Birdwatching around Busselton

The Busselton area is an excellent one for birding with its great range of habitats - forest, heath, wetlands and ocean - where over 200 species have been recorded. 41 of these are included on lists of species protected by international agreement.Twelve of the fifteen species endemic to the south-west of Western Australia can be found here; ten are common or moderately common.

Local ContactsCape to Cape Bird Group (Christine 0427 312 848)

City of Busselton

Acknowledgements:Illustrations / photographs by John Anderson, Judy Blyth, Alan Collins, Pam Free, Frank O’Connor, Susan Tingay.

Guide No 22AB; Revised June 2014.

All content is subject to copyright ©.Queries to BirdLife Western Australia.

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1. VASSE RIVER DELTA BIRD HIDE

Parking and toilets are available at Rotary Park on Causeway Rd in the centre of Busselton. Cross the Vasse River via the old railway walking bridge to Arthur and Norah Breeden Park.Once over the Vasse River, take the footpath along Peel Tce to the Busselton Pioneer Museum. There is a well-hidden pathway immediately beyond the museum fence, along the Vasse River to the Pioneer Cove Bird Hide where over 60 species have been seen, including Blue-billed and Pink-eared Duck, Australasian Shoveler and Nankeen Night-Heron. From the bird hide cross the grassy area to the reed beds behind houses at the end of Carey Street where Australian Reed-Warbler, Little Grassbird, Buff-banded Rail, Australian Spotted Crake and Spotless Crake, Yellow-billed Spoonbill and Purple Swamphen may be seen.

Please respect the privacy of residents and watch out for Tiger Snakes

2. VASSE & WONNERUP ESTUARIES

These estuaries vary from fresh to brackish water. The area is a RAMSAR listed site and a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). Up to 33,000 birds and 60 species have been recorded at times. Interesting sightings include Black-tailed Godwit, Wood Sandpiper and Pacific Golden Plover. Black Bittern was recorded here historically but is still possible. Low, dense, fringing vegetation provides a breeding refuge for many species of waterfowl. In the swamps nearby ibises, egrets and Yellow-billed Spoonbill breed while Black Swan breeds at the northern end of the Wonnerup Estuary. You should also see some of the following: Australian Pelican, Little Egret, Nankeen Night-Heron, Osprey, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Red-necked Avocet and Whiskered Tern. Little Grassbird, though elusive, will often be heard calling from dense shrubs and reeds.

From Rotary Park travel eastwards along Peel Terrace which soon becomes Layman Road so that Vasse Estuary is on your right all the way.

Yellow-billed Spoonbill

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Birdwatching around Busselton

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4B CAPE NATURALISTE

This area, 13 km north-west of Dunsborough, is a good place in winter to watch for seabirds. Southern Giant-Petrel, Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Flesh-footed Shearwater and Australasian Gannet are a few of the species recorded. Other birds to be seen are Western Spinebill, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Southern Emu-wren and Red-eared Firetail.

4C SUGARLOAF ROCK

During summer, Red-tailed tropicbirds may be observed very occasionally from the lookout on the mainland. Breeding birds are monitored by DPaW staff but there are concerns with people disturbing the site by swimming across to the island. Please report details of this behaviour (date, time, number of people, photo, car rego) to Busselton DPaW office 9752 5555.

In the winter look out for seabirds including Australasian Gannet and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross. This is also a good place for Nankeen Kestrel and Southern Emu-wren and at certain times, dolphins and whales may be seen close to shore.

4 LEEUWIN-NATURALISTE NATIONAL PARK

This park comprises sections of the 80 km coastal strip between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. The coast is noted for steep cliffs and rolling surf. Banksia - Jarrah – Marri woodlands dominate with Rottnest Teatree common on the coastal cliffs.

4A MEELUP - CASTLE ROCK - EAGLE BAY

Along the access road to Cape Naturaliste there are picnic areas, roads and tracks to explore. One of these, Meelup Road, should provide sightings of Western Rosella, White-breasted and Western Yellow Robin, Golden Whistler and Splendid Fairy-wren. This stretch of coast is also good for seabirds, especially after winter storms.

