Leader: Rod Bird. Half day excursion.

The group drove along the Victoria Valley Rd to the south end of the Rifle Range and parked by the lane to the west and walked across the road and up the closed track to the range (a distance of about 400 m). We saw very few birds and our total of 14 species was fewer than the exceptionaly large number of orchids seen (22). The group were more than delighted with the wildflower display.

Our tour then proceeded via Crawfords Rd, past a farm wetland to McIntyres crossing -Vic Valley Hall Rd, then left at the T junction and followed around to Bryans Swamp. This route gives a good view of the adjacent wetlands (Marneys Swamp and others – all drained but still holding water). We viewed birds from behind a pine tree 100m west of the Church. The swamp was full and frogs in fine voice. The most prolific waterbird was a raft of 800 Eurasian Coot. Rufous Songlarks were seen and heard, along with Eurasian Skylark. In all, 39 species of bird were seen at or near the swamp.