Birding at Mallacoota Airport

A dull, chilly and very soggy January morning looking for birds at one of my regular haunts near Mallacoota Airport.

A few tips: I was in my 2WD, so I parked opposite the Mallacoota Bunker Museum in the caravan turning space (leaving room for the vanners of course!). I walked up the dirt road towards the Mallacoota Gun Club, following the electric fence line outside of the airport area. If you have a 4WD or a 2WD with good clearance, you could take this dirt road (on the right before the Bunker museum) drive toward the Mallacoota Gun Club and park at the corner of the airport fence to save a bit of walking. (I do this if I'm short on time or in a hurry to catch the light).

Dusky Woodswallow ISO 4000, f 7.1,1/8000

I've been told the electric fence has a mighty strong zap. I'm taking their word for it as there's no way I'm testing it out!

Although I didn't wear my snake-resistant gaiters due to the chilly wet conditions, I probably should have as I could have easily stepped on a large Red-bellied Black Snake while filming, I almost didn't see him.

A passing local also warned me of Tiger Snakes in the fields surrounding the airport: definitely a good idea to at least wear some solid boots and long trousers over the summer months when snakes are active.

A few of my favourite shots from this walk:

Restless Flycatcher. ISO 2500, f7.1, 1/1600

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/2000

Flame Robin, ISO 2500, f5.6, 1/500

Rather Scruffy Scarlet Robin, ISO 4000, f 5.6, 1/2000

Rufous Whistler, ISO 4000, f5.6, 1/3200

Australian Pipit, ISO 4000, f5.6 1/2500

Australian Hobby, ISO 5000, f7.1, 1/500

Glossy Black Cockatoo, ISO 2500, f7.1, 1/500

Search Ebird Hotspots for 'Mallacoota Airfield' for the full list of 128 species.