East Gippsland Wildlife Tour, Victoria, Australia, March 17-23, 2005

Echidna Walkabout - Australian Nature Tours

Wildlife List

In 2005, I was able to do a wildlife tour of East Gippsland in the SE corner of Australia east of Melbourne. There is very little published information on the avifauna of that area. Although the wildlife tour was not specific to birds, I spent the majority of time identifying birds species.

Major locations – Stratford City Park, Buchan Caves Park Reserve, Snowy River National Park, Errinundra National Park, Croajingalong National Park, Raymond Island, Cape Conran, Bemm River area, Cabbage Tree Palms Reserve, and various smaller parks, reserves, picnic areas and beach environments.

List of Birds

Emu – Three separate observations of birds in pastureland from the side of the road on the return trip to Melbourne.

Australian Pelican – Commonly seen on wetlands and coastal areas.

Australasian Gannet – A fairly common species off beaches around Cape Conran. This large-winged seabird was identifiable even without a scope.

Darter – One bird observed flying overhead in a low-elevation rainforest.

Pied Cormorant – There were at least two sightings, one on the Raymond Island ferry and one on a beach coastal walk at Cape Conran.  Other cormorants out to sea were not identified but were likely this species. Unlike Little Pied Cormorant, this species is more habitat-specific to coastal areas. This bird is larger than Little Pied Cormorant with bright yellow spot in front of the eye.

Little Pied Cormorant – Common on inland lakes, estuaries, and coastland. This species was the most commonly observed cormorant at most locations.

Great Cormorant – Fairly Common on wetlands, rivers, and coastal areas. Yellow beak and white flank patch in flight will easily distinguish it from Little Black Cormorant.

Little Black Cormorant - Common on inland lakes, estuaries, and coastland. One even observed on the Snowy River very high in Snowy River National Park.

White-faced Heron – This heron was fairly common on billabongs everywhere. One bird was actually seen on a coastal beach. Most were observed from the vehicle windows when passing small wetlands.

Cattle Egret – a few seen in fields on the drive to East Gippsland. Not observed anywhere after that.

Great Egret – A single individual was observed from the Lakes Lookout car park. One other ardea sp. was observed at the Snowy River estuary wetlands, but distance made identification impossible even with a scope.

Australian White Ibis – Common in fields and wetlands.

Straw-necked Ibis – Common in fields and wetlands, sometimes in large groups. More common inland than the previous species.

Royal Spoonbill – Several seen on Snowy River estuary wetland. No other sightings.

Black Swan – This species was very common on even small lakes and billabongs. It was seen every day of the trip.

Maned Duck – This bird was seen regularly even on farm land and around wet gullies. Although this species was hardly tame, it seemed less likely to fly on approach by humans.

Musk Duck – one bird (male) was seen fairly well skittering away at the sound of our boat on the Bemm River boat trip. The bird quickly found its way into the bordering snags on this coastal lagoon and was not re-found. I was the only one to see the bird.

Australian Shelduck - Several seen on Snowy River estuary wetland. No other sightings.

Hardhead – one all-dark bird observed at a billabong across from the Bairnsdale airport was almost certainly of this species based on profile, although the mid-day sun is not a good way to observe this bird even through a scope.

Pacific Black Duck – One seen at Snowy River estuary wetlands and others observed at a billabong across from Bairnsdale airport. This is sometimes the most common duck seen in eastern Australia, but not many observed well on this trip.

Australasian Shoveler –A few birds seen at Snowy River estuary wetlands. Not observed elsewhere.

Grey Teal – A few birds observed at the Snowy River wetlands estuary. This was the only time we identified this species as there were many female Chestnut Teals as individuals and in groups throughout the trip.

Chestnut Teal – Males and females were seen frequently but were most common at lower elevations. Along with the Maned Duck, this was the most common duck observed.

Black-shouldered Kite – One bird perched on a snag on the road out of Errinundra NP.

Whistling Kite – There were at least three separate sightings of this species at scattered locations. The under-wing pattern makes it easily identifiable from all other kites.

Collared Sparrowhawk – One individual flying low over our gas stop at a station near Bairnsdale.

White-bellied Sea Eagle – Two adults were seen well on the Bemm River boat trip. One immature bird was seen by several observers on a coastal beach walk on the last day. A startling bird when seen well.

Wedge-tailed Eagle - There were at least three sightings of fly-overs, but one bird was kind enough to pose conspicuously on a snag on our way to the Bemm River boat launch. The wedge tail is conspicuous even in flight.

Nankeen Kestrel – This bird was observed hovering at least twice in farm lands along the trip. One similar-sized dark falcon was observed in pastureland which may have been an Australian Hobby, but identification of that bird could not be confirmed.

