NARAWNTAPU NATIONAL PARK, TASMANIA, Part Two (Feathered Creatures)

In this post I have featured some of the bird life we encountered during our four day stay at Narawntapu. 

  

Narawntapu from Archers Knob

Dodging the wombats around the campground were these Native-hens, one of the largest members of the family Rallidae, and also flightless. We saw these quirky birds throughout Tasmania, wherever there was any freshwater wetlands.

Tasmanian Native-hen

On Bakers Beach we came across a small party of Hooded Plovers. Tasmania is probably the best place to see these stunning little shore-birds, where they are still relatively common compared to their mainland counterparts.

Hooded Plover

Silver Gull

On the freshwater lake at Springlawn there were a few distant ducks, but closer to shore a lone grebe popped up for a photo opportunity in between dives.

Hoary-headed Grebe

In the scrub between lake and beach a few bush birds were present, trying their best to be the worst possible photographic subjects. In this they succeeded!

Tasmanian Thornbill

Golden Whistler - female 

On the job!

This great little National Park is a fantastic introduction to Tasmania and its wildlife and a must see for any nature lovers planning a trip to Tassie. Highly recommended!

Bakers Beach

Cheers & Happy Birding

NARAWNTAPU NATIONAL PARK, TASMANIA, Part One (Furry Creatures)

Late November 2012 we were on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry along with our car and caravan, bound for the Apple Isle, leaving Melbourne in our wake.

Melbourne skyline

This time of year with the busy tourist season beginning there were two ferries plying the Bass Strait. This was the sister ship that we passed en-route across this much maligned body of water.We had a smooth passage both ways fortunately and enjoyed the experience.

After an overnight stay in Devonport we drove the short distance to Narawntapu National Park where we set up at the main campground, Springlawn. This was our first good look at wombats in our travels. They are normally nocturnal, but here they were out and about in broad daylight, looking like giant, ground hugging, teddy bears.    

Springlawn, fresh water lake

Common Wombat

Some of the other local marsupials were easy enough to observe, although the Forester Kangaroos, a sub-species of  the mainland Eastern Grey, were only seen from a distance. They seemed to be shyer and much fewer in number than their smaller cousins. 

Tasmanian Pademelon

Tasmanian Pademelon

Narawntapu  apparently refers to the Aboriginal name for the coastal features of Badger Head and West Head..

Bakers Beach & Badger Head

Bennetts Wallaby

Bennetts Wallaby & joey

The wombats just went about their daily activities of grazing and pooping, while quite unconcerned by our presence.

Cheers and happy nature watching!

WESTERN TREATMENT PLANT

Back in November 2012 I spent a couple of days of full on birding at the Western Treatment Plant, not far from Werribee South where we were staying.  For those who may not know it is an environmentally friendly sewage treatment plant with over 10,850 hectares (26,800 acres) of lagoons, grasslands, inter-tidal and shoreline areas. With a bird list in excess of 280 species it's also arguably one of the best birding locations in Australia, and it did not disappoint. My list over the two days was 70 birds, including three lifers.

Cape Barren Goose

These crakes I spotted were new for my life list, along with Striated Fieldwren and Fairy Tern.

Australian Spotted Crake

Playing chasey!

Australian Shelduck

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

I utilized my spotting scope often, with many of the birds a fair distance out on the lagoons. A handy item to have if visiting this fantastic location.

Australian Pelican

Whiskered Tern

Red-necked Avocet

Great Crested Grebe

White-fronted Chat

Black Swans

A link to more info on the Western Treatment Plant  and how to apply for an entry permit, here: http://melbournewater.com.au/getinvolved/activities/Birdwatching/Pages/Birdwatching.aspx

Cheers & Happy Birding

WERRIBEE SOUTH

In mid November 2012 we were based not far from Melbourne, capital of Victoria, visiting family and friends and birding in the local area before heading to Tasmania. We stayed in a lovely little van park on the shores of Port Phillip Bay at Werribee South. Most of the images below were taken nearby.

  

Whiskered Terns

Red-necked Stint

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Pied Cormorants

The four introduced finch species present in Victoria, below. 

Common Greenfinch

European Goldfinch

House Sparrow - male

House Sparrows & Tree Sparrow (on right) 

Out at Braeside Park a pair of lorikeets were checking out some tree hollows for a suitable nest site.

Rainbow Lorikeets

Cheers & Happy Birding