The birds of Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, Victoria

2007 Victorian trip report #4

The obligatory Superb Fairy-wrens were everywhere, along with numerous White-browed Scrubwrens. The latter is infuriatingly hard to get to sit still in the open with plenty of light for a photo, but I still managed a reasonable shot. This is not the greatest photo I’ve ever taken, but it’s the best so far of this infuriating little bird. They move so quickly and love to skulk in the undergrowth, thus frustrating me immensely.To see the little brown bird in the centre of the photo, it might be more easily seen if you click on the photo to enlarge the image.

White-browed Scrubwren

Red Wattlebirds were abundant but I only heard one Little Wattlebird. A single Black-shouldered Kite soared over the trees near the picnic ground and Australian Raven could be heard in the distance; I later saw several flying overhead.

After a few minutes a Fantailed Cuckoo began its downwards trill call nearby and later a Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo added to the chorus of calls. I saw neither species. As I was trying to get a good photo of an uncooperative Eastern Yellow Robin several White-naped Honeyeaters came zooming past, too active to pose for a shot. This was another new species to add to my growing trip list. My records show I haven’t seen this species many times, the last being about seven years ago. I must get out more.

Wildflowers in Cranbourne Botanic Gardens