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Birding trip report
Ocean Grove Nature Reserve 2/10/07 The Ocean Grove Nature Reserve lies 2 Km north of the main township, off Grubb Road. It has suffered over the past 3 decades from the combined effects of prolonged drought and the prolific growth of scrubby understorey. More than half of the Yellow Gums (Bellarinenus subspecies) have died during the past 10 years. The Bush Stone-curlew, Scarlet Robin, Restless Flycatcher and Grey-crowned Babbler were all regularly reported in the first half of the 20th century, but all became extinct during the past 50 years. However the OGNR is the last major stand of bushland (140 Ha) on the Bellarine Peninsular and it can produce surprising birds at times. A wetter year in 2007 has given the vegetation a new lease of life. On the track from the Visitor Information Centre to the lake, I noted a pair of White-winged Trillers in wattles. This species has only been recorded a few times at the reserve, with the last records in 2001. On the the west track, about 100 metres past the dam, I noted a single Black-eared Cuckoo in an Allocasuarina. I believe that this is the first confirmed record of this species at the OGNR. Given this cuckoos preference for parasitising Speckled Warblers nests, its is usually only found in the Geelong Region at the You Yangs, Brisbane Ranges or Long Forest. Many of the hoeyeaters that regularly visit the OGNR are still absent, but the grass trees in the northwest corner are coming into bloom and this should attract more species over the next month. Barry Lingham |
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Wyld By Design |