TRIP REPORTS AND RECENT NEWS

RECENT SIGHTINGS .

See below for some recent highlights.

To see complete species lists for recent tours click on the Firetails tours link on the homepage of Eremaea birds ( www.eremaea.com )

January 2012.
A visit to Hird swamp, which was filled in the floods a year ago, was teeming with birds as the lake dries. Still many thousands of birds present though not for much longer. A lone Wood Sandpiper was a rare find, whilst the sheer numbers of waterbirds was spectacle enough. At other wetlands in the district species such as Freckled Duck, Black Falcon, Spotted, Spotless and Baillons Crakes are all to be found. An inland rcord of Bar-tailed Godwit was exceptional.
With 40 degrees plus, waterholes are worth staking out again. An hour at a drying dam in the Terrick Terrick forest was brilliant, with flocks of Woodswallows drinking side by side with White-plumed, Brown-headed and Black-chinned Honeyeaters, plus Diamond Firetails as well.
A spotlighting excursion looking for Plains Wanderer mid month failed to locate any Wanderers, however a recently used nest was found, and I believe that due to a full moon, the birds were able to move ahead of us before we found them ! We did have good views of a pair of Little Button-quail aswell as Brown Songlarks and Stubble Quail.
A trip out to the Little Desert was successful in locating three very localised Victorian species. The highlight were prolonged and  crippling views of 3 Elegant Parrot. Also Slender-billed Thornbills and Rufous Fieldwren were seen well.
December 2011.
A two day tour taking in the diverse habitats to the west of Melbourne was highly successful with 165 species recorded. Wetland species were diverse, including such scarcities as Freckled Duck, Banded Stilt, Hooded Plover, Baillon's Crake and Buff-banded Rail. 17 species of wader, 13 sp of parrot and cockatoo and 9 species of raptor for the day. The Rufous Bristlebird, Striated Fieldwren and Southern Emu-wren were all seen well along the coast, and in the wet forests Satin Bowerbird, Crescent Honeyeater, Olive Whistler, Satin and Leaden Flycatcher were observed.
Later in the month 3 days around central Victoria successfully located two main target species, Superb Parrot and Plains Wanderer. Other highlights were Freckled Duck and Banded Stilt, Orange Chat and Black Honeyeater, Gilberts Whistler and Southern Scrub-robin, Satin Flycatcher and Dollarbird, plus many more in over 160 species.

November 2011.
Conditions in Victoria for birding remain the best they have been for many years. More and more waterbirds are arriving in the state as the inland wetlands continue to dry out. Bird numbers remain high after successful breeding seasons. Early in the month I took part in the annual Victorian Twitchathon ( a 24 hour bird race ). We recorded 225 species during the race, which surpassed the previous highest total by 1 species ( set in the 1990's during the last floods ).

October 2011.
The great birding conditions continue in Victoria. A 3 day tour around the northwest of Victoria mid month recorded 165 species and was exceptional for the fact that no target birds were missed, and a number of scarce migrants were located. The highlight was undoubtedly the pair of Malleefowl present at their nest mound. Call,displaying and much scratching was observed, no doubt in preperation for the female to lay one of her very large eggs ! Other great sightings included Chestnut Quail-thrush, Mallee Emu-wren, Striated Grasswren, Black,Pied and Painted Honeyeaters, Orange Chats, Rufous Fieldwren, Regent, Mulga,Ringneck Parrots and the spectacular Pink Cockatoos.  

September 2011.
Conditions remain excellent across Victoria with an abundance of wetlands and nearly all bird numbers revovering from the long drought.
A one day tour in central Victoria mid month recorded over 120 species with ease. Rails, crakes and quail are widespread. Cuckoos are back with Black-eared being heard. Wetlands are booming especially near Kerang where just about any waterbird is possible at the moment. Painted Snipe are in the district, but remain elusive at present. The sheer numbers of waterbirds was a highlight in itself....several flocks of Black-tailed Nativehens numbering many hundreds were seen for example.
Two recent Plains Wanderer tours have both been successful, but not at the traditional sites which I have visited for many years as they are too overgrown. Firstly a female bird was seen, and more recently at a different site further afield a male was observed....along with lots of Stubble Quail.
In late September an 8 day Rainforest to Desert tour recorded 213 species. Stand-out birds were Little Penguins, Shy Albatross, Malleefowl, Spotted Harrier, Black Falcon, Baillons Crake, Banded Stilt, Pink Cockatoo, Powerful Owl, Owlet-nightjar, Azure and Red-backed Kingfisher, Superb Lyrebird, Satin Bowerbird, Southern and Mallee Emu-wren, Rufous Bristlebird, Chestnut-crowned Babbler and Olive Whistler amongst many more.
 
