Since 2004 we have run spotlighting walks in the native grassland reserves of northern Victoria in search of this critically endangered and unique bird which is endemic to Australia. The Plains-wanderer is the sole member of its family Pedionomidae with DNA results revealing its closest living relatives are the Seed-snipes of South America. Imagine a quail crossed with a shorebird and you might be getting close. As with Button-quail and Painted Snipe the male tends the nest and rears the young, whilst the female is larger and more brightly coloured. Loss of habitat has reduced the numbers of this bird to perhaps just 1000 (numbers fluctuate) most of which occur in northern Victoria and southern NSW.

Up to 5 people are able to participate each night and the meeting place is in the small town of Pyramid Hill in northern Victoria. Participants will need to arrange their own transport to and from Pyramid Hill plus accommodation. From January 2024 the cost is $180 per person and the tour commences an hour or so before dusk. It involves walking for up to 3 hours in open flat grassland, so a moderate level of fitness is required. A thermal imaging scope is utilised on these tours to assist in locating birds and animal

TOUR DATES :

Friday 26th April 2024 - FULLY BOOKED

Saturday 27th April 2024 - FULLY BOOKED

Sunday 28th April 2024 - FULLY BOOKED

Friday 24th May - FULLY BOOKED

Saturday 25th May - FULLY BOOKED

Sunday 26th MAY - FULLY BOOKED

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Other grassland fauna is also likely to be encountered depending on the season. Little Button-quail mostly occur in summer, whilst Stubble Quail come and go. Fat-tailed Dunnarts, a small native marsupial are also regularly sighted

On warm nights in summer some reptiles may be observed including Curl Snake (Suta Suta), and in a few locations the rare Eastern Hooded Scalyfoot (Pygopus schaderi). After rain various frogs can appear, particularly the Suddells Frog (Neobatrachus suddelli) a species of burrowing frog