Just came back from a short trip in central west NSW travelling through
Cowra, West Wyalong, Forbes, Parkes and Dubbo. The weather was quite nice being
fairly warm during the day but cold at night and early in the morning. This was
not a twitching trip and did not see or expect any lifers. The prime reason was
to relax, have some good birding and survey several areas for both Regent
Honeyeaters and Swift Parrots but unfortunately scored a big zero on both,
despite the profuse flowering of Ironbarks in some areas.
I left home in central metropolitan Sydney around 5:30 am, arrived at the
Blue Mountains eastern foothills at 5:50 am, arrived Katoomba at 6:30am (where I
was so close in running over 2 Ring-tailed Possums crossing the road in the
early dawn), at Cowra at 9:40 am and finally at West Wyalong at 11am.
On my way to West Wyalong bumped into several Superb Parrots feeding
along the road side and saw, and Australian Hobby, both Blue-faced
and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters close to the road around Cowra
(312km west of Sydney). I have never been passed Cowra without seeing a few
Superb Parrots.
Soon after arriving at West Wyalong (497km west of Sydney) visited remnant
mallee vegetation at The Charcoal Tank Nature Reserve (which is about 10 km
south of the town along the Newell HWY and is well sign posted). West Wyalong
was once surrounded by a lot of mallee before most of it was cleared for
farming. There are also other interesting habitats remaining in the area, such
as Callitris-Ironbark Woodland, River Red Gum Woodland, Willga Mulga type
Woodland, some areas of Saltbush besides the mainly cleared country. There is
also some large lakes north of the town, such as lake Cowal which can often hold
thousands of waterbirds (many Straw-necked Ibis, Yellow-billed Spoonbills aswell
as other waterbirds breed there in good seasons). At many times the lake also
completely drys out. I did not check out this lake but was told that it would
have water despite the current dry conditions around West Wyalong.
At Charcoal Tank birdlife was very prolific and there was a Spring
atmosphere while visiting this reserve. Many Mugga Ironbarks there were in
flower attracting loads of Little and Noisy Friarbirds; Red
Wattlebirds; Spiny-cheeked, Striped, Brown-headed, White-eared and ofcourse
numerous White-plumed Honeyeaters. Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters which
usually occur there appeared to be absent (perhaps because the mallee eucalypts
were not in bloom). Other interesting birds included several Shy
Heathwrens (many singing beautifully), Rufous and Gilberts Whistlers
(a male was constantly chasing a female), Mulga Parrots, Inland Thornbills,
Weebills, Variegated (Purple-backed) Wrens, White-browed Babblers, Brown and
White-throated Treecreepers and Eastern Yellow Robins.
Later on that afternoon, I drive along most of the road to Lake Cowal via
Clear Ridge to bird in the other different habitats that West Wyalong has to
offer. Along the road were several Black-shouldered Kites, Brown Falcons,
Mallee Ringnecks, Red-rumped and Blue Bonnets parrots, a few Southern
Whitefaces among Yellow-rumped Thornbills, White-fronted Chats,
Richards Pipits, Black-faced Woodswallows, Yellow-throated Miners, Pied
Butcherbirds, aswell as many White-winged Choughs and
Apostlebirds. This road often produces a good number and variety of
birds, especially in the Spring-Summer season.
At the West Wyalong cemetery saw a few Diamond Doves in a small
tree, Spiny-cheeked and Blue-faced Honeyeaters and Red Wattlebirds
aswell as some Mallee Ringnecks. At this cemetery, was surprised to spot
a Tawny Frogmouth roosting on a fence, only a metre from the ground under
a small tree. I walked right up to it a gave it a nice pat over its head and
under its chin which it did not mind. I then left it in peace for the last half
hour of the day.
The next day made another brief visit to Charcoal Tank. All the Honeyeaters
seen the previous day was still there but also spotted a Collared
Sparrowhawk and Varied Sitellas there.
