We have decided to have our 2024 Bird Camp at the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park in northern Victoria. For those of you who do not know the park, it is one of Victorias premier birding spots with over 200 species listed as having been seen in the area, including endangered and threatened species such as Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Turquoise Parrot and Square Tailed Kite. At this time of year, many species of birds arrive at the park or pass through on their way south.
At this stage the final details have not been worked out but we will probably spend most of our time on the Chiltern side of the freeway and intend on holding walks at Battery Hill Rd, Ryans Rd, Chiltern No.2 Dam and Bartley’s Block, plus honeyeater Picnic Ground on the Mt Pilot side of the freeway. This may change as I have yet to do a scouting trip to check the areas.
There are some camping areas in the park, but facilities are very limited so we will maybe look at basing ourselves at the caravan park in Chiltern (Lake Anderson Caravan Park) which has powered and unpowered sites plus various different types of cabins. You will of course be able to stay wherever you like as we will meet at the specific locations each morning, details will be supplied before the event. There are a number of accommodation types offered in the area.
As usual we suggest driving up on the Friday to get settled in if you can. There will be walks organised for Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday morning. If enough people are interested, we may look at doing a night walk on Saturday night. A communal dinner will also be arranged for the Friday night at a hotel or restaurant in Chiltern.
For more information regarding the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, click here:
https://vnpa.org.au/parks/chiltern-mt-pilot-national-park/
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/Chiltern-Mt-Pilot-National-Park
For those interested in the camp, please advise Bob Dawson, preferably by email at bobadawson@hotmail.com or if unable, by phone/text 0417 621 691, so that you can be given the details as they become available.
Turquoise Parrot – Bob Dawson
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
