Longford

Longford hosts many events and activities throughout the year with something for everyone, from art, music and concerts, gardens, festivals, vintage cars, dogs, fitness and a country show.

A summary of events in Longford. Please check the events calendar for specific dates and details.

History of Longford

From its earliest time as home to the aboriginal people to European settlement, Longford has grown from a small settlement to a tourist destination renowned for its history.

Aboriginal History

Prior to European settlement, the area was home to the Panninher band of Tasmanian Aborigines.

Story of the Norfolk Plains

The area was settled in 1813 by the earliest convicts and free settlers relocated to Van Diemen’s Land from the abandoned convict settlement on Norfolk Island, hence the name “Norfolk Plains”. Soon they were joined by free settlers from Britian, who were attracted to the colony by the new land grant scheme that was devised by the British Government as a means of “gentrifying” the colony.

The second name of the district, Latour, was that of a leading member of the Cressy Establishment, a syndicate which obtained extensive grants in the region of 1826 and carried on large scale stock and crop farming until 1856, when the estates were broken up and sold, first having given its name to the township of Cressy, near which stood the company’s headquarters.

About this period French names were not over popular with the loyal British settlers and shortly the old names died out and the town and district came to be known as Longford. It is likely that the name was given by Roderic O’Connor government surveyor, who received substantial land grants in the area, because the country junction of the Lake and the South Esk Rivers reminded him, as it has others since, of the junction of the two rivers at Longford the O’Connor home district in Ireland. Be that as it may “Longford” the region became and as such it is known today, far beyond local boundaries because of the fame of its well-breed sheep and cattle.

The First Explorers

In 1805 Colonel Paterson had been located at Launceston only a few months when he despatched navel surgeon Jacob Mountgarrett and Ensign Hugh Piper to explore the surrounding country. These two carried out quite extensive expeditions and expressed their opinion that the region was ideal for the settlement of farmers and stock breeders. Following these reports, a decision was made to settle this country with convicts and free settlers relocated from Norfolk Island. Whilst these initial settlers were not entirely successful, subsequent farmers had by 1818 recorded yields of wheat of up to 30 bushels to the acre.

Early Settlers

Some of Tasmania’s most famous names are listed among the early recipients of land grants in the Longford area, the Archer, Lawrence, Bell and Dumaresq families amongst others.

Thomas Archer was the first of four brothers who came to Van Diemen’s Land with every recommendation to the Governor. Thomas was sent to Launceston in 1813 by Governor Sorell in charge of the commissariat. In 1818 he was transferred to Hobart. In the five years in the north we may suppose he formed a very favourable impression of the Norfolk Plains area for he built a home, “Woolmers”, on his land grant there. To this he retired in 1821. Additions were made to the house in 1834 and today it is one of the most historic and originally intact in Tasmania.

Close to the road is the quaint pump house which lifted the water from the river by means of a working horse.

Thomas Archer’s brothers, who followed him to Van Diemen’s Land, also played bold parts in the development of the Longford district – Joseph at “Panshanger”, one of Tasmania’s biggest farms; William at Brickendon; and Edward at Northbury in the Longford district.

Mr William Effingham Lawrence arrived at Port Dalrymple in 1823 in his own ship, the 70 tonne sloop “Lord Liverpool”, bringing with him his family, servants and the stock and equipment for his farm. He settled first at Point Effingham near the Tamar Heads but later moved into a home he built in Launceston and where he lived while the land was being cleared and buildings erected on his substantial grant at “Formosa”, near Cressy. The first log house was completed in 1824 but was burnt down by bushrangers two years later.

Undeterred, Mr Lawrence built a second and larger homestead on the site and his descendants now operate several notable properties throughout the district.

The Township is Founded

While the pioneer families were taming the district, Longford township itself was founded by Newman Williatt in 1814, who was previously the first postmaster in Launceston. He built himself an inn in 1827 which he called the Longford Hotel. It is right in the centre of the town today and, after many changes of fortune including being a temperance house set up by the Ball Brothers who were Welsh miners of strict religious faith, it was well known as Jessen Lodge in the mid 1990’s, and now renovated back to its original form by local artist Michael McWilliams.