Winter 2011.   Swift Parrots have been readily accessable in central Victoria this winter, which is not the case every year. Honeyeater numbers have increased and a good diversity have been present.
 

April Update.
One male PAINTED SNIPE seen at a wetland on the Patho plains between Mitiamo and Echuca. This small site also has nesting Plumed Whistling Duck, Spotted Crakes, Buff-banded Rails, Brown Quail etc and is sensitive to disturbance because of its small area.
March/April 2011.
The flood response is visible across the northern plains with green growth everywhere. Grasslands are still holding good numbers of Quail and Button-quail. Recent spotlighting nights have successfully found Red-chested Button-quail, with some good views being had, and Plains Wanderer, when targetted has been found. Commencement of duck shooting season has spoilt some of the wetland birding, but there is still a lot to see, including Plumed Whistling Duck in good numbers and with lots of young. 
A Melbourne tour was successful with over 100 species being recorded. Highlights were Tawny Frogmouth, Magpie Goose and Cape Barren Goose, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Rufous Bristlebird, Hooded Plover, Double-banded Plover ( just arrived from New Zealand ), White-winged Black Terns,  Striated Fieldwren, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Blue-winged Parrot and close range views of numerous Little Penguins at a colony near Melbourne. 


January/February 2011.
Well what a summer !  Following a flood and then another flood, January has brought what can only be described as a "super flood" . Following 8 to 10 inches of rain across the Loddon and Avoca catchments, a sheet of water , of biblical proportions, has spread north across the plains. Now as I write in mid March, yet another 130 mms of rain has fallen...so we now have already recorded our annual average rainfall and its not even April yet.  My report on a recent visit to the Terricks NP and the Patho plains gives a feel to what is happening.

Late Nov/ Dec Update.
The rainy season has not slowed down and another 3 to 6 inches has fallen across Victoria. Some rivers in the north are yet again in major flood. 8 ft high grasses ( can they grow any higher?)
A day targetting a few rare species on Dec 5th was very successful.  The day started with Painted Honeyeater seen at close range. Gilberts Whistler, Hooded Robin and Diamond Firetail were the sideshow. A quick stop down the road picked up Western Gerygone in the tree above our heads, and then it was on to the plains looking for Plumed Whistling Duck. A pair were seen at a great little swamp along with a nice mix of waterbirds including BTNativehen with young, and a beautiful family of Pink-eared duck with 5 fluffy ducklings. Next we drove on through Barmah to search for Superb Parrot, and we were successful with first 3 in a roadside remnant, and then further up the road close views of another 7 or 8 birds. Superb indeed.

A detour took us to some of the Murray wetlands currently in flood, and "Kakadu of the south" comes to mind.  Masses of Ibis, Spoonbills, Night Herons, and Egrets were seen. c.20 Intermediate Egret in breeding plumage was great to see after such a long drought, and the sound of both Australasian and Australian Little Bitterns calling was mouth watering, but no sightings we had this time.
A couple of days of dry warm weather allowed us access to a grassland reserve where Plains Wanderers are still a good bet, and after just over an hour we had a fantastic time with a female Wanderer at close range. Also many Little Button-quail seen and some at close range. 
An 8 day tour covering the length of the state from Mildura to Mallacoota, recorded over 220 species. Many highlights included good views of Mallee Emu-wren, Powerful Owls at a roost, a Ground Parrot, Spotted Nightjar at close range in the daytime, a pair of Glossy Black Cockatoos and much much more.
Budgies were seen here and there, Plumed Whistling Duck are still around ( buzzed by a Black Falcon), great views of Pink Robins was a treat, and the last day continued to add to the trip list with Southern Emu-wren, Brush Bronzewing, Turquoise Parrot and Wonga Pigeon.

