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Top End mid May 2010

To:
Subject: Top End mid May 2010
From: Nikolas Haass <>
Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 04:54:26 -0700 (PDT)
Sorry for the late post of our Top End long weekend. I had
to spend a few days in Darwin for
business and then we spent four days East and Southeast of Darwin (see below).
Finally we caught up with Little Kingfisher, Mangrove Golden Whistler, 
Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon and a good number of cooperative Partridge
Pigeons. Also got mega-looks at (Black-)Banded
Fruit-Dove (last time, September 2007, we got only a poor glimpse at
this species). 
We saw a number of good old friends: Chestnut Rail, N Rosella, Hooded Parrot,
BB Flycatcher, GB Gerygone, the northern forms of Barking
Owl, Boobook, Tawny Frogmouth and Striated
Pardalote).
Major jinx birds are Rufous Owl and WT Grasswren.
We went several times to Darwin Botanical Garden to dip
on Rufous Owl again! We also tried again for WT Grasswren at Gunlom and dipped
again, 39 degrees celsius up there! 
We also dipped on all Button-quails, King Quail, Silver-backed Butcherbird 
(although we saw two birds that looked like
this (sub)species one morning from the car on the way to the conference
centre), WB Whistler and Mangrove Fantail (we
never made it to Palmerston to look for these two guys) and - as expected -
Northern Shrike-tit.
We got two (three) mammal lifers: Black Wallaroo, Rock Ringtail Possum and
Northern Brushtail Possum (not sure if the latter has been split officially
yet). We also saw Short-eared Rock-wallabies (at Bardedjilidji and Ubirr, no
Narbarleks there). No dolphins or dugongs in the harbour. There was a
mouse-sized mammal apparently feeding on roadkilled frogs (which we never
identified) in the Adelaide River Bridge area. It was erratically
running (not hopping), had relatively large ears and seemed to have some
conspicuous white under the base of the tail. Are Red-cheeked Dunnarts known to
feed on roadkilled frogs there? 
We saw some interesting reptiles, frogs, butterflies and dragonflies - ID in
progress – comments welcome!
 
We would like to thank Denise Goodfellow, Ingo Waschkies, Martin
Cake, Peter Ewin, Tim Bawden and Jim O'Shea for their help.
 
 
Detailed lists:
 
05-15-19 Darwin, 05-20
Adelaide River to Ubirr, 05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie, 05-22 Nourlangie Rock to
Gunlom, 05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin
 
