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G'day all.
I have just returned from my annual pilgrimage to
Murnea Waters, on Moonarie Stn, then on to Lake Gairdner NP, Gawler Ranges NP
and Lake Gilles NP. In thirty years, this is the driest that I have seen this
country. It has been largely de-stocked of its usual sheep, and the bunnies are
at the lowest population that I have ever seen, so that, almost perversely,
much of the vegetation in this country continues to regenerate, though the
relatively recent arrival of feral camels at the Southern end of Lake Gairdner
is worrying. Many dams have been dry since 1999, and others have dried up
since.
The birds were generally as usual, if in reduced
numbers, but this is the first time that I did not record White-fronted
Honeyeaters at either Murnea or Lake Gairdner (in more than thirty
trips). No Chats were seen anywhere. The Gawlers are never
great for birds of prey, but just two Wedge-tail Eagles, an Australian
Goshawk and a Nankeen Kestral in three days of looking is indicative of
a lack of prey. Even Australian Ravens were sparsely
distributed.
The highlights (for me) were
Pink Cockatoos - but only the
usual three at Murnea
Common Bronze-wing - almost
everywhere, and indicative of some water in the area
Port Lincoln Parrots - again,
almost everywhere, and indicative of some water in the area
Bee Eaters,
everywhere
Banded Lapwings at Murnea - the
closest we got to a waterbird
Cockatiel - a few at Murnea (but
no budgies)
Sitellas - seemed to be
everywhere
Splendid Wrens
Blue-breasted Wrens - only at Lake
Gilles
White-back Swallows - two only,
near Yardea HS
Rufous Tree-creepers - everywhere
South of Yardea HS
Mammals were only sheep, camels (lots of tracks at
Lake Gairdner NP), a single Red Kangaroo, and a few Western Greys. No wombats
were seen. Lake Gilles NP has its usual oversupply of goats.
The best birding was at Gawler Ranges NP and Lake
Gilles NP. All areas are quite accessible with conventional vehicles, sensibly
driven.
Allan Lees
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