Category: Upotipotpon

October - 'Girral', Upotipotpon.

25/10/2023

On 12th October the group visited private property west of Benalla in the Upotipotpon area. We visited ‘Girral’ in 2018, and were very pleased that the owners were able to lead us again on a walk around the property. This time we walked an area with a lot of native shrubs underneath mainly Grey Box and Red Box eucalypts. We had good views of Rufous Songlarks which were calling loudly as they flew overhead, before landing in a tree. They are spring migrants from northern Australia. Some people got a glimpse of a pair of Yellow Robins and an Eastern Shrike-tit, and along the roadside was a pair of Jacky Winters. We heard Peaceful Doves calling a number of times. Mike said they used to be occasional visitors, but are now resident on the property. They are uncommon birds in our area. Ann told us they had Grey Shrikethrushes nesting in the carport.

Helen Repacholi took this photo of a Brown Treecreeper, one of several we saw during the morning.

We recorded 23 species during our visit. Many thanks to our hosts for allowing us to visit their property.

Here is the link to the eBird checklist of the birds we recorded on the property
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S153015092

Balmattum Nature Conservation Reserve

Our next outing on Thursday 9th November will be to Balmattum Nature Conservation Reserve, an area of grassland with wooded areas. The reserve is a few kilometres south west of Violet Town, has an impressive bird list and is a new location for our group. Please meet at 9.30am in the carpark behind the Seniors Building, bringing water and any food you need for the morning. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Kathy Costello

Photos from Andi's Facebook post ...

"Bird-watching in Upotipotpon - wandering Mike & Anne's lovely bush block, finding bird-life even on a grey & showery morning."

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U3A Birdwatchers visit Upotipotpon

25/9/2018

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Our group was fortunate to visit private property in the Upotipotpon district on Thursday 13 September. We had a warm sunny spring morning to enjoy a guided walk around the bushland, looking for birds as well as identifying a few waxlip and leopard orchids among the shrub cover.

Highlight was a pair of resident Tawny Frogmouths roosting close to the house. We also found a pair of Eastern Yellow Robins, and had close views of a party of White-browed Babblers feeding on the ground. A Collared Sparrowhawk landed high in a tree. There were lots of fresh scratchings of Painted Button-quail, but these shy birds remained elusive. Owner Mike said one bird walked across the driveway as soon as we left the property. We saw a number of Brown Treecreepers, White-plumed Honeyeaters and Superb Fairy-wrens. The locally rare Gilbert’s Whistler was heard calling from over the road, but did not show itself.

Thanks to owners Ann and Mike. It was a pleasure look for birds on a bush block that retains much of the original native vegetation of the area.

22 bird species recorded. eBird list https://ebird.org/australia/view/checklist/S48712603

'Private property in the Upotipotpon area, eucalyptus woodland & open grassland. Nest of white-winged Chough, made of mud & grass that had remained intact after falling from a tree.'.Photographs--Marg Walshe

Next outing Thursday 11 October to Reef Hills State Park

Please note this change to our program. We will visit private property in Glenrowan West in November, and not in October as previously announced.

For Reef Hills, we will meet in the car park behind the Seniors building at 9.30am on Thursday 11 October. As usual, please wear sturdy walking shoes, and bring water, any nibbles you want for the morning, and binoculars if you have them. Although it has been very dry, we should enjoy some good spring birding at our local Reef Hills park. We plan to finish by 12 noon.'

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

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