Walk leaders have been out in the Wivenhoe area recently and had a great day so we wanted to share the area with members. Interesting birds seen included Banded Lapwing (which we hope will stay around for our July visit), Great Crested Grebe and Spotted Harrier (one of 8 raptors seen on the recce).
This is a full day outing with limited numbers and to help with organising, please book by emailing or phoning Rae Clark. If you need transport, please let Rae know and we will try to help.
After recent rain, the area looks good. We will meet at Spillway Common at the car park for the picnic area which has toilet facilities. The entrance to the Spillway Common site is on the left before the road over the dam wall and there are signs on the road indicating it. (If you happen to miss the turn, go on a short distance to Cormorant Bay – entrance to the right just before the road crosses the dam wall.) Seqwater has a viewing area overlooking the Spillway which we will visit as well as doing a circuit walk around an interesting area of bush and grassland. Other sites around the dam will be visited before lunch, with lunch in Fernvale (for those who wish to buy lunch at the bakery). In the afternoon, we will visit sites further along the Wivenhoe-Somerset Road.
The eBird hotspots for the sites we are likely to visit are:
Lake Wivenhoe – Spillway Common https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3598684
Lake Wivenhoe – Information Centre https://ebird.org/hotspot/L5208068
Vernor Road, Wivenhoe Pocket https://ebird.org/hotspot/L39744919
Fernvale (lunch stop) https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2558515
Lake Wivenhoe – Branch Creek https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2559497
Lake Wivenhoe – Hay’s Landing and Billies Bay https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3012176
Northbrook Creek Picnic Area (Wivenhoe-Somerset Road) https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3237432
GPS for Spillway Common is -27.399219, 152.607966. More details of areas around Wivenhoe Dam can be found on the Seqwater information guide and map to be found at https://www.seqwater.com.au/sites/default/files/2026-01/2026%20DCS1654%20Lake%20Wivenhoe%20TearOffMap.pdf
Please bring morning tea, lunch, water and a chair plus sunscreen, insect repellent, hand sanitiser and a hat. It can be cooler in this area in July so consider bringing an extra pullover or jacket, just in case.
