Birdwatching Trip Report from Tasmania

This report covers a 19 day period from 21st February to 11th March. The timing of the trip was governed by our commitments to running the lodge and as this was the ‘Wet Season’ with few visitors we were able to get away for a break. Jan England came up from the Sunshine Coast to look after the lodge for us, thanks Jan.

Tasmania has 12 endemic species (shown below) as well as many subspecies, these were the main birds to locate but there were other “southern” species we wanted to see.

(Passerine information is taken from The Directory of Australian Birds Schodde and Mason (1999), other information from HANZAB).

In addition to these sub-species there are more that spend time in Tasmania and migrate to the mainland such as Scarlet Robin Petroica boodang leggii, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae novaehollandiae, Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans nigricans, Silvereye Zosterops lateralis lateralis.

Dave’s book is a photographic guide and like most photographic guides they only show one aspect of the bird and not always the identification features but it was still very useful. Identification, habits, voice, habitat, breeding, distribution and where to see are the headings for each species description. We found these generally helpful apart from the where to see section. We found some out of date information like Lake Tiberias does not exist at the moment. The lake has dried out due to the prolonged drought and is being farmed. The nearby Lake Dulverton at Oatlands was also dry and had been for 10-15 years we were told by a local. Little Corella are in Hobart, (have been for many years according to locals) but not shown on the distribution map. It would also be useful to distinguish the 12 endemics from the other species and also note the sub-species. These are just a couple of things we found but overall the book was very useful to us and well worth getting.

Dave Stewart’s Bird call CD Australian Bird Calls: Tasmania is also worth getting to familiarise yourself with the local bird calls . (www.naturesound.com.au/cd_tasmania.htm). The CD has the calls for the 12 endemics plus a further 68 species, many of which call differently to their mainland counterparts.

We used the Tasmania visitors map put out by Tasmania’s Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (www.discovertasmania.com). This was adequate for us as we were driving mostly on main roads. Hema maps outdoor guide ‘Discover Tasmania’ is a very useful book with lots of information from planning your trip, getting around, what to do and more specific information on the various regions. We found this useful as we were sightseeing as well as birding.

If you intend to visit the many National Parks obtain a Holiday Pass $50.00 per vehicle (up to 8 people) (this will be $56.00 from November 1st 2007) or $30.00 per person from www.parks.tas.gov.au/natparks otherwise it will cost you $20.00 per 24hrs. We ordered ours via the web site, which saves queuing up when you are there and also the hassle of waiting for the offices to open at 9.00am when you will want to be elsewhere birding!

The Parks and Wildlife Tasmania web site www.parks.tas.gov.au is very comprehensive and well worth spending some time exploring. Download the information sheets on various parks, bird lists and other species list from the site otherwise you will have to purchase them at the park. We generally found that by arriving at the more popular parks early in the morning we avoided the crowds and were able to birdwatch in peace.

We were very impressed with the Tasmanian tourist information, especially all the accommodation places which are clearly signposted from the main roads.

Coming from a warm climate we are used to getting up at first light to go birding but we soon found out that not much happens early in the morning in the cooler climate of Tasmania, generally not much going on before 8.00am at this time of year.

We flew out of Cairns on the early morning Qantas flight at 5.45am for Sydney. We were using up some frequent flyer points hence using Qantas. We had nearly five hours in Sydney before our connecting flight to Hobart so decided to catch the train to Circular Quay ($16.50 each). The QE 2 was in port so there were a lot of sightseers but not as many as the day before when the larger Queen Mary was berthed at Garden Island as well. We wandered around to the botanic gardens and did some birding, nothing unusual just the species you would expect – those that have adapted to the urban environment. One of the ponds had several pairs of Little Black Cormorants nesting in palm trees on an island.

1030-1215 Sydney Botanic Gardens, NSW Habitat: Landscaped Lat: 33 51 50 S Long: 151 12 50 E

Out to sea was a line of boats with very powerful lights, which even lit us up, they were squid fishers attracting their quarry to the surface.

Peter Murrell Reserves consists of the Peter Murrell State Reserve (133ha), the Peter Murrell Conservation Area (135ha) and a public reserve (8ha); together they are known as the Peter Murrell Reserves and considered as one land management area. There are areas marked for walking, dog walking, fishing and cycling as well as 25ha being leased to a pony club (information from www.parks.tas.gov.au ). We were dismayed that birdwatching did not rate highly as an activity within the reserve and wrote to the Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania asking that it be included in any future management plans. There are extensive fire and weed management plans for the reserves. The reserves are named after Peter Murrell who was a past director of Tasmania’s National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Anyway back to the birding. Tall White Gum Eucalyptus viminalis (up to 50m) occur near Penryn Pond and along the Coffee Creek trail which heads off to the right at the pond; this is Forty-Spotted Pardalote habitat. The Coffee Creek Trail actually heads off with Penryn Pond on your left but if you go past the pond then turn right another trail that had Coffee Creek marked on it goes to the left of the pond and runs parallel to the Coffee Creek marked on our map. (Download from: - www.parks.tas.gov.au/publications/tech/murrellFMP/summary.html ).

Whilst checking this out another bird flew in and landed on a nearby bush, it was a Pallid Cuckoo, not one we had thought about seeing. What a great place, eight lifers for us which was something we had not had for many years. By now it was lunch time and an excuse to get out of the inclement weather.

1020-1235 Peter Murrell Reserves, Kingston, Hobart. Habitat: Various woodland types, Buttongrass and heathland communities. Lat: 42 59 52 S Long: 147 17 29 E

1445-1535 Mt. Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Habitat: Wet Rainforest Lat: 42 55 21 S Long: 147 15 29 E Rain, drizzle and cold.

