Day 1: Melbourne to Healesville.
Meeting up in the city bright and early before the main commute, we followed the Yarra river with stops to look for roosting nocturnal wildlife. At a Tawny Frogmouth’s nest site the flimsy collection of sticks was empty with the family having left in the last week. Better luck at the Powerful Owl roost where two adults and this year’s fledgling were found, the young bird still sporting its fluffy white feathering. Thousands of Grey-headed Flying Fox were hanging around but unusually quiet, with most sound asleep after a big night out in town.
We then left the big smoke and headed for the hills. A morning tour in Bunyip state park started well with a confiding Rufous Fantail and then a Brown Thornbill was seen busily feeding a fully grown Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo , hard work indeed. Some Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos cruised past and then at a dense tree-fern lined gully our main target came out to play, with three Superb Lyrebirds showing themselves. One was quite vocal and perfectly impersonated half a dozen local forest species, mesmerising us all. Both Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Shining Bronze Cuckoo were located by call and our last stop in this gem of a park produced Gang Gang Cockatoos, a male Satin Bowerbird and a sleepy Koala. It was time to leave and grab some lunch, but on the way out a major bonus flushed from the roadside, a female Painted Button-quail. By staying in the vehicle we managed excellent views of this very tricky cryptic species. Cicadabird called nearby but could not be spotted.
Lunch in Warburton was enormous following which we drove the steep road up to Mt Donna Buang to savour some temperate rainforest. Crescent Honeyeaters were calling at every stop, and remained typically hard to get on to in the forest canopy. Further and higher and the mist descended. The ancient lichen infested Myrtle Beech forest and misty scene was perfect back drop for the female Pink Robin which posed beautifully on a tree snag. In fact a Robin trifecta all at the same location with a pair of Flames and a female Rose had the field guide pages flicking. An Olive Whistler showed briefly and a calling Pilotbird came in for a quick look at us, but was too fast for most to catch a sight of.
At the hotel back down in Healesville a male Satin Flycatcher was in residence, and after dusk we headed out again to check a few sites at the base of the ranges for nocturnal critters. We lucked onto a family of Yellow-bellied Gliders, after hearing their maniacal calls. A distant Sooty Owl responded to playback, but was too far away up the mountain to chase after, and a Brush-tailed Possum and 2 Black Wallabies completed a lively spotlighting session.
Day 2 : Healesville to Cohuna and the Murray river.
The Satin Flycatcher entertained again at the hotel and before leaving the wet mountain forests more time was spent chasing the skulkers of the dense ferny undergrowth. 3 or 4 Pilotbirds were heard and again one responded to callback coming in quite close but not showing well. A male Rose Robin however did perform well, and another Olive Whistler gave some good but brief views.
Then it was time to head north into the drier more open woodlands of central Victoria, but not without a stop on the way in a reserve on the Goulbourn river where the incessant pinging call of the Bell Miner greeted us on arrival. A lovely male White-winged Triller reinforced the springtime feel, and Sacred Kingfisher was the first of a few seen for the trip. Onwards and upwards, to the Heathcote area where extensive areas of woodland are now conserved in national parks. The first stop near Tooborac produced good views of three handy pick-ups in the form of Scarlet Robin, Olive-backed Oriole and a male Mistletoebird. Closer to Heathcote a typical spring flock of White-browed Woodswallows entertained us, and a random stop of the bus for some LBJ’s came up trumps with a Speckled Warbler amongst the commoner Buff-rumped, Striated and Brown Thornbills.
We drove on across the northern plains to the Murray river at Echuca to stock up with supplies. Some flowering street trees gave us easy viewing of the three large riverine honeyeaters….. Little Friarbird, Noisy Friarbird and Blue-faced Honeyeater. Comical looking Long-billed Corellas were loafing in some nearby River Red Gums.
The last drive for the day took us to Cohuna also close to the Murray river, from where we drove out onto the plains for some more spotlighting after dark. The grasslands were pretty quiet, but along a Black Box creekline we had great views of some more Brush-tailed Possums and a Southern Boobook, a small largely insectivorous Ninox Owl which although fairly common, can be tricky to get on to.
Day 3: Cohuna to Ouyen in the Victorian mallee.
The day started with some casual pre breakfast meanderings around the motel, where an Australasian Darter was sighted. The first productive birding stop was just out of town at some private wetlands viewable from a roadside, where a great selection of waterbirds were present, with many new species for the trip so far. Highlight was the large flock of over 250 Plumed Whistling Duck. Also sighted were Yellow-billed Spoonbills and Red-kneed Dotterels, Whistling Kites and Swamp Harriers. A little further up the road a stop at Hirds swamp, which had recently received environmental water produced thousands of duck, and at least one Freckled Duck was picked out amongst the hordes.