NOVEMBER 2010.
The rains keep coming, the wetlands continue to be topped up, and the weather remains generally mild, all of which are contributing to a bumper season in Victoria. More migrants are continuing to arrive, though still many birds have remained further inland where conditions are equally as good.  Cockatiels, Budgerigar, Rufous Songlarks and White-winged Trillers are to be found in the north.
On the grasslands some areas are now over head height....!  This has not been seen for 15+ years.  Little Button-quail have arrived in big numbers ( even calling next to my house) ,and night-time walks are recording numbers of them with little effort. The latest Plains Wanderer searches have had mixed success. 3 out of 5 evenings have been successful in finding PW's. Their favoured habitat has been reduced, but there are still some good spots where they may be found. 
A 5 day mallee to coast tour this month was squeezed into 4 days and recorded 197 species...though the emphasis was on finding certain birds, not a big list. Highlights too many to mention, with great sightings all through the tour.
Recently I took the plunge again and competed in a 24 hour bird race with 2 other slightly crazy individuals. We won , on strangely enough 197 species...just 3 short of the big double ton. Good views of a Sooty Owl were without doubt the highlight of a whirlwind tour of Victoria.   

OCTOBER 2010.
Rainfall continues, and waterbirds are spread out across the floods in the northern half of the state. Plumed Whistling Ducks are being recorded at a few sites, many more than usual, and Herons,Ibis,duck species and waders are to be seen in the many flooded areas.
The flush of growth in the native grasslands has been a boon for many grassland species, with Stubble Quail, Little Button-quail, Songlarks and Bushlarks all present in good numbers.  It has however meant that for the first time in many years, Plains Wanderers have become harder to observe.
Further updates will be provided, but new sites are being surveyed, and Wanderers are still being found.
A central Vic big day tour recorded 121 species this month, highlights being a plethora of mallee specialities such as Purple-gaped Honeyeater and Variegated Fairy-wren, and wetlands provided plenty of action with a wide range of waterbirds being seen. 
A 3 day tour at the end of the month recorded 162 species and covered areas in the north west and central Victoria. Yet more rain has kept the country very wet, with many flooded roadsides and fields/paddocks. Amongst the waterbirds seen were Australian Spotted Crake, a nice variety of waders, both migratory and aussie nomads, herons and duck everywhere, but surprisingly no Terns, Pelicans, Darters, and other species were missing also. Australia at present has so much water, that the birds are spread very thin.
Highlights in the mallee were Malleefowl, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Owlet Nightjar, Striped Honeyeaters, Gilberts Whistler, 2 sightings of Striated Grasswren, Shy Heathwren, Southern Scrub Robin, Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Rufous Fieldwren, Regent Parrot, Mulga Parrot, a large flock of White-browed Woodswallow, Rainbow Bee-eaters, and many more. Orange Chats were noticeably absent, and Mallee Emu-wren could not be found again, though wet weather played its part.
In central Vic species such as Banded Lapwing, Brolga, Cockatiel, Brush Bronzewing, Variegated Fairy-wren, Inland Thornbill, Diamond Firetail, Red-capped and Hooded Robin, Painted and Little Button-quail,Tawny-crowned and White-fronted Honeyeaters, Speckled Warbler, Painted Honeyeaters, Scrub-robin and Shy Heathwren were recorded.  A very successful tour.

After an unsuccessful evening searching for Plains Wanderer on the 22nd Oct ( the first such night for a very long time), a spotlighting night on the 28th Oct, located one male Wanderer after 2 and a half hours walking. Other species present included a number of Little Button-quail, Stubble Quail, Brown Songlark and Singing Bushlark 



SEPT/OCT  NEWS
High rainfall totals through the winter of 2010 have got the rivers running again, right up into the drier parts of northern Victoria, for the first time in 13 years.  Wetlands are re-filling and waterbirds returning. Once the floodwaters settle down and weather conditions warm up these inland wetlands will explode into life.

