The group’s final outing for the year was to the Molyullah district about 30 km south of Benalla. On Thursday 10 November eight of us travelled along O’Dea Road to the intersection with Schulz Road, where bushland meets farmland in the pretty Sams Creek Valley. A lot of birds were calling as we walked along the road. A female Rufous Whistler flew onto her partially-completed nest in a dead mistletoe just above us while the male watched from a nearby tree. We also saw the delicate nest of the Grey Fantail.
Two White-throated Treecreepers landed on a nearby trunk, while a Sacred Kingfisher and a Kookaburra were also seen. A number of honeyeaters were calling, and we had a good view of two of them, the Yellow-faced and the White-naped Honeyeater. The plain-looking Fuscous Honeyeaters were difficult to identify high in the trees, and although we could hear a number of White-throated Gerygones calling quite close to us, it was frustrating that we did not get a look at this beautiful little bird.
Near our parked cars, a Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike was spotted low in a nearby tree, and on a farm dam over the road was a pair of Australasian Grebe and an Australian Wood Duck with 5 small ducklings. Our bird list can be viewed on eBird at http://ebird.org/ebird/australia/view/checklist/S32646622
We then drove to a nearby property, where we ate our sandwiches while admiring the view over the valley. While the Superb Fairy-wrens, White-browed Scrubwrens, King Parrots, Noisy Friarbirds, Mistletoebirds and Silvereyes fossicked around the garden, owners John and Janette answered our many questions about their beautiful property.
Two White-throated Treecreepers landed on a nearby trunk, while a Sacred Kingfisher and a Kookaburra were also seen. A number of honeyeaters were calling, and we had a good view of two of them, the Yellow-faced and the White-naped Honeyeater. The plain-looking Fuscous Honeyeaters were difficult to identify high in the trees, and although we could hear a number of White-throated Gerygones calling quite close to us, it was frustrating that we did not get a look at this beautiful little bird.
Near our parked cars, a Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike was spotted low in a nearby tree, and on a farm dam over the road was a pair of Australasian Grebe and an Australian Wood Duck with 5 small ducklings. Our bird list can be viewed on eBird at http://ebird.org/ebird/australia/view/checklist/S32646622
We then drove to a nearby property, where we ate our sandwiches while admiring the view over the valley. While the Superb Fairy-wrens, White-browed Scrubwrens, King Parrots, Noisy Friarbirds, Mistletoebirds and Silvereyes fossicked around the garden, owners John and Janette answered our many questions about their beautiful property.
After lunch they then took us to several spectacular waterfalls not far from the house. Thank you to both of them for their generosity and time. We loved the place.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the birdwatching program this year. U3A Birdwatching will continue next year, with 3 sessions in April, May and June.
Kathy Costello, Convenor
Thank you to everyone who participated in the birdwatching program this year. U3A Birdwatching will continue next year, with 3 sessions in April, May and June.
Kathy Costello, Convenor
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