Published by BirdLife Australia , Horsham Branch Barking Owl

Shy Heathwren 2 Introduction ...... 4 EAST OF HORSHAM 1 Brynterion State Forest ...... 5 2 Marma Lake Murtoa ...... 6 3 Murtoa Golf Course ...... 7 WEST OF HORSHAM 4 Quantong Reservoir ...... 8 5 Box Swamp ...... 9 6 Quantong Cemetery...... 9 Natimuk Area 7 Mt. Arapiles ...... 11 8 Tooan State Park ...... 11 9-20 Natimuk Douglas Lakes ...... 11 21-22 Little Desert & Ellis’ Crossing Pimpinio ...... 14 Area Map (50km radius from Horsham) ...... 16-17 HORSHAM URBAN AREA 23 -24 Wail State Forest, West Wail Flora Reserve...... 21-22 25 Wimmera River Horsham...... 22 26 Police Paddock ...... 23 27 McKenzie Creek ...... 24 28, 29, 30, 31 Horsham Lakes ...... 25 Responsible Bird Watching ...... 26 Birds of the Horsham Region ...... 26 Acknowledgements ...... 30

3 The Wimmera region around Horsham is principally a grain growing area, renowned for its high quality grain production. The seemingly endless landscape is broken in many places by remnant areas of dry country open bushland. For example, the river- ine woodland adjacent to the Wimmera River, the salt and freshwater lakes around Mt. Arapiles and the Mt Arapiles Tooan State Park.

The Grampians, Little Desert and Wyperfeld National Parks are also in this area but have been thoroughly dealt with in other guides so are not covered here. Because of this wide range of habitat type, the region supports a large range of different species of birds, with around 230 being recorded for the region. Because of the general openness of much of the habitat, most birds are easily seen.

Almost all of the described areas are accessible in all weather but be careful to check road conditions if it has been raining. 4 wheel drive vehicles are essential in the Lit- tle Desert and the Wail State Forest. Most areas have an all weather road at least to the perimeter. Check with local authorities if in doubt.

Between 2004 and 2009, the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority ran a biodiversity monitoring project which used birds as indicators of environmental health. The Wimmera Bird Monitoring Project surveyed birds from 170 sites across the catchment. Over 1600 surveys were completed, most by community volunteers. The results are being used to guide catchment strategy and management decisions, including revegetation, landscape rehabilitation and biodiversity protection. Monitoring is continuing at 30 sites to obtain a long-term view of changes in catchment health, as measured by birds. If you would like to fine out more about Wimmera CMA programs and activities, please contact the WCMA on (03) 5382 1544, by email ([email protected]) or visit our website at www.wcma.vic.gov.au

4 EAST OF HORSHAM

The Murtoa Golf Course, Marma Lake and the Brynterion State Forest are all east of Horsham. A full day would be needed to see and observe fully all of these places. En route to these places keep an eye out for all the Raptors mentioned in “The Plains North of Horsham” section and especially for male Brown Songlarks perching on the fence posts in the spring. Galahs and Long Billed Corellas can regularly be seen flying across the plains.

1 - BRYNTERION STATE FOREST This excellent area of remnant yellow gum, grey box, buloke bushland has shown ex- tensive regeneration since 1996 when grazing ceased. The "Brynterion", as it is lo- cally known, supports a number of common dry country and open bushland birds and at various times, some uncommon or rare species. Expect to see most months of the year. Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Galahs, Eastern Rosellas, Red- Rumped Parrots, Brown Treecreepers, Red Wattlebirds, White-plumed honeyeaters, Kookaburras, Striated Pardalotes, White-winged Choughs, Musk and Purple-crowned Lorikeets, Crested Pigeons, Common Bronzewings and Dusky Woodswallows. Wedge-tailed Eagles periodically nest here and Peregrine Falcons have bred in old Eagles nests. Less common are Swift Parrots, in years when the grey box flowers profusely. Little Lorikeets, Black-chinned, Fus- cous, White-fronted, Yellow-faced, Brown-headed, Spiny-cheeked and Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters have all been recorded, mostly during winter.

Lubeck Rd

5 Periodically in spring, large flocks of White-browed and Masked Woodswallows descend into the forest to feed on the Yellow Gum blossom. Some birds will stay long enough to breed, others move on just as quickly as they arrive. Take the Henty Highway from Horsham towards Dooen. Three kilometres past Dooen turn right onto the Wimmera Highway and continue 34 kilometres to Rupanyup. Turn right at Rupanyup and continue towards Stawell for nine kilometres. Turn right at Brynterion sign onto a gravel road and continue for another three kilometres until bushland becomes apparent on both sides of the road. Park anywhere along road and walk in. Tracks in forest must only be driven on when dry. Note: Brynterion State Forest now has I/D signs but no track signage.

