I have also visited Robe (camping at Long Gully Little Dip CP) in the last
month as well as a few days at the Coorong (mainly around Salt Lake). Also
visited Messnet & Martin Washpool CP briefly - the former has been burnt (or
at least the parts I visted) about 3 or 4 years ago (though I am only
guessing). Weather wasn't too hot (in fact sometimes quite cold) and
generally windy (though I suspect that part of the coast is like that
regularly.
My aim was to track down a few subspecies that I hadn't seen and was
generally successful.
Saw one new species:
Rufous Bristlebird (subspecies broadbenti) - Calling commonly at Long Gully
camping area at Little Dip and finally got a reasonable view. Also heard
around Robe itself (including right at the harbour) and one was seen twice
on the edge of the road just north of Salt Creek (I reckon it was the same
bird seen about an hour apart).
Saw 6 new subspecies:
Rainbow Lorikeet (eyrei) - Feeding in trees in the middle of Robe
Superb Fairy-wren (leggei) - everywhere, I just haven't been to this part of
the world.
Southern Emu-wren (polionotum) - Chased around near Salt Creek (in weird
coastal saltbush habitat) and never really got a good look. Much better
views of two groups at Messnet CP
Striated Fieldwren (bourneorum) - One seen on the road at the edge of Little
Dip CP and another two seen on the sand dunes at Tea Tree Crossing, Coorong
NP.
Striated Thornbill (clelandi) - At the mallee camping grounds at Salt Lake
in Coorong NP - seemed to be restricted to the "taller" patches of Pink Gum.
Beautiful Firetail (interposita) - A pair was next to the road right in Salt
Creek township and another one was heard at Martin Washpool CP.
A few other good birds included (some are probably common but things I
haven't seen for a while):
a Malleefowl at the first camping area near Salt Creek.
Fairy Terns & a Pacific Gull at the wharf in Robe
1000s of Banded Stilt at the Coorong (mainly near the Pelican viewing spot
but scattered elsewhere). Had Banded & Pied Stilt + Avocets in the
binoculars at once which was nice.
Great views of Shy Heathwren and Southern Scrub-robin at Messnet CP.
Ordinary views of Purple-gaped Honeyeaters at Messnet and Martin Washpool
CP.
Blue-winged Parrots (my guess - only got one response to my questions a
while a go) at Messnet (1) and Martin Washpool (about 6)
Skylarks everywhere (couldn't turn one into a Singing Bushlark) and I was
surprised how common Greenfinches were (seen in Kingston and at Freshwater
Lake in Little Dip CP).
Hooded Robin male with juvenile between Tailem Bend and Karoonda on the way
back.
Like Jack I also saw loose squadrons of 20-30 Musk Ducks in the sea near the
Kingston jetty and was surprised at the number of Whiskered Terns around
both Robe and the Coorong. I would also say that both Brush and Common
Bronzewings are at Little Dip CP.
A great first trip to the area and hopefully I will get the chance to visit
a few other parts of se SA from Mildura in the near future.
Cheers,
Peter
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