Birdwatching Bliss in the Loddon Valley!
The Loddon Valley is one of the best places in Victoria to indulge in the glorious hobby of birdwatching, but don’t just take our word for it. When La Trobe University Outdoor Education students and staff were developing the Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail, these well-travelled explorers noted the area boasted the largest amount of birdlife they’d ever seen. Get off the highways and around the waterways, grasslands and forests of the region and you may just have to agree.
The Birding Victoria website makes special note of the Terrick Terrick National Park as a hotspot for twitching. “The pine woodlands are the best known and ‘birdiest’ parts of the park,” it says. “A good place to start is the picnic ground at the base of Mt Terrick Terrick. Many of the park’s birds may be seen in this area, including Australian Ringneck and Gilberts Whistler. Reigels rock in the north-east of the forest is also interesting, and can attract Painted and Black Honeyeaters in spring and summer depending on the year.”
A short drive from historic Inglewood to the majestic Kooyoora State Park and you may well sight a mighty Wedge-tailed Eagle or even a Powerful Owl. Take the short walk to Melville Caves and marvel at the unusual granite formations while you are visiting the park.
Boort is home to vast wetlands around Lake Boort and Little Lake Boort. You’ll be delighted at the sight of Australian Pelicans enjoying the water as well as the White Necked Heron and the Spotted Pardalote.
Tang Tang Swamp Wildlife Reserve, located on the outskirts of Dingee (30 minute drive from Terrick Terrick National Park), is a picturesque wetland home to various bird species, such as Australian Shelduck, Laughing Kookaburra, Superb Fairywren, and Striated Pardalote. It also serves as a breeding ground for species such as Sacred Kingfishers and Brolgas.
All the best-known natural attractions in the Loddon Valley offer great birdwatching opportunities, and of course the lesser-known. Serious bird watchers should head to Woolshed Swamp and Yando Swamp to further feather their hobby.
Bird Murals - Wedderburn Birds Eye View Murals
The Birds Eye View murals are a exciting addition to the Wedderburn streetscape. There are five large walls painted throughout the town featuring various different bird species all local to the area. Wedderburn has been identified as a mecca for birdlife due to its unique ecosystems where four different intact bio-regions meet and intersect, creating a diverse habitat for birds including the iconic Mallee Fowl, Swift Parrot and Bush-Stone Curlew.
The native bushland of Wedderburn supports 180 bird species, 20 of which are listed as endangered by Bush Hertiage Australia.
Click here for a map of the wonderful Wedderburn Birds Eye View Murals.
The Loddon Valley is not just a destination, but a journey into the heart of nature's aviary. Whether you are an avid birder or a casual observer, the diverse landscapes and abundant birdlife promise an experience like no other. So pack your binoculars, bring along a camera, and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of birdwatching in this stunning region. Happy birding!