2 - MARMA LAKE - MURTOA

This small lake normally holds a good number of water birds. Most of the common species can be found here but from time to time, rarer species have been recorded. Great Crested Grebe, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck and the Australian Shoveler have been recorded here. Little Grassbirds are often present in the cumbungi at the southeast comer.The lake has a walking track around the perimeter that can be accessed from all four sides. If you do not wish to walk around the lake, a lawn area besides the Rotunda provides a view of the whole lake. Follow the same directions as for the Murtoa Golf Course but where the Wimmera Highway turns left to Rupanyup, turn right through the Memorial gates and drive down to the Rotunda. A small wetland is also present at the north end of the lake and is worth checking out.

3 - MURTOA GOLF COURSE Set in natural bushland adjacent to the Barrabool State Forrest, the Murtoa Golf Course also has many of its fairways bordered with planted native shrubs and trees. Substantial areas of excellent habitat exist between the well spaced fairways and around the perimeter of the course itself. A good number of the bushland birds on the Wimmera Bird List can be found here and anyone visiting the course to do some serious birdwatching will inevitably end up with a good tally.

Look for Hooded Robins, Spotted Pardalotes, Red-capped Robins, White-throated Treecreepers, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills, Mistletoebirds, Blue-faced Honeyeaters, Eastern Spinebills and several Honeyeater species during winter, especially White-fronted Honeyeaters. The Spotted Nightjar and Powerful Owl have been recorded here.

6 Winter and Spring is the best time to visit but be aware that golf is played from April to October. Please respect golfers rights and conduct your birdwatching activities quietly and move through the area between the fairways if golfers are present.

Take Henty Highway from Horsham towards Dooen. Three kilometres past Dooen turn right onto Wimmera Highway and continue twenty kilometres to Murtoa. The Highway turns right at Murtoa and then left towards Rupanyup. Do not turn left to Rupanyup but continue straight on leaving a Football Oval on your right. Seven kilometres further on, the Golf Course will be on your right, adjacent to the road. Park your vehicle in roadside car park and walk in. The Murtoa Golf Course is one of the best birding spots east of Horsham.

The Barrabool State Forest should also be considered for a visit. Immediately south of the Murtoa Golf Course it is accessed by tracks from the east and west. These tracks are not all weather roads so care must be taken during wet weather. The bird list is similar to the Golf Course and a Barking Owl was recently recorded here. Regeneration has been very good since grazing was stopped in the mid nineties.

7 WEST OF HORSHAM

QUANTONG AREA A pleasant three or four hours can be spent just to the west of Horsham in the Quantong area. While driving between sites keep an eye on the roadside, fences and powerlines for larks, pipits, quail robins, chats, ravens and raptors.

Lanes Ave

Jost Ave

4 - QUANTONG RESERVOIR After leaving Horsham travel towards Natimuk on the Wimmera Highway for 9.5 kilo- metres and turn left into Pelchen’s Road. Travel south along this road for 3 kilometres and you will reach the Quantong Reservoir. When there is water in the Reservoir it is a good place for water birds, waders, raptors and bush birds some of which include: Clamorous Reed-warbler, Little Grassbird, Swamp Harrier, Black Kite, Whistling Kite and Diamond Firetails.

8 5 - BOX SWAMP After returning to the Wimmera Highway continue towards Natimuk for 0.6 kilometres and turn right into Quantong Cemetery Road. Travel along this road for 4.6 kilometres and turn right into O’Brees Road. Box Swamp is 1.2 kilometres on the left. A dry weather dirt track circumnavigates the swamp that consists of Black Box trees with lots of unusual ground covers. On the Eastern side of the swamp there is a sandy ridge which is sparsely covered with large Yellow Gums and a few Bulokes.The ridge has good numbers of parrots, honeyeaters and pardalotes while the swamp has a lot of treecreepers, honeyeaters, raptors and sometimes woodswallows.Birds to look out for include Spotted and Striated Pardalotes, Little Eagle, Whistling Kite, Brown Goshawk and Dusky Woodswallow.

