We had intended to go to the Brisbane Ranges this month, with Margaret Lacey filling in for Ellinor Campbell as the leader, but there were only four of us and one was ill on the day so we decided to stay local and explore the heath near the corner of O’Donohue Road and the Great Ocean Road on the outskirts of Anglesea.

The wildflowers were prolific and set off splendid views across to Aireys Inlet. Against this backdrop we began looking for Emu-wrens, Striated Fieldwrens and Australasian Pipits which have all been seen here recently, but none revealed themselves.

Nevertheless, over the next few hours we built up a steady list and ended the day with 29 species.

Highlights were a group of Buff-rumped Thornbills feeding in the taller timber up on the ridge, a pair of Blue-winged Parrots with one feeding the other, and Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters. We had good views of Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoos and Spotted Pardalotes, and a close flyover by a Nankeen Kestrel.

Here are some photos of the birds we saw…

Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater

Buff-rumped Thornbill

Blue-winged Parrots

Margaret Lacey