AUG/SEPT 2010.
Early spring is the time for the resident birds to commence their breeding cycles, and the early migrants return, particularly the Cuckoos.  Recent trips have located 5 species of cuckoo ( Horsfield's, Shining Bronze, Pallid, Fan-tailed and Black-eared).  Songlarks, Warblers, Martins, Friarbirds, Nativehens etc are amongst the earliest arrivals. By late September, most of the other migrants can begin to appear.
A 3 day mallee tour in mid-Sept had the highlight of good views of a singing Red-lored Whistler. With limited time to get around and see all the birds, this species does not usually feature on the ticklist, being extremely scarce even in its preferred sites. However a calm morning in early spring is a great time to connect with this enigmatic bird.
Malleefowl nest mounds are largely filled in and ready for egg-laying. Adult birds have been seen at close range. Striated Grasswrens seem to be present as usual, elusive and in low numbers, but loyal to their favourite areas. Mallee Emu-wrens remain in very low numbers following years of drought, and are proving tricky to find at present. Cockatiels are returning, plus a few White-winged Trillers. Other scarcer birds seen included White-backed Swallow, Black-faced woodswallow, Pink cockatoo, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Gilberts Whistler, Striped Honeyeater, White-browed Treecreeper, Regent Parrot, Southern Scrub-robin and Shy Heathwren. Both Owlet and Spotted Nightjars were heard calling.
In Central Victoria, the winter has seen a lot of flowering in the forests, and some lively concentrations of Honeyeaters and Lorikeets, including Swift Parrots and Painted Honeyeaters.
In southern Victoria Swift Parrots have hung around this year due to some good flowering, and the many wetlands are already playing host to returning waders from their distant Arctic breeding grounds. The peak season for Lyrebird song is winter, when these birds become very preoccupied! Powerful Owls too will have bred, and now have large fluffy young to feed.  


NOV/DEC 2008
An exeptional 3 day tour at the end of November recorded 165 species highlights being good views of Emus, Nankeen Night Herons, Blue-billed Duck, Sea-Eagles, Little Eagle, great views of Malleefowl, Avocets, Australian Pratincoles, Banded Lapwings, Latham's Snipe, Cockatiel, Mulga and Regent Parrots, Boobook feeding young, Spotted Nightjar at dusk, Bee-eaters, 5 sp of Robin, Crested Bellbird, Gilberts Whistler, Chestnut-crowned Babblers, 4 sp of Fairy-wren, Striated Grasswrens, Speckled Warbler, Shy Heathwren, Orange Chats, White-browed Treecreeper, 21 species of honeyeaters included the rarer Blacks and Painteds, 4 sp of Woodswallow and Diamond Firetails. Mallee Emu-wren could not be found in a fairly short look and Chestnut Quail-thrush was also missed.

Mallee tours in December have found Grasswrens but missed on the Emu-wrens and then found the Mallee Emu-wrens but missed out on the Striated Grasswren , each time only an hour or so was spent searching. A drying lake is still attracting a lot of waterbirds, and a Pectoral Sandpiper was picked out amongst the waders.

Pink Cockatoos provided great photo opportunities, a Malleefowl has been seen working his nest mound and calling, and Chestnut Quail-thrush have responded to recent rain with much calling and some spectacular views.

With the weather starting to warm up, staking out waterholes is already proving worthwhile. A recent hour spent at a dam in the mallee north of Bendigo was lively, the highlight being a number of Purple-gaped Honeyeaters. Black Honeyeaters are still easy to find at a couple of sites as are Painted Honeyeaters and Australian Pratincoles.

During the latest Plains Wanderer evening, two Stubble Quail, 1 Fat-tailed Dunnart and 1 Little Button-quail were seen aswell as 3 Plains Wanderers.

January to March 2009.

Mild weather in early summer has meant that many of the rarer migrants have stayed put, into the new year. Orange Chats, Painted and Black Honeyeaters and Australian Pratincoles can all still be located. On the native grasslands the rains through Nov and Dec have triggered the summer active grasses to seed, and numbers of Stubble Quail and Little Button-quail have appeared. Both were photographed at close range under the spotlight along with a female Plains Wanderer.

Serious heatwaves in February however have dried the country out again and reduced overall bird activity.

A mallee trip went well with great views of Striped Honeyeater, Black Honeyeater, Orange Chat, Gilberts Whistler, Regent Parrot, Mulga Parrot, Pink Cockatoo, female Splendid Wrens, Shy Heathwren, Southern Scrub-robin, Mallee Emu-wren, Striated Grasswren, Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Crested Bellbird etc. Reasonable views were had of male Splendid Wrens, Malleefowl, and Chestnut Quail-thrush. Also seen included White-backed Swallow, Little Eagle, White-winged Fairy-wren, Banded Lapwing, Spotted Nightjar, Tawny Frogmouth, Owlet Nightjar, Blue Bonnet and Australian Ringneck, Blue-billed Duck etc.