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6 - QUANTONG CEMETERY Return to the O’Brees Road Quantong Cemetery Road corner and turn right. Travel north for 2.5 kilometres to the Quantong cemetery. The area behind the cemetery is covered with Callitris , Buloke and reasonably thick understorey. This area is usually good for large numbers of birds including: Spotted and Striated Pardalote, Peaceful Dove, Common Bronzewing, Mistletoebird, Spiny-cheeked, White-naped, New Holland and White-plumed Honeyeaters.

In order to reach Ellis’ Crossing from here continue north along Quantong Cemetery Road for 1.8 kilometres and turn right into Polkemmet Road, travel east for 1.6 kilometres and turn left into Courtney’s Road. Travel north for 3.7 kilometres and turn left at a T-intersection. Travel west for 300 metres and turn right into Ellis’ Road. Continue north for 5.2 kilometres and turn left into West Wail Road. After 6.1 kilo- metres in a westerly direction this will bring you to Ellis’ Crossing.

9 NATIMUK AREA Natimuk is a small town located on the Wimmera Highway 27 kilometres southwest of Horsham and is a good base for birding in the west Wimmera region. The best months are September to December when the numerous fresh and salt-water lakes are likely to be full and the spring flowers are abundant. In autumn the bush has dried out but mistletoes provide a good food source.

10 The Mt. Arapiles-Tooan State Park is located 10 kilometres west of Natimuk. The total area of the park is 5050 hectares, and it is in two parts, of which Mt. Arapiles is the smaller. Rock climbing is the major attraction in the Mt. Arapiles area but it is also known for its wide variety of plants representing one seventh of the State’s flora. There are always some species in flower and this encourages a wide variety of birds to visit this relatively small area. There are stands of Yellow Gum, Brown Stringy- bark, Black and Grey Box, Mallee, Casuarinas and Pines and a great variety of shrubs.

7 - MT. ARAPILES There is a road to the summit and one through the park although this is closed in winter. Most areas can be reached by walking in from the peripheral roads. Best birding is along the Golf Course Road and the northwest and north sides.Likely birds here include White-fronted and Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters, Mistletoebirds and Hooded Robins. Peregrine Falcons and Nankeen Kestrels soar around the rock faces and other raptors including the Wedge-tailed Eagle work the open country.

8 - TOOAN STATE PARK The Mount area is joined to the Tooan section by a wildlife corridor that is a continuation of Golf Course Road. Tooan consists of poorer country but is a large undisturbed habitat ideal for birds. The major access point is St. Mary’s Lake. This can be reached by turning off the Wimmera Highway at the Mitre signpost or off the Natimuk-Goroke Road at the Tooan signpost. The tracks inside the park can be treacherous and there are several sandy spots where an ordinary car can become bogged so a 4WD vehicle is an advantage. Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, Shy Heath- wrens, Variegated Fairy-wrens, Southern Scrub-robins and Crested Shrike-tits are present and Long-billed Corellas flock in the surrounding paddocks.

NATIMUK - DOUGLAS LAKES Seen from the top of Mt. Arapiles many fresh and salt water lakes are a feature of the landscape. They were remarked on by Major Mitchell, the first European explorer of the Wimmera. Thousands of Banded Stilts arrive in spring and feed on the brine shrimp in the lakes. The most accessible of these are Mitre Lake, Lake Wyn Wyn, Oliver’s Lake and White Lake at Douglas. To reach White Lake, go west from Natimuk along the Edenhope road and turn Left just before reaching Mt. Arapiles on the road to Clear Lake. Pass through Clear Lake and about 5 kms further on turn right along the road to Douglas. At Douglas turn Left on the Kanagulk Rd. About 3 Kms further you reach White Lake.

11 Often Black-winged Stilts and Avocets mix with the Banded Stilts and Blue-winged Parrots feed on the surrounding salt bush. The freshwater lakes have a large variety of birds and the shallower lakes are often the most prolific in species but run the risk of drying out in the summer. Seasonal conditions such as inland droughts bring rarer visitors down from the north. The closest lakes are Natimuk Lake (13), St. Mary’s Lake(14) and Connan’s Swamp (15).

There are many unspoilt bush areas nearby. The Little Desert is at its best in the spring with its many flowering plants. The southern edge known as the Cooack is only a short drive away and gives a good example of the desert country. Travel from Natimuk on the Goroke Road, just before you come to Mt. Arapiles turn Right onto the Grass Flat road and continue for about 12 Kms to a T junction Turn Left and con- tinue to next T junction and turn Right and follow the road along the edge of the Lit- tle Desert. Much can be seen by walking in from the surrounding roads but a 4-WD is advisable on the interior tracks. Most of the vegetation is stunted making sightings easier: these may include White-eared, Brown-headed, Tawny-crowned and Black-chinned Honeyeaters. Owlet-nightjars are present in the Nurcoung Flora Reserve north (17) of Mitre and it is also one of the southernmost areas to have ac- tive Malleefowl nests. Access may be difficult in wet weather.

