On this tour we shall spend time exploring one or two of the diverse woodlands found a short distance to the west of Melbourne, usually in the morning in summer or the afternoon in the winter season, combined with a visit to the WTP at Werribee.

Depending on conditions and the season we may visit Eynesbury Grey Box Forest, Long Forest (Bull Mallee and Box), the You Yangs Regional Park (Yellow Gum, Red Gum and Wattle), Serendip Sanctuary (regrowth forest and wetlands) and/or the Brisbane Ranges National Park (mixed forest including Stringybarks, Ironbarks, Gums and Box trees).

A wide range of bushland birds are found in this area representing most Victorian bird families plus a few scarcer and/or cryptic species which can be searched for such as Little Eagle, Tawny Frogmouth, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Satin Flycatcher (summer), Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Blue-winged Parrot (summer), various Cuckoos, Crested Shrike-tit, Speckled Warbler, Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Scarlet Robin, Red-capped Robin, Diamond Firetail, Varied Sitella and Spotted Quail-thrush to name a few. Spring and summer migrants increase the diversity

A visit to the wetlands near Werribee (WTP) added to time spent in the woodlands, will connect us with a huge range of bird species at any time of year. At and around the WTP waterbirds, grassland birds and raptors are abundant. Conditions vary from season to season and even week to week. Migratory shorebirds and Terns are a feature especially from September to March, raptors are varied and common all year with a peak in late summer, rails and crakes are usually seen when water levels are just right, duck numbers fluctuate with a good variety nearly always present, winter brings Blue-winged Parrots and Flame Robins, plus rarities can and do turn up any time. Brolgas, Cape Barren Geese, Egrets and Spoonbills, Striated Fieldwren and Zebra Finch, a visit is never dull, the possibilities are long. Of all our one day tours this one is likely to produce the biggest species list

Aus$680-00 total for a single person/couple Aus$780-00 total for a shared tour (2-4 people) - includes drinks and snacks, lunch not included - larger groups are possible