Why birdwatchers are flocking to Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
Thursday 6 March, 2025
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park is not your average park. What it lacks in show-stopping, knockout attractions is made up for in its incredible biodiversity. Nobody knows this more than the dedicated volunteers from the Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
Just ask Neville Bartlett, the group’s treasurer.
“The park is a very unassuming park when you look at it - there’s nothing immediately spectacular about it. In fact, this particular section of the park has a town in it, the Hume Highway running through it, a gas pipeline, and the railway line, so it’s really fragmented with bits all over the place,” Neville said.
“But when you start looking bit closer at the flora and fauna in the park, birds in particular, you get a real richness of biodiversity that sets it apart,” Neville said.
The park contains the highest number of mammal, bird and reptile species recorded at any Box-Ironbark site, making it a fantastic location to spot and photograph native wildlife.
More than 200 bird species have been spotted in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, including two of Australia’s most threatened birds – the Swift Parrot and the Regent Honeyeater. The Friends group helps monitor these fleeting visitors by participating in twice yearly bird surveys.
Flocks of Swift Parrots attracted birdwatchers from near and far to Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park last year.
Photo supplied by Neville Bartlett, Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
Regent Honeyeaters are one of Australia's most threatened bird species, but are known to visit Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
Photo supplied by Neville Bartlett, Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
It’s this incredible biodiversity which attracts people from all over to visit Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
“That’s how I got involved – I phoned up the Friends group and wanted to know where I could see Turquoise Parrots in the wild. After that I was hooked on the place,” Neville said.
“Last year the Swift Parrots put on a display where they kept appearing in the same spot multiple times a day, which is not normally like them. There were ‘birdos’ coming from all over the place trying to catch a glimpse.”
“Regent Honeyeaters are also a drawcard, as they used to be quite plentiful around here. There’s been a number of captive releases held here in the past, because the park is known to be good habitat for the Regent Honeyeater, although these days most releases happen further north.”
The park’s flora is equally as impressive. Bioluminescent ghost fungi are known to grow in certain places, while tall grass trees sway gently throughout the Box-Ironbark forest.
According to Tanya Thompson, president of the Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, the wildflowers found in the park have inspired people to become more involved.
“The many orchids found here are also a really big drawcard, not just for the visitors, but for people choosing to join the volunteer group as well,” Tanya said.
Photo: Neville Bartlett (treasurer), Tanya Thompson (president) and Jenny Davidson (vice-president) are all passionate volunteers of the Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
The Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park volunteers have sought to capitalize on this interest in flora by creating an impressive database of each species of plant which grows in the park, including photos of each part of an individual plant’s lifecycle.
“That’s what makes this group unique, we have a truly remarkable database of what grows here in the park. We regularly receive requests from people wanting to use the photos we’ve taken because of how extensive it is,” Tanya said.
On top of maintaining the database and participating in bird surveys, the volunteer group is also heavily involved in weeding, installing nest boxes and revegetation.
“No day in the park is a wasted day, even if you didn’t achieve what you set out to do,” said Tanya.
“It can be very satisfying to see trees you’ve planted a decade ago flourishing,” Neville said.
“I find the park rewards you for being in it. Each time you visit, you’ll be rewarded in some way, whether it’s noticing something new for the first time, or having a unique mindful experience,” Neville said.
“Sometimes it even feels spiritual,” added Jenny Davidson, the Friends group vice-president.
“The social part of volunteering with the group is so important as well. There’s always someone in the group who knows more than you, so you’re constantly learning something new, while being with like-minded people and being outdoors,” Jenny said.
“It’s just a wonderful thing.”
The Box-Ironbark forests of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park have incredible biodiversity.
The Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park play an important part in the revegetation of the park.
How you can volunteer in your local park
For those interested in making a difference, volunteering with your local Friends group is a rewarding experience.
In addition to the sense of fulfilment that comes with protecting nature, volunteers enjoy opportunities to participate in special projects, learn from experts, and be part of a supportive community dedicated to preserving one of Victoria’s most valuable natural assets.
Whether you can spare a few hours a month or want to be more actively involved, every contribution helps safeguard Victoria’s incredible places.
To learn more, visit the volunteering page of our website and register as a volunteer on ParkConnect.