A visionary natural reserve
Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary, the vision of the late Gordon Clarke, preserves 535 hectares of forest and woodland, 147 hectares of which are managed by Trust for Nature.
Today the reserve is a haven for woodland birds, threatened orchids, a natural wonderland located 25km west of Ballarat, just south of Linton on Wadawurrung Country.
With support from people like you, we are restoring part of the reserve that was once a pine plantation, creating more precious habitat for birds.
Today the reserve is a haven for woodland birds, threatened orchids, a natural wonderland located 25km west of Ballarat, just south of Linton on Wadawurrung Country.
With support from people like you, we are restoring part of the reserve that was once a pine plantation, creating more precious habitat for birds.
We need your support to care for Clarksdale forever.
Clarksdale Bird Sanctuary provides vital habitat for some of Victoria’s most threatened woodland birds, including:
Powerful Owl
Vulnerable
These nocturnal predators, Australia’s largest owl, need large areas of habitat and old, hollow-bearing trees to nest and roost, both provided by the sanctuary.
Diamond Firetail
Vulnerable
Recently recognised as at risk of extinction, these glittering jewels are declining due to loss of their woodland habitat, but here at Clarkesdale they have a safe haven.
Brown Treecreeper
Vulnerable
These lively birds can be found clinging vertically to tree trunks in their pursuit of bark-dwelling insects. But with increasing loss of their habitat, they are declining.
Clarkesdale is also home to other threatened birds including: Australasian Shoveler, Baillon’s Crake, Grey Goshawk, Latham’s Snipe, Musk Duck, Painted Honeyeater and Spotted Quail-thrush.
But this sanctuary is more than for the birds. Threatened plants like the Yarra Gum, Emerald-lip Greenhood, Fringed Midge-orchid, Green-comb Spider-orchid and Rush-leaf Sun-orchid also find a haven at Clarkesdale.
With generous support from people like you, we can restore and manage habitat on the reserve to ensure it provides an even better habitat for these precious threatened species.
But this sanctuary is more than for the birds. Threatened plants like the Yarra Gum, Emerald-lip Greenhood, Fringed Midge-orchid, Green-comb Spider-orchid and Rush-leaf Sun-orchid also find a haven at Clarkesdale.
With generous support from people like you, we can restore and manage habitat on the reserve to ensure it provides an even better habitat for these precious threatened species.