Bird Group

The Bird Group caters for those interested in the study of the habits and habitats of our avian community. We leave the plants to the Plant Group, and the insects and animals to the Biodiversity Group, but many of our members are well acquainted with all aspects of natural history.

The Geelong area is richly endowed with bird species ranging from the birds of our sea shores through to the birds of the wet forests of the Otway Ranges or the dry forests of the Brisbane Ranges. These great birding sites, and they are regularly monitored by our members.

Members are regularly involved in bird surveys and all the main club excursions include a species tally which is recorded by a member of the Bird Group. A monthly mid-week Bird Group Excursion to local sites is well attended. Details are publicised in the Naturalist or contact us via e-mail for information.

Our meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month. A guest speaker gives us information on specific local birds, or birds of a particular habitat, usually accompanied by a fabulous slide show. We also learn about bird life overseas to help expand our knowledge of ornithology. Questions and discussions follow, and the observations from our club members are read and discussed. There are always plenty of them and often startling discoveries are revealed.

Topics are as varied as the members, and recently have included :- Crimson rosella

    ·Environmental Works at the Western Treatment Plant
    ·Lyrebirds
    ·Birds of Taiwan
    ·Eastern Swamphens

Our members take part in many counts and surveys:

  • Winter Wader Count and Summer Wader Count

  • Orange-bellied Parrot surveys

  • Swift parrot and Regent Honeyeater counts

  • Hooded Plover surveys

  • the Challenge Bird Count

Observations of birds of interest are reported during Bird Group meetings. These observations are collated to form the annual Geelong Bird Report, an invaluable guide to birding in the Geelong Region.

Members also contribute regularly to the Geelong Naturalist, the monthly magazine of the GFNC. Some of these interesting articles can be found on the Publications page of this site.

 

Geelong's Birding Hot Spots

Ironbark Basin
 A beautiful piece of varied bushland 25km southwest of Geelong, near the famous Bell's Beach. Take the Pt. Addis turnoff from the Anglesea Rd, just after the roundabout. Ironbark and messmate forests, more open grassy woodland with acacias and grasstrees, and beautiful coastal heath along the cliff-tops make this a very useful birding spot. Look for Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters, White-naped Honeyeaters, Southern Emu-wrens, Rufous Bristlebirds and more.  
Melway Ref: 511 - E9

Hospital Swamp
Part of the Lake Connewarre system, take Lake Road, off the Barwon Heads Road. A good sight for water-fowl and waders, Hospital Swamp seems to have more than its fair share of unusual and rare sightings around Geelong. As well as the regulars like Royal Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Spoonbill and Red-kneed Dotterel, you may be lucky enough to see Magpie Geese, Glossy Ibis, White-winged Terns, Marsh Sandpipers or Wood Sandpipers. 
Melway Ref: 511 - F8

 

Inverleigh Common / Bannockburn Bush
One of the few remaining Yellow-gum grasslands, this is a great area for many birds. The late winter / early spring flowering of the magnificent Yellow-gums make it an important stop-over for nectar feeders, like Spiny-cheeked and Black-chinned Honeyeaters, while White-backed Woodswallows, Olive-backed Orioles and Jacky Winters are reported at other times. Take the Hamilton Highway to Inverleigh or Ballarat Road to Bannockburn. 
Melway Ref: 511 -C6

Contact us if you want to know more about us, our meetings or excursions, or if you have any interesting sightings.

Page last modified 09/10/2004