1640-1720 Waterworks Reserve, Hobart. Habitat: open water/wood Lat: 42 54 36 S Long: 147 17 25 E

Awoke to a more promising day which pleased us as we had a trip booked to fly to Melaleuca (SW Tasmanian wilderness, where the Orange-bellied Parrot breeds), in the afternoon. We went back to Peter Murrell Park to try our luck in more favourable weather conditions. Did not see anything new but got better looks at some of the birds including Black-headed Honeyeater and Yellow Wattlebird. The Forty-spotted Pardalote was again seen in the Eucalypts beside Penryn Pond and then further along the Coffee Creek Fire Trail. Also seen was a pair of Platypus in Heron Pond, much larger that our Platypus up north. The Swamp Harrier was again soaring around over the reserve.

0815-0940 Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Habitat: Woodland Lat: 42 59 52 S Long: 147 17 29 E

We took the Sandy Bay Road along the coast back towards Hobart stopping off along the way to investigate Truganini Reserve at the foot of Mt. Nelson. Very quiet here but we did add Spotted Turtle-Dove to our trip list!

1010-1030 Truganini Reserve, Mt. Nelson, Hobart Habitat: Woodland Lat: 42 55 56 S Long: 147 21 19 E

It was well past smoko time so we drove up to the top of Mt. Nelson and sat admiring the view over a cup of coffee.

The old signal station on the summit was part of a series of semaphore stations between the convict settlement of Port Arthur (approx. 50km south-east) and Hobart; a signal using flags would take about 15 minutes. General Macquarie ordered the establishment of the Signal Station in 1811 and specified that the station was to consist of a mast and barracks for a corporal's Guard. Over the years it was built up from a two armed semaphore to a three arm (capable of 666 code signals) and eventually in 1838 a six arm (capable of over 900,000 separate signals). An electric telegraph was established in 1858. Port Arthur was abandoned in 1877 and the semaphore mast removed in the 1880’s. End of Lesson!

Continuing on we went into Hobart to buy lunch and a bit of shopping. Whilst here we received a phone call to tell us that our afternoon flight to Melaleuca in the south west was cancelled due to bad weather there – big disappointment as we had been looking forward to catching up with the Orange-bellied Parrots. Change of plan for the afternoon – we headed back up Mt. Wellington as the weather in Hobart was sunny and warm. From the city we travelled along Davey Street (A6) and Huon Road (B64) to Fern Tree, and then turned right onto Pinnacle Road (C616), this is the access road to Mt. Wellington summit. We stopped off at The Springs (13km from Hobart and about 3.5km from Fern Tree) on the way up for lunch. The Springs is situated at 720m where the Lenah Valley Track starts behind the toilet block. After lunch we walked a few hundred metres along this track and had Green Rosella, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Olive Whistler (a lifer for Lindsay) Grey Fantail and Forest Raven. From here it is a further 9km to The Pinnacle at 1270m. More information is available at: www.wellingtonpark.tas.gov.au/pdf/visitinformation.pdf

After admiring the view through the cloud we drove back down to the junction of Huon Road and turned right before parking at the Fern Glade Track entrance about 100m on the right. The walk along the track was in better weather than the day before but the birds were still quiet. A fleeting glimpse of a bird hopping out of sight along a tree branch could have been the elusive Scrubtit but not countable.

1515-1610 Mt. Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Habitat: Wet Rainforest Lat: 42 55 21 S Long: 147 15 29 E

From here we went to Kingston Beach where there was no birds and then back to the Kingston Stormwater Wetlands

located near the confluence of Whitewater Creek and Browns River within the urban area of Kingston. The Wetlands site is now being utilised for the collection and treatment of stormwater run-off from Kingston Rivulet and a first flush portion of Whitewater Creek. Despite it being promoted as a key community educational, aesthetic and recreational asset, we found it neglected and overgrown and badly in need of some maintenance to open up the walking tracks. Nothing to write home about here, Pacific Black Duck, Masked Lapwing and European Goldfinch, which was a pity as the area had potential if it was cleaned up. More info here:

A leisurely start to the day (well we were on holiday after all), saw us once again heading into Hobart to sample the Salamanca Markets for a few hours. We managed lunch at the nearby Bake House (recommended) before driving out of town towards the airport. At the airport we managed to organise our hire car for an extra half day which meant we could try for the plane trip to Melaleuca on our last full day. This was organised at the nearby Cambridge Airport.

Back on the road (A3) towards Sorell, we crossed over Pitt Water on the causeway and noticed a sign on the right saying Bird Sanctuary. We turned into Giblin Drive beside a large Garden Centre and followed the road into a small industrial area where a piece of waste ground on our right overlooked a small muddy backwater. Wow a few waders, Greenshank and Eastern Curlew as well as Black-faced Cormorant, a lifer for us both.

1350-1410 Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart Habitat: Coastal Lat: 42 47 38 S Long: 147 33 47 E

From Sorell we followed the A9 down to Eaglehawk Neck where we were booked on the following days pelagic. After looking around we found no sign of a jetty or boat so took the C338 around to Pirates Bay which is signposted Tasman Blowhole. It was here we found the jetty and the Pauletta, the boat for the pelagic. However the boat had just moored at the jetty and was disgorging lots of people with binoculars around their necks – did we have the wrong day! We checked our dates and we were booked for the following day, panic over.

We went back onto the main road and continued down to our accommodation, Masons Cottages, 5741 Arthur Highway Taranna about 10 km away.

We had a few hours to fill in so we headed down towards Port Arthur and turned off towards Fortescue Bay via the Tasman National Park. Stopping along the way we saw Tasmanian Scrubwren and Thornbill, Dusky Robin, Golden Whistler and Grey Fantail. On our way back to the main road we caught a glimpse of a Tasmanian Devil running across the road. We had heard about Cape Barron Geese along the road back towards Taranna opposite the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park and saw 2 foraging in a paddock, not sure whether they were wild but they did not allow a close approach. We checked later with other local birdos who said they were wild so they went onto our list of lifers.

S. Taranna opp. Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park Habitat: Grass paddock Lat: 43 3 12 S Long: 147 51 52 E

0720-1530 Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania Habitat: Oceanic Lat: 43 55 48 S Long: 148 36 36 E

Today was going to be a big day as we were driving from Taranna to Loongana about 50km SW of Devonport on the northern Tasmanian coast. From Taranna we took the A9 back to Sorell then the road to the historic town of Richmond (C351). A stop by the Coal River produced mainly introduced species, which fitted in well with the introduced plants.