An early development in Longford was the establishment of a school by the Rev. Claiborne. There were other schools in the district, notably Longford Hall and Longford House, the latter being conducted by Dr David Boyd, while the doctor’s sister conducted a school for young ladies in what has been the “Lass O’Gowrie Hotel”. It ceased to hold a licence in 1870 when the then licensee, Edwin Hicks moved to Tattersalls Hotel, which is now the municipal library.

The River and the Mills

Where the splendid railway bridge spans the South Esk below its junction with the Lake River, can still be seen the cutting in the banks where the punt was drawn up to take aboard or discharge its cargo, King’s Bridge ultimately displaced the punt when it was built as a private enterprise by William King, a Longford merchant. The Longford-Cressy-Westbury districts were major suppliers of wheat to the infant colonies of Port Jackson and Port Phillip, and it was inevitable that flour milling became a major industry.

The long brick wall on the western side of Wellington Street at the northern end of the town is all that is left of Ritchie’s Emerald Mill. Which was worked by steam power. Thomas Affleck’s mill still stands opposite the Country Club Hotel. “Wickford”, “Brickendon”, “Woolmers” and “Connorville” all had their mills and most of these still stand today, particularly

The Bushrangers

The district was a famous and lucrative haunt for bushrangers of whom some gruesome stories were told. The graves of four men murdered by outlaws is marked by a tree growing in front of the chapel at “Darlington” near Cressy. Gibbet Hill a mile out of Perth on the Launceston road, is so named from the fact that here executions were carried out, the bodies being tarred and left swinging in the wind as a warning to other evil-doers.

Historic Buildings

Visitors can marvel at gracious homes, well preserved colonial buildings, grand churches and intriguing headstones, a number of which are listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.

Discover the rich stories that reveal tragedy, drama and for many, triumph over adversity during “A Walk in Longford’s Historic Precinct’.

Following are some of the more notable historic buildings within Longford and their history.

Brickendon and Woolmers Estates were private farms that utilised assigned convicts, both male and female, who worked largely in agricultural jobs and contributed to the development of Tasmania’s pastoral industry. These Estates are listed on the World Heritage List of 11 Australian convict sites.

For further information please visit their webites:
Woolmers Estate
Brickendon Estate

Christ Church (1839), sandstone, with square tower, lancet windows and buttresses, in the Old Colonial Gothic Picturesque style. Every visitor to Longford must see Christ Church, situated right in the centre of town. Places of worship had been established very early in the century at “Woolmers” and elsewhere but the first actually in the township was in about 1826 and it was situated immediately behind the present beautiful building. In 1829 a new church was built on the site of the present church. However, its foundations were faulty and the present building was erected in 1839. The bell and clock of the present church were transferred from the earlier churches, and carry an inscription intimating that they were donated in 1824 by King George IV.

The cemetery includes many prominent local families including the Archer, Brumby and Reiby families. One of the most interesting vaults is that of James Brumby, who died in 1838, and his family. Brumby’s Creek gains its name after this pioneer family.

Other vaults of importance are those of the Reiby and Archer families. The Reiby’s of Entally were famous settlers. Mary Reiby, a convict girl, went to Sydney after her husband death and became a powerful merchant-queen in that city and appears of the current Australian $20 note. The Harrisons, whose home is “Norley” are descendants of Charles Arthur nephew of Governor Arthur who was perhaps Van Diemen’s Land’s greatest pro-consul.

Amongst the many interesting monuments are those to William Dodery, who, with this father George William Dodery arrived in Launceston in 1829. They went into the hotel business there, William junior had the Mitre Tavern in Longford where the original Brown’s store now stands, and in 1846 built the Blenheim Hotel, which was then the finest in the district. William Dodery was a noted political figure of his day being President of the Legislative Council.

Queen’s Arms Hotel (1835), a double storey brick and stuccoed building in the Old Colonial Georgian style. This may have started as the “King’s Arms” which was operating in 1835, with a name change some time after Victoria became Queen in 1837. The “King’s Arms”, run by Mrs Marriot in 1835, was offered for sale in 1838. The “Queen’s Arms” was run by James Johnstone in 1840 and a little later by Samuel Cox.