Our route then proceeded to take us further north and west, roughly following the Murray river. A stop at one of the large salt lakes near Kerang was successful in locating two target birds, the White-winged Fairy-wren and the Orange Chat. Both these species are desert specialists living in treeless saltbush vegetation, with both sporting extraordinary colour schemes, splashes of vibrant brilliance brighten up their harsh surroundings. Near Lake Boga, more ducks were present including Musk and Blue-billed. In fact by the morning’s end we had seen all Victoria’s duck species! A nearby stand of Long-leaved Emubush was flowering well and attracting small numbers of the highly localised Black Honeyeater alongside the regular Singing and Spiny-cheeked.
Another hour’s drive had us in that part of north-west Victoria, “the mallee”, where a whole new set of species are to be found, and even before reaching our first birding site, a random roadside stop at some signs of activity had us counting six new birds. A small flock of the endangered Regent Parrot was the undoubted highlight here, but Blue Bonnets, Australian Ringnecks and Variegated Fairy-wrens were also noteworthy.
A little further on at a small bushland reserve near Wemen we connected with Chestnut-crowned Babblers and a male Splendid Fairy-wren (BVD- better view desired!)
Just in our first few hours we had cleaned up on a whole range of mallee species, and were happy with our efforts for the day as we skirted by Hattah-Kulkyne NP on our way to Ouyen for the night, but the best was yet to come, in the form of two separate pairs of the iconic Malleefowl close to the roadside where farmers wheat crops were ripening and being harvested. Some lucky timing and great eyesight combined to give us these bonus sightings whilst in transit.
This would save us time tomorrow looking for Malleefowl at a planned stakeout.
Day 4: Mallee birding
The day started spectacularly with nine Pink Cockatoos close to our accomodation. The nomadic White-fronted Honeyeater was also picked up near town before we headed for the mallee proper. On the way to Bronzewing Flora and Fauna reserve one of the highlights of the week was finding a post breeding flock of the endangered Regent Parrot, totalling at least 250 birds. Feeding in wheat stubble, the sights and sounds were unforgettable.
A long walk in the mallee woodland of Bronzewing gradually revealed more target birds. Three Mulga Parrots, a confiding Southern Scrub-robin, a male and female Splendid Fairy-wren, plus a family of Hooded Robins were the highlights. With time ticking on we drove west to the Pink Lakes section of Murray-Sunset NP. This vast area is one of Victoria’s gems, a pristine wilderness. Not far into the park in the open grassy pine woodlands, a hive of springtime activity turned out to include Black-faced Woodswallows, Brown Songlarks, Southern Whiteface and White-backed Swallows, four new species for the trip.
Our main targets however were the Grasswrens and Emu-wrens that frequent the prickly porcupine grasses found in the mallee woodlands here. Both Striated Grasswren and Mallee Emu-wren showed well, something that cannot always be guaranteed in a few short hours. One last fling at the end of the day had us staked out for Spotted Nightjars at a waterhole in the scrub. Perhaps due to the cool conditions no Nightjars were observed coming to drink, but at least one did hawk around us for a few minutes. A fitting end to such a successful day.
Day 5: Ouyen to the Little Desert
Before leaving the north-western mallee country, we decided to try once more for the Chestnut-backed Quail-thrush, our last chance to connect with this bird. On the way to the site, many parrots we seen again, Blue Bonnets and Regents, Ringnecks and Mulgas, Cockatiels and Red-rumps, all feeding along roadsides. To spot the Quail-thrush we drove slowly along the sandy bush tracks, scanning the woodland floor. This is also a great technique for finding Malleefowl, and that’s exactly what happened, our fifth Malleefowl for the trip. Then our first Shy Heathwren popped up for all to see. Time was running short, so we turned around and started to head out of the reserve, when an eagle eyed passenger spotted a pair of Chestnut-backed Quail-thrush which gave us some solid views. Everyone was elated, but there was more, as a Crested Bellbird started calling quite close by, and we managed to locate him perched in a mallee tree. We left the mallee feeling that we had pretty much cleaned up!
