Bird Program
Small Brown Birds Part 1 & Twilight Birding
Tuesday Bird Group – 3.30 PM to 5 PM, Indoor bird Identification. Today we will be looking at identifying Small Brown Birds – Part 1: Whistlers and Thornbills. Held at the Moe Library, 29 George St Moe.
This will be followed at 5.30 PM for a spot of Twilight Birding at a Private Property in Coalville. Contact club for more details.
Noojee
Birdwatching in the Noojee area. Tramway Walk, Rail Trail and Noojee Bush Reserves. Lush mountain forest including Wet, Riparian and Shrubby Foothill Forest.
Meet at Loch-Latrobe River reserve end of Henty St. Bring your binoculars, water and lunch for an enjoyable day out.
Bird Walks MNP
Volunteer opportunity: Help the Friends of Morwell National Park with Bird Survey Walks in the Park.
Meeting place TBC.
Westernport Woodlands
The bird group will be looking for birds in two areas near Nyora – the Wuchatsch Reserve and Adams Creek Nature Conservation Reserve. These important areas of remnant native bushlands include plants and animals of regional significance. Wildlife sightings in the reserve are common amongst the lowland forest and heath areas. Meet at the toilets in Nyora Park, Henley St.
Energy Australia Wetlands
Quarterly survey of EA Wetlands, Swampy Riparian Woodland. Meet at Morwell Bridge gate – directions below. Please contact the club to make a booking. Email info@lvfieldnats.org
*Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Meet at Energy Australia Wetlands Gate on road signposted to Morwell Bridge. The only access is from M1 Freeway East Bound between Moe and Morwell. Take the first Morwell Exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon/ heading west, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and reach our assembly point. Those arriving via the Strzelecki Highway need to do the same. Head towards Melbourne (left at the roundabout when you reach the Princes Fwy) and then take the next exit to cross the freeway and head back towards Morwell. View map details
Drouin Treatment Works
Birding at the Drouin Treatment Works and nearby reserves. The treatment plant opened a publicly accessible bird hide adjacent to the Drouin wastewater treatment plant in 2023. The hide overlooks the treatment lagoons with their abundant birdlife. Access is from Settlement Road, 150m west of the main entrance to the wastewater treatment plant. Bring lunch and water.
Please contact the club to make a booking. Email info@lvfieldnats.org
*Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Traralgon Cemetery and Sandbanks Reserve
We will be looking for birds in the area close to the Latrobe River. These areas back on to the Maryvale wetlands and are home to woodland birds and raptors. The cemetery and Sandbanks Reserve are highly modified environments on the edge of remnant Floodplain Riparian Woodlands and plantations.
Meet at Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon. Bring lunch and water.
Thorpdale South
Today we will be meeting for birding at a private property in Thorpdale South close to Mirboo Nth Regional Park. The area contains Damp Forest and possibly Strzelecki Warm Temperate Rainforest. Birds include Lyrebirds, owls, parrots, Cockatoos and Kookaburras etc. Contact the club (on home page) for further details and meeting place.
Energy Australia Wetlands
Quarterly survey of EA Wetlands, Swampy Riparian Woodland. Meet at Morwell Bridge gate – directions below. Please contact the club to make a booking. Email info@lvfieldnats.org
*Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Meet at Energy Australia Wetlands Gate on road signposted to Morwell Bridge. The only access is from M1 Freeway East Bound between Moe and Morwell. Take the first Morwell Exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon/ heading west, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and reach our assembly point. Those arriving via the Strzelecki Highway need to do the same. Head towards Melbourne (left at the roundabout when you reach the Princes Fwy) and then take the next exit to cross the freeway and head back towards Morwell. View map details
Small Brown Birds Part 2
From 9 AM until 10.30 AM we have the second instalment of studying Small Brown Birds. This will be held at the Moe Library followed by birding at a nearby reserve TBC. Bring lunch and water.
Uralla Nature Reserve
Bring your binoculars or camera to do a bit of bird-watching in this Damp Forest, Strzelecki Warm Temperate Rainforest and Shrubby Foothill Forest environment.
Sale Wetlands
Come along to our exciting wetlands birdwatching at the Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve which consists of freshwater marsh, red gum woodland and grasslands. The wetland is listed as a RAMSAR site and supports a variety of birds, including kookaburra, whistling kite, black swan, superb fairy wren, and rare species include white-bellied sea eagle.
