Birding

Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne

July 16, 2023 by Clare M No Comments

Flemington Racecourse is mostly famous for the “Race that stops a Nation”, which is held on the first Tuesday in November every year. However, there is a short walking trail around the lake beside the track that can be accessed at all times. There are a few benches for you to sit on out of the wind and in the sun-if it is out! The trail offers native flowering trees and shrubs, which attract birds as does the water.

The header photo shows the view looking back at the location of the Quest Apartments and the photo below looking in the opposite direction late afternoon in winter.

Flemington Lakes

When you walk around the trail there is one area that has rocks across the middle of the water and it offers feeding opportunities for the birds.

Flemington Lakes

The most popular ducks during the winter months appear to be Pacific Black Ducks and Chestnut Teal. Both Hoary-headed Grebes and Australasian Grebes are present alongside Australasian Swamphens, Dusky Moorhens and Eurasian Coots.

Pacific Black Ducks

Australasian Swamphen

Dusky Moorhen feeding in the shallows

There have been two White-faced Herons recently and they appear to have been able to find sufficient food in the area.

White-faced Heron

The flowering bushes and trees are a great source of food for the nectar eaters. Both New Holland Honeyeaters and White-plumed Honeyeaters have been visiting the area. The birds soon flit about amongst the flowers trying to evade being photographed! The flowers also attract Red Wattlebirds, Rainbow Lorikeets and Noisy Miners.

Flowering shrubs

New Holland Honeyeater

The large expanse of grass in the area is suitable for Welcome Swallows to swoop over and Magpie-larks, Australian Magpies and Willie Wagtails can also be observed. There are European bird species present like much of Melbourne including Common Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Rock Doves, Spotted Doves and Common Starlings.

There are 82 bird species currently listed for this location and as you can see there appears to be the occasional bird drop in and get observed. Other bird species such as the Little Grassbird and Reed Warbler are likely always there, but not always observed or heard.

If you happen to be in Melbourne and in the area of Flemington it is worth dropping by to see what is about near the famous racecourse.

Written by Clare M
Clare and her husband, Grant, have lived permanently in Broome, Western Australia since 1999 after living in various outback locations around Western Australia and Darwin. She has lived in the Middle East and the United States and traveled extensively in Europe. She monitors Pied Oystercatchers breeding along a 23km stretch of Broome's coastline by bicycle and on foot. She chooses not to participate in social media, but rather wander off into the bush for peace and tranquility. Thankfully she can write posts in advance and get away from technology!