On the drive through farmland to the Little Desert NP random stops added Musk Lorikeet and more flocks of Woodswallows. Now in the Little Desert (not a true desert, just very sandy) we birded some box and riverine country, finding our first Red-capped Robins (at a nest no less) and the closely related but much less colourful Jacky Winter. These two birds meant we had seen all nine Robin species found in Victoria. A large Sand Goanna scrambled up a tree to avoid us, and some close views of Little Corellas were had at our lunch stop by the Wimmera river.
Later in the afternoon we explored some of the low heaths found in this interesting national park. We found another family of Variegated Fairy-wrens, and the heathland specialist Tawny-crowned Honeyeater. After a meal, we headed out for an evening stroll with the spotlights, and lucked onto a number of animals including Sugar Glider, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Brush-tailed Possum and Western Grey Kangaroo.
Day 6: Little Desert to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road
The first part of the morning was spent in another low heathland location hoping for a couple more of the area’s specialities before our big drive down to the coast. After one and a half frustrating hours of seeing very little we got back to where we had started and suddenly picked up Variegated Fairy-wren, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater plus a Rufous Fieldwren (race Winiam). We were hoping to maybe find a Blue-winged Parrot, but they were not forthcoming so on the way south we stopped at a regular site for them, Lake Wyn Wyn. The birdlife in the surrounding scrub was prolific with a real springtime buzz going on. Lots of Trillers and Songlarks, Cuckoos and Woodswallows. Again no BWP’s to be seen, but a bonus came in the form of a Diamond Firetail. At this stage in the tour, new species were becoming harder to come by, so this was a welcome find.
A Long-necked Tortoise crossing the road slowed us down, and thousands of Coots at Lake Natimuk was an impressive sight. Rather than sticking to the highways we took some less travelled routes through farmland around Horsham, which paid off when a stunning adult Spotted Harrier cruised alongside the bus. With some regular box-ironbark honeyeaters still missing from our list, were spent an hour in the Deep Lead state forest near Stawell, but could only manage to pick up a couple of Fuscous Honeyeaters, as there was very little flowering.
We managed one more important pick up on the way through the western district farmlands, a pair of Brolga at a small open wetland. We made it to the coast for a fish dinner and an early night.
Day 7: The Great Ocean Road (Port Campbell to Airey’s Inlet)
We had a pre breakfast drive out to the famous lookout at Loch Ard Gorge, where the stunning scenery had everyone’s cameras clicking. Without the regular tourists out and about that early we were able to get stunning views of the localised endemic Rufous Bristlebird, a major target species for the day. On the way back a quick detour down a bush track in the hope of a Brush Bronzewing was successful with a male bird sitting on the ground just long enough for all to see his stunning colours. Headed for the Otway ranges, we stopped at Moonlight Head where 2 Shy Albatross were following a small fishing boat offshore. Yet again Crescent Honeyeaters gave us the run around, and yet again an Olive Whistler only showed itself to the quickest eyes amongst us. At Melba gully the birding was a little quiet, however a Tiger Snake livened up proceedings. Fortunately it decided to slither off without becoming aggressive to the keen photographers who had it surrounded!
Whilst having lunch at Lavers Hill an impressive Wedge-tailed Eagle soared over, and then a detour down to Cape Otway for Koalas was rewarded with exceptional views of this remarkable animal low down in the trees.
Yet another mammal tick came in the form of an Echidna by the roadside, fortunately a live one, living dangerously. A pair of Hooded Plovers were in residence near to their nesting ground at Apollo Bay, another important bird for us along the coastline here, and the last stretch of driving for the day took us into some of the coastal forests where we visited a Satin Bowerbird’ bower. Decorated with blue objects, this time the male was not in attendance. With time running short, just before reaching our hotel for the night we had two more close encounters, incredibly close views of both King Parrots and Gang Gang Cockatoos. Australia really is the land of the parrot.
Day 8: Aireys Inlet to Melbourne via Werribee’s WTP
Our last day’s birding in Victoria was going to be a big one with plenty of new birds for the trip likely at the coastal wetlands of the Western Treatment Plant near Werribee.
However before leaving the heathlands of the Ocean road we continued our search for the elusive Blue-winged Parrot. Finally success, after 8 days looking, when some BWP’s were spotted flitting around in some heath at the top of a steep hill. We made the climb and were rewarded with close views of these lovely birds. A very vocal Striated Fieldwren at the same site was a bonus, saving us having to search for it later. At Anglesea we visited some more coastal heathland, this time targeting the tiny Southern Emu-wren. They were not to be found in their usual patch of bushes so we wandered more widely, and eventually picked up their faint insect like calls. With a little encouragement, a male bird was enticed out into the open giving everyone cracking views. We wandered a little further on into some Chestnut-rumped Heathwren habitat, but as can often be the way with this species we left with no cigar.
