June – watch out for Currawongs!

One of the distinctive sounds of winter across Mount Alexander is the arrival of Pied Currawongs Strepera graculina. This species is an altitudinal migrant spending the warmer months in the tall forests of the Great Dividing Range, before moving into the Box-Ironbark country and out on to the plains during the late autumn and winter. We are missing a good photo of this species and would be grateful if any readers may be able to supply one of a recent arrival.

Somewhat strangely perhaps as winter starts to bite, many of our local shrubs and wildflowers start to think about flowering again. It would be great to hear of the first flowering of any local species. In the northern hemisphere there is gathering evidence that many plants are flowering earlier than they used to. Is it climate change? It would be good to monitor these events locally over coming seasons.

Black Cockys at Chewton

What a delight late this afternoon to see a large flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos on Golden Point Road at Chewton [location]. It was getting towards dark but I estimate there were between 60 and 70 birds. The photograph below is pretty ordinary (I could claim it’s slightly artistic!), but still enough to make out this majestic and fun loving species. We would be interested to hear of other reports.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Chewton, 12th May 2010

Fairy Martins [or bottle swallows]

I have noticed lots of Fairy Martin mud nests under culverts along roads and railway lines in the Castlemaine district. It seems this is the only place that they nest as I have not found them in any other place.

Doug Ralph

Look out for “Red Robins” in May

There are five different species of “Red Robins” that you might encounter across Mount Alexander. Here is a brief summary of what to look for:

Scarlet Robin Petroica multicolor – the most common of the “fabulous five”, but thought to be declining in central Victoria. Resident in forest and woodlands, with some dispersal into more open habitats over autumn and winter.

Male Scarlet Robin - Photo courtesy of Chris Tzaros

Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea – an altitudinal migrant that breeds in the high country of the Victorian Alps and Great Dividing Range. Moves to lower elevations during the autumn, favouring open country and farmland. Some individuals remain in the box-ironbark all year round.

Male Flame Robin - photo courtesy of Chris Tzaros

Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii - scarce and irregular this beautiful species can still be found in small numbers across Mount Alexander, especially in drier habitats such as the Nuggetty Ranges and Walmer. Generally thought to be resident but suspect movement from dry country inland after good seasons to more southern climes.

Male Red-capped Robin - photo courtesy of Chris Tzaros

Rose Robin Petroica rosea – very unusual across Mount Alexander. Breeds in wet forests to the south (Wombat, Lerderderg) moving into drier box-ironbark woodlands and forests during autumn and winter.

Male Rose Robin - photo courtesy of Chris Tzaros

Pink Robin Petroica rodinogaster - a similar story to the Rose Robin. Any sightings of these two species are very notable!

Male Pink Robin - photo courtesy of Chris Tzaros

Please tell us if you see a “Red Robin” this month. You can do this in a number of ways:

1. Add your sighting to the Community Web Mapping Portal - this would be best!
2. By adding a brief comment here on this page – quick but not as useful
3. By becoming a contributor to “The Monitoring Blog” – just send me an email at geoff.park@nccma.vic.gov.au and I’ll add you to the contributors list. This would be excellent if you wished to add a photo and notes to share with others.

We would like to acknowledge Chris Tzaros from Birds Australia who generously provided the beautiful images above.

Good views of Swift Parrots at Mia Mia Track

Late yesterday afternoon I got some excellent views of a small flock of Swift Parrots at Mia Mia Track, just north of Newstead. To read more and see some photographs visit Natural Newstead.

Swift Parrots at Newstead

Good numbers of Swift Parrots can now be seen near Newstead. Nearly 40 birds were seen early this morning near Mia Mia Track in the Muckleford State Forest. To read more visit Natural Newstead.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos return

The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos have returned to Castlemaine for the winter. These birds have become regular visitors to this area for the last five to six years and can be seen feeding on radiata pine cones and hakea nuts. Most nights they roost near my property, which is south of Castlemaine on a north facing slope. I also notice other flocks of birds coming in of an evening. I assume it is because this area is protected from cold south winds in the winter.

Doug Ralph

Greenhood orchids in flower

Autumn Greenhood Orchids Pterostylis affin revoluta flowering in Northern Castlemaine.

affin refers to a new species of plant that has not been formally described, affin short for “affinity to”.

Denis Hurley Saturday 13th March 2010.

Common Bronzewing feeding on Saltbush

A single Common Bronzewing has been spotted feeding on the berries of both Ruby and Nodding Saltbush in North Castlemaine.

In previous years the Bronzewing’s have fed on acacia seeds, so the current feeding activity may indicate a scarcity of food.

Rita Mills.  Late March early April, 2010.

Autumn Greenhoods on show

There are quite a few different orchids flowering in the local bush at the moment. One of the most spectacular species is the Autumn Greenhood Pterostylis sp. aff. revoluta. This magnificent orchid can form dense colonies such as that in the photograph below. What other species are on show at the moment?

Autumn Greenhoods, Muckleford State Forest, 4th April 2010