26/ 04/ 2021

Explore the Mallee, Patchewollock Victoria

Hello again,

Just back from a trip to Explore the Mallee in Patchewollock Victoria.

Perfect location and lovely accommodation to sit, relax and listen to the sights and sounds of nature at its best

I cannot speak highly enough for the hospitality and knowledge from Michael and Louise, I had such a beautiful few days exploring and photographing the birds around their property and surrounding Wyperfeld National Park.. there are plenty of birds close by and the two set up bird hides are a great way to get close and personal with the local birds, their location is home to many beautiful Mallee species and all quite approachable for photography or just watching.

A highlight for me was on one occasion going to the hides two Mallee Fowl were just meters away going about their day, to sit and watch these amazing birds so close is something I will never forget. and to be lucky enough to make a few images was a real treat to say the least.

Here are just a few images from this trip, hope you enjoy them….

MalleefowlLeipoa ocellata Megapodiidae — Malleefowl
*Leipoa ocellata*
Megapodiidae

Major Mitchell’s CockatooLophochroa leadbeateri Cacatuidae — Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
*Lophochroa leadbeateri*
Cacatuidae

GalahEolophus roseicapillus Cacatuidae — Galah
*Eolophus roseicapillus*
Cacatuidae

Sulphur-crested CockatooCacatua galerita Cacatuidae — Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
*Cacatua galerita*
Cacatuidae

Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius — Mulga Parrot
*Psephotus varius*

Bluebonnet Northiella haematogaster — Bluebonnet
*Northiella haematogaster*

Regent ParrotPolytelis anthopeplus Psittacidae — Regent Parrot
*Polytelis anthopeplus*
Psittacidae

Mallee Ringneck Barnardius zonarius — Mallee Ringneck
*Barnardius zonarius*

Striped HoneyeaterPlectorhyncha lanceolata Meliphagidae — Striped Honeyeater
*Plectorhyncha lanceolata*
Meliphagidae

Brown-headed HoneyeaterMelithreptus brevirostris Meliphagidae — Brown-headed Honeyeater
*Melithreptus brevirostris*
Meliphagidae

Spiny-cheeked HoneyeaterAcanthagenys rufogularis Meliphagidae — Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
*Acanthagenys rufogularis*
Meliphagidae

White-eared HoneyeaterLichenostomus leucotis Meliphagidae — White-eared Honeyeater
*Lichenostomus leucotis*
Meliphagidae

Singing HoneyeaterLichenostomus virescens Meliphagidae — Singing Honeyeater
*Lichenostomus virescens*
Meliphagidae

Inland ThornbillAcanthiza apicalis Acanthizidae — Inland Thornbill
*Acanthiza apicalis*
Acanthizidae

Grey Shrike-thrushColluricincla harmonica Pachycephalidae — Grey Shrike-thrush
*Colluricincla harmonica*
Pachycephalidae

Juveniel Crested BellbirdOreoica gutturalis Pachycephalidae — Juvenile Crested Bellbird
*Oreoica gutturalis*
Pachycephalidae

Crested BellbirdOreoica gutturalis Pachycephalidae — Crested Bellbird
*Oreoica gutturalis*
Pachycephalidae

Pied ButcherbirdCracticus nigrogularis Artamidae — Pied Butcherbird
*Cracticus nigrogularis*
Artamidae

Female Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii — Female Red-capped Robin
*Petroica goodenovii*

Hooded Robin
*Melanodryas cucullata*
Petroicidae

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikeCoracina novaehollandiae Campephagidae — Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
*Coracina novaehollandiae*
Campephagidae

A great little gathering at the driveway bird bath of Yellow-throated Miner’sManorina flavigula Meliphagidae — A great little gathering at the driveway bird bath of Yellow-throated Miner’s
*Manorina flavigula*
Meliphagidae

Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis — Southern Whiteface
*Aphelocephala leucopsis*

Splendid Fairy-wrenMalurus splendens Maluridae — Splendid Fairy-wren
*Malurus splendens*
Maluridae

Welcome SwallowHirundo neoxena Hirundinidae — Welcome Swallow
*Hirundo neoxena*
Hirundinidae

The Moon was so clear and large in the sky, you just feel like you can touch it…

Had such a fabulous time at Explore the Mallee, spent a good amount of time looking around their 168 acre property and found plenty of beautiful birds and subjects to photograph, the passion both Michael and Louise have is very addictive and genuine and it shows with their knowledge and experience, you walk away learning a lot, I certainly did.

Also while there this trip I took a couple of trips down to Wyperfeld National Park and explored around there and with nearby National Parks and Flora & Fauna Reserves (Hattah Kulkyne, Murray Sunset, Wathe Reserve, Bronzewing, Annuello) so close by there are lots of options…

Have already booked another trip back and cant wait for another adventure around this stunning part of Victoria and the Mallee, thank you so very much Michael & Louise for sharing your stunning part of Mallee at Patchewollock

Please follow the links to all the information on their websites, would highly recommend for a great Mallee adventure : -

https://explorethemallee.com.au/

Outside Four Walls

https://www.outsidefourwalls.com/

More images to come soon…

Well I will leave you for now with this train wreck contraption, more commonly known in the bird world as a Willy Wag Tail, obviously I want some of what is in that bird bath as it cant be just water!!