Blenheim Hotel (1846), a two storey Georgian brick and stuccoed building, built by William Dodery, who had previously owned the “Mitre” on the site of the original Brown’s Store. William was described as a “hotel proprietor, pastoralist and politician”. The site was originally part of a grant to Thomas Archer of “Woolmers”. The first Longford Show was held in the grounds in 1850, prior to the formation of the Northern Agricultural Society in 1856. The Railway came through Longford in 1871. The landlord at the time cornered the railway market by having a vehicle meet every train and offer free transport to his inn, even though it was further away than most other inns.

Tattersalls Hotel (now Longford Library) (ca 1846), a two storey red brick corner building with neo-classic moulded surrounds to doorways. This attractive building was originally the “Market Square Inn”, later “Tattersalls Hotel” run by Edward Hicks.

Racecourse Hotel (former) (1840s), a two storey brick Georgian inn. It was originally intended to be the Longford Railway Station when the line was planned to run through Longford and Cressy, and then northwards. Throughout its history the building has served as a public house and an old people’s home. During its days as a public house, a rather gruesome murder took place in the bar. A woman was murdered and butchered after stealing and swallowing two gold sovereigns belonging to some farm hands. The men were subsequently hanged at Gibbet Hill.

Longford Town Hall (1880) Elizabeth Noake built the assembly rooms adjacent to the Queens Arms Hotel, which she also owned, prior to her death in 1885. The assembly rooms were built to take the place of the Tivoli Theatre, which had been destroyed by fire.

The assembly rooms were purchased by the Forester Lodge in 1892, and the name changed to Forester’s Hall.

In the early days the entrance to the hall was through a passage in the hotel and into the main hall through a doorway in the wall near the Soldier’s Memorial. The wall which carried the small gallery at that time went up to the ceiling so that the front portion was separated from the main hall. This front portion was occupied by the Commercial Bank of Tasmania and when the present bank was ready for occupation, built by Humphrey & Rowe, the front offices were taken by Mr Alex Archer – Solicitor, and Mr Ludlow Archer – Surveyor, and the interior altered to allow entrance from the front of the hall.

The Forester’s Lodge in 1939 improved and enlarged the hall and extended the gallery for the Star Theatres who secured the contract for showing pictures. When pictures faded out the Lodge sold the building to the Municipal Council, so once again the Hall was improved and is now known as the Forester Hall.

Original Brown’s Store (1889), is built on the site where the “Mitre Tavern” stood in 1836. Alfred Brown established his business at Longford, initially in a small way, with the whole of his stock being conveyed there in a single wagon, but by 1900 he had worked up a business of considerable magnitude. Brown’s Cash Emporium, an imposing double storey red brick facade has stood in Wellington Street at the centre of the town ever since, and for many years, was operated by successive generations of Browns.

Heritage Corner (early 1830s ) perhaps the most visually dominant building in Longford because of its shape and location. Formerly the “London”, later the “Plough Inn”. At one time a chemist’s dispensary, a watchmaker’s and antique shop.

For further information please go to the following websites:
National Trust
Heritage Highway

Public Service

• Albert Solomon, one of the Premiers of Tasmania, who was in office from 1912 to 1914.
• Walter Lee, three-time Premier of Tasmania.
• William Hartnoll (1841–1932), Australian politician.
• David John O'Keefe (1864–1943), Australian politician.
• Sir Norman Henry Denham Henty, KBE (1903–1978), Australian politician.
• Dame Florence "Flora" Reid GBE (1867–1950), the wife of the Prime Minister of Australia Sir George Reid.

The Arts

• Richard Flanagan (born 1961), an author, historian and film director.
• Katharine Parker (1886–1971), an Australian composer, born at Lake River near Longford.
• Tom Roberts, the Australian impressionist artist, who's ashes are buried at the bluestone Anglican Church on the Illawarra Road. For more information on Tom Roberts please see the attached flyer.

Sport

• Ian Davies, Olympic Basketballer, was born in Longford in 1956. Ian represented Australia at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow and 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. A top scorer for Australia at both Games, and topped the scoring for the entire basketball competition in Moscow. Inducted into the National Basketball League's Hall of Fame in 2001.
• John Lake Allen Arthur, Tasmanian cricketer, was born in Longford in 1847 and died there in 1877.
• Raymond Gordon Stokes (born 1924), a former Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond in the VFL.

Birds of the South Esk River area

More information about individual species can be found on the following websites:

Birdlife Australia, www.birdlife.org.au, then head to 'Discover birds'.

