Author: OzHorine

Big Zigzag Birding

week 033 | West to North Tasmania | trip list 483 – 483

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Edge of the World

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 483 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 87 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 111 (+0 this week:0)
Campsite Lifers 24 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 157 (+0 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 229
Week’s special milestones: None

Bird(s) of the Week

Hoary-headed Grebe

Laughing Kookaburra, cause common birds can be sometimes in Birds of the Week..  

Little Pied Cormorant at “Edge of the World”,  North West Tasmania

Non-bird image(s)

Almost non-bird image: Great & Black-headed Cormorant on one of thousands islands along the west coast of Tasmania.

Edge of the World

The Nut State Reserve

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 26350 km (this week 750 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1671. 01 Mar 2025 11:04 AM Forth
1670. 28 Feb 2025 2:50 PM Fern Glade Reserve, Burnie
1669. 28 Feb 2025 12:17 PM Dip Falls Road, Mawbanna, Tasmania, AU (-41.036, 145.376)
1668. 27 Feb 2025 9:53 AM Green Point Campground
1667. 26 Feb 2025 12:58 PM Lake Chisholm
1666. 26 Feb 2025 10:41 AM Trowutta Caves State Reserve–Trowutta Arch
1665. 25 Feb 20252:28 PM Rocky Cape National Park–Rocky Cape
1664. 25 Feb 2025 12:00 PM Table Cape, Waratah/Wynyard
1663. 25 Feb 2025 9:32 AM Hellyer Gorge Track
1662. 24 Feb 2025 12:06 PM Waratah Caravan & Campground (restricted access)
1661. 23 Feb 2025 5:05 PM Murchison Highway, Tullah, Tasmania, AU (-41.759, 145.621)
1660. 23 Feb 2025 9:25 AM Strahan Golf Club
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 032 | Central Tasmania | trip list 482 – 483

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Central Highlands to West Coast

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 483 (+1 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 87 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 111 (+0 this week:0)
Campsite Lifers 24 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 157 (+0 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 222
Week’s special milestones: 222 days checklist streak on 22/2!

Bird(s) of the Week

Bassian Thrush, new for Big Zigzag list from Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park–Donaghys Hill Nature Trail.

Black-headed Honeyeater

Non-bird image(s)

Echidna

Donaghys Hill Nature Trail

Donaghys Hill Nature Trail

Week's Key location(s)

Lake St Clair National Park, where I finally got Black-headed Honeyeater photo.

Donaghys Hill Nature Trail

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 25600 km (this week 550 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1659. 22 Feb 2025 2:46 PM Peoples Park and Hogarth Falls Track, West Coast
1658. 22 Feb 2025 10:54 AM Hoursetail Falls Track
1657. 21 Feb 2025 12:39 PM Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park–Donaghys Hill Nature Trail
1656. 21 Feb 2025 10:23 AM Derwent Bridge

1655. 20 Feb 2025 11:39 AM Lake St Clair Visitor Centre

1654. 20 Feb 2025 11:01 AM Derwent Bridge
1653. 19 Feb 2025 9:37 AM Lake Meadowbank and Bethune Park
1652. 18 Feb 2025 2:37 PM Mount Field National Park–Tall Trees Walk
1651. 17 Feb 20255:09 PM Gretna
1650. 16 Feb 2025 6:31 PM Heritage Park (Geeveston – restricted access)
1649. 16 Feb 2025 11:22 AM Tahune Forest Reserve–Swinging Bridges Circuit
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 031 | East Tasmania, mainly Bruny | trip list 478 – 482

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Inala Jurassic Garden - the stronghold of Tasmanian Endemics

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 482 (+4 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 87 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 111 (+4 this week: Dusky Robin, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Strong-billed Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater)
Campsite Lifers 24 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 157 (+4 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 215
Week’s special milestones: Big Zigzag list is over 480 which is my current Israeli life list.. Cleanup the biggest Australian endemic family – Pardolets (4 sepcies)

Bird(s) of the Week

Forty-spotted Pardalote

Dusky Robin

Strong-billed Honeyeater

Non-bird image(s)

The Neck – a narrow path between north and south Bruny Island.