2A LAYMAN PICNIC AREA – MALBUP CREEK

By continuing along Layman Road and crossing the estuary near Lockville House, you will reach Wonnerup House (National Trust) on the left. Approximately 100 m beyond this is Layman Picinic Area car park. The picnic area is among Tuarts, which shelter many species of bush-birds. Across the road from the picnic area car park is a path which leads to the Malbup Bird Hide; especially good when water levels are at their optimum. The hide overlooks Malbup Creek where it joins the Abba River and the Vasse Estuary.

Take mosquito repellent and beware of Tiger Snakes in the area.

Wood Sandpiper

3 LUDLOW TUART FOREST

This can be reached by continuing south along Layman Road and turning left into Tuart Drive. Alternatively, from Rotary Park, near the Vasse River Bridge, drive along Causeway Road to the roundabout. Turn left onto Bussell Highway. Approximately 6 km from Busselton turn left into Tuart Drive. There are several roads and tracks off the bitumen which provide access to the forest. Look for Whistling Kite, Collared Sparrowhawk, Splendid Fairy-wren, Spotted Pardalote, Western Gerygone, Inland Thornbill, Scarlet Robin and Grey Butcherbird.

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Western Gerygone

Western Yellow Robin

Red-necked Avocet

White-bellied Sea-Eagle

5. Yallingup

From the main car park at the beach, a short walk up Valley Road will take you to the Ghost Trail, along Yallingup Brook. Please do not access private property further on (approx 100 m uphill from the bridge on the trail).

There are several short walks around Yallingup, including sections of the Cape to Cape Track – try exploring Torpedo and Quenda Tracks for Southern Emu-wren, Red-eared Firetail, Western Spinebill, White-breasted Robin and Western Rosella.

Red-eared Firetail

6. Ambergate Reserve

This 75ha reserve of remnant Banksia – Jarrah – Marri woodland, 10km from Busselton, is jointly managed by Busselton Naturalists Club and Geographe Catchment Community Nursery. It has a 4km walk trail covering four sections, each of which is burnt on an 8 – 10 year cycle to maintain ecological health and keep fuel loads reasonably low. Drive south on Queen Elizabeth Avenue from the Busselton Bypass, cross over Ambergate Road and continue to the car park at Doyle Road. This reserve is good for birds of prey. Other species to look for include Southern Emu-wren, Singing Honeyeater, Golden Whistler and Regent Parrot.

Southern Emu-wren

Please use the footbath and the Phytofighter, installed near the interpretive shelter, to help prevent the spread of dieback. As you drive through farmland, keep an eye out for species which prefer more open areas, such as Banded Lapwing.

Bird List

Emu U

Stubble Quail UBrown Quail U

Musk Duck UFreckled Duck RBlack Swan CAustralian Shelduck CAustralian Wood Duck CPink-eared Duck CAustralasian Shoveler UGrey Teal CChestnut Teal RNorthern Mallard RPacific Black Duck CHardhead UBlue-billed Duck U #

Red-tailed Tropicbird R

Australasian Grebe MHoary-headed Grebe MGreat Crested Grebe R

Rock Dove C *Laughing Dove M *Spotted Dove R *Common Bronzewing MBrush Bronzewing MCrested Pigeon U

Tawny Frogmouth M

Australian Owlet-nightjar R

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel U IA Black-browed Albatross U T IA Shy Albatross U T IA Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross M T IA Southern Giant-Petrel M IA Flesh-footed Shearwater M IA Little Shearwater UWhite-headed Petrel ULittle Penguin R

Australasian Gannet M

Australasian Darter MLittle Pied Cormorant CGreat Cormorant MLittle Black Cormorant CPied Cormorant M

Australian Pelican MBlack Bittern RWhite-necked Heron UGreat Egret M IACattle Egret R IAWhite-faced Heron CLittle Egret MEastern Reef Egret U IANankeen Night-Heron UGlossy Ibis U IAAustralian White Ibis CStraw-necked Ibis CRoyal Spoonbill RYellow-billed Spoonbill M

Osprey MBlack-shouldered Kite M NSquare-tailed Kite UWhite-bellied Sea-Eagle M IAWhistling Kite MBrown Goshawk UCollared Sparrowhawk USwamp Harrier MWedge-tailed Eagle MLittle Eagle MNankeen Kestrel MBrown Falcon UAustralian Hobby UPeregrine Falcon U OSP

