Along with 40+ other enthusiastic birders, we attended the Birds Qld Easter
Campout at Bowra near Cunumulla, the new icon of SW Qld birdwatching run by Ian
& Julie McLaren.Although a long trip for coast-based folk, it proved highly
succesfull birding, both for those new to the area (one participant racked-up
22 new birds in 5 days) and for older hands.The weather even provided some
excitment with over an inch of rain falling on the Thurs morning, just before
the arrival of most people who then had heaps of fun traversing the 6km of mud
road to the homestead/camping area.That night produced a thunderstorm with
spectacular skies, wind and rain which had more than a few campers anxiously
watching the small lagoon creep slowly towards them. We wern't able to drive
the next day and the "dry creek" marked on Ian's aptly-named mud map had
clearly had a change of identity.
The lagoon proved a boon for the photographers and video buffs with a Spotted
Crake showing itself effortlessly each day, along with Black-fronted and
Red-kneed Dotterel,White-faced Heron,White-breasted and White-browed
Woodswallow. Around the campground were heaps of Red-capped Robin,
Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Southern Whiteface, Variegated Fairy-wren (in
eclipse), some Hooded Robin ,White-plumed Honeyeater and Red-winged Parrot. The
lagoon area also produced two of the specials, with a Grey Falcon sighted
overhead on the Thurs. and a couple of pairs of Bourke's Parrots doing a
fly-through.Black-eared Cuckoo was also seen, and a pair of Hoary-headed Grebe
patrolled the artesian dam, with Grey Teal further up the channel.A flock of
40+ Little Crow put on a display in a thermal, calling their monotonous call.
Most parts of Bowra were covered over the 5 days , with Ian ensuring we
ended-up at the right spots.Hall's Babblers were found in a few locations,
providing a tick for most.Chestnut-breasted Quail-Thrush were seen on the
stoney ridges, one group seeing 9 in all, 5 in one party.Despite extensive
searching every day, Redthroat (a female) was seen only once by a couple of
folk.Juvenile Orange Chat were found, then later a fully coloured male.Crimson
Chats were easily seen, one flock of around 50.A pair of Brolga patrolled the
newly-wet creek, but there we few ducks or waterbirds to be found.Ten raptors
were seen, including Grey, Brown,and Black Falcons, Square-tailed Kite, Brown
Goshawk and of course Wedgie.A few lucky folk picked-up Banded Lapwing, most
saw Major Mitchell's, Ringneck,Blue Bonnet ,Mulga, but Budgies eluded all but a
few.No kingfishers were seen, plenty of Brown Treecreeper, and when you got the
right habitat,White-browed Treecreepers came relatively easily. Thornbills
provided the usual challenge, plenty of Chestnut-runped, and plenty of earnest
discussion about the presence, or otherwise,of Slaty-backed .The conclusion was
that they were present, along with Yellow, Yellow-rumped and Buff-rumped.
Ten Honeyeaters were seen, incl Grey-headed and Striped.Try as we did, we
couldn't manage the Babbler quartet, with White-browed eluding us, despite
Ian's assurances.
All-up, the group managed 110+ species for the campout.A straw poll at the
final bird-call had Hall's Babbler and Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush tied for
"bird of the campout", with Bourke's Parrot a close third (Grey Falcon just
didn't make it, too common out here). I managed a total of 86,but got my
solitary target species, Bourke's Parrot, which I had missed on two previous
trips out this way, and had also missed in the Centre last year.We had seven
fly-by at eye-level, perch in a cypress for 10 mins only 20m away, and then
fly-off.
The campout was compently and calmly lead by Graham Palmer with much attention
to detail and individual need, and Ian and Julie are wonderful hosts.Get out
there if you can.
Russ Lamb, Maleny, SEQ
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