Bruny Island

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 25050 km (this week 550 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1648. 15 Feb 2025 7:24 PM Heritage Park (Geeveston – restricted access), Huon Valley
1647. 15 Feb 2025 10:55 AM Gordon Foreshore Reserve Campground

1646. 14 Feb 2025 8:22 AM Inala (restricted access), Bruny Island

1645. 13 Feb 2025 1:21 PM Inala (restricted access), Bruny Island
1644. 13 Feb 2025 10:52 AM Dennes Point, Bruny Island
1643. 12 Feb 2025 7:38 AM Inala (restricted access), Bruny Island
1642. 11 Feb 2025 12:49 PM The Neck Lookout Track, South Bruny, Tasmania, AU (-43.27, 147.348)
1641. 11 Feb 2025 11:02 AM Kettering
1640. 10 Feb 2025 4:45 PM 251 Gilwell Drive, Kingston, Tasmania, AU (-42.948, 147.328)
1639. 10 Feb 2025 8:00 AM Dunalley
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 030 | East Tasmania & Pelagic | trip list 467 – 478

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Eaglehawk Neck Pelagic is the highlight!

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 478 (+11 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 87 (+1 this week: Southern Storm-Petrels)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 107 (+5 this week: White-faced Storm-Petrel, Gray-backed Storm-Petrel, Buller’s Albatross, Snowy Albatross, White-headed Petrel)
Campsite Lifers 24 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 153 (+9 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 209
Week’s special milestones: none.

Bird(s) of the Week

White-faced Storm-Petrel

Gray-backed Storm-Petrel

Buller’s Albatross

Snowy Albatross

Non-bird image(s)

Week's Key location(s)

Eaglehawk Neck Pelagic – about 80KM round

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 24500 km (this week 900 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1638. 09 Feb 2025 7:05 AM Eaglehawk Neck Pelagic Trip
1637. 08 Feb 2025 12:31 PM Port Arthur
1636. 07 Feb 2025 3:17 PM Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart
1635. 07 Feb 2025 9:46 AM Wellington Park–Zig Zag Track
1634. 06 Feb 2025 3:50 PM MONA (restricted access), Glenorchy
1633. 05 Feb 2025 12:24 PM Tasmanian Bushland Garden, Glamorgan/Spring Bay
1632. 04 Feb 2025 11:31 AM Eaglehawk Neck–Tesselated Pavement, Tasman
1631. 03 Feb 2025 9:45 AM Freycinet National Park–Wineglass Bay Track
1630. 03 Feb 2025 8:40 AM Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve–River and Rocks Rd, Glamorgan/Spring Bay
1629. 02 Feb 2025 1:21 PM Douglas-Apsley National Park–Apsley Waterhole Track
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 029 | North Tasmania | trip list 459 – 467

Posted on

Taste of Tassie

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 467 (+8 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 86 (+0 this week) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 102 (+8 this week: Tasmanian Nativehen, Yellow Wattlebird, Black Currawong, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Green Rosella, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Scrubtit)
  • Campsite Lifers 24 (+1 this week: Green Rosella)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 144 (+8 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 201
  • Week’s special milestones: Lifer #4600! and lifer #100 for the Big Zigzag.

Bird(s) of the Week

Yellow-throated Honeyeater, one of the 4 Tasmanian endemic Honeyeaters.

Tasmanian Nativehen, seems so far to by common everywhere, at least in the north-east. 

Yellow-Wattlebird, my 4600! one of the 4 Tasmanian endemic Honeyeaters.

Green Rosella- campsite lifer!

Scrubtit (Acanthornis magna) the only endemic genus for Tasmania

Non-bird image(s)

Wombat, adult and baby, at Cradle Mountains National Park

Probably this guy is not a birdwatcher but hey, I’ve got a lifer at Legerwood!

