BIRDING GUIDE
Bairnsdale
On the web at www.birdlife.org.au/locations/ birdlife-east-gippsland
Postal Address Box 825 Bairnsdale, Victoria, 3875
Email [email protected]
Gang -gang-Cockatoo. Ken Sherring
Above top Golden -headed Cisticola, bottom, Silvereye. Gary Cousens
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, Omeo and Paynesville.
Bird Check Lists are available for Buchan Caves, Cann River, Den of Nargun, Fairy Dell, Gippsland Lakes, Lake Tyers & Fishermans Landing, Macleod Morass, Nyerimilang, Omeo, Oneonta, and Raymond Island. Marlo and Mallacoota have 2 brochures each, (1. Waterbirds and 2. Bush birds). Updated May 2018 Birdwatching around Bairnsdale In addition to waterbirds, this is a good site for raptors 6. Melwood including Whistling Kite, Black-shouldered Kite, Nankeen Bairnsdale is an area of diverse habitats with many Kestrel, White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Swamp Harrier. Melwood is 18 km north west of Bairnsdale along species of birds to be found in the variety of places listed Bullumwaal Rd, then Mt. Lookout Rd. Park near the old Also, Little Grassbird, Golden-headed Cisticola and below. MacLeod Morass, Jones Bay and the Silt Jetties school, which is now private property, then walk down the Australian Reed-Warbler may be heard and seen amongst are all part of the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site as they hill towards Boggy Creek. are internationally significant habitats for migratory the vegetation. Many duck species are recorded for the waders and breeding waterbirds. Morass and it is a popular location for duck hunters in the You have a choice of two walks from here - up Pea Hill duck shooting season. Road, looking for Olive Whistler among the Crescent and In addition, the Gippsland Lakes are one of the many Key Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, or cross the bridge and turn Biodiversity Areas declared across Australia, due to the 3. Jones Bay right and walk on the track alongside the creek. Australian breeding sites for many wetland birds and seasonal King Parrot, Crimson and Eastern Rosella, Golden Whistler, The northern area of Jones Bay can be accessed from migratory visiting bird species. Restless Flycatcher, Mistletoebird and Crested Shrike-tit Phillips Lane. This area is shallow and tidal and sometimes have all been seen in the area. 1. Mitchell River Walk has less water in it, but is renowned for occasional large numbers of Red-necked Avocet and sometimes Black- 7. Picnic Point Reserve There is a walking track on both sides of the river. Access winged Stilt are seen here. Other species include White- is from Bailey St. behind the Post Office where there are bellied Sea Eagles, Pelicans and Cormorants. The Friends of Picnic Point Reserve Landcare Group focus toilets and picnic tables. Further access is available from their attention on restoring the iconic Picnic Point Reserve Riverine St, north of the Lind Bridge and from Howitt 4. The Cut on the Mitchell River in Bairnsdale West. The reserve is Park to the east of the town. one of the most locally significant sites in the Bairnsdale The Cut is accessed via McEacharn St. East Bairnsdale then district, with historical importance to both Indigenous and Birds to look for are Cormorants, Grey Fantail, through to Riverbank E Rd. At the end of the road you will European heritage. Red-browed Finch, Eastern Whipbird, Wrens, Azure be on the northern side of the silt Jetties at “The Cut” Kingfisher, a variety of Thornbills and Golden and Rufous where you may see a variety of Tern as well as many Access is from Bredt St in west Bairnsdale. From the Whistler. Gang Gangs are occasionally seen when the Cormorant, Egret, Duck and Pelican. carpark you can explore both the Reserve and the western hawthorn berries ripen. section of the Mitchell River Walk. Many species can be 5. Wetland Walk found here – water birds on the Mitchell River and bush 2. Macleod Morass birds in the restored vegetation of the reserve. This wetland is found on McKean Street south of, and These wetlands south of the town can be reached via behind the Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Forge Creek Rd then Bosworth Rd. There is a short circular walk around the wetland which sometimes can be quite dry. Little Grassbird and Latham’s There are flat walking trails and some boardwalks, and a Snipe have been seen here, also Rainbow and Musk bird hide along levy banks built to control water levels Lorikeet frequent the area. from the Wastewater Treatment Plant nearby.