For photos and bird call recodings, www.ebird.com 

WATERBIRDS

DUCKS

Several species of ducks occur on the river at various times. The two common ones are Chestnut Teals with the male having a bright green blue/iridescent head. The female is dull in comparison being quite dark brown with paler scalloping of some feathers. On the river they often are seen in pairs. They do breed along the river.

Pacific Black Duck is much larger than the former, male and female are the same, basically a brown duck with patches of duck brownon the back and a light-coloured eye stripe.

Pacific Black Duck (an Australian species) and Mallard (European) and "farm ducks" hybrids (mixed mating) are resident. Virtually all farm ducks have been bred from Mallards. This means that Mallard often cross breed with farm duck. However Pacific Black Duck are closely related to Mallard so cross breeding is also common. The resulut is that Mallard genes often spread into the Black Duck population, so it is not unusual to find Black Duck with orange legs (usually they have grey/brown legs.) There is concern that some population of Black Duck commonly have Mallard genes that may make them less able to survive Australian conditions. In New Zealand in the equivalent species over 90% are no longer pure bred. 

All the other ducks are irregular or are seen flying over. 

CUCKOOS

None of the cuckoos are common. They are all migrants so are (usually) only seen or heard (more comonly) from October to April. A juvenile Horsefield Bronze-cuckoo was observed in November so was likely to have fledged locally, probably cared for by a Splendid Fairywren family. 

SWIFT

White-throated Needletail (Swift) has been seen once and is a rare summer visitor to Tasmania. Swifts are a more streamlined version of a swallow, usually seen flying high. They come to Australia to escape the northern winter.

WADERS

Masked Lapwing (often known as Masked Plover, also as Spur-winged Plover*) is commonly seen. There are two pairs on Curtis Park which breed there and often in autumn and winter often small flock around the weir. They are well known for their protection of their nest and young. Either they will try and distract your attention from the next by moving away as if injured or more directly in swooping. They can actually hit you, and they have a "spur" (like a toenail) on the angle of the wing. Blood can be drawn so leave them alone. 

*This is where they get their name of Spur-winged Plover from, but is now used by a very similar bird from elsewhere.

There is a smaller relative, Branded Plover ("Bandit" plover becasue of facial markings) which has nested in a crop on Tannery Road.

The only other wader seen is a pair of Black-fronted Dotterel (Plover) that spent time on the flooded area of the dog park following the 2022 flood.

RAILS

Eurasian or Common Coot (sometimes the name Bald Coot is used by this is also used for the Purple Swamphen) is a regular on the river. They are seen swimming on the river. A black bird, a little smaller than the Teal. Their numbers fluctuate from the odd bird up by the caravan park, where they have bred to over 20 further down river, busy diving for river weed from the riverbed. The current can carry them downstream while doing this, so, they swim to the willow under the bank and swim up stream where the current is less before moving out into the flow again. 

Why the numbers fluctuate is unknown. Coots have only become common in Tasmania over the last 80 years or so. Despite seeming to be poor fliers they can easily cross Bass Strait, by why and when this happens is unknown. (Note that the same species has been shown to move between Russia and the UK).

Others of this group, Dusky Moorhen and Purple Swamphen are seen occasionally on the river. The Swamphen is much larger than the Moorhen and blue rather that the dusky/black of the Moorhen, but both have red above the bill and white under the upright tail.

The endemic* Tasmania Native-hen occurs infrequently along the river bank and chicks have been seen.

*Endemic means native to the specific area, which for them means they occur only in Tasmania and nowhere else in the world.

GULLS / HERON / CORMORANTS

Surprisingly there is only one record of a Silver Gull in the area. They are frequent as close as Kings Meadows and are seen further up the South Esk while they are common in the Southern Midlands at Oatlands. 

White-Faced Herons are not uncommonly seen along the river and in 2022 there was a family of 5 around for a couple of weeks and it is possible they bred in the willows below the wier.

The other heron seen was the Cattle Egret between April and November, usually in small flocks, as many as 16. (The term egret usually refers to the group of heron like birds that are all white but Cattle Egrets, before they leave for the mainland to breed, their head and neck can turn golden.)

All three of the cormorants that use fresh water (as well as salt) occur on the river. The small, Little Pied Cormorant, is the most frequent with one or two seen perched on branches close to the water. Often they hang their wings out to dry in the typical cormorant poster. This is because unlike most other water birds their feathers are not so waterproof.