Bays of Fire

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 23600 km (this week 800 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1628. 01 Feb 2025 3:43 PM Bay of Fires Conservation Area–The Gardens
1627. 01 Feb 2025 9:47 AM 70 High Street, Mathinna, Tasmania, AU (-41.475, 147.889)
1626. 31 Jan 2025 2:21 PM Ben Lomond National Park–Alpine Village
1625. 31 Jan 2025 9:49 AM Ralphs Falls Track and Cashs Gorge Circuit
1624. 31 Jan 2025 8:23 AM 10 Main Street, Legerwood, Tasmania, AU (-41.216, 147.694)

1623. 30 Jan 2025 2:32 PM Old Waterhouse Road, North Scottsdale, Tasmania, AU (-41.122, 147.572)

1622. 30 Jan 2025 10:36 AM Bridestowe Lavender Estate
1621. 29 Jan 2025 9:18 AM 90 Pioneer Drive, Mole Creek, Tasmania, AU (-41.556, 146.401)
1620. 28 Jan 2025 5:01 PM Cradle Mountain National Park–Visitor Centre
1619. 28 Jan 2025 10:00 AM Lake lea
1618. 27 Jan 2025 2:30 PM Cradle Mountain National Park– Dove Lake circuit
1617. 26 Jan 2025 4:15 PM Forth Recreation Ground
1616. 26 Jan 2025 12:08 PM Bluff Road (Devonport)
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 028 | Leaving Melbourne and crossing the Bass Strait | trip list 457 – 459

Posted on

Bye bye Victoria, Tassie - here we come!

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 459 (+2 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 86 (+1 this week: Albatrosses) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 94 (+0 this week)
  • Campsite Lifers 23 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 136 (+0 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 194
  • Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

White-capped Albatross – 2 were seen during Bass Strait crossing

Short-tailed Shearwater – hundreds were seen from 2 point on the easter end of Great Ocean Road and during the Bass Strait crossing  

Short-tailed Shearwater

Hooded Plover. Disturbed by dogs, protected by volunteers who kindly explain the dog walkers about the vulnerability of this species and why they should walk their dogs on a leash on this beach.

Bell Miner (Manorina melanophrys) at Melbourne Royal Botanical Gardens

Non-bird image(s)

Crossing the Bass Strait

Hooded Plover. Disturbed by dogs, protected by volunteers who kindly explain the dog walkers about the vulnerability of this species and why they should walk their dogs on a leash on this beach.

Hooded Plovers protected nesting area

Week's Key location(s)

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Bass strait – Geelong – Devenport “Pelagic” – Spirit of Tasmania

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 22800 km (this week 850 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1615. 25 Jan 2025 12:47 PM AU (-38.631, 144.796), Mornington Peninsula (Bass Strait)
1614. 25 Jan 2025 11:34 AM No 6 Channel Marker, Mornington Peninsula (Bass Strait)
1613. 24 Jan 2025 11:21 AM Fishermans Beach, Surf Coast
1612. 24 Jan 2025 9:07 AM Anglesea Heath–Hammond Rd b/w Camping Area
1611. 23 Jan 2025 12:15 PM Point Roadknight, Surf Coast
1610. 22 Jan 2025 4:24 PM Anderson Reserve, Greater Geelong
1609. 22 Jan 2025 11:58 AM Moolap Saltworks–Pump-house, Greater Geelong
1608. 21 Jan 2025 9:00 AM Clayton South

1607. 20 Jan 2025 10:48 AM Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

1606. 19 Jan 2025 10:39 AM Lake Weeroona
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 027 | North to Melbourne | trip list 449 – 457

Posted on

Approaching and quick crossing of Murray River

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 457 (+8 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 85 (+1 this week: Rollers) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 94 (+3 this week: Turquoise Parrot, White-throated Needletail, Little Buttonquail)
  • Campsite Lifers 23 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 136 (+3 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 187
  • Week’s special milestones: Big Zigzag bird #450

Bird(s) of the Week

Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella), not just a beautiful lifer – also the 450th Big Zigzag bird, which happens to be seen after 6 months of zigzagging… Encouraging to see many property owners around Warby-Ovens National Park participating in Practical Parrot Action Project which helps this threatened bird.

