In the stillness of the forest of Mount Dandenong, amidst tall gum trees, yellow crested cockatoos are perched on tree branches. That silence is broken with their raucous noise together with the rustlings of the wood and the leaves. They scream, they screech from time to time. Cockatoos, in search of food, move in large group as a way of warding off would be predators. And these cockatoos, together with the colorful crimson rosellas and galahs, frequent the much-visited place called Grants Picnic Ground. It is part of Sherbrooke Forest.
Grants Picnic Ground is a favorite destination of families desiring to spend their free day bonding at a quiet place away from the noise of the city. The air is clean and cool, the surroundings in their natural order. There are nature trails or bush trails where one can commune with nature with the tweeting, squeaking of birds as background.
Cockatoos, king parrots, galahs and rosellas of the Dandenong Ranges are mostly sedentary birds. They are friendly to visitors of the park. Attracted to a stainless tray full of bird seeds, these birds come to the visitors as they feast on the seeds. Some even perch on top of one's head or shoulder or stretched arms. The birds do it most of the day. But like the sun that sets in the afternoon, the birds of Dandenong fly home in groups to the deep forest of Sherbrooke before 5p.m. of each day. And be back again the next day.
- Konted
 |
| Monbulk Road, Kallista, Mount Dandenong |
 |
| Entrance to Grants Picnic Ground |
|
| Grants Picnic Ground is within the thick Sherbrooke Forest |
 |
| Tall Eucalypt trees at Grants Picnic Ground |
 |
| Enough tables and benches at Grants Picnic Ground |
 |
| White cockatoos at Grants Picnic Ground |
 |
| Cockatoos at Grants Picnic Ground are mostly sedentary. They don't fly away when they see picnic goers. |
 |
| Crimson Rosellas and young cockatoos |
 |
| Cockatoos are often seen in groups. |
 |
| Entrance to bird feeding area |
 |
| While feeding birds anywhere at the picnic grounds was allowed before, it is now restricted to a designated area. |
 |
| Cockatoos jockeying for position |
 |
| Cockatoos of the Dandenong are mostly friendly. |
 |
| Bird seeds are to be bought at the park. Bringing your own bird seeds is not allowed. |
 |
| With gusto |
 |
| The King Parrot |
 |
| Arkin with a Crimson Rosella |
 |
| A Crimson Rosella lands on Maximus' left shoulder. |
 |
| Waiting for their turn |
 |
| The feeding area is enclosed by stainless steel. |
 |
| Posing for souvenir shot |
 |
| A big one |
 |
| Most cockatoos of the Dandenong have yellow crest. |
 |
| A group of seniors feeding birds |
 |
| Suddenly all the cockatoos and rosellas are gone. They fly home before 5pm. |
 |
| Forest walk |
 |
| You see ferns and eucalyptus almost everywhere at Mt Dandenong. |
___________________________