The two black cormorants have a big size difference but also the Little Black Cormorant often fishes in groups wiheras his big black cousin, Great Cormorant, feeds by himself. Through in the spring 2023 a group of sometimes over a dozen has been gathering in a dead tree. Before this there were only infrequent sightings of one or two. Some immature Great cormorant have considerable off-white chin, throat and on the upper breast, so it requires some care not to call it a Pied Cormorant that does not like fresh water.

BIRDS OF PREY

The number of species of birds of prey is suprisingly high probably because of the mixed habitats so that they fly over frequently.

The White-breasted Sea-eagle is the most frequently seen, as a pair have a nest on the east bank so are present around the next for some months and outside the breeding season which is long to seem to hang around outside that. Adults are easily recognised as they have a very white breast and belly and white patches under the wings while the back is silver/grey. Their wings are held up in a shallow V with a short wide tail, making it easy to identify if you get a reasonable view in the right light. The young are a black/brown mixture and do not attain full adult plumage for a few years.

During the breeding season the local Forest Ravens seem to take delight in dive bombing and making a nuisance of themselves for quite long periods, several minutes at a time, and probably 500m from the eagles' nest.

Wedge-tailed Eagles pass over and have even perched in the reserve but only occassionally and if you get a reasonable view the long wedge-shaped tail is a giveaway.

The second most common is the Brown Falcon, there are two in the area and frequently can be seen, perches in the top of willow trees surveying the neighbourhood. Falcons have pointed wings most of the time but can fan them out and glide, but not often. They are also good at hovering, at times, more so in a breeze.

As their name implies, they are usually brown wiht a paler breast which is coursely streaked and in thelighter coloured there is a "tear" streak of dark feathrers from below the eye. (Like many species of birds of prey, there is a darker form which can look like a different species.)

Next comes the Swamp Harrier frequently seen quartering the rough ground, with its long tail and wings held just above horizontal when gliding. If seen at the right angler there is a white patch just above the tail (rump) but is not always easy to see. Some of the adult males are quite pale and greyish. Most "Swampies" migrate to the mainland from March/April to July/August possibly returning to feast on early Masked Lapwing or Native Hen chicks. Here in the Northern Midlands some Swamp Harriers are still seen at some of the marshlands over winter.

The other falcons and hawks are infrequent visitors but there is an Australian Hobby (Little Falcon) that seems to take delight in chasing a flock of racing pigeons over Longford inthe evenings. 

PARROTS

Australia is the land of the parrots, though in Tasmania we have a smaller range than the mainland. However in Longford we have uor share.

The commonest is the Galah or Pink and Grey Cockatoo (well known to most Australians). They are frequently seen on grassland feeding on seeds, bulbs, and probably invertibrates. In the evenign they seem to gather in reasonable numbers in some of the larger trees int he town.

The next most common large parrot is the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo that frequently flies over the town and is attracted by the pine trees. Many people say that they come down from teh mountains when the weather gets bad. This may have been true in the past when bad weather struck in winter they would come down and feed onbanksias and hakeas but most of these have been cleared from the low country. They then found that pine cones provided good nourishment for long periods of time so now we find them present in almost any month.

There are three species of white cockatoo that can be seen around the Mill Dam area, Sulphir Crested Cockatoo, Long-billed Corella, and Little Corella. These are common in the surrounding farmland and frequently fly over the area.

Of the smaller colourful parrots, the Green Rosella (an endemic) is not uncommon in the trees in town but not often seen around the Mill Dam reserve. The adult male Green Rosella is actually more yellow than green with a small red patch on the face, and a  blue cheek patch, while the female and young being much greener. This is an endemic species found only in Tamania and is related to a series of other Rosellas on the mainland of which the Eatsern, a mult-coloured, Rosella can occur here but in much smaller numbers. 

Then there is the small fast flying Musk Lorikeet that occurs particularly when there are eucalyptus trees in flower. Feeding in the trees, they can be very noisy but surprisingly difficult to see, then will suddenly explode out o the tree flying away very fast directly screeching.

Much less common are the Rainbow Lorikeet  and the migrating and endangered Swift Parrot, both of which are attracted by eucalyptus flowers.

