Tag Archives: Eastern Whipbird

A new site explored – Adams Creek Nature Conservation Reserve

Along the South Gippsland highway past Cranbourne and heading to Wonthaggi is a Conservation Reserve called Adam’s Creek. A fellow birder had discovered it a while back and after an explorative visit together I went back the following week to spend more time. It is an impressive area and I am surprised that more people have not reported their bird sightings from there. It is a multi-use site shared by walkers and horse-riders. and while there are signs for motorbikes to keep out it seems to be heavily used by the local riders. One edge of the reserve is bordered by an old railway line that serviced the South Gippsland area. It stopped running 30 years ago.

While exploring the reserve I heard and found a pair of Brush Cuckoos – my first time seeing and photographing this species.

Brush Cuckoo, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria, 4 Dec 2016

Brush Cuckoo, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora

Old South Gippsland Rail-line, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria

Old South Gippsland Rail-line

Old South Gippsland Rail-line, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria

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Old South Gippsland Rail-line, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria

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Under-story, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria, 4 Dec 2016

Under-story, Adams Creek Nature Conservation Reserve

Common Brown Butterfly, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria, 4 Dec 2016

Sword Grass Brown Butterfly

Eastern Whipbird, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria, 4 Dec 2016

Eastern Whipbird

Brush Cuckoo, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria, 4 Dec 2016

Brush Cuckoo

Brush Cuckoo, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria, 4 Dec 2016

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Brush Cuckoo, Adams Creek Reserve, Nyora, Victoria, 4 Dec 2016

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Frogmouth, Whipbirds and a Pure White Raptor

Whenever I visit Mallacoota I try to get to the Double Creek area several times a day. There is always a good variety of bird species (local and migrating through) and several vegetation types to explore from creek side vegetation, wetlands, woodlands, rain-forest and ridge-lines with tall forests. It is a compact site with four paths to wander down.

Along one of the creek sides I found a pair of Leaden Flycatchers singing away declaring their territory while above I spotted a white morph Grey Goshawk. The white/grey Goshawk is the only pure white raptor in the world. I knew that a raptor was cruising above by the danger calls of all the nearby birds. The bird alarm gave me just enough time to get the camera pointed skywards and set for a bright sky. The Goshawk cruised just above the trees.

Male Leaden Flycatcher, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

Male Leaden Flycatcher, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

Female Leaden Flycatcher, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

Female Leaden Flycatcher

Grey Goshawk, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoot

Grey Goshawk (white Morph), Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

I found the Tawny Frogmouth when I stopped at the small carpark to have some lunch and was staring into the trees when I noticed someone staring back….

Tawny Frogmouth, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

Tawny Frogmouth, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

White Browed Scrubwren Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

White Browed Scrubwren Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

White Browed Scrubwren Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

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Lewin's Honeyeater, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

Lewin’s Honeyeater, trying to stay cool along the creek on a very hot day

Eastern Whipbird, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

Eastern Whipbird working hard to feed two chicks that were following closely

As I watched the Whipbirds move around the undergrowth I spotted the little Antechinus hunting. It is a fearless tiny marsupial hunter, and given its mouselike size I am always surprised to see them out and about hunting in daylight.

Antechinus, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota

Antechinus, I have not worked out the local species yet  – could be Shy, Brown or Swamp.