Wimmera Bird Guide
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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