathy Costello 5762 5755 Mobile 0447625755
    [email protected]
    Photographer -  Andi Stevenson, with others contributing from time to time. 

    Meeting Times

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

    2nd Thursday of the month 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  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....

    All
    Baddaginnie
    Balmattum Nature Reserve
    Benalla Golf Course
    Birds Of Benalla
    Broken River
    Broken River Reserve
    Chesney Vale
    Christmas Break Ups
    Course Description
    EBird List
    End Of Year Lunch
    Euroa
    Euroa Arboretum
    Glenrowan Area
    Glenrowan West
    Honey Suckle Creek
    How To Use Binoculars
    Killawarra Forest
    Lake Benalla
    Loombah Weir
    Mokoan Hub Cafe
    Molyullah
    Moorngag
    Mt Meg Reserve
    Nason Springs
    Notes For Participants
    Ovens River Walk
    Pangarang Track
    Private Property Visits
    Rare Sightings
    Reef Hills
    Sam's Creek Valley
    Seven Creeks
    Shadforth Reserve
    Upotipotpon
    Violet Town
    Wangaratta
    Warby Ranges
    Winton Wetlands

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We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.
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​Photographs - U3A members; Benalla Art Gallery website; ​Weebly 'Free' images;Travel Victoria and State Library of Victoria