BIRDING GUIDE Nicholson, Johnsonville and Swan Reach On the web at www.birdlife.org.au/locations/ birdlife-east-gippsland Sacred Kingfisher. Ian Wright Postal Address Box 825 Bairnsdale, Victoria, 3875 Email [email protected] Yellow-faced Honeyeater. Ken Russell 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 Nicholson, Johnsonville, 2. Johnsonville The successful re-growth has encouraged forest and water birds in good numbers. and Swan Reach South of of Johnsonville on Punt Road are Launching Ramp picnic area and Harry Clues Memorial Park sited on a bend There is a parking area near the river mouth where good 1. Nicholson River in the Tambo River. There are walks in each direcVon. views across Lake King and the river mouth will probably Launching Ramp picnic area Water birds, Kingfishers, and Kites may be seen here. include all the Australian cormorant species, some small The parking area has toilets and picnic faciliVes. At the There is a public toilet. terns, ducks on the river, grebes, coots, and other water birds. Sea-eagle and other raptors may also be sighted. south boundary of the parking area, the river flats and 3. Swan Reach river banks may provide sighVngs of many water birds. Tambo Bay The Cliffs, Tambo Upper Road Pelicans, Cormorants, Darters and Swans are likely. Reynolds Road joins Normans Road at Tambo Bay. As well DoYerels, and Red-capped Plovers are less likely but Side of the road parking is all that is available. Remarkable as the bay on Lake King, there is a wetland area and have been seen. limestone cliffs on the opposite side of the Tambo River bushland with walking paths and a few strategic seats. are home to breeding Nankeen Kestrels around October. The reed beds to the west of the carpark have had LiYle Forest birds, wetland and shore birds, and of course Grass-bird and Clamorous Reed Warbler are rarely seen A number of other water and forest species make use of raptors will probably be seen. but more oZen heard. A large old pine near the toilet the openings and crags. Cormorants, Eagles, Ducks, If using GPS, enter 25 Normans Road to avoid being has been a roost for Nankeen Night Herons. Whistlers and Honeyeaters are usually present. directed to an unconnected part of the road further east. Rail Trail and Nicholson River Rail Bridge Sardine Flat Road (Rough Road on some maps) 4. East Gippsland Rail Trail The rail trail runs mostly through pasture, but the rail At the intersecVon with Metung Road there is parking, a reserve has been re-vegetated with indigenous species. picnic area, and a toilet. The disused railway from Bairnsdale to Orbost is Forest bird species can be seen on a walk from the maintained by a local voluntary commiYee. The Rail Trail is Here, with remnant forest, river and pasture, with dams launching ramp car park up the river bank to the east a quiet and easy walking and cycling track through varied and wetland along Sardine Flat Road almost anything may end of the bridge and then east across the bridge. country. be found depending on season and Vme of day. White- A couple of hundred metres east of the bridge there is a bellied Sea Eagle, other raptors, White-fronted Chat, There are remnant forest areas, and revegetaVon areas walk that loops from ramps down the old rail DoYerels and Golden-headed CisVcola have been seen along the rail reserve and these are good bird observaVon embankment then back to the west under the bridge here. places away from high traffic zones. The Bairnsdale and back to the opposite ramp. InformaVon Centre will have further informaVon provided Tambo River Mouth (Reynolds Road) by the Rail Trail CommiYee. This walk is along a boundary of forest regrowth and An unmade road leaves Reynolds Road, on the right, about pasture so forest birds, birds of prey and larger species There are many access points to the trail - Sandfords Lane, 1.8 km from the Punt Road intersecVon and follows the (ibis) can be sighted. Eagles, Whistling Kite, Swamp Nicholson Sarsfield Road, and Waddells Road. east bank of the Tambo towards the mouth. It is river Harrier, Kestrel and Black-shouldered Kites can be reserve along the banks and some extensive re-planng expected. Thornbills, Weebills, Pardalotes, Whistlers and has been done for some years. Rosellas inhabit the scrub. .