Bring lunch and water and meet at the public toilets McIntosh Drive Sale.
Energy Australia Wetlands
Quarterly survey of EA Wetlands, Swampy Riparian Woodland. Meet at Morwell Bridge gate – directions below. Please contact the club to make a booking. Email info@lvfieldnats.org
*Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Meet at Energy Australia Wetlands Gate on road signposted to Morwell Bridge. The only access is from M1 Freeway East Bound between Moe and Morwell. Take the first Morwell Exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon/ heading west, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and reach our assembly point. Those arriving via the Strzelecki Highway need to do the same. Head towards Melbourne (left at the roundabout when you reach the Princes Fwy) and then take the next exit to cross the freeway and head back towards Morwell. View map details
Cup Day Birding
We will be birding in the Toora and Port Franklin area, Corner Inlet Marine and Coastal Park. High tide is 10.42 AM at Port Welshpool and a bit earlier at Toora. Meet at Toora Boat Ramp and Bird Hide at the end of Jetty Road. (Toilets are at Sagassar Park, Victoria Street) * Please note we are meeting at 10 AM.
2025 Bird Challenge
Come out with us on our annual survey and see how many birds we can see! If you are not a member and would like to join an excursion, please use the ‘Register your interest’ button on the home page and someone from the club will contact you. Bring folding chair and cut lunch, also dress suitably for the conditions. Events TBA closer to the date.
Energy Australia Wetlands
Quarterly survey of EA Wetlands, Swampy Riparian Woodland. Meet at Morwell Bridge gate – directions below. Please contact the club to make a booking. Email info@lvfieldnats.org
*Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Meet at Energy Australia Wetlands Gate on road signposted to Morwell Bridge. The only access is from M1 Freeway East Bound between Moe and Morwell. Take the first Morwell Exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon/ heading west, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and reach our assembly point. Those arriving via the Strzelecki Highway need to do the same. Head towards Melbourne (left at the roundabout when you reach the Princes Fwy) and then take the next exit to cross the freeway and head back towards Morwell. View map details
2024 Bird Challenge
Come out with us on our annual survey and see how many birds we can see! If you are not a member and would like to join an excursion, please use the ‘Register your interest’ button on the home page and someone from the club will contact you. Bring folding chair and cut lunch, also dress suitably for the conditions.
Saturday Nov 30
8:30 am Lake Narracan. Meet at the jetty on South Shore Road.
11:00 am Edward Hunter Reserve, Moe. Meet at the Borrmans Street entrance.
4:00 pm Twilight birding at Morewell National Park. Meet at Kerry Road car park.
Sunday Dec 1
8:30 am Traralgon Railway Reservoir Conservation Reserve. Meet at the Hickox Street car park.
4:00pm Twilight birding at Mathison Park, Churchill. Meet at the Tramway Road car park.
Energy Australia Wetlands
Quarterly survey of EA Wetlands, Swampy Riparian Woodland. Meet at Morwell Bridge gate – directions below.
*Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Meet at Energy Australia Wetlands Gate on road signposted to Morwell Bridge. The only access is from M1 Freeway East Bound between Moe and Morwell. Take the first Morwell Exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon/ heading west, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and reach our assembly point. Those arriving via the Strzelecki Highway need to do the same. Head towards Melbourne (left at the roundabout when you reach the Princes Fwy) and then take the next exit to cross the freeway and head back towards Morwell. View map details
MNP Volunteer opportunity
Volunteer opportunity: Help the Friends of Morwell National Park with Bird Survey Walks in the Park.
Birding on Melbourne Cup Day
We will be birding in the Bass Coast Coastal region, meeting at 9:00am at the Corinella Cemetery for a couple of hours then move on to Coronet Bay for another spot of birding along the foreshore and lunch. BYO lunch and water.
How to get there: Travelling on the Bass Hwy: ( M420) from Grantville Turn right on Cemetery Rd.
Sale Common and Wetlands
Our birding excursion is to the Sale Common and Wetlands area. Vegetation Types are Plains Grassland and Floodplain Riparian Woodland. Expect to see abundant water birds and bush birds around this lake and swamp system where there is always something of interest. Meet at the toilet block, McIntosh Street, Sale.
