U3A Benalla - Birdwatching

We resume on Thursday 13 August, visiting Winton Wetlands

31/7/2026

Our monthly outings resume this month. On Thursday 13th August we will visit Winton Wetlands, where good winter rain has brought water and waterbirds back into some of the wetlands. We will then visit the Winton Café for a coffee after our walk.

Please meet in the usual car park behind the Community Centre at 9am. Bring binoculars if you have them as they greatly improve your ability to see and identify birds.

I look forward to resuming our birding activities as the days get warmer and longer, and our birds become more active with spring approaching.

Kathy Costello

June and July - We are taking a winter break!

27/6/2026

The birdwatching group has a short winter break, and will resume on Thursday 13th August.

The birdwatching group in action at Shadforth Reserve in Violet Town in May, with a coffee at the Produce Store before heading for home and a winter break.

May - Shadforth Reserve, Violet Town

26/5/2026

Nine people visited Shadforth Reserve on Thursday 14th May, arriving at 9.30am. Near the start of our walk, we found a group of 25 White-winged Choughs. These gregarious birds feed on the ground and can form large feeding parties in autumn. They break into small social groups in spring and build a large mud nest to raise their young. Other good sightings were Golden Whistler, a brief glimpse of a male Scarlet Robin, and lone White-browed Babbler. Both Eastern and Crimson Rosellas were observed, and several Red-rumped Parrots. We then adjourned to a café in Violet Town to finish off an enjoyable morning.

White-winged Choughs. Photo Andi Stevenson

A lovely male Golden Whistler. Photo Andi Stevenson

To see the full bird list click on this link to eBird https://ebird.org/checklist/S346129719

Birdwatching group has a short winter break, and will resume on Thursday 13th August.

Photographs and story board... Andi Stevenson

Kathy Costello

Next outing - Shadforth Reserve, Violet Town - Thursday 14 May

26/4/2026

Our next outing is to Shadforth Reserve, Violet Town on Thursday 14th May 2026

Shadforth Reserve is on the northern edge of Violet Town, and has had previous lives as a racecourse and golf course. It features some ancient eucalypts and areas of native grassland and shrubs, and is managed by a committed team of volunteers working to enhance its natural values. Autumn brings flowering Grey Box and Ironbark trees, so we should see a good variety of birdlife during our visit.

Please meet in the car park behind the Benalla Seniors Community Centre at 9am. As usual, wear sturdy footwear, and bring water and any food you need for the morning. If you can bring binoculars, they will greatly enhance your ability to see the birdlife.

Kathy Costello

April Report - Nason Springs, in the Warby-Ovens National Park

25/4/2026

With thunderstorms a possibility, we went ahead with our visit to Nason Springs in the Warby-Ovens National Park on Thursday 9 April, and only copped one brief but heavy shower during the visit.

On arrival we walked along the track adjacent to a gully, watching Dusky Woodswallows and Welcome Swallows no doubt catching insects as they flew overhead. A family group of Olive-backed Orioles was feeding above us in a seeding Kurrajong tree, extracting seeds from the large seedpods. Check out Andi's beautiful 'photo essay' :-

Other birds observed included a group of Red-pumped Parrots, a pair of Eastern Rosellas and some Superb Fairy-wrens.

We then headed into the adjacent paddock, and managed to find a group of Peaceful Doves, perched nearby on some fallen tree branches. Their light grey-brown colours blended beautifully with those branches and provided great camouflage.

Thanks to Andi Stevenson for putting together her photo and an illustration from a birding field guide by way of explanation.

Afterwards we enjoyed a café visit in Glenrowan where coffee and scones finished off an enjoyable morning.

Link to bird list on eBird https://ebird.org/checklist/S326802950

Kathy Costello

A note from the Website Team - "What a wonderful collection of photos, Andi. Thank you!"

Coming up in April - Nason Springs in the Warby-Ovens National Park

28/3/2026

Our next outing is on Thursday 9th April 2026 when we will visit Nason Springs in the Warby-Ovens National Park. It is on Taminick Gap Road and we will drive there via Glenrowan. We last visited this area in 2022. It can be a good place to observe birds of prey and some of our less common bushland birds.

As usual please wear sturdy footwear, a hat, and bring water and any food you need for the morning. Binoculars are very useful if you have them.

We will meet in the carpark behind the Seniors Community Centre at 9am.

Kathy Costello
Convenor

March - 'Kaluna Park, Wangaratta'

27/3/2026

Twelve people attended the first Birdwatching group outing to Kaluna Park, Wangaratta in March. The forest is small but beautiful - 5.2 hectares – and has a dense mix of a few huge River Red Gums, lots of Silver Wattle, River Bottlebrush and other mid and lower storey native shrubs and grasses.