This week new bird family for the trip – Rollers with Dollarbird – from a quicky visit to New South Wales.

Noman land Long-billed Corellas, on the bridge over Murray River, between the sister towns of Echuca (Victoria) and Moama (New South Wales).

Azure Kingfisher

Non-bird image(s)

Moama Wetlands and Horseshoe Lagoon, Murray, New South Wales

Pink Rocks

Week's Key location(s)

Warby-Ovens National Park – Turquoise Parrot stronghold.

Not the best place for White-throated Needletail as they fly high above – but this is where I ticked them…

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 21950 km (this week 945 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1605. 18 Jan 2025 11:56 PM Possums Track, Terrick Terrick
1604. 18 Jan 2025 12:10 PM Campaspe River Walk, Rochester
1603. 17 Jan 2025 7:14 PM Moama Wetlands and Horseshoe Lagoon, Murray, New South Wales
1602. 17 Jan 2025 9:20 AM Moama Wetlands and Horseshoe Lagoon, Murray, New South Wales
1601. 16 Jan 2025 7:39 PM Rotary Park (Echuca)
1600. 16 Jan 2025 11:00 AM Port of Echuca
1599. 15 Jan 2025 10:41 AM Pink Cliffs Natural Features Reserve, Greater Bendigo
1598. 15 Jan 2025 9:39 AM Meadow Valley Road, Mia Mia, Victoria, AU (-36.939, 144.602)

1597. 14 Jan 2025 6:46 AM Greater Bendigo National Park–Diamond Dove Dam

1596. 13 Jan 2025 4:56 PM Greater Bendigo National Park–Camp Road Dam
1595. 13 Jan 2025 9:02 AM Warby-Ovens National Park–Nason Springs
1594. 12 Jan 2025 11:46 AM Warby-Ovens National Park–Nason Springs
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 026 | East to Melbourne | trip list 449 – 449

Posted on

The Middle of Everywhere

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 449 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 84 (+0 this week) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 91 (+0 this week)
  • Campsite Lifers 23 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 131 (+0 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 180
  • Week’s special milestones: None

Bird(s) of the Week

The Middle of Everywhere. This is Central Gippsland promo slogan, which fits this Big Zigzag week, after 6 months. Somewhere in the middle of Victoria, between the golden beaches an Australian Alpine mountains, near the lakes along the sore. In between, as these Yellow-billed & Royal Spoonbills, resting on the wetlands of Sale.

White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos) one of the two members family of White-winged Chough and Apostlebird (Corcoracidae). This family is one of the seven Australian endemic bird families, and the easier to complete. Also called Australian mud-nest builders.

White-winged Chough nest

Non-bird image(s)

Alpine National Park

Wilsons Promontory National Park

Week's Key location(s)

Wilsons Promontory National Park

Alpine National Park

Sale River Heritage & Wetlands Trail

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 21055 km (this week 835 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1593. 11 Jan 2025 5:31 PM Smoko Camping Area
1592. 10 Jan 2025 2:51 PM Italian Flat, Wellington
1591. 10 Jan 2025 10:15 AM Port of Maffra
1590. 09 Jan 2025 7:35 AM Fishers Riverside Campsite (Perry Bridge)
1589. 08 Jan 2025 12:42 PM Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve
1588. 08 Jan 2025 9:30 AM Bellbird Corner

1587. 07 Jan 2025 3:29 PM Apex Park (Stratford)

1586. 06 Jan 2025 6:27 PM 25 Main Street, Glengarry, Victoria, AU (-38.125, 146.573)
1585. 06 Jan 2025 10:13 AM 128 Boolarra-Foster Road, Foster, Victoria, AU (-38.632, 146.232)
1584. 05 Jan 2025 1:44 PM Wilsons Promontory National Park–Lilly Pilly Gully
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 025 | Around Melbourne | trip list 443 – 449

Posted on

Mountains and Woods, Penguins and the Ocean

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 449 (+6 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 84 (+1 this week: Penguins, Shearwaters and Petrels) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 91 (+0 this week)
  • Campsite Lifers 23 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 131 (+3 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 173
  • Week’s special milestones: Travelled so far milage passed the 20000 km