0930-0950 Richmond, Coal River Habitat: Riverine Lat: 42 44 13 S Long: 147 26 10 E

From Richmond we headed north along the B31 with the intention of turning of at Colebrook along the C313 to Lake Tiberias but we could not find the correct road so kept heading along the road towards Oatlands. It was along this stretch that we came across a muddy farm dam that had a lot of birds in it, mainly Chestnut Teal.

1045-1105 Lagoon 13.8 km NW of Colebrook Habitat: Farm Dam Lat: 42 25 16 S Long: 147 18 35 E

Continuing up the road we found the northern end of the C313 so headed south a few kilometres to find Lake Tiberias. The lake was not where it was marked on our map; all we could find were ploughed up paddocks. So we went to Oatlands for lunch beside Lake Dulverton Conservation Area. The only problem here was that despite the signs showing it to be a conservation area for waterbirds there was no water, it was dry. A local who passed by told us that it had been dry for at least 10 years due to the drought, which was probably the reason we could not find Lake Tiberias. There was a small area further along from where we parked that had a dam put in to try and retain any remaining water. The resulting small pond had a few birds on it and a lot of water weeds covering it.

1145-1220 Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands Habitat: Dry Wetland Lat: 42 18 5 S Long: 147 22 32 E

Continuing north along Highway 1 we reached Perth and had a rest alongside the South Esk River. It was very relaxing watching the river pass by and a few birds flitting around in the trees.

1420-1510 Perth, South Esk River Habitat: Riverine Lat: 41 34 41 S Long: 147 10 42 E

We eventually stirred ourselves into action and took the road to Deloraine (B52 & B54), here we stocked up on supplies and had a coffee. The B13 and the C156 then took us to Sheffield, famous for its wall murals on many of the buildings. Just outside the town we noticed a Wedge-tailed Eagle soar over the road (sub-species tick). The Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagle has been isolated from the mainland birds for 10 000 years and has become a separate subspecies. They are listed as endangered as only about 130 pairs have successfully bred each year.

Garnett & Crowley in their Action Plan for Australian Birds (2000) state” there are about 500 mature individuals in a sub-population, which is slowly decreasing in size”.

(Incidental survey) Sheffield Habitat: Open Woodland Lat: 41 22 57 S Long: 146 19 18 E

After dinner the night’s entertainment was provided by Len who put out some road kill which attracted a Spotted Quoll, several Common Brushtail Possums, Tasmanian Pademelon and Tasmanian Devils. The devils arrived later in the evening and appeared to be very healthy with no signs of the facial cancers which are affecting many populations. Quite an impressive animal, aggressive, solid and one not to tangle with. An Australian Owlet-nightjar called but was not seen; it turned out to be the only sign of night birds on the whole trip.

Awoke at 5.00am with a bat doing laps of the room, took 10mins to encourage it to leave by the front door. Very quiet for birds this morning in the forest so we returned for breakfast. Packed up and said farewell to Pat and Len then headed to our next destination Cradle Mountain.

Mountain Valley Wilderness, Loongana 40 km S of Burnie. Habitat: Wood, Riverine, Lat: 41 24 58 S Long: 145 58 34 E

After this excitement we returned to the visitor centre for a warm cup of coffee. We then joined the hoards to walk to Russell Falls and then continuing to the Tall Trees Walk we lost most of the people. Quite a spectacular walk through wet sclerophyll forest with gigantic emergent eucalypts 70m tall, with a closed understorey of several Acacia species 25-30m in height, and the indicator species Olearia argophylla (musk). Ground cover is 3-4m and sparse consisting mainly of fern species (Dicksonia antartica). The vegetation structure is a discontinuing canopy of Eucalyptus obliqua and Eucalyptus regnans, suggesting fire events of reasonably long intervals.

Bird life here was pretty quiet with only three species but we did get to see our only Long-nosed Potoroo for the trip.

1235-1255 Tall Trees Walk, Mt. Field NP Habitat: wet sclerophyll forest Lat: 42 40 50 S Long: 146 42 6 E

Altitude: 250m

Tasmanian Thornbill
Yellow-throated Honeyeater
Golden Whistler

Mammal

Long-nosed Potoroo

Back to the Wren’s Nest for lunch and deciding to check out the nearby Styx Forest Road but after 6km turned around and headed home. The road was too rough for our little car and it might not have made the remaining 9km let alone the drive back! Stopped at a likely looking birding spot but all was quiet. In the evening we went over the road to the Giant’s Table Restaurant for a lovely meal. There is also accommodation here with seven self contained cottages (www.giantstable.com ), which were originally built as single men’s quarters for forestry workers. The owners are busy replanting and creating a small lagoon which has Platypus in it.

Monday 5th March 2007

A cold and showery morning greeted us and it was difficult to get out of bed. However we had planned to go to Lake Pedder and the Gordon Dam so off we went. The Gordon River Road (B61) from Maydena is about 72km to Strathgordon and a further 12km to the Gordon Dam. About 25km along the Strathgordon Road from Maydena as we were passing through the Boyd Forest Reserve a pair of Superb Lyrebird were standing on the road. Superb Lyrebird’s were first introduced into Mt. Field National Park in 1934 and Hastings Cave (far southern Tasmania) in 1945 in order to save the bird from the perceived threat of the introduced European Fox and habitat loss on the mainland. They have prospered and extended their range and may pose a threat to Tasmanian flora and fauna due to their vigorous scratching activities as they hunt for invertebrates. There is no equivalent to the lyrebird in Tasmania and their scratching behaviour maybe altering the ecosystems of the wet forests. The population is now estimated to be around 9000.

0930 Boyd Forest Reserve, 25km SW of Maydena Habitat: Rainforest Lat: 42 49 18 S Long: 146 20 14 E

Superb Lyrebird Male & Female on road.

Further along the road we stopped to investigate a large flock of birds which zipped across the road in front of us, they turned out to be Crescent Honeyeater’s and Green Rosella’s.