The King River runs along one side of the area. It’s really a hidden gem on the edge of the CBD, near Merriwa Park.

Only 12 birds were recorded on our stroll along the 3 walking tracks. Best were Olive-backed Oriole, Rufous Whistler, Red-browed Finch, Silvereye and an Eastern Yellow Robin which was in a gully near the entrance. Birds were hard to see in the dense vegetation

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. Photo Robert Dwyer

Landcare volunteers who started clearing the weeds in 1995 are still maintaining the park. We found them removing Tradescantia (Wandering Jew) in one area. They told us the seeds come back in after every flood. A booklet on the original restoration project was published in 2008 - Floodplain woodland plants of north east Victoria, by Helen and Peter Curtis. The group is now called Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability Inc.

Photographs - Bev Thornell

Here is a link to the bird list on eBird https://ebird.org/checklist/S309291782

Kathy Costello

Coming up in March - Kaluna Park, Wangaratta

26/2/2026

The U3A Birdwatching group will visit Wangaratta for our first outing in 2026

On Thursday 12th March we will visit Kaluna Park on the King River very close to the Wangaratta town centre. This is a new location for our birding group and I’m looking forward to the visit.

Please meet at 9am in front of the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre (in case council works are still taking up the usual car park meeting place.)

What to bring
Water, sun protection, comfortable walking footwear, and any food you need for the morning. If you have binoculars, they are a great help for viewing and identifying birds.

If you are car-pooling a small contribution of $5 to the driver is suggested.

Kathy Costello

It's the Birdwatching group's 10th Birthday this year!

3/2/2026

This photo was taken in November 2016 during a visit to a private property on Tiger Hill, Molyullah.

Thank you, Kathy, for convening Birdwatching for 10 years!

Birdwatching meets on the 2nd Thursday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Commences 12th March – more details in the next newsletter.

November - Visit to Loombah Weir

28/11/2025

Our group of eight made the trip along Upper Ryans Creek Road to look for birds around Loombah Weir on Wednesday 13 November. This weir and upstream McCall Say Reservoir were built in 1949 on Ryans Creek to supply Benalla’s water.

We walked the short track to the ford, then another track surrounded by tall forest, lots of wattles, and a few wildflowers.

It felt like a morning for grey and yellow birds. We saw a few Grey Fantails, and had close views of a Grey Shrikethrush as it hopped past us along the roadside. In the thicker vegetation we found 2 male Golden Whistlers having a territorial dispute, with much calling and chasing. Then we found a lovely pair of Yellow Robins, and near the gully a pair of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters. Flying in the background were Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas and Little Corellas.

A total of 16 bird species was recorded. Here is the eBird list.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S286147224

After a summer break, U3A Birdwatching group will resume activities on Thursday 12th March 2026.

Kathy Costello

Photos : Andi Stevenson (unnamed) and Helen Repacholi (named).

Next outing - Loombah Reservoir, Thursday 13 November

25/10/2025

Our final outing for the year is to Loombah Reservoir on Upper Ryans Creek on Thursday 13th November, where we will walk in the surrounding tall forest, looking for some birds we don’t usually find around Benalla. We may do a little off track walking.

Please meet in the car park behind the Seniors Community Centre as usual, at 9am. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring any water and snacks and sun protection you need for the morning.

Kathy Costello

October - Helen's property on Kilfeera Road

25/10/2025

Fourteen people made the short drive to Helen’s property on Kilfeera Road on 9 October for a morning bird walk. It also turned into a botanical feast in her lovely, well-established garden.

New Holland and White-plumed Honeyeaters were plentiful. We enjoyed views of a flock of Red-browed Finches feeding in grasses along the driveway. Other birds seen included King Parrot, Superb Fairy-wren, Grey Shrikethrush, Black-faced Cuckooshrike, Olive-backed Oriole and a female Satin-bowerbird. There have been several reports recently of bowerbirds visiting home gardens in Benalla. A Whistling kite was observed flying over a nearby paddock.

Helen M was the only one to spot a Diamond Firetail as we gathered for morning tea on the verandah.

"A delicious morning tea of shared treats"

Thanks Helen for a lovely morning.

Kathy Costello

Next outing - Helen's "haven for birdlife" - Thursday 9 October

25/9/2025

We are fortunate to be able to visit Helen’s 7 acre property just out of Benalla on Thursday 9th Ocober.. She has created a lovely garden and a haven for birdlife with her plantings of trees and shrubs over many years, and a good supply of bird baths.

Please meet at 9am at the car park behind the Seniors Community Centre for the short drive to the property.