12 The Black Waterhole (18) consists of a patch of scrub about 27 Kms from Natimuk on the left hand side of the Edenhope Highway. It is small and easily accessible with an interesting swampy patch. Latham’s Snipe have been seen here, Thornbills and Hooded Robins are common and Diamond Firetails and Southern Scrub-robins are about. When the Yellow Gums and Banksias are in flower there are hundreds of Honeyeaters including Black-chinned, Brown- headed, White-naped, White-plumed, White-eared, Tawny-crowned and East- ern Spinebills. 10 km Further down the highway is the Kalinga Reserve with fine specimens of local trees and a swamp. Parts can be explored on foot but a 4-WD is necessary to see it all.

The Jane Duff Reserve (20) adjoins the Goroke Road and has a good walking track. It backs on to farm land and Southern Whiteface and Yellow-rumped Thornbills fre- quent the fence line. Quail are often flushed in the grass.

13 21 - ELLIS’ CROSSING ON WIMMERA RIVER WEST OF PIMPINIO

22 - LITTLE DESERT WEST OF ELLIS’ CROSSING

These two areas, adjacent to one another have in recent times been two of the best birding spots close to Horsham. The east side of the river at Ellis’ Crossing consists of riverine black box flood plain with grassy understorey. To the North along the river, melaleuca thickets as well as red gums and native pine help provide a complex and varied habitat for a wide range of species. Over the crossing to the west is the access track to the Little Desert. The first part of the track meanders through blackbox woodland until you reach a gate – usually closed. Through the gate turn left and then experience at first hand, the very varied habitat that is part of the Little Desert.

One patch of melaleuca, approximately 1 kilometre north of the crossing contains a Powerful Owl roosting site. Other birds of interest in the area are Diamond Firetails, Yellow Robins, Red-capped Robins, Hooded Robins, Peaceful Doves, Painted Button-quail, Spotted Pardalotes, Boobook Owls, White -throated and Brown Treecreepers and several species of Honeyeaters including White-fronted. Just north of the crossing on the east side is a large red gum. It has a huge burl just over head high on the north side. Look for Fairy Martins mud nests attached to the bottom of the burl.

A good two or three hours can be spent here but be careful when searching along the river to the north where the bush becomes reasonably thick, it tends to all look the same and you could become lost.

14 Spotted Pardalote

Black-winged Stilt 15 23

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Grampians NP

17 Crested Shrike-tit

Mallefowl 18 Once through the gate into the Desert, turn left – a four-wheel drive vehicle is now needed. Follow a fence line along on your left where any areas to the right are worth checking out, particularly if you spot any bird movements from the vehicle and also if the banksias are in flower, usually late autumn early winter. This is a great place for Tawny-crowned and White-fronted Honeyeaters. Keep following the fence on your left for approximately two kilometres until the fence line turns at right angles to your left and where you are at a very sandy intersection. You now have two choices and both are worth exploring. To the left again with the fence line on your left, con- tinue on for about a kilometre until you see bushland on your right. In spring this area of bushland supports many species of birds.

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Most of the aforementioned species plus the Southern Scrub-robin, can usually be easily sighted here, especially where the understorey is a little thicker. Rufous and Golden Whistlers, Jacky Winters, Varied Sitellas, Grey Fantails, Mistletoebirds, Tree Martins, Silvereyes and Musk and Purple-crowned Lorikeets can also be found here. Look over the farmland to the east where Wedge-tailed, Eagles, Spotted Harriers, Australian Hobbies and Brown Falcons can often be sighted.

19 Return to the intersection and continue on through it to the north and you are now into typical Little Desert heathland and in Shy Heathwren habitat. From the intersection continue for approximately one kilometre to Eagle Swamp, a saline wetland with an area of bushland to the east. A variety of birds can be found here including Variegated and Superb Fairy-wrens and several species of Thornbills. Eagle Swamp is an ideal place for lunch. The track to the northwest from Eagle Swamp is signed and named McCabe’s Hut Track. Anywhere along here for two to three kilometres Slender-billed Thornbills can usually be found. They keep very low and are secretive in the heathland but you can pick them up sometimes by seeing them darting along a track ahead of the vehicle.