0945-1005 Maydena-Strathgordon Rd, 11.5km SE Strathgordon Habitat: Open Heath

Lat: 42 50 15 S Long: 146 8 34 E Altitude: 333m

Green Rosella
Tasmanian Thornbill
Crescent Honeyeater
Olive Whistler

The countryside around here is quite spectacular with the Gordon River Road passing through rainforest, tall hardwood forests and wet myrtle forests. The road crosses the canal at McPartlan Pass which joins Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon. This canal transfer’s water from Lake Pedder to Lake Gordon with the water level in Pedder regulated so it does not fluctuate by more than 1.5m. We continued onto Gordon Dam in the drizzle and had views of Lake Gordon which had a very low level of water in it revealing masses of fallen timber around its shores – a result of the flooding and not a pretty sight. We did not stay long here and retraced our steps back to Lake Pedder and did a bit of birding in the rain.

1125-1145 Lake Pedder, Ted's Beach, Habitat: Heath-lake Lat: 42 47 19 S Long: 146 3 33 E Raining

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Tasmanian Scrubwren
Crescent Honeyeater

Continuing on back down the road we could see Mt. Wedge appearing out of the clouds and decided to have lunch at the Wedge Forest Reserve. Luckily there was a shelter here out of the rain. We decided not to do the 5hr return walk to the Mt. Wedge summit!

1210-1245 (Lunch stop). Mt. Wedge Picnic Area, 19km SE Strathgordon Lat: 42 51 36 S Long: 146 13 57 E

Tasmanian Scrubwren
Tasmanian Thornbill
Crescent Honeyeater

From here we returned to Maydena. By this time it was quite miserable with a temperature drop making it cold and still raining, however later in the afternoon it started clearing and we headed out to Junee Cave State Reserve 4km away along an unsealed road. Great move as we saw a few good birds along the 5 min. walk to the cave including a Pink Robin, which was a lifer for us both. The cave is interesting as well with the Junee River emerging from it after travelling 30 km from the Mt. Field plateau through a series of underground caves and passages.

1330-1420 Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena Habitat: Rainforest Lat: 42 44 25 S Long: 146 35 47 E

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Green Rosella
Superb Fairy-wren
Tasmanian Scrubwren
Tasmanian Thornbill
Yellow-throated Honeyeater
Pink Robin Lifer.
Grey Fantail
Silvereye

Tuesday 6th March 2007

This morning was cold and foggy at 6.00am when we arose for an early start before 8.00am. Said farewell to the “Wrens Nest” and headed out to Mt. Field National Park for a last look.

4/03/2007 - 6/03/2007 “The Wrens Nest”, Maydena 62.6 km NW of Hobart. Habitat: Rural

Lat: 42 45 21 S Long: 146 37 16 E

Masked Lapwing
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Laughing Kookaburra
Superb Fairy-wren
Tasmanian Scrubwren
Tasmanian Thornbill
Yellow Wattlebird
Scarlet Robin
Grey Shrike-thrush
Grey Fantail
Forest Raven
European Goldfinch
Common Blackbird

Not much happening at Mt. Field National Park, most birds were still tucked up in a warm place! So we drove back onto the B61 and then the B62 to New Norfolk. Found an internet café with broadband and spent half an hour getting rid of 150+ junk emails before we could answer the genuine emails.

After smoko drove back onto the A10 heading towards Hobart with a stop at Granton alongside the River Derwent to check out the waterbirds. The Chestnut Teal were the most numerous.

1055-1115 Granton, Derwent Habitat: Wetland Lat: 42 44 59 S Long: 147 13 10 E

Black Swan
Pacific Black Duck
Australasian Shoveler
Chestnut Teal
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Masked Lapwing
Crested Tern

Passed through Hobart and joined the A6 to Kingston on the southern side before joining the B68 to Kettering. Along the way we passed through Snug, what a great name. Kettering is where the ferry (www.transport.tas.gov.au/bruny_island_ferry ) leaves for Bruny Island (www.brunyisland.com/ferry), our next destination The café at the ferry terminal is well worth a visit and we had a most enjoyable lunch (Salmon Quiche and soup) here before we caught the ferry. After a short ride on the ferry (15 mins) we arrived at Bruny Island and headed south (B66) to the neck which joins the north and south parts of Bruny; it’s only 100m wide but 5 km long. There are Fairy Penguin and Short-tailed Shearwater colonies here where you can see the birds coming ashore in the evening twilight. We climbed up the 150+ steps to the lookout on the cliffs for a view of the island. Further south the road changes into the C628 (unsealed) before turning back into the B66 again. We reached our destination at “Inala” on the Cloudy Bay Road and met up with our host Dr. Tonia Cochran whom we had met the year before at Kingfisher Park when she was guiding. Tonia has a fantastic property of 500 acres which has a bird species list of 93 including all the Tasmanian endemics; the highlight being a large colony of the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote.

We checked into the cottage (really a small house) and immediately saw a Flame Robin perched on a fence post outside – a lifer for Lindsay, another one back on me. There were also Scarlet and Dusky Robin’s about in the yard. Further along the property road we saw several of the endemics, Green Rosella, a number of Forty-spotted Pardalote, Yellow Wattlebird and Black-headed Honeyeater. There was also a couple of Beautiful Firetails and plenty of New Holland Honeyeater’s around. Had a lazy evening watching classic albums on the TV – Pink Floyds “Dark Side of the Moon” – definitely a classic.

Tuesday 7th March 2007

Slow start to the morning which was shrouded in mist but once that lifted we headed for Cape Bruny lighthouse (C629 aptly named Lighthouse Road)). Along the way we saw a Grey Shrike-thrush fly across the road so we stopped to investigate and immediately heard many birds calling. There was a pair of Striated Pardalote displaying with wings outstretch doing mock aeroplanes! Other excellent sightings at this site were a male Satin Flycatcher and a party of Strong-billed Honeyeaters ripping away at the bark of the eucalypts. Good start to the day.