Plains Wanderer spotlighting tours on the grasslands this year so far have produced as many female Wanderers as male birds, usually there is a bias towards the males, but perhaps there is some current nesting activity. It would not be a surprise if that were the case as there are Stubble Quail and Little Button-quail present also with young, in fact Little Button-quail have been observed on the last three consecutive nights. Fat-tailed Dunnarts, Singing Bushlark, Brown Songlarks and Australian Pipits completed the mix.

A quick run around the plains pre spotlighting was worthwhile, with Australian Pratincole still present and a flock of Orange Chats which look set to hang around , aswell as Banded Lapwings, White-winged Fairy-wrens and Cockatiels. Needletail Swifts were seen over the Terricks mid month.

The few remaining local wetlands are still worth visiting with species such as Latham's Snipe, Spotted and Spotless Crake, Brown Quail and Blue-billed Duck present plus small numbers of waders, and other general waterbirds. Cooler weather and some rain in March has improved conditions for birding generally.

April to June 2009

Following dry and hot conditions, April remained dry until the end of the month, which allowed for good birding at waterholes in the bush. as usual Honeyeaters have been easy to observe, and 12 plus species can be found in a short time at some sites, with wintering birds joining more resident species. A Brown Honeyeater has been seen on and off, a vagrant to Victoria.

Fairly quiet generally in the mallee, but all the resident specialities in place as usual, with prolonged and close views of Chestnut Quail-thrush one of the recent highlights. Three seperate Malleefowl nest mounds which I have been watching have been opened up ready to accept any winter rains that may come ( and they have been coming). Mallee Emu-wrens were seen, but remained quiet and uninterested in being called in. Plenty of parrots to be seen, plus Rufous Fieldwrens, Chesnut-crowned Babblers, Pink Cockatoos, White-browed Treecreepers, and plenty of Fairy-wrens but all brown birds, typical of autumn.

3 rain events have got the season off to a good start, and brown has turned to brilliant green throughout Victoria.

Swift Parrots are here and there in small numbers, and Flame Robins have returned to the Plains, with a flock of 14 at my home.

July 2009.

Rains are still coming and in good quantities. Too early to say if this will be the year the drought breaks ( hopes have been dashed before) but given some reasonable spring rains, the year looks set to be a good one. Box-ironbark areas of central Victoria are still very much in recovery mode however, and nectar producing flowering trees are hard to find. A Central Vic tour this month started with Red-capped and Double-banded Plovers, a variety of duck were seen at Lake Boort and then the granite hills produced Diamond Firetails, Southern Whiteface and Gilberts Whistlers amongst others. Stops on the way around turned up Yellow-tufted and Fuscous Honeyeaters ( Black-chinned were calling ), and then Hooded and Red-capped Robins, Inland Thornbill, Shy Heathwrens and a Crested Bellbird. Around Pyramid Hill and the Grasslands Peregrine, Flame Robins, Zebra Finch and Boobook were seen, plus 2 female Plains Wanderer, 5 Stubble Quail, Singing Bushlark, Brown Songlark and Fat-tailed Dunnart ( not a bird I know, but I have to mention them ).

A Melbourne based tour in early August located 121 species in under 2 days. The coast and wetlands had a good variety of waterbirds with highlights being 1 Brolga, a pair of Cape Barren Geese, c.20 Banded Stilts, Red-necked Avocets and Lewins Rails calling.( very close !). Further along the coast on the start of the scenic Great Ocean Road, Rufous Bristlebirds were seen well, and Black-browed and Shy Albatross loafed offshore. A brief visit to the mountain forests east of Melbourne provided 3 sightings of Superb Lyrebird, a pair of Pilotbird at close range, Olive Whistler, Eastern Whipbird, King Parrots and Red-browed Treecreepers amongst others. Still too early for the many summer migrants that visit the wet forests.

A second Plains Wanderer evening this month located a pair of Wanderers and then a male at a nest with 3 eggs (early breeding perhaps due to the good rains we have been getting).

Black-tailed Nativehens and Horsfields Bronze Cuckoos have appeared mid-month, typical late winter arrivals. Spring is just around the corner.

August 2009.
A full two days in central Vic mid month located 127 species in pleasant spring weather. Cuckoos, typical early migrants, were heard or seen at nearly every stop. 5 species were recorded with good views of the rarer Black-eared Cuckoo. A female Plains Wanderer was found, along with Stubble Quail and an early Little Button-quail on the grasslands. Australian Crakes, Black-tailed Nativehen, Gilberts Whistler, Shy Heathwren, Brush Bronzewing, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Red-capped Robin, Variegated Fairy-wren, Hooded Robin, Australian Ringneck, Blue Bonnet, White-fronted Honeyeater, Southern Scrub-robin, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, and Speckled Warbler were other highlights on the way around.

