Leader: David Mules; Facilitator: Jacqui Mules; 17 participants

The forecast was for cold, bleak, windy and wet weather, so we were relieved to be able to have a very interesting and enjoyable day, punctuated by brief showers. Reversing the planned order of the day, we started at Tarwin Lower Cemetery, which was a carpet of wildflowers and especially orchids. The birds were a bit scarce because of the wind, but altogether a beautiful and interesting place. A koala was a bonus.

Tarwin Lower. A very quick stop on the river in Tarwin Lower brought out the telescopes for a Royal Spoonbill sighting.

Orchids spotted included Brown-beaks, Wax-lips, Salmon Sun-orchids, Rabbit Ears, Wallflower Orchids, Nodding Greenhoods, an Onion Orchid Microtis spp, Green-comb Spider-orchids and Bronze Caladenias.

Bald Hills Wetland Reserve. We had a quick lunch at Bald Hills Wetland Reserve – enjoying a visit by a family of Eastern Grey Kangaroos – then set off on the walk to the bird hide. The boardwalk was flooded but our intrepid leaders, well prepared in gumboots, ferried us across the floodway! The wetland itself did not have many birds, but we had some terrific sightings on the way there and back. We finished up a little earlier than planned, just missing another drenching, but all agreed it had been a wonderful day, with David and Jacqui doing a great job. Our overall bird count was around 44 – not too bad for a cold and blowy day.

Birds recorded included the Crimson Rosella, Eastern Yellow Robin, Superb Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Common Mynah, Brown Thornbill, White-eared Honeyeater, Yellow Faced Honeyeater, Silvereye, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Fantail, Sacred Kingfisher, Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal, Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Hoary-headed Grebe, Coot and Little Pied Cormorant.

Latrobe Valley FNC

Bald Hills wetland.