1015-1035 Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Is. 3.4km NE Cape Bruny Habitat: Woodland Lat: 43 28 28 S Long: 147 10 21 E

Green Rosella
Striated Pardalote
Brown Thornbill
Yellow-throated Honeyeater
Strong-billed Honeyeater
Black-headed Honeyeater
Crescent Honeyeater
Eastern Spinebill
Dusky Robin
Grey Shrike-thrush
Satin Flycatcher

From the lighthouse car park we took a walk along the cliffs through the low heath, heard a Brown Quail call, saw one Australasian Gannet out to sea and a Dusky Robin perched on a do not fall of the edge of the cliffs sign.

1055-1115 Cape Bruny, Bruny Island Habitat: Coastal heath Lat: 43 29 47 S Long: 147 8 49 E

Brown Quail
Australasian Gannet
Dusky Robin

A short drive away from Cape Bruny is Jetty Beach which has a small camping area. This was a great little spot that Tonia had told us about. She said to look out for Bassian Thrush and we duly saw one hopping around in the campground, most unlikely habitat.

Found a pair of Swift Parrot foraging in the trees and had great views; this was a lifer for Lindsay – another one back on me. We were lucky to see the Swift Parrots as they head back to the mainland in February early March; they arrive in August/September to breed. There is a circuit walk from Jetty Bay which takes in the Labillardiere Peninsula and takes anywhere between 5 to 6.5hrs return depending on which brochure you read but we choose not to do this as the weather was still looking threatening.

With the wind whistling around us we had a warming cup of coffee and some sandwiches then left the Jetty Bay campground to backtrack to the road to Adventure Bay via Mt Mangana (591m).

1145-1220 Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny Habitat: Coastal woodland

Lat: 43 27 40 S Long: 147 9 5 E

Silver Gull
Green Rosella
Swift Parrot Lifer for Lindsay.
Superb Fairy-wren
Yellow-throated Honeyeater
Black-headed Honeyeater
Crescent Honeyeater
New Holland Honeyeater
Golden Whistler
Silvereye
Bassian Thrush

The Mt. Mangana road is winding, steep and unsealed but makes a pleasant change from the lowland main road. We stopped at the Mt. Mangana walk and decided to investigate the walking track in the rain, not one of our better ideas! After about 10mins we turned around and returned to the car having seen no birds and only heard one call which we could not identify.

1325-1345 Mt. Mangana (591m) Bruny Island, 3.5km NNW Adventure Bay Habitat: Wet Rainforest

Lat: 43 21 29 S Long: 147 17 6 E

No bird species.

We turned off the Mt. Mangana road to do the loop road via Mavista Nature Walk to Adventure Bay. It was still drizzling when we started the Mavista Nature Walk which followed the creek through a tree fern forest. Again pretty quiet for birds but we did see some. Did not do the whole walk due to the lousy weather

1400-1420 Mavista Nature Walk Bruny Island (418m) 3km S of Adventure Bay Habitat: Temperate Rainforest

Lat: 43 22 40 S Long: 147 19 17 E

Green Rosella
Tasmanian Thornbill
Pink Robin (F)
Golden Whistler

Drove into Adventure Bay where we were greeted by the new and old - very big pretentious houses scrambling up the cliffs in amongst the beach shacks of old. Stopping along the beach we searched for the reported Greenfinches but none were to be seen, only a few Silver Gulls loafing on the beach. From here we retraced our steps over the Mt. Mangana road to Lunawanna where we got a few supplies at the local store (fuel was also available here as well). Back to Inala for a rest then out again, this time with Tonia who was coming out to dinner with us at Penguins Café in Adventure Bay (www.penguincafe.com.au ). So it was back over the Mt. Mangana road again. Tonia identified a Brush Bronzewing as it flew across the road in front of us.

0645 Mt. Mangana Rd. Bruny Island Habitat: Rainforest Lat: 43 22 27 S Long: 147 15 44 E

Brush Bronzewing

Once in Adventure Bay Tonia showed us the strange looking white form of Bennett’s Wallaby foraging in the front gardens of the houses. There are quite a few here (maybe 100+) which the locals are proud of. After a great meal in the Penguin Café it was back to Inala over that road again.

Wednesday 8th March 2007

Up early at 6.30am to watch my soccer team Arsenal draw with PSV Eindhoven and go out of the European Cup – not a good start to the day! Said farewell to our host Tonia and drove to the ferry.

06/03/2007 - 08/03/2007 Inala, Bruny Island Habitat: woodland Lat: 43 23 31 S Long: 147 14 59 E

Dr. Tonia Cochran’s property on South Island.

Swamp Harrier
Brown Falcon
Tasmanian Native-hen
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Green Rosella
Superb Fairy-wren
Forty-spotted Pardalote
Brown Thornbill
Yellow Wattlebird
Crescent Honeyeater
Eastern Spinebill
Scarlet Robin
Flame Robin Lifer for Lindsay.
Dusky Robin
Golden Whistler
Grey Shrike-thrush
Dusky Woodswallow
Forest Raven
Richard’s Pipit
Beautiful Firetail
Welcome Swallow
Tree Martin
Common Blackbird

Mammal

Red-necked Wallaby (Bennett's Wallaby). Also saw white form at Adventure Bay.

The early morning ferry was crowded and many were left behind to catch the next one, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time if you have a tight schedule. Drove back to Hobart and restocked our food supplies before taking the Tasman Highway (A3) to Swansea via Sorell and Orford. Stopped by the ocean in Orford looking out to Maria Island and had lunch in the car due to the howling gale. We were soon surrounded by the obligatory Silver Gulls looking for handouts but we did not give in to temptation. Continued along the Tasman Highway (A3) passing through Swansea and turned off to Dolphin Sands where we had friends living. Their property is situated along a peninsula in an open woodland and had a few new trip species, such as Musk Lorikeet, Eastern Rosella, Noisy Miner and Grey Butcherbird.

Thursday 9th March 2007

Our friend Jon suggested he show us around the area which we were happy to do as it gave us a day off driving. We drove back to the highway passing through some of the Webster walnut orchards. Once back on the Tasman Highway we immediately saw a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles perched in dead tree in a grassy paddock. Another good start to the day.

