180207_Newry to Glenmaggie

Eleven members gathered at Newry for a steamy trip around the foothills nearby. The tiny dam and paddock just opposite the Post Office provided a nice snapshot of irrigated farmland to start with: Yellow-billed Spoonbill, White-faced Heron, Masked Lapwings, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Australian Wood Ducks, Willie Wagtails, Straw-necked and Australian Ibis, Crimson Rosellas, Kookaburra, etc – even a prowling Brown Goshawk.

Things got very quiet up in the hills with little life at either the Kentucky Road stockyards or the Nicholson Rocks walk. Still, it is always a pleasant walk through the casuarinas along the gorge and back.

Jim P had kindly invited us to visit via his property overlooking the cliffs and Lanigans Bridge, just downstream from the Glenmaggie Weir wall. Morning tea in the shade of his pool-house overlooking the river gorge and bush was most welcome. A pair of Brown Goshawks was spotted in the distance and they slowly drifted overhead at a low height, working a very weak thermal. Those with cameras thanked those who left theirs in the car for the close-up shots they got.

Jim and Heather have turned >100 acres of farmland, bush, river gorge and rock-faces into a reserve with some interesting bird-life found on the walk down to the river. Sacred Kingfisher, Spotted Pardalote, Silvereyes, Red-browed Finch, Mistletoe Bird and Whistling Kite were the standouts. A very impressive location.

Back at the pool, lunch here seemed a much better idea than going into Heyfield and the pool proved irresistible to Michele.

Total species count was 37.

Next month’s outing is around Briagolong – Blue Pool, McKinnon’s Point, etc. Organiser: Peter Goldstraw

Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus