 Whipstick State ParkThis state park near Bendigo is one of the best places close to
Melbourne to see some great birds. The park is 2,300 hectares, so fairly extensive and is
complemented by the nearby Kamarooka State Park and Whipstick State Forest. The reason for
the great birding is the mixture of box-ironbark woodlands and mallee "scrub".
The name Whipstick comes from the local name for the mallee tree species that is unique to
the area. The term Mallee describes a habitat dominated by the mallee group of Eucalypts.
They are described as dwarf eucalypts that have a number of stems growing from a single
root stock especially on poor, sandy soils. Mallee habitat in Victoria is generally seen
in the north and west (see Murray Sunset National Park for a
true Mallee region park). The Whipstick is one of the southernmost occurrences of the
habitat, as a consequence many bird species are found at the edge of their range here.
Where: Just head north up the Calder
Highway to Bendigo and follow the signposts to the suburb of Eaglehawk. The park is
signposted from here.
Birding: The best birding is generally
around Skylark Road for box-ironbark and Loeser's and Black Rock Roads for mallee (the
mallee is found on the side tracks off these roads). Some of the more exciting birds you
could expect to encounter here include Swift Parrot (in winter), Spotted
Nightjar and Crested Bellbird. For Melbourne birders this is the
closest place to find Variegated Fairywren, Shy Hylacola,
Purple-gaped Honeyeater
and White-fronted Honeyeater (not regular). The area is also of great
interest as it is one of the few places where Shy and Chestnut-rumped
Hylacola occur sympatrically.
Below is my bird list accumulated over the
last seven or so years. This should give you an idea of what to expect. |
