Autumn bird survey - DWWTP & Amberly Bush Reserve

Drouin waste water treatment plant Settlement Rd

The DWWTP is Drouin’s hot spot for birds. Our surveys there over several years consistently yield the highest number of species and certainly the highest number of individual birds of all our core sites.

Gippsland Water kindly gives the Friends of Drouin’s Trees bird surveyors permission to enter and survey the ponds and surrounding woodland. The diversity of habitat draws a wonderful variety of waterbird, bushland and grassland bird species. There is a purpose-built hide for public use just west of the main entrance in Settlement Rd.

On the 25^th March, 49 species of native birds were recorded and on the 15^th April, 34 native species. Highlights included a flock consisting of several hundred Pink-eared Ducks, huge rafts of Eurasian Coots, Chestnut Teal and dozens of Hoary-headed Grebes. As is nearly always the case, wetland habitats are often attractive to raptor species and Black-shouldered Kites, Brown Goshawks, Swamp Harriers and Whistling Kites were all seen.

 

 

Amberly Bush Reserve Billabong Cl

A small headwater of Whiskey Ck runs parallel to Main Neerim Rd on the northern edge of Drouin. Just before the creek goes under the freeway, there is a tiny bush reserve that contains remnant and planted native vegetation. Some of the Swamp Gum species in this reserve are quite old and contain numerous hollows for wildlife.

Our surveys here this autumn yielded 26 species of native birds on 27^th March and 19 species on the 29^th April. King Parrots were inspecting tree hollows on both days. However, the Bell Miner (Bellbird) population here seems to be expanding – Bell Miner Associated Dieback of eucalypt woodlands is a significant issue in our district.