Tasman Highway 2.5km NW of Swansea Habitat: Grassy Paddock Lat: 42 6 34 S Long: 148 3 11 E

Wedge-tailed Eagle 2 birds beside Tasman Highway.

The weather was drizzly and quite cold as we turned off the highway, near the Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve (www.parks.tas.gov.au/reserves/moulting_lagoon/index.html , for Freycinet National Park. We could see lots of little floating huts on the water of the lagoon and thought they were hides for shooters but Jon told us they were shelters for nesting Black Swans. The Black Swans give Moulting Lagoon its name due to the shedding of their flight feathers, which can frequently be seen piled up along the shoreline. The lagoon is a Ramsar site due to its importance as a breeding ground for various waterfowl beside the swans and it also attracts many migratory birds.

The park turned out to be very popular with the car parks nearly full and lots of hardened walkers heading off in the drizzle. We were not so keen and only walked a short distance before turning around and seeking shelter in the dry car. No sensible birds were out in this weather so we had nothing to record here. Drove up to a very windy lookout on the cliffs and had lunch in the car.

Headed back to Swansea via a lookout overlooking Moulting Lagoon where we saw two more Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring over the road – managed to get a few flight shots.

1415 Tasman Highway, Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve 4.7km ENE of Cranbrook. Habitat: Wetland

Lat: 41 59 27 S Long: 148 7 11 E

Wedge-tailed Eagle - 2 birds along the Tasman Highway 4.7km ENE of Cranbrook.

At Swansea the weather had cleared and we went for a walk along the cliffs at Waterloo Point beside the golf course. The walk has an unusual name Loon.tite.ter.mair.re.le.hoin.er and passes through a Short-tailed Shearwater breeding area, the birds are here October-April. From the cliffs we could see a few Short-tailed Shearwaters, Pacific Gulls and hundreds of Crested Terns fishing and flying back to Waterloo Beach near the jetty in Swansea. Around at the beach were many Silver Gulls and Crested Terns which I photographed.

From here we went back to Dolphin Sands and to the end of the peninsula at Nine Mile Beach – a new trip tick here was a pelican.

1625 Nine Mile Beach, 13.6km ENE Swansea Habitat: Coastal Lat: 42 5 44 S Long: 148 13 59 E

Australian Pelican
Silver Gull
New Holland Honeyeater
Silvereye

Friday 10th March 2007

Our last full day in Tasmania, said farewell to our friends and headed south towards Hobart.

08/03/2007 - 10/03/2007 Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea Lat: 42 5 52 S Long: 148 5 4 E

Habitat: Eucalypt Woodland

Time to return after just over 2 hrs on the ground, this time we flew back overland crossing jagged peaks such as the spectacular Federation Peak (1300m). It was named in 1901 and first climbed in 1949; nowadays there are still crazy people climbing to the top! It’s a 5-9 day return trek to the peak with the final 200m is near vertical and the ultimate challenge for many walkers/climbers in this part of the world but as it is in one of the worst weather regions of Tasmania many don’t make it. I suppose it’s a bit like birdwatching in a way! From the air the scars of logging were very obvious and the remnants of recent bush fires, which had closed several walking tracks, were still smouldering. It was interesting to fly over Hobart and see the sprawl of the city and suburbs as we returned to Cambridge Airfield. It was a great way to spend an afternoon and well worth the cost of the trip - seeing the Orange-bellied Parrot was well worth it alone. We were glad we went on the afternoon trip as a group of birdos on the morning trip had missed out on the parrot.

Our last evening was spent with our friends in Hobart at an excellent vegetarian restaurant run by the brother of one of our north Queensland friends. (Sirens Vegetarian, 655 Victoria St, Hobart. ph: (03) 6234 2634).

Our friends we stayed with at Kingston were on a hill overlooking the River Derwent, hence the White-bellied Sea-Eagle sighting.

21/02/2007 - 11/03/2007

Kingston, Hobart. Habitat: Urban Lat: 42 58 54 S Long: 147 18 32 E

White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Rock Dove
Little Corella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Little Wattlebird
New Holland Honeyeater
Australian Magpie
House Sparrow
Common Starling

Saturday 11th March 2007

An early start to the day as we had to catch a 7.00am flight out of Hobart and back home to Julatten.

Species Recorded

Brown Quail
Blue-billed Duck
Musk Duck
Black Swan
Cape Barren Goose
Australian Shelduck
Australian Wood Duck
Mallard
Pacific Black Duck
Australasian Shoveler
Chestnut Teal
Australasian Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Southern Giant-Petrel
Great-winged Petrel
Fairy Prion
White-chinned Petrel
Sooty Shearwater
Short-tailed Shearwater
Fluttering Shearwater
Wandering Albatross
Black-browed Albatross
Shy Albatross
Yellow-nosed Albatross
Buller's Albatross
Grey-backed Storm-Petrel
White-faced Storm-Petrel
Australian Gannet
Little Pied Cormorant
Black-faced Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Australian Pelican
White-faced Heron
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Swamp Harrier
Grey Goshawk
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Brown Falcon
Tasmanian Native-hen
Eurasian Coot
Eastern Curlew
Common Greenshank
Pied Oystercatcher
Sooty Oystercatcher
Masked Lapwing
Pacific Gull
Kelp Gull
Silver Gull
Caspian Tern
Crested Tern
Rock Dove
Spotted Turtle-Dove
Brush Bronzewing
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Little Corella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Musk Lorikeet
Green Rosella
Eastern Rosella
Swift Parrot
Orange-bellied Parrot
Pallid Cuckoo
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Laughing Kookaburra
Superb Lyrebird
Superb Fairy-wren
Spotted Pardalote
Forty-spotted Pardalote
Striated Pardalote
Tasmanian Scrubwren
Scrubtit
Brown Thornbill
Tasmanian Thornbill
Yellow Wattlebird
Little Wattlebird
Noisy Miner
Yellow-throated Honeyeater
Strong-billed Honeyeater
Black-headed Honeyeater
Crescent Honeyeater
New Holland Honeyeater
Eastern Spinebill
Scarlet Robin
Flame Robin
Pink Robin
Dusky Robin
Olive Whistler
Golden Whistler
Grey Shrike-thrush
Satin Flycatcher
Grey Fantail
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Dusky Woodswallow
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Black Currawong
Forest Raven
Richard’s Pipit
House Sparrow
Beautiful Firetail
European Goldfinch
Welcome Swallow
Tree Martin
Silvereye
Bassian Thrush
Common Blackbird
Common Starling