WREN

SUPERB FAIRY-WREN

Fairy-wrens are a fascinating group of birds mainly because of their plumage and social life. They have been well studied as apart from a fascinating family life, they are found throughout most of Australia. The Superb Fariy-wrens we have here on the island are slightly bigger than their mainland counterparts so are recognised as a sparate subspecies. Subspecies are a segment of a population that is differen in small ways, may be plumage or size, but are not as yet genetically different but igven a few more hundreds or thouusands of years may become a full species.)

The adult males have the bright blue plumage with a black beak and blue head over fo rthe breeding season. Young males develop their blue plumage for the breeding season (not always fully blue in the first year or two). At the end of the breeding season, they lose this plumage and become grey with a blue tail and black bill. Some retain some blue through winter but moult into a bluer plumage in subsequent breeding season. Some attain full blue plumage but are not the senior male. 

Females and juveniles are brown, with a bright red/brown stripe through the eye and a similar colour bill. Adult females have a blue wash to their tail. 

Their social life has been the subject of an enormous amount of research and there is still more to learn. Most birds live in a group consisting of a breeding pair with a variable number of helpers, some closely related, males less so. However, despite this the breeding female produces the eggs but many may be fathered outside the group. Most often not close neightoburs, but from a group further away, which reduces the chance of inbreeding. 

HONEYEATERS

Honeyeaters are the largest group of passerne species in Australia, and it says something about the nature of the area that they are poorly represented. Only one species is at all common, Yellow Wattlebird (an endemic). Seven species of honeyater have been recorded, one comon, four uncommon, and two rare. 

The Yellow Wattlebird is resident and breed in the mature eucalyptus along Smith Street. Their loud "onking" sound is unmistable, as is their flight with the extraordinary long tail. 

Little Wattlebirds do not seem to move into the reserve often, despite being common in town, probably because there is less nectar available. 

Another endemic, the Yellow-throated Honeyeater is the next most common and these appear to be present in the late summer, autumn, and winter probably when the young disperse from their birth teritory, probably as well as their mother.

The Crescent Honeyeater makes its presence known by its loud voice. Even over winter it calls with a loud clear call unlike anything else particularly at this time of year. These sexually dimorphic small yellow, bloac, and white honeyeaters are fairly easy to see in the regnerated native patches. New Holland Honeyeaters are rarely seen and are significantly bigger.

Crescent Honeyeaters breed mainly in the higher country and move down over winter.

OTHER PASSERINES

BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE

The name desciibes the bird: black face, long and slim like a cuckoo, with a slighlty hooked tip to the bill, like the European shrikes (making holding caterpillars easier). Two other common names tell us more: "Summer Bird" tells us that is is much more common in summer in Tasmania, and "Shufflewing" the habit it has, when settling on a perch, shuffling its wing feathers in to a comfortable position. 

Another feature that helps in identification is its undulating flight. If you observe carefully, cuckoo shrikes flying, rather than fly level, their flight undulates and the wing beat is not regular but a few beats and a pause when it loses a bit of height, a flap - glide pattern. Learning flight pattern is a way of identifying many birds that is very useful, as you do not always get a good view. 

BROWN THORNBILL

This is a common little bird but not easy to see because it is very active andspends most of its time feeding on insects and other bugs in the leaves of trees, more often inside the tree rather than on outer leaves compared to Pardalotes. In winter it does tend to probe more under the bark on the branches. Though on first look they are rather plan but as in the photograph, when, at last seen, well, the bright eye, the speckled breast and scalloped forehead are distinctive. In the moister parts of the state, their relative, the Tasmanian Thornbill is more common preferring damper gullies or the forests in the western part of the state. Tasmanian Thornbills are noticeably very white under the tail which can look quite fully (like pantaloons). 

EUROPEAN BLACKBIRD

The males are all black with a golden bill. Females are brown with some yellow in the bill but can sometimes have a streaky breast. Young birds are streakier still but moult into adult plumage in autumn except they retain brown flights (primaries) till after their first breeding season. Much despised for their destruction of garden beds, think yourself lucky that we do not have the Bush-turkey,common along much of the easter seaboard. Bush-turkeys are the size of large chickens and scratch the leaf litter as much as our Blackbirds but much more vigourously. But Blackbirds do have the one redeeming feature, their beautiful song which can be heard throughout the town and along the river in the reserve. 