Closer to Werribee we dropped in to Lara and the Serendip sanctuary, where Magpie Goose, Cape Barren Goose and Latham’s Snipe were three excellent finds for the trip list.
It was finally time for our last birding destination, the Western Treatment Plant at Werribee.
A wave of new species confronted us, with our heads in a spin as to which way to look. Banded Lapwings and Red-necked Avocets, Fairy Terns and huge flocks of Whiskered Terns, Baillon’s Crakes and Australian Spotted Crakes, Marsh Sandpipers and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Intermediate Egret and more Brolgas, the birding as always was superlative.
By the end of the 8 day tour we recorded 243 species with 21 Parrots being just one of many highlights in the wash up at the end of the trip.
Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Seen at Puckapunyal and in the Little Desert
Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata 2 at Serendip sanctuary
Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni Huge flock of 250 near Cohuna
Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae Seen near Lara plus 2 at the WTP
Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa 1 with many other ducks at Hirds swamp
Black Swan Cygnus atratus
Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides
Maned Duck Chenonetta jubata
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
Australian Shoveler Anas rhynchotis
Gray Teal Anas gracilis
Chestnut Teal Anas castanea
Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus
White-eyed Duck Aythya australis
Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis a few at Round lake nearLake Boga
Musk Duck Biziura lobata observed doing their very unusual courtship display
Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata 2 pairs seen along the roadside near Hattah and a single bird in the mallee scrub at Bronzewing
Stubble Quail Coturnix pectoralis many heard especially at WTP, no sightings
Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
White-capped Albatross Thalassarche cauta 2 gliding by at Moonlight Head, Otways NP
Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris beach washed birds near Lorne
Australasian Gannet Morus serrator
Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius
Black-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens 3 adults on one of the rock pillars at the Twelve Apostles
Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae Cohuna
Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus
Pacific Heron Ardea pacifica large numbers on Aird river floodllain in the Otways
Great Egret Ardea alba
Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia 1 at the WTP
White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
Australian Ibis Threskiornis moluccus
Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis
Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia
Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes
Australian Kite Elanus axillaris
Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides
Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax
Swamp Harrier Circus approximans
Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis 1 adult glided past the bus on the plains east of Horsham
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus
Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla Close views of at least 3 birds at the WTP
Australian Crake Porzana fluminea seen with two tiny black fluffy chicks at the Spit, WTP
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio
Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa
Black-tailed Native-hen Tribonyx ventralis
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Brolga Grus rubicunda a majestic pair near Lake Bolac, plus 3 at the WTP
Pied Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus
Red-necked Avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae WTP
Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola 3 at the Spit
Banded Lapwing Vanellus tricolor 19 Beach road, near the WTP
Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles
Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus
Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus
Hooded Plover Thinornis cucullatus pairs seen near Apollo Bay and Anglesea
Black-fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 8 WTP
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 2 near Lorne
Red Knot Calidris canutus 8 WTP
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis
Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii 2 flushed near Lara
Painted Buttonquail Turnix varius female seen exceptionally well from the bus in Bunyip SP
Silver Gull Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 1 near Lorne
Fairy Tern Sternula nereis 2 the Spit, WTP
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida many hundreds all around us at the WTP
Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera
Brush Bronzewing Phaps elegans seen very well early morning near Port Campbell
Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes
Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida
Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus
Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa heard in the distance from Donelleys Weir,
Powerful Owl Ninox strenua 2 adults and 1 imm roosting by the Yarra river close to Melbourne
Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae one seen well along the Bendigo creek
Spotted Nightjar Eurostopodus argus 1 near hawking at dusk near Hattah
Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae
Red-backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygius 1 on powerlines south of Ouyen
Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus
Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus
Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides
Brown Falcon Falco berigora
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus
Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum seen down to 3 metres near Aireys Inlet !