Kathy Costello

September - 'Reef Hills State Park'

24/9/2025

After the cancellation of our planned visit to Reef Hills State Park in August, it was pleasing that we were able to get there in September. On a cold but sunny morning, we headed to the south eastern corner of the park along Roes Road. We started with views of small birds such as Superb Fairy-wrens, Weebills, a Brown Thornbill and several Grey Fantails and Willie Wagtails. Then a Wedge-tailed Eagle was spotted flying high overhead. Further on a few honeyeaters were observed, most notable being the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater: a colourful bird with yellow and black markings. One obliged by flying down to the road in front of us to drink from a puddle. Another good sighting was a pair of Jacky Winters. These robin-like birds like a high perch at the edge of the forest bordered by open country. We finally found a White-throated Treecreeper climbing up a tree trunk, having heard one calling throughout the walk.

Photos and story. (from FB).... Andi Stevenson

Altogether 23 species were recorded for the morning.

Here is a link to the list on eBird https://ebird.org/checklist/S273242465

Kathy Costello

Reef Hills State Park outing rescheduled to 11th September...

26/8/2025

Our August outing was unfortunately cancelled at very short notice, as I was unwell that day. So I have rescheduled our August trip to Reef Hills State Park to Thursday 11th September.

We will meet at the car park behind the Seniors building at 9am and car pool to Reef Hills on the edge of Benalla.

Reef Hills covers about 5000 acres of mixed eucalypt for forest. The wattles will be flowering and birds should be active as the breeding season is here. We will look out for wildflowers too.

As usual, please wear sturdy footwear, and bring water and any food you need for the morning. Binoculars are well worthwhile to help you observe the birds in the park and the surrounding paddocks.

Kathy Costello

Birdwatching outing to Reef Hills State Park,Thursday 14 August

29/7/2025

Our U3A birdwatching program for 2nd semester resumes on Thursday 14th August, with a visit to Reef Hills State Park, a 2,400 hectare mixed eucalypt forest with an excellent range of native understorey plants. The park is well worth visiting because of its proximity to Benalla and the diversity of bird species it supports. Perhaps some Golden Wattles will be flowering by mid August.

Please meet at the car park behind the Seniors Community Centre at 9am. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring binoculars if you have them. We may have time for a café visit afterwards.

Kathy Costello

May - Walk around the southern section of Lake Benalla

24/5/2025

Our group of 15 people had a productive visit to Lake Benalla on Thursday 8th May, with a total of 30 birds species recorded for the morning. Near the start of the walk we saw a feeding party of Superb Fairy-wrens, 3 Red-browed Finches (look for the red bill, red eyebrows and red rump on a small olive bird), a White-browed Scrubwren and Grey Fantail. A male Australian Darter gave us great views as it dried its wings in a secluded area near the walking track. We also observed three Yellow-billed Spoonbills high in a tree. An Azure Kingfisher landed on a branch above the water giving us distant views, and much closer was a pair of Brown Treecreepers near the last footbridge on our walk. These birds nest in a small tree hollow and like to be near fallen timber. Their powerful feet allow them to climb up tree trunks, looking for insects in the bark.

Photographer and 'script writer' - Andi Stevenson:

'Magpie Larks, Lake Benalla', Photographer Helen Repacholi

After the walk we convened to a café for coffee to finish an enjoyable morning.

Here is a link to the eBird list of the birds we recorded at Lake Benalla
https://ebird.org/checklist/S237620707

There will be a winter recess for June and July 2025, and the next Birdwatching group outing will be on Thursday 14th August.

Kathy Costello

Next outing - Lake Benalla, Thursday 8 May, meeting at 9am

25/4/2025

Our next outing is a walk around Lake Benalla Thursday 8th May 2025.

With a number of new members of the group this year, it seems a good idea to check out the birds around Lake Benalla. We will do the southern section of the walk which is about 2.5km. The water, the Red Gum woodland and the open parklands provide a variety of habitats for birds. And they’re used to people walking past.

We will meet beside the lake at the back of the library at 9 am (note earlier time). As usual, please wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring binoculars if you have them.

Kathy Costello

April - Birdwatching along the Glenrowan to Hamilton Park track

23/4/2025

At Glenrowan there is an excellent bitumen walking track between the town and Hamilton Park, beside Warby Range Road. Our group of twenty walked the Glenrowan end of the track past an orchard, a winery and the Grey Box trees and shrubs lining the roadside. The weather was fine but hazy from controlled burns in the area.

Our first raptor was a Whistling Kite flying over the orchard, but the second raptor was hard to identify as it flew past us. Thanks to a quick photo by Helen Repacholi with her long lens, and referral to several experienced birding friends, we identified the bird as a dark morph Little Eagle.

