COG’s first ever campout on Victoria’s coast coincided with heatwave conditions. Despite this, twenty five intrepid Coggies found their way to remote Thurra River campground carrying or towing a wide variety of temporary accommodation. Sea breezes ameliorated somewhat the exceptional inland temperatures, but the birds were elusive.
The camp area and environs produced Superb Lyrebird, Tawny Frogmouth, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Bassian Thrush, Pilotbird, the improbably-white breasted Black-faced Cormorant, White-fronted Chat and two Hooded Plovers with an egg. Peter and June Gotham arrived from Chiltern bearing intelligence of a Spotless Crake lurking under Thurra River bridge and this was duly found, with young. A notable discovery, as the new Atlas data shows no Summer records for this species in the area, and no breeding records for Victoria!
On Saturday the group’s four wheel driving skills were put to the test en route to Wingan Inlet, a journey of only 40 km absorbing 3 hours. Some were fortunate to see Brush Bronzewing and Beautiful Firetail. The shady picnic area produced Eastern Whipbird, Wonga Pigeon, Black-faced Monarch, Satin Bowerbird, Brown Gerygone, Little Lorikeet, Rufous Fantail and two male Scarlet Honeyeaters who, claws locked together, spun earthward from the heights of a tall eucalypt, looking for all the world like a falling leaf, only to separate and fly off just before reaching the ground. The Inlet and beach offered White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Sooty and Pied Oystercatchers, Caspian and Crested Terns, and Pacific Gull. While Australian Fur Seals baked in the hot sun on offshore islands, a bevy of COG nymphs embarked on an impromptu swim in the mouth of the Wingan Inlet, sheltered by a discrete sandbank.
By Sunday the heat grew even more intense. Small parties ventured in search of more birds and the cool waters of the Thurra and Mueller estuaries. Despite the less than ideal conditions, all present adapted enthusiastically to the range of challenges (including an absence of bathing costumes) which the weekend presented, and it was a relaxed and cheerful group that met at the COG shelter for the evening bird call. Southern Emu-wren and Yellow Thornbill were added to the list, which ultimately totalled almost 100 species. The consensus was that this was a lovely area and some were already planning another visit.
Trevor Lipscombe