Amanda & all,
I have the feeling that Spinifex Birds are more common than they may
seem - I know of at least one site near Tennant Creek 500 kn north of
Alice Springs where I can regularly (7 out of 8 visits) see/hear what
appear to be the residents of a couple of territories - this site is one
of a number of large areas of unburnt mature spinifex about 14km along
the Warrego Road west of Tennant (the turn-off is just outside of town
on the northern side). I suspect that as there is a substantial amount
of similar habitat along that road that there could well be other
territories in those locations as well. I'll check again in June when I
next travel up the Stuart Hwy to Darwin.
Further south - about a month ago I saw a pair carrying nest material
into a clump of Spinifex near to home here at Yuendumu 300 km n-w of
Alice Springs - I've only just got back and haven't been able to check
on the progress of the nest - I may not be too late.
You are right about their song (I'd be interested in any evidence of
regional variation in song) - it is distinctive and diagnostic. I also
find that the 'fat tail' is a diagnostic filed mark - once you've seen
it you won't forget it!
BTW - the Warlpiri call the Spinifex Bird 'Jinjuwanu' - I've yet to
confirm any stories related to it and whether it is a synonym for
'Jinjiwarnu' - the name for the Crimson Chat. I'd be interested in any
Aboriginal language names or similar data for the Spinifex birds.
Cheers and best,
Bob Gosford
Yuendumu
Amanda Markham wrote:
Hi all,
Walked up Mt Sonder today (I hate my job!!) as part of the NT
government's bid to list the West MacDonnell Ranges as a World
Heritage Heritage area. Wonderful for birds and wildflowers at the
moment - the Hakea gramatophylla are in flower along which is a rare
plant plant with spectacular pink blossoms.
Anyway, am happy to report the following birds on the climb:
Dusky Woodswallows (lots)
Dusky Grasswrens (lots!) if you make kissing noises they will come up
close to check you out
Striated Grasswrens
Singing Honeyeaters
Butcherbird
Whistling Kite
And right at the very top:
A spinifexbird
I was very excited to find him, sitting in a clump of spinifex neat to
a eucalypt, singing away. What an amazing song they've got! I didn't
have the camera, as Gary (my partner) was about 50mins behind me with
the consultant who's writing up the World Heritage nomination. Bugger!!
Also, a reliable sighting of Grey Honeyeaters near the Ochre Pits
(about 1km out on Section 9 of the Larapinta Trail) last week. This
sighting was made by Colin & Sheila who run Glen Helen Resort. They've
told me to tell anyone who's up this way and wants some birding info
to call in at Glen Helen and have a chat.
cheers
Amanda
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