Spring is a popular time to go birding in southern Australia and for good reason as the local resident birds are joined by more migratory and nomadic species taking advantage of the excellent conditions as the weather warms up. Recent tours have included short Melbourne based trips as well as targeted tours chasing some of the rarest birds in the state. Mallee Emu-wren, Black-eared Miner, Australasian Bittern, Red-backed Kingfisher, Malleefowl, White-browed Treecreeper and Rufous Bristlebird have all been successfully tracked down. Other cool birds on the way have included Speckled Warbler, Brolga, Southern Emu-wren, Regent Parrot, Pink Cockatoo, Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Superb Lyrebird, Shy Albatross, Tawny Frogmouth, Nankeen Night Heron, Southern Scrub-robin, Black Falcon, Spotted Harrier, Australian Koel and lots more. Some rare grassland birds have not been able to be found including Plains Wanderer and Inland Dotterel. Who knows what may happen before the spring is out.