Continue on this track until you have a quite sizeable sand hill on your left covered with taller vegetation than the flatter areas, then, on your right, approximately 200 to 300 metres further on, you will see a sand ridge, vegetated with banksias and stringy bark. Both spots are good areas for Slender-billed Thornbills, Brown Thornbills, Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters, New Holland Honeyeaters and White-fronted Honeyeaters. Unless you have a good map and want to cross the Desert to the Nhill, Harrow Road, return to Ellis’ Crossing and back to Pimpinio. A full day can be spent in the area.

From Horsham, take the Western Highway seventeen kilometres to Pimpinio. At the north end of the town turn left on bitumen that is signed, West Wail Road. Once the bitumen ends continue on gravel to the Wimmera River.In dry weather, Ellis’ Crossing can be accessed by two-wheel drive but four-wheel drive is essential in the Little Desert. Do not go after rain.

20 23 - WAIL STATE FOREST The Wail State Forest is situated on the east side of the Wimmera River, adjacent to the Little Desert National Park. It consists of sandy heathlands, open eucalypt forest with some acacia, callitris and casuarinas. It is a very attractive area especially in spring when wildflowers bloom and the acacia is in flower. Because of the varied habitat and permanent waterholes in the river, a wide range of species can be found here. Eastern Yellow, Hooded, Red-capped and Scarlet Robins, White- eared, Spiny-cheeked, Tawny-crowned, New Holland, White-fronted, Yellow- faced and White-naped Honeyeaters, Rufous, Gilbert’s and Golden Whistlers, Brown and White-throated Treecreepers, Red-browed Finches and Diamond Firetails, Superb and Variegated Fairy Wrens, Southern Scrub-robins, Black - faced and White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes, Striated and Spotted Pardalotes, Common Bronzewings, and Peaceful Doves, along with Eastern Rosellas, Galahs, Musk and Purple-crowned Lorikeets, Red-rumped Parrots and Thornbills makes an impressive list for this forest. In late spring and summer, Woodswallows and Rainbow Bee-eaters can also be seen.

Take the Western Highway to Pimpinio. Continue through Pimpinio on the highway for approximately 8– 9 kms until you come to the Wail Railway overpass. Turn left on the bitumen at the beginning of the overpass ramp and follow the signs and bitumen 1 – 2 kms to the Wail Native Plant Nursery. At the gate turn right and then left and continue past a right angle turn some 400 metres on right. Some 300 metres further on veer left onto track. This a now 4 wheel drive only. This track will now more or less take you through the forest to the Wimmera River. There are numerous sidetracks that can be taken. Although the area is not large a GPS would be useful if you are not familiar with the area.For those not having the advantage of a 4-wheel drive, good birding is possible within the confines and surrounds of the Native Plant Nursery. Check with the owners before looking through the nursery.

21 24 - WEST WAIL FLORA RESERVE This small reserve has similar but arguably slightly better habitat than the Wail State Forest but expect to see similar species. Swift Parrots have been recorded here. Take the Western Highway 17 kms to Pimpinio. At the north end of the town turn left onto a bitumen road that is signed West Wail Road. 4 kms along this road turn left onto gravel. You will be turning onto the Polkemmet/Wail Road. Continue on for around 3.5 kms until you come to the Reserve on your right. Several tracks go through the Reserve but are dry weather tracks only.

PLAINS NORTH OF HORSHAM The vast grain growing plains north of Horsham often produce good numbers of bird species, especially in the winter and spring. Kestrels, Black-shouldered Kites, Brown Falcons and Spotted Harriers occasionally Wedge-tailed Eagles, can be seen hunting over the plains or perched on fence posts. In spring, Brown Songlarks are usually common as well as Richard’s Pipit, Singing Bushlarks, White-fronted Chats, Ravens, both Australian and Little, and Magpies. A quiet drive along any of the roads, especially the less well-used ones may even flush a Stubble Quail in spring and if it has been very dry, Orange Chats will often be found. Do not drive on any roads other than gravel or bitumen if it is wet.

HORSHAM URBAN AREA 25 - WIMMERA RIVER IN HORSHAM The Wimmera River has a healthy bird population and a stroll along the well maintained walking tracks shown on the map (available from The Horsham Infor- mation centre) are likely to reveal good numbers of birds. Special attention should be paid to the wetland areas that have been constructed along the river as these contain large numbers of birds and often have some of the more unusual species.

