'Springtime birding at Reef Hills State Park in October'

​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