As part of a fund raising event to raise money for Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary this year Tim Dolby attempted to break the VicTwitch record – his current standing is 340, 5 more than the previous record!
Highlights from Tim Dolby’s birding exploits in North East Victoria in October 2009
“Then back into Victoria via Howlong on the Murray River. I still hadn’t seen Dollarbird, so was hoping to track it along the Murray. This part of Victoria is a hot spot for them in summer. Dools suggested Lake Moodemere just west of Rutherglen, however just after crossing over the bridge and entering Victoria there was a Dollarbird flying down on Barnarwartha Rd, near Brown Plains.
The next stop was the DPI Research Station near Rutherglen for Bush Stone-curlew. Following up on a tip, I found a pair next the public car park. Bird number 340! Bush Stone-curlew is such an interesting species; due to foxes they’re under increasing threat, particularly in Australia’s southern states where foxes are common.
I visited a couple of other sites around Chiltern hoping for Painted Honeyeater. Bartley’s Block was quiet except for Turquoise Parrot, Western Gerygone, Rufous Whistler and Yellow-tufted Honeyeater.
There were some nice birds at the Chiltern dams including Hardhead, Great and Intermediate Egret, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, White-winged Triller, Dollarbird, Masked and White-browed Woodswallow and Rainbow Bee-eater.”
You can get a full report and view photos at Tim’s blogsite