Dusky Moorhen – Fairly common wherever there were wetlands and billabongs.

Purple Swamphen – Two sightings. One was observed at a billabong across from the Bairnsdale airport and another was seen at the Snowy River estuary wetland.

Eurasian Coot – Common at the Raymond Island ferry and a few other locations.

Pied Oystercatcher – Two sightings. Two were seen at the Lakes Lookout car park and one was observed on a beach walk.

Sooty Oystercatcher – One was observed on some rocks at the Cape Conran beach.

Masked Lapwing – Very common on farm land, golf courses, cleared shoulders of roads and any other grassy habitat.

Hooded Plover – Three to four individuals seen on the Bemm River boat trip.

Red-capped Plover – At least four individuals were seen on the Bemm River boat trip on the same beach as Hooded Plovers.

Silver Gull – Common in coastal habitats.

Pacific Gull – A few seen around Raymond Island and along coastal beach walks.

Caspian Tern – Several seen on the Bemm River boat trip and a few along beach walks. The large bright reddish beak is conspicuous.

Spotted Turtle-dove – Several seen at Buchan Caves Park Reserve. Introduced species.

Wonga Pigeon – Seen once in Errinunudra along the trail, but probably not too uncommon in open areas around heavy bush and rainforest. A few unidentified birds that flew off quickly as we turned corners along the trails were presumed to be this species.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo – Several sightings from the Snowy River Mountains to coastal rainforest and even beach scrub. The best sighting was the road going out of the Cabbage Tree Palm Sanctuary where several birds were feeding close to the vehicle. Their prehistoric calls were a delight to hear, and they frequently announced their arrival long before they were seen.

Gang-Gang Cockatoo – At least three sightings with the best of the observations in Errinundra NP along the Mt. Morris trail where the birds perched for a few minutes. All other sightings were of fly-overs including a surprising pair flying over the town of Orbost.

Galah – Fairly common in pastureland and parks.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo – Fairly common in parks and farmlands. A particularly large flock was observed in Stratford\Knob Park and again near the Buchan Bed and Breakfast.

Little Corella – Seen well in a mixed flock in the same Stratford\Knob Park where the Sulphur-cresteds were observed. Another bird was observed with the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos at the Buchan B&B. Not observed in coastal East Gippsland.

Rainbow Lorikeet – Conspicuous in towns and cities. This species was generally not observed very often in the bush.

Musk Lorikeet – a group of five birds flew into a banksia tree on a beach walk during the last day of our trip and were easily identified from Little Lorikeet by the red ear patch and blueish crown.

Australian King Parrot – Seen in scattered locations, usually quite well. A common species at East Gippsland parrot feeders. King Parrots are an easy bird to look at even when you’ve seen it a hundred times.

Crimson Rosella – This species was the most common psittacidae seen and perhaps the most common roadside bird of the trip. Crimson Rosellas are not as common in towns and cities as the Rainbow Lorikeet, but are easily found in just about every bush habitat.

Eastern Rosella – A couple of birds were observed along the Deddick River Road on the way to Errinundra, and beautiful scope views were available for everyone at the Raymond Island picnic area.

Pallid Cuckoo – One immature bird cooperated nicely by sitting for several minutes on a fence post while we were driving on the Deddick River Road.

Fan-tailed Cuckoo – There was at least one observation along the Deddick River Road not far from our camp site in Snowy River National Park.

Shining Bronze Cuckoo – One individual observed well on the Falls Walk at Buchan Caves Reserve.

Powerful Owl – This species was never observed, but its call was pointed out by the leader of a private reserve in Nowa-Nowa as we were spotlighting mammals.

White-throated Needletail – Several birds were observed feeding low over the beach at Cape Conran.

Azure Kingfisher – One bird observed at close range on the Bemm River boat trip.

Laughing Kookaburra – This species was seen regularly in bush habitat almost daily. One bird fatally injured was picked up by the group and examined closely in the hand. It died minutes later. This is a magnificent bird and one that will represent Australia to me in a most personal way.

Superb Lyrebird – There were at least five sightings of this species, mostly of birds crossing trails and small roads near the forest edge. However, Superb Lyrebirds seemed almost common along the Falls Walk at Buchan Caves Reserve Park where many birds were calling and mimicking various other birds. Two birds at this park were also observed in a sort of absurd display. One male bird was flashing its tail, walking backwards, and using a funny “toy-toy-toy” call during the “dance”.

Welcome Swallow – A generally common bird wherever there was open land.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike – Observed several times, mostly in picnic areas and parks.

