BIRDING GUIDE

Omeo

On the web at www.birdlife.org.au/locations/ birdlife-east-gippsland

Postal Address Box 825 , , 3875 Eastern Yellow Robin. Gary Smith Email [email protected]

Leaden Flycatcher. John Hutchison

Other Brochures available:

Birding Guides are available for Bairnsdale, Bruthen & Nowa Nowa, Buchan, Lake Tyers, Lakes Entrance, Lindenow & Mitchell River National Park, Mallacoota, Marlo, Metung, Nicholson, and Paynesville.

Bird Check Lists are available for Buchan Caves, Cann River, Den of Nargun, Fairy Dell, Lakes, Lake Tyers & Fishermans Landing, Macleod Morass, Nyerimilang, Omeo,

Oneonta, and Raymond Island. Marlo and Mallacoota have 2 Updated Sept 2018 brochures each, (1. Waterbirds and 2. Bush birds). Birdwatching around Omeo 3. Upper Livingstone 6. The Glen Wills Loop - as described in DELWP High The small town of Omeo, surrounded by high mountain County Back Roads Tour Guide The Upper Livingstone Road starts off from the Cassilis ranges, is on the which Road on the south side of the Livingstone Creek. It is a dry links Bairnsdale with Bright and . This tour as the name suggests is an anti-clockwise loop dirt road and often corrugated. There may be good birding taking the Knocker Track, which is dry weather high

along the creek to the site of rare Omeo Gums (E neglecta). clearance 2WD, via various forest types and elevations, 1. Omeo The roadside trees provide ample habitat for birds, as do from the Omeo Valley Road just north of Mitta Mitta River

the tree hollows. A good variety of birds can be seen: Bridge to the Omeo Highway just north of Glen Wills. The From the bottom of Creek Street, near the swimming hole Honeyeater, Whistler, Flycatcher, Fantail and Willie Wagtail, tour returns to Omeo along the sealed Omeo Highway via is a park with picnic facilities and toilets. The Livingstone Bronzewing and Robin. The road will eventually lead to Glen Wills, Glen Valley and Anglers Rest (Blue Duck). Creek Walking Track can be accessed here. You can Dargo. walk to Bloomfield Gully then continue on to the Oriental Claims (Bloomfield Gully can also be accessed by road along Bazeley St – on the right, just 1 km out of Omeo 4. Mt Hotham on the road to Mt Hotham). The drive up to Mt Hotham on the Great Alpine Road (all Restless Flycatcher, Yellow-faced Honeyeater and sealed) making a couple of side trips on dirt roads and Superb Fairy-wren can be found along the creek. stopping at a number of locations (habitat types) along the way is a good way to look for birds. This trip covers a The Omeo Caravan and Camping Park is a lovely place number of habitats commencing at 500m elevation in Omeo to stay. It has great shade trees and the Livingstone and reaching 1,800m on top of Mt Hotham (above tree line). Creek forms one of its boundaries. The Mt Kosciusko Lookout is worth a stop. Here there is a A variety of birds including Whistler, Flycatcher, Eastern spectacular view on a clear day. Honeyeater and White- Yellow Robin, White-naped and Yellow- faced throated Treecreeper may be seen here. Honeyeater and Gang-gang Cockatoo frequent the park. 5. Oriental Claims 2. Cassilis As you enter the area there is a Management Vehicles Only A drive out to Cassilis will provide the opportunity for sign on your left. A walk up this track could provide Yellow- numerous birds. It is best to drive towards Cassilis from faced; Crescent; New Holland and White-eared Honeyeater. Omeo as parking on the side of the road is easier and safer – numerous banks and drains make parking difficult The best walk for seeing birds is along Dry Gully Creek - on the side coming from Swifts Creek. there is a path which continues on beside the dry gully, when the Pioneer Loop Track goes off to the left. There are many stopping places beside the road for good birding. The track crosses the creek three times and if it is in flood it is not passable. Superb Lyrebird, Eastern Yellow Robin, White-winged Chough, Grey Fantail, Azure Kingfisher, White-throated Treecreeper and Striated and Yellow- Dusky Woodswallow, Noisy Friarbird, Restless Flycatcher rumped Thornbill can be seen. may be seen.