Happy Valley Reservoir

Visited: winter

Recommendation: Although the reserve is family oriented, it is a great place to see unusual birds like the Adelaide Rosella. When I was in Adelaide, I returned here several times and thoroughly enjoyed it 

Happy Valley Reservoir was completed in 1897, making it one of Adelaide's oldest reservoirs. It played a crucial role in supplying water to the growing city. Today, it still provides more than 40% of Adelaide's water and houses the biggest water treatment plant in Adelaide. For over 120 years, the Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve was closed to the public. But in December 2021, it was finally opened for everyone to enjoy. This transformation made Happy Valley a hidden gem offering a unique escape within Adelaide's southern suburbs. The reserve boasts a 20-kilometer trail network, perfect for walking, wildlife spotting and other recreation.

I visited the reserve several times during a winter stay in Adelaide. I could see the potential with Musk and Rainbow Lorikeets, waterfowl, honeyeaters and fairywrens all in attendance. But what really caught my attention were the parrots. Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and corella all wheeled about and seemed to be exploring the holes in the trunks of trees. They gathered in the tall trees on the right side of the entrance and bridge, while other, smaller parrots socialised on the left side. It was there that I spent most of my time looking for the Adelaide Rosella. 

Crimson Rosella (Adelaide) - (Platycercus elegans adelaidae)

Happy Valley Reservoir is a great place to find the Adelaide Rosella and in a variety of plumage colours. They might be seen closely resembling the full Crimson Rosella, through shades of orange to almost yellow. This makes sense when you consider that Adelaide Rosellas are a hybrid of Crimson and Yellow Rosellas. This can be seen in the selection of photos included here. They are a fascinating and stunning species of bird.