Common birds that are often seen along the river include Hardhead, Darter, Nankeen Night Heron, Royal Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Black-shouldered Kite, Black-tailed Native Hen, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel, Long-billed Corella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Southern Boobook, Sacred Kingfisher, Brown Treecreeper, Superb Fairy Wren, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Fantail, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Clamourous Reed-warbler and Little Grassbird.

22 Some of the more unusual birds seen along the river include Pied Cormorant, Australasian Shoveler, Australian Goshawk, Collared Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, Australian Hobby, Buff-banded Rail, Baillon’s Crake, Spotted Crake, Spotless Crake, Bush Stone-curlew, Black-winged Stilt, Common Bronzewing, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Little Corella, Little Lorikeet, Cockatiel, Pallid Cuckoo, Tawny Frogmouth, White-winged Triller, Rufous Songlark, Brown-headed Honeyeater and White-breasted Woodswallow.

26 - POLICE PADDOCK The Horsham Police Paddock forms part of an important wildlife corridor providing connecting habitat to the Wimmera River. The reserve features a Black Box swamp that is a remnant of the endemic vegetation of the area. There are also extensive man made wetlands that provide habitat for many species of birds. (a map is available from Horsham Information centre)

Because of the variety of habitat at the Police Paddock there is a large number of species that use the area some of the more unusual of these include Darter, Blue-billed Duck, Hardhead, Pink-eared Duck, Swamp Harrier, Little Eagle, Tawny Frogmouth, Black-tailed Native Hen, Common Bronzewing, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Horsfields Bronze-cuckoo, Red- capped Robin, Rufous Whistler, Clamorous Reed-warbler, Little Grassbird, Weebill, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Yellow Thornbill, Fuscous Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater and Brown-headed Honeyeater.

23 27 - McKENZIE CREEK About eight kilometres south of Horsham the McKenzie Creek crosses the Henty Highway and the creek reserve provides good habitat for a large number of birds. Mackleys Road is a sealed road which turns right off the Henty Highway just before the McKenzie Creek bridge and follows along the creek until it joins Wards Road which eventually turns north to join Golf Course Road and leads back to Horsham past the Golf Course. Redgum trees dominate the area with Cherry Ballart, Native Pine and Grey Box scattered throughout. The understorey is mainly melaleuca and wattle with some native and exotic grasses. Birds found here include Superb Fairy-wren, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, White-browed Babbler, Mistletoebird, Peaceful Dove, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and Crested Shrike-tit. The Painted Honeyeater has been seen nearby so it should be possible to find it here.

24 HORSHAM LAKES - 28, 29, 30, 31 Southeast of Horsham there are four freshwater lakes – Green Lake, Dock Lake, Pine Lake and Taylor’s Lake. When they are holding water these lakes are wonderful areas for many species of birds. Dock Lake is worth a visit even when dry to find Golden-headed Cisticola and Brown Quail in the grass of the dry lake bed.

Taylor’s Lake is about twenty kilometres east of Horsham and because it is used as part of the water distribution system it always holds water so in dry conditions it is the most likely place to find water birds. Leave Horsham on Williams Road that becomes Lubeck Road, the road veers right at the Drung Golf Course and after 5 kilometres turns left towards Lubeck. Follow the road past Pine Lake to the Taylors Lake Hall. Turn right along the east side of the lake on a sealed road for 1 kilometre to the boat ramp. Park in the car park and walk towards the south. After the boat ramp continue south on the sealed road for 1.4 kilometres and enter a paddock through a farm gate. Continue on the dirt track to the waters edge. Remember to close the gate and not to leave rubbish behind. Also remember that the track will be impassable after even a small shower of rain. Birds likely to be seen include a large number of water birds, bush birds, Whistling Kites and sometimes White-bellied Sea-eagles.

If the weather is fine there is a dirt road that leaves the Lubeck Road on the west side of the lake and meanders along the lake edge. This area is good for bushbirds, Tree Martins, Fairy Martins and Woodswallows (White-breasted Woodswallows are seen in Spring and Summer). Lubeck Rd

Lubeck Rd Ballyglunin North Rd Ballyglunin North

25 RESPONSIBLE BIRDWATCHING

Birds... The welfare of the birds must always have the highest priority. Do not cause stress to the birds or expose them to danger by approaching too closely or interfering with their natural behaviour.

Adjust your behaviour to the location. Walk slowly, speak quietly, drive cautiously. Watch from a distance.

Approach nests carefully and do not stay for long periods. Your visit may assist predators to find eggs or young; your continued presence may drive parents away.

