Tag Archives: Strahan

Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus)

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The Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus), also known as the superb blue-wren or colloquially as the blue wren, is a passerine bird of the family Maluridae, common and familiar across southeastern Australia.  They were recently voted as Australia’s favourite bird.  Two subspecies groups are recognized: the larger and darker Tasmanian form cyaneus and the smaller and paler mainland form cyanochlamys.

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IMG_7594a IMG_7644a IMG_7642aSuperb Fairy-wrens have a large range in eastern Australia and Tasmania.  I’ve personally seen them in the Captain Cook Caravan Park in Bruny Island, Strahan, around Hobart and near Girraween National Park in Queensland.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT SUPERB FAIRY-WRENS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Birds in Backyards

Beauty of Birds

Tasmania Parks & Wildlife

VIDEO

Beautiful close up footage from Chris Rishworth on YouTube.

Lodge Review: Strahan Wilderness Lodge

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When researching accommodation options in Strahan, all I had to see was this sentence on the Strahan Wilderness Lodge website and I knew I had the right choice!

In the Lodge, you may join old or new friends in the lounge and enjoy breakfast overlooking the gardens and the fishing fleet anchored in Mill Bay; take a stroll to Smugglers Cove or the Harbour View terrace en route maybe catching a glimpse of some of Tasmania’s rarest birds which frequent the grounds.

I emailed them to make sure they were referring to Eastern Ground Parrots and was assured they were indeed!

The location was good, in the bush but near enough the town to drive in for meals.

 

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AAlthough Trip Advisor reviews are mixed, I think the people who weren’t happy here kind of missed the point of staying in a wilderness lodge.  The focus is on Tassie charm and the natural environment.  I loved it!

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Rooms are very reasonably priced, include breakfast and have access to a shared bathroom.IMG_7797

In the end, it’s all about the birds!IMG_7814a IMG_7843a

Birding In Strahan, Tasmania

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Strahan, Tasmania is going to be on most serious birder’s itineraries as it is one of the few places in Australia to see Eastern Ground Parrots reliably.  It’s actually a cute seaside town with lots of local charm.

We did a car swap in Hobart after leaving Bruny Island since I got a better rate with Thrifty Car Hire via RACQ.

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It’s a beautiful drive through the mountains from Hobart to Strahan.IMG_7793 IMG_7794 IMG_7801

 

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge which I reviewed here.

Traditional pub accomodation, also good meals can be found here.IMG_7802

Misty sunriseIMG_7804 IMG_7807 IMG_7812

Flushing a Ground ParrotIMG_7813 IMG_7813a IMG_7814a IMG_7815 IMG_7817 IMG_7820

A short walk away from the Wilderness Lodge, we saw Emu-wrens and Superb Fairy-wrens.IMG_7827 IMG_7833 IMG_7842 IMG_7843a

Eastern Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus)

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The Eastern Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus) of Australia is one of only three ground-dwelling parrots in Australia, the others being its closest relatives, the Western Ground Parrot (Pezoporus flaviventris) and the extremely rare Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis).

Eastern Ground Parrot photo from Wikipedia

I took these photos in Strahan and Melaleuca.  I wasn’t fast enough to get a clear shot.

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You will usually have to flush a Ground Parrot to see it.  This means walking carefully through the bush where they are known to live and watching for them.  When disturbed, a ground parrot flies swiftly just above the ground before dropping back into the vegetation. The presence of the bird is often only revealed by its characteristic dusk and dawn call, a clear whistling sequence of notes which rise in pitch before fading. It is silent in flight.  Please do not harass a Ground Parrot.  Once you flush one, get your camera ready, walk slowly towards where he landed and he will flush again.  Get your photo, then leave the bird alone.

The Ground Parrot is found in scattered populations along the east coast of Australia, from south-east coastal Queensland and in pockets in north-east and southern New South Wales, through to coastal areas of Gippsland in Victoria and the islands of the Bass Strait to its stronghold in Tasmania.  The most reliable place to see them is in Strahan either near the old airport or near the Wilderness Lodge.

Blue dots are Strahan & Melaleuca – best places to see Eastern Ground Parrots

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASTERN GROUND PARROTS

Wikipedia

World Parrot Trust

Birdlife

Tasmania Parks & Wildlife

NSW Environment

Biodiversity Australia

VIDEOS

Unfortunately there aren’t any videos of Eastern Ground Parrots on YouTube where I can embed them here.  There are a few short clips filmed at Strahan on IBC but you need to view them over there.