Purple-gaped Honeyeaters were looked for but missed.

A 2 day southern Victoria, Melbourne based tour late in the month was successful in locating nearly all the specifically targetted species despite some challenging weather. The tour began with a Powerful Owl, then Pink Robin and Crested Shrike-tit. Pilotbird and Crescent Honeyeater followed, and the day rounded out with many tame parrots and a Superb Lyrebird performing wonderfully. Day two started with Rufous Bristlebird plus Shy and Black-browed albatross offshore, Southern Emu-wren and Gang-gang Cockatoo followed, and more Gang-gang and Crescent Honeyeaters later. Olive Whistlers managed to stay hidden. The tour finished off in the rain but a pair of Cape Barren Geese and Striated Fieldwren were rewards for our perseverence, though the calling Lewin's Rail could not be enticed into view. 126 species recorded in total for the tour.

September 2009.

Migrants are arriving in force now, and no doubt some scarcer inland species will be amongst the commoner birds such as Rufous Songlarks, White-winged Trillers and Woodswallows. Cockatiels seem to have arrived earlier than usual and have been seen at a number of sites.

A small flock of INLAND DOTTEREL have been located and are currently breeding, so should remain in the area for a few months at least. A second visit to this site later in the month turned up two flocks of Inland Dotterels totalling 10 birds, some newly arrived Australian Pratincoles (7 or 8) and a flock of Orange Chats (15?), Banded Lapwings and White-winged Fairy-wrens.

A comprehensive 3 day tour late in the month located 161 species with plenty of migrants around despite some unseasonably freezing cold weather. Highlights were many. Extended views of Malleefowl, Orange Chats at 2 sites, a pair of Crimson Chats, 14 species of parrot over the 3 days included all the special mallee species such as Pink cockatoo and Regent Parrot, 4 sp of Fairy-wren, 17 species of Honeyeater included Purple-gaped, 2 seperate Black-eared cuckoos, a smattering of waterbirds included Red-necked Avocets and Australian Spotted Crakes, SScrub-Robins and Shy Heathwrens, 2 female Chestnut Quail-thrush, brief sightings of Mallee Emu-wren and Striated Grasswren ( the cold wind kept them in cover), 11 species of raptor which included mind-boggling views of Spotted Harriers, a pair of Brolga, Trillers and Songlarks in numbers, and many more.

Plains Wanderer evenings this month have located single female birds each time, with surprisingly few other birds seen.

October 2009. Cool to cold temperatures, and wet and windy weather have prevailed through the first half of the month, making birding quite challenging, but this has been more than made up for by the best influx of migrants to reach Victoria for some years.

In particular, Black-tailed Nativehens have arrived in huge numbers, with every bit of water around having its own flock, sometimes of many hundreds of birds. Cockatiels are everywhere to be seen, some huge flocks of White-browed and Masked Woodswallows are also roaming around , providing a great spectacle when located. White-winged Trillers and Rufous Songlarks abound, cuckoos continue to be vocal, with the rarer Black-eared being regularly sighted. Inland Dotterel remain in place, and three species of Chat provided the sideshow on the 17th ( White-fronted, Orange and Crimson ). A couple of smaller wetlands near Cohuna are overflowing with birds at present, with scarcer species to be found such as Glossy Ibis, White-winged Black and Gull-billed Terns, Australian Spotted Crakes, migratory waders and Sea-Eagle amongst others.

Yellow Gum is flowering in central Victoria, providing nectar and attracting insect life, and of course the birds too.

A mallee trip this month had many highs and a couple of lows. Mallee Emu-wren could not be found despite much searching, however a Striated Grasswren showed well despite cold conditions. Malleefowl was again seen well, whilst Chestnut Quail-thrush only provided fleeting views. One site was buzzing with Honeyeaters including several Blacks and White-fronted plus Woodswallows and Bee-eaters, whilst a visit to a quieter site turned up the rarest species of the trip, at least 3 Pied Honeyeaters.

Also there were good views of White-browed Treecreepers, Shy Heathwrens, Southern Scrub-robins, Mulga Parrots, Gilberts Whistler, Splendid, White-winged and Variegated Fairy-wrens, Orange Chats and Rufous Fieldwren to be had.