Do not harass ground birds by repeated disturbance.

Accept good distant views of a bird rather than risk causing stress by approaching too close.

Do not harass rare or vagrant birds by long periods of intense observation. They may be in strange territory and vulnerable to exhaustion and predation.

Habitat... Keep habitat disturbance to the minimum around nests, eggs, display areas, and root sites. Removal of vegetation near nests for photography is unacceptable.

Wherever possible, walk or drive on formed roads and tracks; nests low to the ground in dense vegetation are easily destroyed.

People... Respect the rights of landholders and seek permission to enter their land.

In groups, respect the rights of the observers. Raising your voice or pointing excitedly may spoil the sighting for the rest of the group.

Taken from: “Code of Ethical Birdwatching” by BirdLife Australia.

A successful birdwatcher needs to be quiet, patient and prepared to persist. Above all, common sense will ensure many hours of good bird watching.

26 1.6.2012 237 No.

C - Common U – Uncommon R – Rare M – Migratory

RATITES (Emus etc) White-necked (Pacific) Heron C Dusky Moorhen C Emu C Great Egret C Black-tailed Native-hen C Intermediate Egret U Eurasian Coot C MOUNDBUILDERS Cattle Egret U Malleefowl U Nankeen Night Heron C BUTTON QUAIL Little Button Quail U QUAIL IBIS SPOONBILLS Painted Button Quail U Stubble Quail C Glossy Ibis R Red-chested Button Quail R Brown Quail U Australian White Ibis C Straw-necked Ibis C SNIPES SANDPIPERS GEESE DUCKS SWANS Royal Spoonbill U Latham’s Snipe U Blue-billed Duck R Yellow-billed Spoonbill C Marsh Sandpiper U M Musk Duck C Common Greenshank U M Freckled Duck R KITES EAGLES HAWKS etc Red –necked Stint C M Black Swan C Black-shouldered Kite C Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C M Australian Shelduck C Letter-winged Kite R Curlew Sandpiper C M Australian Wood Duck C Square-tailed Kite R Pacific Black Duck C Black Kite U STONE CURLEWS Australasian Shoveler U Whistling Kite C Bush-stone Curlew U Grey Teal C White Bellied Sea Eagle R Chestnut Teal U Spotted Harrier U PAINTED SNIPE Pink-eared Duck C Swamp Harrier C Painted Snipe R M Hardhead C Brown Goshawk C Collared Sparrowhawk C GREBES Wedge-tailed Eagle C STILTS AVOCETS Australasian Grebe C Little Eagle U Black-winged stilt C Hoary Headed Grebe C Banded Stilt C M Great Crested Grebe R FALCONS Red-necked Avocet C M Brown Falcon C DARTER Australian Hobby U PLOVERS LAPWINGS Darter C Black Falcon U Red-capped Plover C Peregrine Falcon U Black-fronted Dotterel C CORMORANTS Nankeen (Aust) Kestrel C Inland Dotterel R M Little Pied Cormorant C Red-kneed Dotterel C Pied Cormorant U CRANES Banded Lapwing U Little Black Cormorant C Brolgas U Masked Lapwing C Great (Black) Cormorant C CRAKES RAILS PRATINCOLES PELICAN GALLINULES Australian Pratincole R Australian Pelican C Buff Banded Rail U Baillon’s Crake R GULLS TERNS EGRETS HERONS BITTERNS Australian Spotted Crake R Silver Gull C White-faced Heron C Spotless Crake R Whiskered (Marsh) Tern C Little Egret U Purple Swamphen C

