I joined this site quite a while ago and I find I have turned into the dreaded lurker so I thought I'd better rectify this situation. I grew up on the Mornington Peninsula but moved to Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges nearly 20 years ago where my already healthy interest in Australian birds and wildlife increased rapidly with the easy access available there. I'm back on the MP but the bank and I still jointly own the Emerald home.
I wanted to thank the regular posters and photographers here as you contribute so much information and advice and it makes this forum a nice place to both visit and gain knowledge.
I bought a decent camera a few years ago but only now have I thought to try some bird photography - it will be a challenge to get even slightly close to the quality shown here but I intend giving it a go.
Alison
Hi Alison, I'm originally from Frankston the Mornington Peninsula is a fantastic place for bird photography so many parks and reserves,I look forward to see some photos!
Thanks for the welcome Sparrow. I hope to get some photos posted soon.
Interesting that you were from Frankston as I work in Seaford and my bosses have recently bought an established house in Frankston near the reserve off Maclelland Drive. The house has some large eucalypts and an increasing number of native plants. Since the clearing for the new freeway they have noticed yellow tailed black cockatoos and other birds visiting that they had not seen before.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
Welcome "lurker"! Glad we could make an honest woman of you. So, you know all of us, but we have to get to know you!?I'm looking forward to hear more from you. You are right, living in Emerald gives you access to some good areas. Just drive up to the "Elephant Rock", that's where I saw the 2 Sea Eagles twice. They sat in those dead trees on the left,coming from Emerald, just before you get to the rock.(where the horses are!).Then they circle over the reservoir. Good luck!
M-L
Hi Araminta,
Hmm, "Ëlephant Rock". I have passed that well-painted rock many times as I used to catch the Beaconsfield train when I worked in the city. I didn't know that area had sea eagles. When I return to the area I will make a point of visiting. My house is very close to Beaconsfield Reserve - do you know it? I have seen Wedgetails and Black Falcons there, the latter once snatching a spotted dove from my balcony. I do miss being there!
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
If you go to other end of Maclelland Drive just past the golf course you'll find Boggy creek part of the pines nat park and one of the best places to find small birds, sitting quietly by the creek in the evening i have had grey fantails land on me!
The YT cockatoos are there most days during summer,and with the bell birds calling it's hard to beleave your only about 1.5K from the freeway.
Hi Alison,I don't know which "Beaconsfield Reserve" you are talking about, as there are a few different ones.I do know the area though. The Wedge-tailed Eagles used to live in a tree on Emerald-Beaconsfield Rd. The house even had a sign: Eagles Nest. But since the house changed owners some months ago, I haven't seen them in the area.(the sign is gone too).I fear the worst!? I have seen WE around the Cockatoo/Emerald/Gembrook area. Hope those birds are the same ones! But if the Sea Eagles are still there, just be patient,they might turn up? Other people have seen them on the other side of the reservoir in Lysterfield. Good luck!
M-L
[q]...sitting quietly by the creek in the evening i have had grey fantails land on me!...[/q]
That would have be an amazing experience - they are very curious and cheeky birds IME but to have them land on you would have been magic.
Thanks for sharing that location - is that near the fenced off areas with the road signs which showing a car veering all over the road. I now live in Rosebud but I have been to that gallery off Maclelland Drive which is not too far from there.
[q]..I don't know which "Beaconsfield Reserve" you are talking about..[/q]
Sorry Araminta, I was rushing because I should have already left for work and got the name wrong - it should have been Butterfield Reserve which is on the way to Monbulk on the Monbulk Emerald Road. The WE often seem to glide in the thermals above Stewart Road and one of the arcs would be above my house.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
the entrance is on the left about 300m past quarry rd
morning sparrow, are you talking about the "Langwarrin Boggy Creek"? I had a look on the net, that looks very touristy, more like a playground though?
M-L
No thats little boggy creek park on the other side of the sand quarry i mean the other side of maclelland drive where the creek runs through the pines flora and forna reserve if you goggle maps it even shows all the walking tracks
Hey,
I found this link which details a lot of places in and around Frankston and shows this area. Is this of any use to anyone?
http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=pdf/269/84.pdf&siteID=18&str_title=Natural%20Reserves%20In%20Frankston%20City%20Council.pdf
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
Thank you so much, sparrow! I found it. If the sun comes out tomorrow, we will go there.(then visit my friend, who lives next to the Rosebud Golf Course,try to get a nice glass of Red? LOL)
M-L
great link it shows most of the places i would have recommended in Fankston, the whole peninsula is dotted with large and small reserves your never more than 10min from the next place to explore