Bird(s) of the Week

Little Penguin under St. Kilda Pier

White-rumped Sandpiper from the “Crakes Pond” at Western Treatment Plant

Pectoral Sandpiper from the same magic pond

Cape Barren Geese were not allowed to enter the motorhome with muddy feet 

Thousands Great Crested Tern at Philip Island

One Great Crested Tern at Philip Island

Non-bird image(s)

Kurth Kiln Regional Park

Nobbies Centre Philip Island

Nobbies Centre Philip Island

Week's Key location(s)

Western Treatment Plant

Little Penguin site, under St. Kilda Pier edge

Nobbies Centre at Philip Island is a great birding spot

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 20220 km (this week 650 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1583. 04 Jan 2025 4:49 PM The Nobbies (Philip Island)
1582. 04 Jan 2025 8:55 AM Yarra State Forest–Big Pats Creek Picnic Area
1581. 03 Jan 2025 11:01 PM Yarra State Forest–Big Pats Creek Picnic Area
1580. 03 Jan 2025 2:30 PM Yarra Ranges National Park–10 Mile Picnic Area
1579. 02 Jan 2025 5:42 PM Kurth Kiln Regional Park

1578. 02 Jan 2025 8:59 AM Kurth Kiln Regional Park

1577. 01 Jan 2025 1:12 PM Memorial Oval, Edithvale
1576. 31 Dec 2024 6:16 PM St Kilda Pier
1575. 31 Dec 2024 11:25 AM Allisons Road, Clonbinane, Victoria, AU (-37.321, 145.17)
1574. 30 Dec 2024 4:46 PM Allisons Road, Clonbinane, Victoria, AU (-37.321, 145.17)
1573. 29 Dec 2024 11:08 AM Western Treatment Plant–T Section Ponds
1572. 29 Dec 2024 7:31 AM Western Treatment Plant–Ponds 28-30 and Adjacent Coast
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 024 | Around Melbourne | trip list 438 – 443

Posted on

From the woody parks and wetlands east to the city - to the legendary West Treatment Plant

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 443 (+5 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 82 (+0 this week ) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 91 (+0 this week)
  • Campsite Lifers 23 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 128 (+1 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 166
  • Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Local rarity: Long-toed Stint at Western Treatment Plant 

Thousands Australian Shelducks at West Treatment Plant 

Although Pink Robin was in this section last week as a lifer – this week it’s here again with better photo. From Donna Buang Mountain.

Blue-winged Parrot seen already in flight in 2018 and earlier this trip. This week around 20 of them seen well at Kurth Kiln Regional Park

Baillon’s Crake is also here for the second week in a row as photographed better on Edithvale Wetlands.

Non-bird image(s)

View from Donna Buang summit lookout tower (128 steps)

Kurth Kiln campsite

Kurth Kiln Regional Park

Week's Key location(s)

Donna Buang Mountain

Great free camping site at Kurth Kiln Regional Park, with some nice birds as Blue-winged Parrot

Edithvale Wetlands – Nice birding close to Melbourne CBD

Western Treatment Plant – Key birding site mainly for water birds, not too far from Melbourne (and you need a key to get in! )

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 19570 km (430 km this week)

eBird Checklists this week

1571. 28 Dec 2024 7:40 AM Western Treatment Plant
1570. 27 Dec 2024 11:17 AM Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands–Edithvale
1569. 26 Dec 2024 7:56 AM Kurth Kiln Regional Park-
1568. 25 Dec 2024 7:01 PM Kurth Kiln Regional Park-

1567. 24 Dec 2024 12:38 PM Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands–Edithvale

1566. 24 Dec 2024 7:39 AM Dandenong Valley Wetland
1565. 23 Dec 2024 3:19 PM Kurth Kiln Regional Park–Kurth Kiln
1564. 22 Dec 2024 2:22 PM Yarra Ranges National Park–10 Mile Picnic Area
1563. 22 Dec 2024 8:41 AM Toolangi State Forest–The Tanglefoot Trails
Big Zigzag Index