RFI Victoria, South Australia, and Tazmania
By Birding-Aus, on October 8th, 2011
Birding Aus, I will be heading to Victoria, South Australia, and Tazmania for about a month starting in early November. I have traveled to Oz twice before (in the winter) and so have missed many of the migrants. My intention is to spend time looking for endemics, the more rare/skulking birds, migrants, as well as taking in as much about the ecology of these areass as I can cram into my brain. Any help or information about some of these species and possible sites would of course be greatly appreciated. If anyone on the list is a mycologist, or has an interest in fungi, that’s also an area of interest to me. All the best — barry levine levineb@fastmail.fm Seattle, Wa USA
Hi Barry (and others), The following may be useful for Tasmanian Endemics and other specialities for those visiting Tasmania. I can try to offer more specifics if you have particular target species in mind.
Some of the endemics are common and widespread across the state. Others are far more restricted. I have heard of some people ‘bagging’ all the endemics in about half a day, but for that, you need to be in the right spots. Actually, it can be done quite close to Hobart.
All endemics occur on Bruny Island, and a visit there is well worth it. Other than Bruny, and Maria Island, the only spot you’re likely to get Forty-spotted Pardalote is at Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston. Take Huntingfield Ave., just south of the Roundabout near the Antarctic Division. Just south of the Vodaphone warehouse, take the laneway down to the parking area for the reserve, and walk in to and around the ponds. 40spots used to be pretty common here, but have been becoming more scarce recently. Still, the only place, really, for 40spots on the mainland. They are still reasonably common in Euc. viminalis woodlands on north and south Bruny Island.
Tas Thornbills, and Tas Scrubwrens can be found in most wetter, forested areas – try around Ferntree, on Mt Wellington. Scrubtits should be found there, too, though they are mostly in the densest, wetter forests.
Black-headed, Strong-billed and Yellow-throated honeyeaters are pretty common in most woodland areas. Yellow-wattebirds are in more open, drier woodlands, especially in the south and east of Tassie. Black Currawongs are in many areas, but mostly highlands – Mt Wellington, Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair, etc.
Green Rosellas are common in most woodlands and forests, and Native Hens are common in pastures around creeks and dams. Dusky Robins are fairly common in paddocks, pastures and open areas close by forests.
Hope this is helpful.
John Tongue, Ulverstone, Tas.
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HI Barry, For Mycology (in Victoria at least) if you look at the websites for
Field Naturalists Club of Victoria http://www.fncv.org.au/fungi.htm Fungimap http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/fungimap
Wendy