27 C - Common U – Uncommon R – Rare M – Migratory

PIGEONS DOVES BARN OWLS Brown Thornbill C Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) C Barn Owl C Inland Thornbill U Common Bronzewing C Barking Owl R Chestnut-rumped Thornbill C Brush Bronzewing U Buff-rumped Thornbill C Crested Pigeon C FROGMOUTHS Slender-billed Thornbill R Peaceful Dove C Tawny Frogmouth C Yellow-rumped Thornbill C Spotted Turtle Dove U Yellow (Little) Thornbill C NIGHT JARS Striated Thornbill C COCKATOOS Spotted Nightjar R Southern Whiteface C Red-tailed Black Cockatoo U Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo C OWLET-NIGHTJARS HONEYEATERS CHATS Gang Gang Cockatoo U Australian Owlet-nightjar U Red Wattlebird C Galah C Little Wattlebird C Long-billed Corella C SWIFTS Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater C Little Corella U White-throated Needletail R Blue-faced Honeyeater U Sulphur Crested Cockatoo C Fork-tailed Swift R Noisy Miner C Cockatiel U Yellow-throated Miner R TREE KINGFISHERS Yellow-faced Honeyeater C PARROTS Laughing Kookaburra C Singing Honeyeater C Rainbow Lorikeet C Sacred Kingfisher C M White-eared Honeyeater C Musk Lorikeet C Yellow-tufted Honeyeater C Little Lorikeet U BEE-EATERS Yellow-plumed Honeyeater U Purple-crowned Lorikeet C Rainbow Bee-eater C Fuscous Honeyeater U Crimson Rosella C White-plumed Honeyeater C Eastern Rosella C TREECREEPERS Black-chinned Honeyeater C Blue Bonnet U White-throated Treecreeper C Brown-headed Honeyeater C Swift Parrot R M Brown Treecreeper C White-naped Honeyeater C Red-rumped Parrot C Painted Honeyeater R Budgerigar U FAIRY WRENS, EMU WRENS Crescent Honeyeater R Blue-winged Parrot U Superb Fairy- wren C New Holland Honeyeater C Variegated Fairy-wren U White-fronted Honeyeater C CUCKOOS COUCALS Southern Emu – wren R Tawny-crowned Honeyeater C Pallid Cuckoo C M Eastern Spinebill U Fan-tailed Cuckoo C M PARDALOTES Black Honeyeater R Black-eared Cuckoo U M Spotted Pardalote C Little Friarbird R Horsfield’s Bronze Striated Pardalote C Orange Chat R Cuckoo C M White-fronted Chat C Shining Bronze Cuckoo U M GERYGONES, THORNBILLS Crimson Chat R WHITEFACES HAWK OWLS White-browed Scrubwren C Powerful Owl R Chestnut-rumped Heathwren U Southern Boobook C Shy Heathwren U Speckled Warbler R Weebill C

28 1.6.2012 237 No.

C - Common U – Uncommon R – Rare M – Migratory

AUSTRALASIAN ROBINS WOODSWALLOWS, MISTLETOEBIRD Jacky Winter C MAGPIES, BUTCHERBIRDS, Mistletoebird C Scarlet Robin C CURRAWONGS Red-capped Robin C White-breasted SWALLOW, MARTINS Flame Robin U Woodswallow U M Welcome Swallow C Rose Robin R Masked Woodswallow C M Tree Martin C Hooded Robin C White-browed Eastern Yellow Robin U Woodswallow C M SWALLOW, MARTINS Southern Scrub Robin C Black-faced Woodswallow U Welcome Swallow C Dusky Woodswallow C Tree Martin C BABBLERS Grey Butcherbird R Fairy Martin C Grey-crowned Babbler R Pied Butcherbird R White-browed Babbler C Australian Magpie C OLD WORLD WARBLERS Pied Currawong R Clamorous Reed-warbler C M SITTELLA Grey Currawong C Little Grass-bird C M Varied Sittella C Rufous Songlark C M RAVENS, CROWS Brown Songlark C M WHISTLERS, SHRIKE Australian Raven C Golden-headed Cisticola R THRUSH Forest Raven R Eastern Shrike-tit C Little Raven C WHITE-EYES Gilbert’s Whistler U Silvereye C Golden Whistler C CHOUGH, APOSTLEBIRD Rufous Whistler C White-winged Chough C TRUE THRUSHES Grey Shrike-thrush C Common Blackbird C LARKS, PIPITS FLYCATCHERS Singing Bushlark C STARLINGS Restless Flycatcher C Skylark C Common Starling C Satin Flycatcher R Australasian Pipit C Magpie-lark C Rufous Fantail R M OLD WORLD SPARROWS Grey Fantail C House Sparrow C Willie Wagtail C GRASS FINCHES CUCKOO SHRIKES, Zebra Finch U TRILLERS Red-browed Finch U Black-faced Cuckoo shrike C Diamond Firetail C White-bellied Cuckoo shrike C White-winged Triller C M OLD WORLD FINCHES European Goldfinch C Greenfinch R

29 Notes:

Acknowledgments The Horsham Branch of BirdLife Australia gratefully acknowledges the assistance given by the following organisations and individuals in making this publication possible.

Horsham Rural City Council Wimmera Catchment Management Authority - Special thanks to Jonathan Starks Ian Morgan - Photographer Wimmera Design and Print

30 Owlet Nightjar

Painted Snipe 31 Scarlet Robin

Hooded Robin

Yellow Robin