Hi all,
I spent a couple of busy days exploring and searching for birds in SW WA on
28th – 30th January.
Staying at Albany I arrived at Two Peoples Bay before 5am on the 29th January.
Little Beach was cold, windy and overcast. I spent a couple of hours I the
area. Did I hardly heard a bird call apart from Pacific Gulls arguing.
I did not see or hear target species Western Bristlebird or Western Whipbird (I
heard these birds calling in August 2008 but did not see them). Nor did I hear
Noisy Scrub Bird (which I saw heard and saw here in August 08).
I saw 3 Rock Parrots feeding at the top of the flowering heath near the
toilets, great views. Some White-browed Scrubwrens also present.
2 hours with nothing else apart from 2 large brown frogs with green stripes at
the creek (I got photos), I left for Waychinicup N.R.
Waychinicup was also quite windy but clearing slightly at 8am. A few campers.
Again did not hear above mentioned target species calling. I checked a couple
of recommended sites to no avail. Again, I heard both the Western Bristlebird
and Whipbird in a few locations in August 2008.
At 10am I decided to go to Jerramungup and the North-western side of Fitzgerald
River National Park to search for Malleefowl.
I arrived a couple of hours later. It was hot and windy when I arrived at
Fitzgerald River N.P.. No birds calling.
I went to the Fitzgerald River N.P. B & B. I drove up to ask if I could look
around but no one appeared to be there (the place is also for sale).
Within seconds of arriving I saw a Regent Parrot fly off from a tree near the
house and I saw a Mallefowl next to a single tree bordering a cleared paddock.
Amazing views. Did not need bins. Trying to get closer the bird went out onto
the open field then flew 40-50 metres into the scrub away from the house.
An enjoyable first Malleefowl sighting.
I had my camera on video instead of photo and captured a very short video of
the bird on the paddock. Happy to send to anyone that is interested.
I felt nervous about working around the grounds without permission so moved on
and looked at the nearby Malleefowl mound (of Quiss Road).
No luck with Whipbird at either the National Park Boundary or Fee Paying
Station (too windy and hot I think). I did see a nice Sand Monitor on the way
into the park.
I made my way to Pemberton. There were lots of Purple-crowned Lorikeets in the
Karri Forrest’s all around the region.
A nice feed of marron for dinner that evening.
Saturday 30th January I had a great morning at Gloucester N.P. (arriving 6am).
In the car park were Red-winged Fairy-wren, Western Rosellas and numerous
White-browed Babblers quarrelling!
White-breasted Robins were also present.
On the way through Margaret River I stopped at Leeuwin Estate winery which
produced both Splendid and Red-winged Fairy-wrens.
Red-tailed Black Cockatoos were also seen nearby.
On the way back to Perth I stopped at Cape Naturaliste. It was incredibly windy
and therefore unpleasant everywhere I went. The only birds I saw were
Australasian Gannets and a Brown Quail with two young chicks on the road out of
Sugarloaf Rock (I also saw large pods of dolphins at Sugarloaf Rock).
2000kms by car over the 48 hours of birding (not by choice, the weather was
simply awful), I made my way back to Sydney at 12.45am today (31st January) via
a 5.45am flight from Perth.
Another great trip in WA, look forward to getting back there.
Cheers,
Charles Hunter
Paddington, Sydney
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