Just after leaving the town of West Wyalong, made a visit to Back Creek
State Forest which is mainly Callitris-Sheoak Woodland. Here there were a
few brilliant Red-capped Robins (include 2 males having a little
dispute), lots of Speckled Warblers, Double-barred Finches,
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters and to my delight, great views of some
Turquoise Parrots. There was a beautiful male feeding on top of a small
saltbush. This State Forest is always worth a stop.
Soon after visiting this State Forest, I was back on the Newell HWY and
heading out to Dubbo, via Forbes and Parkes. Had lunch at Gum Swamp at
Forbes which provides a good haven and breeding ground for many waterbirds.
Among the hundreds of Grey Teal, Black Ducks, Coots, Moorhens and
Swamphens there, were lots of Grebes, Black Swans, 50 plus
Hardheads, 20 plus Pink-eared Ducks, atleast 4 Australasian
Shovelers and a male Blue-billed Duck. In the surrounding woodland
were several Grey-crowned Babblers, Red-rumped Parrots and a single
Little Friarbird. Both Fairy and Tree Martins aswell as Welcome
Swallows were hawking insects over the swamp.
Getting close to Dubbo, spotted a Little Eagles twisting and turning
in the air as it tried to get away from a harassing Magpie.
Upon arriving at Dubbo about mid afternoon, made a visit to the famous
Western Plains Zoo. A good collection of rare and endangered mammals from
around the world were on display, including some which I never knew existed,
such as a "Bongo". Though I didn’t really do much birding at the zoo, but kept
my ears and eye open for Regents and Swifts, the Zoo grounds is often a good
place for birds. There is good remnant Callitris-Ironbark Woodland and a number
of ponds, attracting several waterbirds (especially in times of drought)
throughout the zoo. Some of the wild birds seen included Emus, a
Little Eagle, Brown Goshawk, several quite approachable
White-browed and Grey-crowned Babblers (not concerned about people
walking past a metre or so away as they busily feed on the ground);
Apostlebirds and White-winged Choughs; Red-rumped Parrots and
several Honeyeaters attracted to lots of flowering Mugga Ironbarks, namely
Little and Noisy Friarbirds; Red Wattlebirds; Yellow-throated Miners;
aswell as Spiny-cheeked, Striped, Blue-faced and White-plumed
Honeyeaters.
Spent the final day of this short trip with Judie Peet and Janis Hosking
visiting the Caltris-Oak-Ironbark woodland of Goonoo State Forest and
nearby patches of White Box Woodland in the hope of finding some Regent
Honeyeaters and Swift Parrots. Though we did not see any of the target species
we bumped into 8 Glossy Black Cockatoos feeding of the Casuarinas (where
we saw atleast 2 juv. birds and it was also nice to see the whole family of 3
Glossies perched side by side). Good numbers of Glossies regular inhabit this
State Forest and Goonoo is probably the Glossy Black Cockatoo capital of
Australia. Other birds present here were Mallee Ringnecks, Gilberts
Whistlers, Inland Thornbills aswell as Brown Treecreepers and Jacky
Winters in the forest clearings. Judie and Janis also showed me 2 active
Malleefowl mounds which are currently being prepared for the late winter rains.
Unfortunately the owners did not greet us with this visit.
Leaving the forest and driving in the open country, I noticed a Spotted
Harrier flying over the road and being harassed by a Magpie. After lunch, we
surveyed some remnant White-box Country around Mendooran (about 40km north-east
of Dubbo) and only saw a single White Box in flower attracting Noisy Miners. In
the roadside vegetation we saw Speckled Warblers, Olive-backed Oriole,
Restless Flycatcher, White-browed Babblers and heard a Western
Gerygone which have only just come back.
Just before arriving back into town, we saw a few Fork-tailed Kites at
a stockyard and also saw an Australian Hobby nicely perched not far from
us.
The following day made the 4 and half hour journey back home and arrived back
in Sydney before noon.
Overall, I travelled around 1300 km over 4 days, filled only 3 full tanks of
fuel (mainly over a dollar per litre), filled in several survey sheets (for
David and Simon) and saw several interesting birds. I like to thank everyone who
provided me with great information on Charcoal Tank and areas around Dubbo. A
special thanks goes to both Judie and Janis for showing me around Dubbo.
Edwin Vella