We also saw 2 Striated Pardalotes at the top of a power pole. The holes in the pole are just right for the tiny pardalotes to enter and build their nests. Traditionally they have nested in small tree hollows.

It was useful to compare Welcome Swallows with Tree Martins as they zoomed overhead catching insects. Brown-headed and White-plumed Honeyeaters, Grey Fantail, Spotted Pardalote and Weebill were some of the birds feeding along the roadside.

Photographs and story board - Andi Stevenson

Coffee and cake at the bakery made an enjoyable end to the morning. We recorded 17 bird species.

Here is a link to the eBird list https://ebird.org/checklist/S228401160

Kathy Costello

Coming up on Thursday 10 April - Glenrowan Area

3/4/2025

We will meet in the car park behind the Seniors and Community Centre for a drive to Glenrowan. The earlier time worked well for our trip to Euroa in March, so we will again meet at 9am. We will look for birds along a quiet roadside near Glenrowan in an area with lovely views. Hopefully there will be time for coffee in Glenrowan after the walk.
As usual, please wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and bring water as well as binoculars if you have them.

Kathy

March: Seven Creeks at Euroa

27/3/2025

Seventeen people, including a number of new members, attended the first birdwatching outing for the year to Seven Creeks at Euroa. With a very hot day forecast, we made good use of the shade along the creek. A large number of very noisy Little Corellas were seen well in the Red Gums. We also had good views of Pied Currawongs, Little Ravens, King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas and several Noisy Friarbirds. Small birds were hard to find, but we did see a pair of Grey Fantails in some understorey shrubs. A White-faced Heron was observed several times feeding in the creek.

We hadn’t reached the half way mark of the walk before deciding to retrace our steps, as the morning heat was becoming oppressive. Most of us then headed into Euroa to enjoy some refreshments and a chat.

We recorded 18 bird species. Here is the link to the bird list https://ebird.org/checklist/S219356190

Kathy Costello

March - Seven Creeks Walk at Euroa

25/2/2025

Our first meeting for 2025 will be held on Thursday 13th March. I like to start a bit earlier in the warmer months so we will meet at 9am, in the car park behind the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre, and car pool for the drive to Euroa.

We will walk the southern section of the track along Seven Creeks, where there is shade along much of the walk. We should see a good range of birdlife, as the water is a great attraction in this hot dry summer. If we complete the circuit, we will have walked just under 4km. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and bring a water bottle. If you have binoculars, bring them along for a much better view of the birds around the track.

Note that outings are automatically cancelled on days of Total Fire Ban.

Kathy Costello
Mob 0447 625755

Lurg property in November - "There were lots of places for a variety of birds to find food and shelter"

26/11/2024

Our final outing for the year was to private property in the Lurg area on Thursday 14th November. The gardens and surrounding area were fabulous, with lots of places for a variety of birds to find food and shelter: Striated Pardalotes on the TV aerial, White-browed Babblers in shrubs along the driveway, Red-rumped Parrots feeding in the grass, a Diamond Firetail perched on a fence, an Australasian Grebe on the dam and a large flock of Straw-necked Ibis in the paddock next door.

We recorded 25 species for our visit. Thanks to Karen & Peter for hosting our visit, and for the bonus of a lovely morning tea.

The Birdwatching program will resume in March 2025.

Kathy Costello

Our November outing - a bird friendly garden and bushland reserve in the Lurg area

24/10/2024

Our November outing will be on Thursday 14th November, when we will drive to a home with a lovely bird-friendly garden in the Lurg area. We will also visit a nearby bushland reserve.

Please meet at 9am (note earlier time) in the car park behind the Seniors Community Centre. You should wear sturdy walking shoes and a hat, and bring drinking water, and binoculars if you have them.

Kathy Costello

Lake Benalla in October - "35 species recorded"

24/10/2024

Lake Benalla was the location for our Birdwatching outing on Thursday 10th October. Seven of us enjoyed a sunny morning for our walk around the southern section of the walking track. A busy time of day with walkers, dogs and cyclists.

At the start of the walk, we had great views of Little Friarbirds, Sacred Kingfishers and a Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, then surprisingly three Pelicans on the lake. Four more Pelicans appeared later. It was disappointing we only had distant views of a couple of Dollarbirds, but the Yellow-billed Spoonbills gave us great views on a nest. We also saw a nesting Grey Fantail and Magpielark.

Photographs and script - Andi Stevenson

Thirty-five species made for a very successful morning bird walk. We then enjoyed morning tea and Ray and Bev’s place, while watching the birds in their garden.

Here is the link to the full bird list on eBird
https://ebird.org/checklist/S199958281

Kathy Costello

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.

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