Mammals

Platypus
Short-beaked Echidna
Spotted-tailed Quoll
Tasmanian Devil
Common Brushtail Possum
Long-nosed Potoroo
Red-necked Wallaby
Tasmanian Pademelon
Australian Fur-seal

Reptile

Black Tiger Snake

Annotated Checklist

Birds

Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora
Cape Bruny, Bruny Island , Tasmania 7 Mar.

Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis
Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Musk Duck Biziura lobata
Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Black Swan Cygnus atratus
Lagoon 13.8 km NW of Colebrook, Tasmania 26 Feb; Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb; Granton, Derwent River, Tasmania 6 Mar; Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae
Two South of Tarrana opposite Devil Farm. Tasmania 25 Feb.

Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides
Lagoon 13.8 km NW of Colebrook, Tasmania 26 Feb; Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Lagoon 13.8 km NW of Colebrook, Tasmania 26 Feb.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Richmond, Coal River, Tasmania 26 Feb.

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Lagoon 13.8 km NW of Colebrook, Tasmania 26 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Granton, Derwent River, Tasmania 6 Mar; Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Australasian Shoveler Anas rhynchotis
Granton, Derwent River, Tasmania 6 Mar.

Chestnut Teal Anas castanea
Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb; Lagoon 13.8 km NW of Colebrook, Tasmania 26 Feb; Granton, Derwent River, Tasmania 6 Mar; Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Southern Giant-Petrel Macronectes giganteus
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Fairy Prion Pachyptila turtur
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb, Lifer.

White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus gavia
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb, Lifer.

Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb, Lifer.

Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Buller's Albatross Thalassarche bulleri
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb , Lifer.

Grey-backed Storm-Petrel Garrodia nereis
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb, Lifer.

White-faced Storm-Petrel Pelagodroma marina
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Australian Gannet Morus serrator
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb; Cape Bruny, Bruny Island, Tasmania 7 Mar.

Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
Granton, Derwent River, Tasmania 6 Mar.

Black-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens
Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb, Lifer, Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
Lagoon 13.8 km NW of Colebrook, Tasmania 26 Feb; Granton, Derwent River, Tasmania 6 Mar; Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb.

Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus
Six Nine Mile Beach, 13.6km ENE Swansea, Tasmania 9 Mar.

White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb; Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb; Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar.

Swamp Harrier Circus approximans
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb.

Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax fleayi
One Sheffield, Tasmania 26 Feb , Soaring over road on the outskirts of Sheffield, Tasman Highway, Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve, Tas 6 Mar , 2 birds soaring over the lookout along the Tasman Highway 4.7km ENE of Cranbrook. Tasman Highway 2.5km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 9 Mar , 2 birds perched in dead tree in a paddock beside Tasman Highway.

Brown Falcon Falco berigora
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

Tasmanian Native-hen Gallinula mortierii
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb , Lifer.,; Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb; Perth, South Esk River, Tasmania 26 Feb.

Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis
Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb.

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb.

Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris
Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb; Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb; Lagoon 13.8 km NW of Colebrook, Tasmania 26 Feb; Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Granton, Derwent River, Tasmania 6 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar; Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Pacific Gull Larus pacificus
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Truganini Reserve, Mt. Nelson, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb .

Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus
Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb; Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb.

Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb; Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Crested Tern Sterna bergii
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb; Granton, Derwent River, Tasmania 6 Mar.

Rock Dove Columba livia
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar.

Spotted Turtle-Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Truganini Reserve, Mt. Nelson, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb.

Brush Bronzewing Phaps elegans
One Bruny Island, Mt. Mangana Rd. Tasmania 7 Mar, Flew across the road, Id Tonia Cochrane.

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Lake Pedder, Ted's Beach, Tasmania 5 Mar; Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena, Tas 5 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

Galah Cacatua roseicapilla
Richmond, Coal River, Tasmania 26 Feb.

Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar; Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna
Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Green Rosella Platycercus caledonicus
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb, Lifer. Mt. Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Tasmania 23 Feb; Truganini Reserve, Mt. Nelson, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 2 Mar; Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Maydena-Strathgordon Rd, 11.5km SE Strathgordon 5 Mar; Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena, Tas 5 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Mavista Picnic Area, Bruny Island, 7 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius
Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor
Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar, Lifer for Lindsay.

Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster
One Melaleuca, SW Wilderness, 115km SW Hobart 10 Mar , Juvenile Male on feeder.

Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb.

Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb. Heard only.

Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Superb Lyrebird Menura novaehollandiae
Two Boyd Forest Reserve, 25km SW of Maydena, Tasmania 5 Mar, Male & Female on road.

Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Perth, South Esk River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena, Tas 5 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

Spotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb.

Forty-spotted Pardalote Pardalotus quadragintus
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb , Lifer & Lindsay's 600th.,; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar , Pair displaying with wings outstretch doing mock aeroplanes! Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Tasmanian Scrubwren Sericornis humilis
Mt. Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Tasmania 21 Feb, Lifer. Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 28 Feb; Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 1 Mar; Dove Canyon Trail, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 1 Mar; Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 2 Mar; Donaghy's Hill, 35.2km SE of Queenstown, Tasmania 3 Mar; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Lake Pedder, Ted's Beach, Tasmania 5 Mar; Mt.Wedge Picnic Area, 19km SE Strathgordon, Tas 5 Mar; Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena, Tas 5 Mar.

Scrubtit Acanthornis magnus
Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 28 Feb, Lifer, Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar.

Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla diemensis
Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

Tasmanian Thornbill Acanthiza ewingii
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Mt.Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Tasmania 23 Feb; Perth, South Esk River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 28 Feb; Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 1 Mar; Dove Canyon Trail, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 1 Mar; Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 2 Mar; Donaghy's Hill, 35.2km SE of Queenstown, Tasmania 3 Mar; Lake St.Clair NP, Tasmania 3 Mar; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Tall Trees Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Maydena-Strathgordon Rd, 11.5km SE Strathgordon 5 Mar; Mt.Wedge Picnic Area, 19km SE Strathgordon, Tas 5 Mar; Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena, Tas 5 Mar; Mavista Picnic Area, Bruny Island, 7 Mar.

Yellow Wattlebird Anthochaera paradoxa
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb , Lifer.,; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 28 Feb; Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 1 Mar; Lake St.Clair NP, Tasmania 3 Mar; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera tasmanica
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar.

Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala leachi
Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar; Lagoon, near Mt. Murray, 2.8km NW of Triabunna, Tas 10 Mar.

Yellow-throated Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavicollis
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Mt.Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Tasmania 23 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 1 Mar; Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 2 Mar; Lake St.Clair NP, Tasmania 3 Mar; Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Tall Trees Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena, Tas 5 Mar; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Strong-billed Honeyeater Melithreptus validirostris
Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar , Lifer, last Tasmanian endemic.,; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

Black-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus affinis
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb , Lifer. Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

Crescent Honeyeater Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 2 Mar; Lake St.Clair NP, Tasmania 3 Mar; Maydena-Strathgordon Rd, 11.5km SE Strathgordon 5 Mar; Lake Pedder, Ted's Beach, Tasmania 5 Mar; Mt.Wedge Picnic Area, 19km SE Strathgordon, Tas 5 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae canescens
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Truganini Reserve, Mt. Nelson, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris dubius
Donaghy's Hill, 35.2km SE of Queenstown, Tasmania 3 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

Scarlet Robin Petroica boodang leggii
Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb , Lifer for Lindsay. Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea
Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar, Lifer for Lindsay.

Pink Robin Petroica rodinogaster rodinogaster
Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena, Tas 5 Mar , Lifer.,; Mavista Picnic Area, Bruny Island, 7 Mar.

Dusky Robin Melanodryas vittata
Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Cape Bruny, Bruny Island, Tasmania 7 Mar; Melaleuca, SW Wilderness, 115km SW Hobart 10 Mar.

Olive Whistler Patchycephala olivacea apatetes
Maydena-Strathgordon Rd, 11.5km SE Strathgordon 5 Mar.

Golden Whistler Patchycephala pectoralis glaucura
Mt.Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Tasmania 21 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Mt.Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Tasmania 23 Feb; Perth, South Esk River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Tall Trees Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Mavista Picnic Area, Bruny Island, 7 Mar.

Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica strigata
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca
Lighthouse Rd, Bruny Island, 3.4km NE Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa albiscapa
Mt.Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Tasmania 21 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb, Lifer, Mt.Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Tasmania 23 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Perth, South Esk River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 1 Mar; Dove Canyon Trail, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 1 Mar; Lake St.Clair NP, Tasmania 3 Mar; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar; Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena, Tas 5 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae novaehollandiae
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb.

Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus
Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus cinereus
Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen hypoleuca
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb .

Black Currawong Strepera fuliginosa
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb , Lifer.,; Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 28 Feb; Knyvet Falls, Cradle Mountain NP, Tasmania 1 Mar; Dove Canyon Trail, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 1 Mar; Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 2 Mar; Lake St.Clair NP, Tasmania 3 Mar; Lyrebird Nature Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar.

Forest Raven Corvus tasmanicus
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb , Lifer. Waterworks Reserve, Hobart 22 Feb; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Richard’s Pipit Anthus australis bistriatus
Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar; Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb; Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb; Perth, South Esk River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Richmond, Coal River, Tasmania 26 Feb .

Beautiful Firetail Stagonopleura bella
Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Melaleuca, SW Wilderness, 115km SW Hobart 10 Mar.

European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Sorell, 22.5 km NE of Hobart, Tasmania 24 Feb; Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb; Richmond, Coal River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar.

Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans nigricans
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar; Melaleuca, SW Wilderness, 115km SW Hobart 10 Mar.

Silvereye Zosterops lateralis lateralis
Truganini Reserve, Mt. Nelson, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Perth, South Esk River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb; Donaghy's Hill, 35.2km SE of Queenstown, Tasmania 3 Mar; Junee Cave State Reserve, 2.8km NW Maydena, Tas 5 Mar; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

Bassian Thrush Zoothera lunulata
Mt.Wellington, Fern Glade Track, Hobart. Tasmania 21 Feb; Jetty Beach, Bruny Island, 4.1km NNE of Cape Bruny 7 Mar.

Common Blackbird Turdus merula
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar; Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 22 Feb; Truganini Reserve, Mt. Nelson, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb; Perth, South Esk River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Richmond, Coal River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Maydena, 62.6km NW of Hobart 3-6 Mar; Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar.

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 21 Feb - 11 Mar; Lake Dulverton Conservation Area, Oatlands 26 Feb; Richmond, Coal River, Tasmania 26 Feb; Dolphin Sands 3.6km NW of Swansea, Tasmania 8-10 Mar.

Mammals

Platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Peter Murrell Reserve, Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 23 Feb.

Short-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb.

Spotted-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb.

Tasmanian Devil Sarcophilus harrisii
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb.

Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb.

Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus
Tall Trees Walk, Mt. Field NP, Tasmania 4 Mar.

Red-necked Wallaby Macropus rufogriseus
Inala, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6-8 Mar, Bennett's Wallaby. Saw white form at Adventure Bay.

Tasmanian Pademelon Thylogale billardierii
Mountain Valley Wilderness, 40 km S of Burnie, Tas 26-28 Feb.

Australo-African Fur-seal Arctocephalus pusillus
Eaglehawk Pelagic, Tasmania 25 Feb, Australian Fur-Seal.

Reptile

Black Tiger Snake Notechis ater
Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania 2 Mar. Mt. Mangana, Bruny Island, 3.5km NNW Adventure Bay 7 Mar.

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