STARLING

They were first imported to Melbourne in 1857 and about 20 years later to Sydney. Since then, they have spread to the whole of the south-east of Austrlia including to Tasmania. They were probably inported to "control" insect pests. However, they have become a pest themselves in various ways, breeding under rooves, competing with native hole nesting birds and probably mammals, fouling places where they have massive roosts, are the major problems. 

Despite this they can be a beautiful bird, often underrated. Watch an adult male strutting his stuff, yellow beak held out shouting out his "song" while holding his wings half out in the sunshine sparkling iridescent feathers, especially the long ones on his throat. This could be compared with some of the lesser bird of paradise performances which we tend to ignore. The other amazing thing about these birds is their flight inunison of up to severl thousand wheeling across the sky with the setting sun in autumn and winter before they settle to roost. 

They are common in town throughout the year with small parties seen on the trees in the evening or parties in the shorter grass while looking for invertebrates (bugs and worms). Once the young fledge, they quickly form flocks often into the hudreds which starts in the later half of spring while the parents bring on a second family. The juveniles have a much browner plumage at this time and moult out some of this over winter.

GOLDFINCH

If this was a rare bird, people owuold go mad about its beauty. The red face means it is often called the Rid-faced finch, or confused with the Gouldian-Finch, a rare native finch from thenorth of Australia, rare inthe wild but much prized by aviculturists.

The Goldfinch is an introduced species from England (Europe). At one stage, in England, it was kept as a cage bird to brighten up the home, both for their colour but also for their musical trill, reminding people of the countryside which many missed after their migration to the cities in the Industrial Revolution. their lovely twitter was much enjoyed. Goldfinches have adapted extremely well to the Longford area, liking the European style gardens. The nests can frequently be seen in the street trees after leaf fall. This is a beautiful structure made mostly of fine grass, moss, and lichen which can last several years as is so well made, but they only use if for one year.

Their population is one of a species to have increased, thanks ot the expansionof bird feeding in the UK. Goldfinches in the UK have taken a liking to black nigella seeds that are sold in bulk in garden and pet shops there. The young birds don't have the bright colours of the head for the first year of their life. Soon after reeding they flock together and move to the countryside, rather than stay in town, to feed on autum seed crop of grasses and weeds, only coming back to the town in numbers in the spring (breeding season).

GREENFINCH

This is a close relative of the Goldfinch, somewhat bigger, with the male being green with dull yellow wings. A pair or two breed on the reserve but tend to move out to farmland feeding on weed seeds in winter and flocks of over 100 Greenfinches and Goldfinches are not uncommon.

HOUSE SPARROW

The House Sparrow lives up to its name not ocurring very often on Mill Dam Reserve. There are a couple of pairs seen when breeding, under the road bridge but otherwise not seen often. However once one crosses the levee bank, they are abundant. It says something about the vegetation of the reserve that winter flocks do not seem to find the range of wee seeds to their liking. 

This is another bird we ignore but the male in full plumage is quite smart but the female and jevenile are quite dowdy.

SPOTTED DOVE

Often called Spotted Turtle Doves. These doves are seen in town frequently but rarely visit the reserve. They are most often seenflying along the railway embankment. Originally from Inda and South-East Asia they were introduced on many occassions inmost states in the 1800s, but why they were introduced is unclear. (Was it for their plesant cooing or for food?)

They now occur in all major cities but are rarely found far from human habitation.

KOOKABURRA

Kookaburras do not occur naturally in Tasmania but were introduced around the time of federation, supposedly to help unify the states. Introduction to Western Austrlaia occurred at the same time. They are heard from the larger trees on the east bank of the river but only occassionally seen on the west side. Some people dislike them as they do have a varied diet including birds' eggs and young but happily eat lizards, skinks, snakes and the odd mouse would not be sniffed at. Ideally our small bird population would be better without them. 

SKYLARK

There are a pair or two that presumably breed in the fields along the railway track where they can be heard singing in Spring, but are not seen at other times, probably because they do not like the grass too thick. On the ground they can be mistaken for Australasian Pipit, which is a slightly slimmer, longer bird with a longer tail with more white in it, and they do not have a crest. There is also a pair or two of Pipits breeding locally.