Flame Robin – One female observed carefully at Errinundra National Park appeared to be of this species. Most other sightings (and there were many at Errinundra) were high in the canopy and were all females or immatures. They remained unidentifiable as to species. Some young birds were still being fed by the female parent, but male robins were conspicuously absent. Presumably the males do not aid in the rearing of young and disperse at this time of year.

Scarlet Robin – One male seen well at Buchan Caves Park Reserve and another seen at Little River Park on the way up in Snowy River National Park.

Eastern Yellow Robin – The Eastern Robin is a very common bird in all types of bush and rainforest. It is frequently seen at eye level and on the ground, quite unlike most other Australian robins.

Jacky Winter – One bird observed well along the Snowy River high in that national park.

Golden Whistler – One male observed singing at a small picnic area lunch stop along the Deddick River Road.

Rufous Whistler – This species was seen at several stops but was particularly common along the Falls Walk at Buchan Caves Park Reserve.

Grey Shrike-thrush – Several individuals seen in a variety of bush habitat. The tour bus stopped for one unfortunate bird that was struck by a vehicle. Our tour leader retrieved the bird hoping it could be rescued, but it had died when she arrived. We spent a few minutes observing the bird in her hand.

Black-faced Monarch – One observed along a rainforest trail at Errinundra National Park.

Pilotbird – One cooperative bird observed only a few inches above the ground in a large fern at a picnic area at Errinundra National Park. The bird was easily attracted by my “pishing” sound and eventually came so close I could no longer focus with my binoculars.

Satin Flycatcher – One female observed along a wet gully at a picnic area on the Deddick River Road near Errinundra. This species is a deeper, richer color than the similar Leaden Flycatcher which is apparently more common at lower elevations.

Rufous Fantail – Seen on two occasions at Errinundra National Park.

Grey Fantail – Seen frequently in bush habitat at all elevations

Willie Wagtail – a common bird of parks, farmland, and gardens.

Eastern Whipbird – This bird was heard more often than seen in rainforest habitat, but it was observed once on the Falls Walk at Buchan Caves Reserve. Its call is frequently mimicked by the Superb Lyrebird who performs a “softer” version of its call.

Spotted Quail-thrush – Two birds observed well on a grassy hillside as we drove up to the Snowy River National Park. Two more were observed on the way out of Errinundra National Park. This species is specific to drier wooded slopes with a grassy understory.

Superb Fairy-wren – This species is common in shrubs everywhere especially along rivers and streams. Most males were molting this time of year and were a bit ragged looking.

White-browed Scrubwren – This species was seen regularly in heavy bush and rainforest, particularly where there are vines.

Brown Thornbill – Abundant in most woody habitat. This species was the most common thornbill and seen every day of the trip. Thornbill identification can be exasperating to birders from outside Australia and are problematic even for Australian birders. Over 90% of all “tiny” birds seen by this observer were thornbills. The other 10% were made up of fairy-wrens, scrubwrens, and pardalotes.

Buff-rumped Thornbill – Observed at least once at Little River Park on the edge of Snowy River National Park.

Yellow-rumped Thornbill – Observed near our camp site at Snowy River National Park.

Striated Thornbill – A couple of observations at Errinundra National Park.

Weebill – The most easily identified thornbill with its stubby bill, active habits, and persistent vocalizations. This bird was seen well at Stratford\Knob Park and again in Snowy River National Park.

Varied Sitella – Seen well at Stratford\Knob Park and again at Snowy River National Park. Birds seen in East Gippsland were of the “white-headed” race.

White-throated Treecreeper – Observed 4-5 times in heavy forest including our Snowy River National Park camp site. This was the only treecreeper I saw in rainforests.

Brown Treecreeper – An apparent family group was observed well at a stop just past Little River Park in the Snowy River Mountains.

Red Wattlebird – Observed at Stratford\Knob Park, around Orbost, and occasionally at Snowy River National Park.

Little Wattlebird – Seen regularly in coastal habitat usually feeding in banksia and frequently in conjunction with New Holland Honeyeaters.

Bell Miner – Seen regularly in large groups in bush and suburban parks. This species is highly territorial and was observed chasing away everything from King Parrots to honeyeaters. It was always heard before it was seen.                                   

Noisy Miner – This species was not particularly common but was observed twice – once along the side of the road and once at the picnic area on Raymond Island.

Lewin’s Honeyeater – Observed once very well at Errinunda National Park camp site. Apparently birds in East Gippsland have darker faces than the birds I’ve seen in Queensland.

Yellow-faced Honeyeater – This species occurred regularly in several types of bush. It was widespread throughout the tour.

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater – Most observations of this species were high in Snowy River National Park where it was frequently the most common honeyeater. It was also seen a few times in low-elevation forests. It always responded well to “pishing” as did most honeyeaters.

