Dear All
Did a slow and beautiful walk today down the Williams River (Rocky
Crossing Track) on the southern side of Barrington Tops, ending up at
Barrington Guest House where we hoped to have afternoon tea, only to
find it was closed at 3.45 pm.
Being mainly rainforest, birds were heard rather than seen, even when
sitting on the edge of the river in a clearing, with views up and down
river. Only 25 species identified, but they included Noisy Pitta,
Catbird, Spectacled and Black-faced Monarchs, Wonga Pigeon, Superb
Lyrebird trying out some new repertoire (or that it what it sounded
like), and Scarlet Honeyeaters. In the river, we found a 2 metre
Diamond Python, which looked dead when first seen but was only playing
dead, coming alive and very active when one person touched its tail. It
was shedding skin and made off quickly leaving bits of skin behind.
Then at Barrington Guesthouse, were around 30 Crimson Rosellas, because
of course they feed them, lots of Satin Bowerbirds, including one with
partial black plumage, and at least 10 Brush Turkeys. Walking down the
track to the car park, we found 3 adult Land Mullets, one of which had 2
little ones with it, clearly showing the creamy white spots down each
flank. The adults were all dark greyish brown fading lighter on their
undersides, not glossy black as mentioned in Steve Wilson/Gerry Swan's
Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. The family of 3 were sunny
themselves at the entry to a fallen hollow tree-trunk. Heaps of hollow
trunks around so very good habitat for lots of skinks.
A gorgeous place to visit on a hot day.
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