Fairy Dell
is a popular destination near Bruthen in East Gippsland. The Dell is a small
patch of rainforest dominated by Lilly-pilly (Syzygium smithii (1)) and ferns which attracts a number of wet forest
species including summer migrants such as Rufous Fantails and Black-faced
Monarchs. Exotics such as Topknot Pigeons also visit to feed on the Lilly-pilly
fruits. The surrounding dryer forest and deep creek lines add to the variety of
habitat at this Reserve, making it a top birding location.
The creeks in
the area have now almost dried up with just a few small pools left here and
there along the rocky beds. On a recent very hot day I decided to spend a
couple of hours at one of the small pools to see what birds turned up. I was
not disappointed – there were large numbers of small birds coming in to drink
and bathe including a number of species typical of wet forest habitat which
I was hoping for.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Male Rose Robin |
Female Rose Robin |
Section of creek at Fairy Dell Scenic Reserve where the photos were taken. I did not use a hide which no doubt kept some of the larger and more wary birds away. |
Male Golden Whistler - they prefer wetter habitat to the dry country Rufous Whistler. |
Another Golden Whistler |
Juvenile Eastern Yellow Robin |
Adult Eastern Yellow Robin |
Rufous Fantail- rarely still, hard to photograph. |
Rufous Fantail - they flit here and there like butterflys. |
Rufous Fantail - they really earn the name fantail as they fan their tails a lot more often than the Grey Fantail. |
Grey Fantail |
Yellow-faced Honeyeaters - I am not sure if this is an altercation? |
Lewin’s Honeyeater – a wet forest honeyeater. It has found an insect while having a drink. |
White-throated Treecreeper – only one visit by this species. |
Eastern Spinebill - checking above for danger before drinking. |
New Holland Honeyeater |
White-browed Scrubwren |
Brown Thornbill - a cautious approach to water among the cover of leaf litter and stones. |
White-naped Honeyeater |
Other
species along the creek that did not come in for a drink and have their photos
taken were Satin Bowerbirds, Eastern Whipbird, Brown Gerygone, Superb Lyerbird,
Wonga Pigeon, Crimson Rosella, Red-browed Treecreeper and Black-faced Monarch. Perhaps
some of these species will oblige on the next very hot day I make a visit!
NOTE: (1) The subject Lilly-pilly was once in the genus Eugenia and then Acmena and now Syzygium. Taxonomy for both birds and plants is a never ending and ever changing story! The species name smithii has not changed.
NOTE: (1) The subject Lilly-pilly was once in the genus Eugenia and then Acmena and now Syzygium. Taxonomy for both birds and plants is a never ending and ever changing story! The species name smithii has not changed.
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