Pink Cockatoo Lophochroa leadbeateri 9 birds in Ouyen early morning
Galah Eolophus roseicapilla
Long-billed Corella Cacatua tenuirostris
Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea Dimboola
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita
Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus many in the north-west
Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus
Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna
Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla 1 with other lorikeets at Serendip
Purple-crowned Lorikeet Glossopsitta porphyrocephala flock near Anglesea and a few at Serendip
Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi
Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans Both the red and the yellow form
Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius
Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus
Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius
Bluebonnet Northiella haematogaster
Blue-winged Parrot Neophema chrysostoma nice views near Aireys Inlet, 25 +
Australian King-Parrot Alisterus scapularis
Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus incredible flock of over 200 along roadside near Bronzewing. Feeding in ripened crop, many green birds
Superb Lyrebird Menura novaehollandiae good views at Bunyip
Satin Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus Bunyip, and Lorne. Bower seen
White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaea
Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus
Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus crippling views at Pink Lakes
Southern Emuwren Stipiturus malachurus equally good views near Anglesea
Mallee Emuwren Stipiturus mallee pretty good views at Pink Lakes
Variegated Fairywren Malurus lamberti a few, best views of male in Little Desert
Splendid Fairywren Malurus splendens Bronzewing provided the best views of a male
Superb Fairywren Malurus cyaneus
White-winged Fairywren Malurus leucopterus male seen at some distance, LAke Tutchewop
Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Lewin's Honeyeater Meliphaga lewinii
Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops
Singing Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens
White-eared Honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis
Fuscous Honeyeater Lichenostomus fuscus
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus ornatus
White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus
White-fronted Honeyeater Purnella albifrons near Ouyen, and flocks in the Little Desert heathlands
Bell Miner Manorina melanophrys near Bunyip and Yea wetlands
Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala
Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis
Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata
Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera
Orange Chat Epthianura aurifrons Lake Tutchewop
White-fronted Chat Epthianura albifrons
Black Honeyeater Sugomel niger near Lake Boga
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Gliciphila melanops
Crescent Honeyeater Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus a few heard, on flight views at Moonlight head
New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus
Brown-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris
Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis
Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis
Noisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatus seen with Littles and Blue-faced together at Echuca
Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata Bronzewing
Rufous Bristlebird Dasyornis broadbenti Awesome views at Loch Ard Gorge, Moonlight Head and Aireys Inlet
Spotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus
Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus
Pilotbird Pycnoptilus floccosus heard near Warburton and Healesville.
White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis
Speckled Warbler Pyrrholaemus sagittatus seen well near Heathcote
Rufous Fieldwren Calamanthus campestris race winiam, in the Little Desert
Striated Fieldwren Calamanthus fuliginosus
Shy Heathwren Hylacola cauta
Buff-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza reguloides
Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla
Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis
Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis
Yellow Thornbill Acanthiza nana
Striated Thornbill Acanthiza lineata
Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris
Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis
White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus
Chestnut-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus ruficeps a shy colony seen near Wemen
Eastern Whipbird Psophodes olivaceus heard near Healesville and Bunyip
Chestnut Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castanotum cracking views of a pair in Bronzewing
White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus
Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus
White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus
Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus Pink Lakes and south of Hopetoun
Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus
Gray Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus
Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis
Australasian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen
Pied Currawong Strepera graculina
Gray Currawong Strepera versicolor
Black-faced Cuckooshrike Coracina novaehollandiae
White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor
Common Cicadabird Edolisoma tenuirostre heard Black Snake creek road, Bunyip
Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera heard only
Gray Shrike-Thrush Colluricincla harmonica
Olive Whistler Pachycephala olivacea seen 3 times, each frustratingly brief, Donna Buang, Mt St Leonard and Monnlight Head in the Otways
Gilbert's Whistler Pachycephala inornata Moss tank
Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis
Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris
Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis singing male in Bronzewing
Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus
Willie-wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys
Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons
Gray Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa
Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca
Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula singing male near Port Campbell
Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca Healesville area
Australian Raven Corvus coronoides heard, but no positive sightings !!
Little Raven Corvus mellori
Forest Raven Corvus tasmanicus Otways, heard and seen in flight
White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos
Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Wemen
Jacky-winter Microeca fascinans
Scarlet Robin Petroica boodang
Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii
Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea
Rose Robin Petroica rosea Male seen well Mt St Leonard
Pink Robin Petroica rodinogaster female seen well Donna Buang
Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata
Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis
Southern Scrub-Robin Drymodes brunneopygia Bronzewing
Australasian Bushlark Mirafra javanica near Dimboola
Sky Lark Alauda arvensis
Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena
Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel
Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans
White-backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosterna Pink Lakes
Australian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus australis
Little Grassbird Megalurus gramineus
Brown Songlark Megalurus cruralis
Rufous Songlark Megalurus mathewsi
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis
Silver-eye Zosterops lateralis
Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum
Australasian Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae
European Greenfinch Chloris chloris
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata Only sighting was at Lake Wyn Wyn
Red-browed Firetail Neochmia temporalis
Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata One seen near Swan Hill from the car at 100 kms per hour