Fuscous Honeyeater – Several birds were observed in honeyeater feeding flocks high in Snowy River National Park. This species can be marginally difficult to identify in shaded habitat because of its lack of distinguishing characteristics.

White-naped Honeyeater – This bird was probably observed 4-5 times. It was seen well at Buchan Caves Park Reserve, and at least twice in honeyeater groups in Snowy River National Park.

Crescent Honeyeater – This species was seen only in honeyeater feeding flocks high in Snowy River National Park where several birds were seen well. It was not seen in coastal habitat. The Pizzey Field Guide suggests an altitudinal migration to warmer coastal areas in winter.

New Holland Honeyeater – Only one or two were observed in high elevations, but this species was abundant in coastal habitats where beach scrub and banksia were present. It was frequently seen in the company of Little Wattlebirds.

Eastern Spinebill – Not particularly common in relationship to other honeyeaters, but this attractive bird was seen in a variety of habitats and at a variety of altitudes within a single day.

White-fronted Chat – Two birds were observed flying from one wet grassy paddock to another in the Snowy River estuary wetland. I was the only one to observe the birds. I did not see their faces, but the size, coupled with their gray backs, black napes and habitat-specific attitude made it impossible for it to be any other known passerine.

Spotted Pardalote – A bird that was fairly common at several locations within Snowy River National Park usually high in trees. This gorgeous little bird can be a delight to watch if it can be viewed at eye level.

Striated Pardalote – Seen in mixed flocks with the above species but less common.

Red-browed Firetail – This bird was observed 4-5 times at a variety of locations and at all altitudes.

Silvereye – Observed on two occasions. It was seen once in shrubbery along the Snowy River high in the mountains and again in beach scrub on a coastal walk.

Olive-backed Oriole – One bird was seen well at Raymond Island along the road.

Satin Bowerbirds – Fairly common along forest margins and around some picnic areas. We saw significantly more females than males.  The female of this species was a fascinating study with its bright blue eye and green scalloping.

White-winged Chough – This was bird was seen in large family groups at Buchan Caves Reserve picnic area. Viewing was quite close, and there were several families. It was not observed elsewhere. Its pottery-like nest was an interesting observation in trees around the park.

Magpie Lark – Common along roadsides and in yards in towns and cities.

Dusky Woodswallow – Observed along the Deddick River Road at the picnic area and on other parts of the same road. This was the only woodswallow we observed.

Grey Butcherbird – One bird was heard well by our tour leader at the Deddick River picnic area. However, the bird was calling from across the river and could not be encouraged to come within visual range.

Australian Magpie – Abundant in most habitats. Birds in Victoria are of the “white-backed” race with females having a grey back.

Pied Currawong – This species was very common in most bush habitat, parks, and in rural areas.

Grey Currawong – One bird was observed well in Snowy River National Park.

Australian Raven – Observed regularly outside of Melbourne where it’s whining call makes it easily identifiable. It was heard in a variety of habitats.

Little Raven – Several birds in small flocks in farm land just outside Melbourne were presumed to be of this species, but complete identification was not possible.

Common Blackbird – Observed twice but probably common in gardens and parks. Introduced species.

Bassian Thrush – Seen once on a rainforest road along the ground.

Common Mynah – Commonly observed in parks, small towns, and disturbed areas. Introduced species.

European Starling – Common in cities and around some farms. Introduced species.

House Sparrow – Common in cities and around some farms. Introduced species.

---

Monotremes

Short-beaked Echidna – One observed puttering around in a fallow field on Raymond Island.

Marsupials

Koala – Koalas were very common at Raymond Island. On the mainland, they were not so common. We found some evidence of this species in some forests but nothing else.

Yellow-bellied Glider – One animal observed at a private refuge in Nowa Nowa.

Sugar Glider – Observed once at Buchan Caves Park Reserve and on a private refuge at Nowa Nowa where two were seen on a tree.

---

Greater Glider – Seen approximately three times at the private refuge in Nowa Nowa.

Common Ringtail Possum – Seen once at a private refuge in Nowa Nowa.

Common Brushtail Possum – Seen several times including once at the Buchan Bed and Breakfast.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo – Seen a few times including close looks at Buchan Caves Park Reserve.

Red-necked Wallaby – Seen a few times on forest edges.

Swamp Wallaby – Seen several times hopping away through the forest.

---

Reptiles

Gippsland Water Dragon – Two of theses big lizards were observed along the shore of the Bemm River boat trip.

Red-bellied Black Snake – One five-foot specimen going across the Bemm River and crawling into a Short-tailed Shearwater burrow. It came out seconds later with nothing. Apparently most birds had left their burrows.

Daily Itinerary

---