Energy Australia Wetlands
Quarterly survey of EA Wetlands, Swampy Riparian Woodland. Meet at Morwell Bridge gate – directions below. Booking is essential. Contact 0410 237 292
*Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Meet at Energy Australia Wetlands Gate on road signposted to Morwell Bridge. The only access is from M1 Freeway East Bound between Moe and Morwell. Take the first Morwell Exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon/ heading west, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and reach our assembly point. Those arriving via the Strzelecki Highway need to do the same. Head towards Melbourne (left at the roundabout when you reach the Princes Fwy) and then take the next exit to cross the freeway and head back towards Morwell. View map details
‘Beat the Winter’ Bird Group at Moe Library
This indoor, Beat the Winter, birding event is a study of Raptors and Cuckoos. Prepare for the coming spring. A chance for the group to practise our ID skills. Bring any photos or sound files that you may have to share. 9:00am sharp at Moe library as we only have the room till 11:00am. The weather forecast looks promising for birding so, we could continue outdoors to the Edward Hunter Reserve for a look around and lunch.
What is expected on the day? People would bring a photo or drawing from a digital or analog reference and tell the group about the features of the bird and what makes it identifiable for them. OR someone could bring photos of a couple of birds for the group to work through their different features either confusing or distinctive.
There is free wifi at the Library, and we should also be able to get on-line images and project them for all to see.
We'd best give priority to species that we're likely to see locally, or at least within the area that we tend to run our bird days. If people can confidently identify local birds, an outlier will be a new and obvious challenge.
How: Please bring any pics you select on a data stick. Or, if you have any links ready to go where you can find them, that will save time.
Drouin Treatment Works
We will be visiting Drouin Treatment Works* and nearby places. Meet behind the Baw Baw Shire offices at Civic Park, Edward Street off Hopetoun Road, Drouin.
Wetlands, various woodlands, forests and scrubs *Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Hazelwood Wetlands & Morwell Water Treatment Works
Morwell Water Treatment Works and another nearby wetland or walk. Site access directions see map below.
*Important: Gippsland Water is the manager of this site there is a requirement for people who have not done so previously, to do an online induction. It takes about an hour to complete. Contact info@lvfieldnats.org for more information
*Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Moondarra State Park
Meet at Tyers River Bridge on Moe Rawson Road for some birding in Lowland Forest and various heathy scrubland. We will be looking out for a variety of woodland birds.
Mount Worth State Park
Meet at the main Entrance on Allambee Estate Road. It will be School Holidays so children bring your adults. Birds to look out for include Eastern Whipbird, Bassian Thrush, Rose Robin, Lyrebird, Crimson Rosella, King Parrot, Olive Whistler, Grey Butcherbird, Tawny Frogmouths and Sooty Owl.
Energy Australia Wetlands
Quarterly survey of EA Wetlands, Swampy Riparian Woodland. Meet at Morwell Bridge gate – directions below.
*Industrial Site: At any and all industrial sites, you need to wear long pants and boots or gaiters.
Meet at Energy Australia Wetlands Gate on road signposted to Morwell Bridge. The only access is from M1 Freeway East Bound between Moe and Morwell. Take the first Morwell Exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon/ heading west, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and reach our assembly point. Those arriving via the Strzelecki Highway need to do the same. Head towards Melbourne (left at the roundabout when you reach the Princes Fwy) and then take the next exit to cross the freeway and head back towards Morwell. View map details
Yanakie
Birding at one or two Yanakie sites on Corner Inlet and/or Shallow Inlet depending on the wind and tides.
We will meet at the boat ramp on Foley Rd, Yanakie to look for birds in coastal wetlands, woodlands and swamps.
Traralgon Railway Reservoir Conservation Reserve
Twilight birding from 5pm Meet at Main Gate, Hickox Street, Traralgon. We will be looking at birds of the Plains Grassy Woodland, water bodies and wetlands.
Cup Day birding
Bald Hills Wetland Reserve, near Tarwin Lower is a remarkable place for seeing birds and other wildlife. A short walking track leads you through paperbark wetlands to a bird hide where you can observe an array of waterbirds on the lake. From Tarwin Lower, head towards Walkerville along Walkerville Road, then turn off Walkerville Road into Bald Hills Road after about 4km.