November 2009.

The large influx of inland migrants to Victoria continues, offering some of the most exciting birding in the region since the drought took hold. Black Honeyeater numbers continue to increase with quite large numbers at favoured sites and smaller numbers located in many other places, including further south in the box-ironbark country. More remarkable is the influx of Pied Honeyeaters to the state. They are now widespread in the north-west, mostly where emubush is flowering with a couple of flocks seen, unheard of previously. Crimson Chats are popping up throughout the north-west, Black-eared Cuckoos remain commoner than usual, Cockatiels and Trillers are everywhere, and Woodswallow flocks are filling the skies just about everywhere you go.

A regular site for the rare Painted Honeyeater has some very vocal birds at present, whilst Gilberts Whistlers and Diamond Firetails nest nearby.

Tours in southern Victoria this month have provided a wide range of birding experiences from watching Albatross glide over offshore waters to great views of the elusive Southern Emu-wren. Rufous Bristlebirds have been seen well, aswell as Olive Whistlers, Satin Bowerbirds, Striated Fieldwrens, Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens, Cape Barren Geese, and a wide variety of waterbirds.

Up in the mallee the iconic Malleefowl has been regularly located often providing extended views. Emu-wrens and Grasswrens appear to be in low numbers following years of dry conditions, but are still to be found, with both providing good views recently, however the days of finding both species within a couple of hours of walking, seem to have passed for a while at least.

All the many and varied mallee parrots continue to provide a colourful spectacle, and Budgies are appearing here and there, so much nicer to see them in the wild.

I have had 4 seperate sightings of Australian Pratincole this spring.

A heatwave in mid November has quickly dried the country out but despite this it is still a great time to visit Victoria. d Wren and a pair of Inland Dotterel ( a personal favourite !), then a bonanza of inland migrants included an amazing mixed flock of birds flying and resting in a grassy December 2009/January 2010.

Plains Wanderer evenings have located males and females this month, with a few Stubble Quail and Little Button-quail seen occasionally.

A visit to look for Superb Parrots was successful with some numbers seen in the Barmah region of Victoria, and adult birds were observed feeding young.

The infux of birds continues, with a quality range of scarce migrants to be seen including Black, Pied and Painted Honeyeaters, Crimson and Orange Chats, Spotted Harriers and Black Falcons, Cockatiels and Budgerigar, Black-eared Cuckoo, Australian Pratincoles and Inland Dotterels. Large numbers of commoner migrants remain such as Songlarks, Trillers, Nativehens, White-browed and Masked Woodswallows.

Feb 2010 to April 2010.

A mild end to summer and regular rainfall have turned the country an unseasonal green, the best autumn break for many a year. All Plains Wanderer evenings have located birds, with breeding continuing and some lovely sightings of males with tiny young. Little Button-quail, a more seasonal visitor to the grasslands, remain and have also been observed with young.

Black Honeyeaters have stayed in Victoria in some numbers this autumn, a very unusual event, and Painted Honeyeaters have stayed around at one site also. Other spring migrants have moved on, such as Cockatiels, Nativehens, Trillers and Songlarks. Perhaps they have returned north to where some of the biggest ever recorded floods are occurring in the arid parts of Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia.

Mallee trips this autumn have remained reliably excellent, though some migrants have moved on. After a poor spring for locating Mallee Emu-wren, this year's searches have been largely successful, with good views being obtained. Striated Grasswrens and Chestnut Quail-thrush also have been showing well at a number of locations. The highly sought after Malleefowl has also been found on most visits, although one extensive search in April did fail unfortunately. Other nice sightings have included excellent views of White-backed Swallows, Crested Bellbirds, Striped Honeyeaters, Southern Scrub-robins, etc. A search for Red-lored Whistler went the way of many such searches, a lovely time birding in the wilderness but no cigar !

Meanwhile in central Victoria the forests are flowering better than for many years, and with good recent rainfall this should continue through winter. Bird numbers are still to recover, but the calls of honeyeaters and lorikeets buzzing through the canopy have returned, and Swift Parrots should remain this year with the improved conditions. Winter flocks of Silvereyes/Fantails/Pardalotes and Thornbills are forming. Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens have also been seen in the Bendigo region, hopefully their numbers will begin to recover with some better seasons.

As always full bird lists of recent trips can be seen at the Eremaea bird website, click on the Firetail tours link on the homepage.