Federation Hill birding hotspots
Federation Hill birding hotspots
Sixty bird species have been recorded on this walk. It's a one hour medium-brisk walk on Federation Hill with notes about the birds you may see in the various habitats along the way.
Summary
Sixty bird species have been recorded on this walk. It's a one hour medium-brisk walk on Federation Hill with notes about the birds you may see in the various habitats along the way.
Description
This one hour walk (moderate-brisk pace) contains a steep uphill section along Kangaroo Track. Walking in a clock-wise direction is recommended to avoid slipping if going down Kangaroo Track. It can be extended by taking the Sundew and Tussock Tracks instead of Kangaroo Track.
Sixty bird species have been recorded on this walk. The bird photos accompanying this map were all taken on location. Generally speaking you're more likely to spot smaller bird species on sections with denser vegetation e.g. Sundew Track and Kangaroo Track, as well as along interfaces with backyards.
This walking map was created by Lizette Salmon as part of a Parklands Albury Wodonga project supported by the Victorian Government through the Volunteering Innovation Fund. All photos were taken on location by Lizette.
2661 Views
Points of Interest
1. Start and end - along the fire trail
Access this walk from near the intersection of McGaffins Rd and Drewett Rd. Take the fire trail that runs along the base of the hill. It's flat easy walking.
2. Wetland birds
This dam attracts wetland birds including ibises, cormorants and ducks.
3. Rufous whistler
From spring onwards you're likely to hear and see rufous whistlers in the stretch between this marker and the junction with Kangaroo and Junction tracks.
4. Nankeen kestrel
Look in the upper branches of the stag/dead trees either side of the water tank on the hillside for roosting nankeen kestrels. They're also regularly hovering in the sky here.
5. Yellow-rumped thornbill
Yellow-rumped thornbills are very commonly seen foraging at ground level along this whole section to Kangaroo Track.
6. Junction with bluebell track
Stick with the fire trail - you'll return via bluebell track on the return.
7. Red-browed finch
Large flocks of red-browed finches frequent this section, eating grass seeds or ducking for cover in backyard shrubs.
8. Spotted pardalote
You'll hear (and see - with binoculars) plenty of these stunning little birds in the eucalpyt canopies.
9. Scarlet robin
Look carefully in the bush towards the ridge line and you may find scarlet robins in the cooler months.
10. Rainbow bee-eater
For a brief window approximately late Oct-early November you may spot a small flock of rainbow bee-eaters in this location.
11. Wetland birds
Occasional wetland birds including white-faced herons can be seen near this dam.
12. Superb fairywren
Superb fairywrens are common along much of this trail, including this spot near the trough.
13. Double-barred finch
Double-barred finches were sighted here on two occasions in late May 2021 i.e. they're rare but you may get lucky.
14. Steep ascent
Kangaroo track is a steep ascent
15. Speckled warbler
Classified as 'vulnerable' in Victoria, the speckled warbler has regularly been seen in mixed flocks with thornbills. Sometimes they're bathing in puddles on the track.
16. Silvereye
This is one of several spots you may come across silvereyes.
17. Buff-rumped thornbill
Buff-rumped thornbills are often seen on or near the base of eucalypts. You might even spot their nests in the crevice/bark of trees.
18. Gentle uphill gradient
Continuing along carex track
19. Scarlet robin
If you're lucky you might spot flame robins in the winter months during this more open area.
20. Bluebell track
Take bluebell track, with a moderate downhill gradient back towards the fire trail and start/end point.
21. Gang-gang cockatoo
Listen out for the distinctive calls of gang-gang cockatoos, particularly in spring. They enjoy dining on the gum-nuts of the apple box eucalpyts on the ridge-line.
22. Black-faced cuckoo shrike
Black-faced cuckoo shrikes are regularly spotted in mature eucalypts along the ridge-line.
23. Australasian pipit
In spring you may flush an Australasian pipit in the tall grasses here. They'll often land on a nearby rock and spend time watching you.
24. Common myna
Oh no - the dreaded common myna was first spotted by the map author on Federation Hill in September 2021. They're an introduced species that's a real threat to native species.
Features
Nature trail
