The coast of Gippsland east of Marlo is
fairly remote with many patches of heathland along the coast, much contained
within the Croajingolong National Park. This heathland is home to a number of
specialist heathland birds such as Southern Emu-wren, Eastern Ground Parrot,
Striated Fieldwren and the Eastern Bristlebird (found east of Mallacoota
Inlet).
Looking west across Shipwreck Creek - note heathland. |
There are healthy populations of Emu-wrens
and Ground Parrots, however these birds can be very hard to find, especially
the Ground Parrots.
We have been in Mallacoota for the past
week attending a BirdLife East Gippsland Autumn birding camp. One morning
birding on the heathlands both east and west of Shipwreck Creek we found six
separate groups of Emu-wrens with some parties/families containing at least six
birds. Only one Ground Parrot was flushed.
Emu-wrens are hard to hear and see in the
dense heath, however once found they are often inquisitive and will come up to
vantage points to see who the strangers are in their territory and if you’re
quick there may be some photo opportunities.
Following the camp I went back to the
Shipwreck Creek heathlands to see if I could get some Emu-wren photos. The
weather was cool and overcast with a moderate southwest breeze, not good
conditions for finding heathland birds!
A female Southern Emu-wren - a typical view of these birds as they check you out from the heath. |
The female stops briefly in the open. |
The male Emu-wren - appearing briefly above the dense heath. |
The male again - note the sky blue eyebrow and bib, the rich rufous crown and long tail. |
Detail from above photo - note the short weak wings. |
The Ground Parrot is very hard to find and
most often is flushed when it rises from the heath and flies at speed some
distance before dropping back into the dense cover of the heath. They have a
very distinctive call, which is nothing like most parrot calls, and this is
often made at dusk to contact other Ground Parrots. To find and survey Ground
Parrots, the best method is to listen for their calls at dusk.
While wading through the heath following a
pair of Emu-wrens I managed to flush a Ground Parrot that fortunately only flew
about ten metres before dropping into a relatively open patch of grass among
the taller stunted Casuarina. Noting where it landed I was able to slowly move
up and find the bird which was fairly nervous. I hoped it would settle down and
then go about feeding however after a few quick photos the bird burst into
flight and was gone in a flash, flying well over 100 metres before it was lost
from sight.
Here are a few of the photos of this very
elusive bird.
The Eastern Ground Parrot - I was lucky to find it and get a few photos. |
The bird was quite nervous, stretching its head up for a better look at me. |
Note the small red patch on the forehead and the feather colours which allows this ground dwelling bird to blend in so well with its habitat. |
A rewarding morning on the heath –
hopefully I have no ticks?