The history
Clarkesdale Sanctuary was generously donated to BirdLife Australia, Trust for Nature, and Parks Victoria by conservationist Gordon Clarke.
The Sanctuary is home to over 150 species of woodland and wetland birds including threatened birds like the Powerful Owl, Black-eared Cuckoo and the Diamond Firetail.
Clarkesdale Sanctuary is a great example of just how resilient nature is. Owing to the replanting efforts and the vision of Gordon Clarke, the reserve has resulted in areas of Clarke’s plantings benefiting some species of honeyeaters, such as New Holland honeyeaters and red wattlebirds, to the point where they are much more common there than in native forest.
While the Spring and Summer seasons are the best time to see birds, the Sanctuary has brilliant birding opportunities all year round.
Campers can also enjoy a number of un-powered sites at the Sanctuary, along with facilities such as showers and toilets.
The birds of Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary
During the Spring and Summer, the Sanctuary is a hive of activity as birds busily breed and nest while migratory birds such as the Common Greenshank and Horesfield’s Bronze-Cuckoos make their return.
Over the past couple of years, five species of cuckoos were recorded and Painted Honeyeaters have also made a welcome reappearance at the Sanctuary.
Indigenous Birds recorded at Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary include:
- Peregrine Falcon
- Sacred Kingfisher
- Grey Goshawks
- Superb Fairywren
- Pallid Cuckoo
- Black Swan
- Red-rumped Parrot
- Hooded Robin
- Rufous Whistler
- Jacky Winter
- Painted Honeyeater