Purple Swamphen MBuff-banded Rail UBaillon’s Crake UAustralian Spotted Crake USpotless Crake RBlack-tailed Native-hen RDusky Moorhen MEurasian Coot C

Australian Pied Oystercatcher U Sooty Oystercatcher UBlack-winged Stilt CBanded Stilt M NRed-necked Avocet M N

Chestnut Teal

Tawny Frogmouth

Abundance

C commonM mod. commonU uncommonR rare

Status

Mi MigratoryT ThreatenedN Nomadic

* IntroducedWA endemics are in bold

Season

Su summer Au autumn Wi winter Sp spring

IA Protected by International Agreement OSP Other specially protected# Of conservation concern

BIRD LIST CODES

Pacific Golden Plover R IA Mi SuGrey Plover U T IA Mi Su Red-capped Plover CLesser Sand Plover R T IA Mi SuGreater Sand Plover R T IA Mi SuBlack-fronted Dotterel MHooded Plover U # Red-kneed Dotterel UBanded Lapwing MMasked Lapwing UBlack-tailed Godwit U IA Mi SuBar-tailed Godwit U IA Mi SuWhimbrel U IA Mi SuEastern Curlew R T IA Mi SuTerek Sandpiper R IA Mi SuCommon Sandpiper U IA Mi SuGrey-tailed Tattler U IA Mi SuCommon Greenshank C IA Mi SuMarsh Sandpiper U IA Mi Su Wood Sandpiper U IA Mi SuRuddy Turnstone U IA Mi SuGreat Knot U T IA Mi SuRed Knot U T IA Mi SuSanderling U IA Mi Su Red-necked Stint C IA Mi SuLong-toed Stint U IA Mi SuPectoral Sandpiper U IA Mi SuSharp-tailed Sandpiper M IA Mi SuCurlew Sandpiper M T IA Mi Su

Painted Button-quail ULittle Button-quail U

Brown Skua U

Bridled Tern R IAFairy Tern U TCaspian Tern M IAWhiskered Tern MWhite-winged Black Tern R IACommon Tern R IACrested Tern M IA Pacific Gull M Silver Gull C

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo C T Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo M T Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo M/C T Galah C Little Corella C Purple-crowned Lorikeet C

Regent Parrot CWestern Rosella M Australian Ringneck CRed-capped Parrot CElegant Parrot MRock Parrot U

Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo U Mi Sp-SuShining Bronze-Cuckoo C Mi Sp-SuPallid Cuckoo M Mi Sp-SuFan-tailed Cuckoo U Mi Sp-Su

Barking Owl RSouthern Boobook MMasked Owl RBarn Owl U

Laughing Kookaburra C *Sacred Kingfisher C Mi Sp-Su

Rainbow Bee-eater C IA Mi Sp-Su

Splendid Fairy-wren CRed-winged Fairy-wren MSouthern Emu-wren M

White-browed Scrubwren CWeebill UWestern Gerygone CYellow-rumped Thornbill CWestern Thornbill UInland Thornbill C

Spotted Pardalote MStriated Pardalote M

Western Spinebill CSinging Honeyeater CWestern Wattlebird U Red Wattlebird CWhite-fronted Chat MBrown Honeyeater CNew Holland Honeyeater C White-cheeked Honeyeater UWhite-naped Honeyeater M

Varied Sittella M

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike MWhite-winged Triller M Mi Sp-Su

Golden Whistler CRufous Whistler MGrey Shrike-thrush M

Black-faced Woodswallow UDusky Woodswallow C

Grey Butcherbird MAustralian Magpie CGrey Currawong M

Grey Fantail CWillie Wagtail C

Australian Raven C

Restless Flycatcher RMagpie-lark C

Scarlet Robin CWestern Yellow Robin CWhite-breasted Robin C

Australian Reed-Warbler MLittle Grassbird M

Rufous Songlark UBrown Songlark U

Silvereye C

Welcome Swallow CFairy Martin RTree Martin C

Red-eared Firetail M

Australasian Pipit M

Spotted Pardalote

Australian Reed-Warbler

Western Rosella (male)

Hooded Plover

Crested Tern