Energy Australia Wetlands Survey
Energy Australia Wetlands bird survey. Meet at the gate at Morwell Bridge. Birding in Swampy Riparian Woodland.
It is a requirement of the landholder that attendees wear long pants or gaiters and boots.
The only access is from M1 Freeway eastbound between Moe and Morwell. Take first Morwell exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon, or if you miss the exit and need to go back, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and return to our assembly point.
SEANA Spring Camp
This years South East Australian Naturalists Association Spring Camp at Yarram will be hosted by Latrobe Valley FNC and Sale FNC.
Boat Trips from Port Albert to the off shore islands in the Corner Inlet Ramsar site. We are expecting to see migratory shorebirds and resident beach nesting birds. There are two trips each day.
Cost is $85 per trip plus small booking fee. Bookings open Friday 1st September. Booking online is essential and will close when a trip is at capacity or on October 7th, whichever comes first. Details on the flyer. Boat Trips
Darlimurla Rail Trail and Lyrebird Walk
Darlimurla Rail trail and Lyre Bird Walk. Meet at Lyrebird Walk, Strzelecki Hwy, Mirboo North. Warm Temperate Rainforest / Lowland Forest / Wet Forest.
Wonthaggi Heathlands
Birding at Wonthaggi Heathlands. We meet at the carpark at the end of Chisholm Road. Vegetation types are Sand Heathland and Wet Heathland Mosaic.
Energy Australia Wetlands Survey
Energy Australia Wetlands bird survey. Very exciting to see a Barn Owl on the last one! Meet at the gate at Morwell Bridge. Birding in Swampy Riparian Woodland.
It is a requirement of the landholder that attendees wear long pants or gaiters and boots.
The only access is from M1 Freeway eastbound between Moe and Morwell. Take first Morwell exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon, or if you miss the exit and need to go back, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and return to our assembly point.
Moe/Newborough Bushland Reserves
Birding at the Moe/Newborough Bushland Reserves. Meet at Moe Botanic Gardens, Botanic Drive, Moe OR Show & Tell at Moe Library, George St Moe if weather is no good. Bring a book, some photo or a website to share.
Firmins Lane Wetlands & Traralgon Railway Reserve
Birding at Firmins Lane Wetlands, Firmins Lane Morwell at 9am, and Traralgon Railway Reserve, Hickox St Traralgon at 10.30am. School Holidays are on – children please bring your adults. Wetlands, water and lowland forests.
Heyfield Wetlands
Birding at the Heyfield Wetlands. Meet at the Heyfields Wetland Information Centre, 1A MacFarlane St, Heyfield. The wetlands cover Deep Freshwater Marsh Mosaic and Plains Grassy Forest.
Energy Australia Wetlands Survey
Energy Australia Wetlands bird survey. Meet at the gate at Morwell Bridge. Birdiing in Swampy Riparian Woodland.
It is a requirement of the landholder that attendees wear long pants or gaiters and boots.
The only access is from M1 Freeway eastbound between Moe and Morwell. Take first Morwell exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon, or if you miss the exit and need to go back, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and return to our assembly point.
Wirilda Environment Park
Birding in Wirilda Environment Park off Clarkes Rd / Pipeline Track, Yallourn North. The park covers Damp Forest.
Woodland Birds
Birding at Shady Creek’s Sweetwater Ck Reserve. Meet at the corner of Beards Track and Old Sale Road, Buln Buln East. The reserve covers Mixed woodland and forest habitat types.
Coastal Waders
Birding in the Corner Inlet, Port Franklin area. Meet at the Public Purposes Reserve, 50 Fishermans Way, Port Franklin. The area covers Swamp scrub, Damp Heathy Woodland, Lowland Forest Mosaic and Mangrove Shrubland.
Energy Australia Wetlands Survey
Energy Australia Wetlands bird survey. Meet at the gate at Morwell Bridge. Birdiing in Swampy Riparian Woodland.
It is a requirement of the landholder that attendees wear long pants or gaiters and boots.
The only access is from M1 Freeway eastbound between Moe and Morwell. Take first Morwell exit and then turn left to Morwell Bridge. If you are coming from Traralgon, or if you miss the exit and need to go back, the Yallourn North exit allows you to cross the freeway, change direction and return to our assembly point.