Megapodius reinwardt, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, X (05-15-19Darwin), 
Coturnix ypsilophora, Brown Quail, 2 (05-15-19Darwin, behind Hospital), 
Anseranas semipalmata, Magpie Goose,X (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), X (05-21 
Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Dendrocygna eytoni, Plumed Whistling-Duck,2 (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Dendrocygna arcuata, Wandering Whistling-Duck,10 (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Tadorna radjah, Radjah Shelduck, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), 6 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto 
Ubirr), 10 (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Nettapus pulchellus, Green Pygmy-Goose,3 (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Geophaps smithii, Partridge Pigeon,2 (05-21 Muirella), 4 (05-22 Plum Tree 
Creek), 2 (05-23 Gunlom Rd)
Petrophassa rufipennis, Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon,1 (05-20 Bardedjilidji), 1 
(05-21 Nourlangie), 3 (05-22
Nourlangie, Plum Tree Creek), 
Geopelia striata, Peaceful Dove, common throughout
Geopelia humeralis, Bar-shouldered Dove, common throughout
Ptilinopus cinctus, Banded Fruit-Dove,2 (05-21 Nourlangie), 
Ptilinopus regina, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, 4 (05-15-19Darwin), 
Ducula bicolor, Pied Imperial-Pigeon, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Podargus strigoides, Tawny Frogmouth,3 (05-20 Ubirr), 3 (05-21 Ubirr to 
Nourlangie), 
Aegotheles cristatus, Australian Owlet-nightjar,1? (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Anhinga novaehollandiae, Australasian Darter,1 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 1 
(05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 1 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Microcarbo melanoleucos, Little Pied Cormorant,1 (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 1 
(05-22 Nourlangie
Rock to Gunlom), 
Phalacrocorax sulcirostris, Little Black Cormorant,10 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto 
Ubirr), 
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Black-necked Stork,2 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Ardea modesta, Eastern Great Egret, 4 (05-15-19Darwin), X (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Ardea intermedia, Intermediate Egret,X (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-21 
Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Ardea sumatrana, Great-billed Heron,1 (05-23 flying over at Southern exit of 
Kakadu NP)
Butorides striata, Striated Heron, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), 
Egretta picata, Pied Heron,10 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Egretta garzetta, Little Egret, 4 (05-15-19Darwin), 1 (05-21 Ubirr to 
Nourlangie), 
Egretta sacra, Eastern Reef Egret, 6 (05-15-19Darwin), 
Nycticorax caledonicus, Nankeen Night Heron, 3 (05-15-19HowardSprings), 
Plegadis falcinellus, Glossy Ibis,1 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Threskiornis molucca, Australian White Ibis, x (05-15-19Darwin), X (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Threskiornis spinicollis, Straw-necked Ibis,X (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x 
(05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Hamirostra melanosternon, Black-breasted Buzzard,1 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to 
Gunlom), 
Haliaeetus leucogaster, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, 3 (05-15-19Darwin), 1 (05-22 
Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Haliastur sphenurus, Whistling Kite, common throughout 
Haliastur indus, Brahminy Kite, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Milvus migrans, Black Kite, common throughout 
Accipiter fasciatus, Brown Goshawk,2 (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 1 (05-22 
Nourlangie
Rock to Gunlom), 
Accipiter cirrhocephalus, Collared Sparrowhawk, 1 (05-15-19Darwin), 1 (05-23 
Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Accipiter novaehollandiae, Grey Goshawk,2 white morph (05-20 Bardedjilidji), 
Falco berigora, Brown Falcon,3 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Eulabeornis castaneoventris, Chestnut Rail, 3 (05-15-19Buffalo Creek), 
Burhinus grallarius, Bush Stone-curlew, 3 (05-15-19Darwin), 2 (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 6 (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 4 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock 
to Gunlom),
4 (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Vanellus miles, Masked Lapwing, common throughout
Irediparra gallinacea, Comb-crested Jacana,2 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 2 
(05-21 Ubirr), 
Thalasseus bergii, Crested Tern, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae, Silver Gull, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Calyptorhynchus banksii, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, common throughout
Eolophus roseicapillus, Galah, x (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to 
Gunlom), x (05-23
Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Cacatua sanguinea, Little Corella, common throughout 
Cacatua galerita, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, common throughout
Trichoglossus haematodus, Rainbow Lorikeet
(Red-collared), common throughout
Psitteuteles versicolor, Varied Lorikeet, common outside Darwin
Aprosmictus erythropterus, Red-winged Parrot, common throughout
Platycercus venustus, Northern Rosella, 2 (05-15-19Charles Darwin NP), 4 (05-23 
Gunlom to Pine Creek)
Psephotus dissimilis, Hooded Parrot,4 (05-23 Gunlom to Pine Creek)
Centropus phasianinus, Pheasant Coucal, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Scythrops novaehollandiae, Channel-billed Cuckoo, 1 (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-20 
Bardedjilidji), x (05-21 Bardedjilidji), 
Cacomantis variolosus, Brush Cuckoo, 1 (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Ninox connivens, Barking Owl,1 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 1 (05-21 Ubirr to 
Nourlangie), 1 (05-22
Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Ninox novaeseelandiae, Southern Boobook,1 (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Ceyx azureus, Azure Kingfisher, 3 (05-15-19Darwin), 2 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto 
Ubirr), 
Ceyx pusilla, Little Kingfisher, 1 (05-15-19Casuarina Coastal Reserve), 
Dacelo leachii, Blue-winged Kookaburra, common throughout
Todiramphus macleayii, Forest Kingfisher, common throughout
Todiramphus pyrrhopygius, Red-backed Kingfisher,1 (05-22 Plum Tree Creek), 
Todiramphus sanctus, Sacred Kingfisher, x (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 1 (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Merops ornatus, Rainbow Bee-eater, common throughout 
Eurystomus orientalis, Dollarbird, 2 (05-15-19Buffalo Creek), 
Pitta iris, Rainbow Pitta, 4 (05-15-19HowardSprings), 
Climacteris melanura, Black-tailed Treecreeper,4 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
4 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 2 (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Ptilonorhynchus nuchalis, Great Bowerbird, 1 (05-15-19Casuarina Coastal 
Reserve), 2 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 4 (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 5 
(05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom),
4 (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Smicrornis brevirostris, Weebill, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), 2 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock 
to Gunlom), 2 (05-23
Gunlom Pine Creek)
Gerygone fusca, Western Gerygone,1 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 2 (05-23 
Gunlom
Pine Creek)
Gerygone magnirostris, Large-billed Gerygone, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Gerygone chloronota, Green-backed Gerygone, 4 (05-15-19DarwinBotanical Garden), 
1 (05-20 AdelaideRiver), 
Pardalotus striatus, Striated Pardalote, 5 (05-15-19Darwin), 2 (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 2 (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Meliphaga albilineata, White-lined Honeyeater,1 (05-21 Nourlangie), 
Lichenostomus unicolor, White-gaped Honeyeater, common throughout
Lichenostomus flavescens, Yellow-tinted Honeyeater,1 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to 
Gunlom), 4 (05-23 Gunlom
Pine Creek)
Conopophila albogularis, Rufous-banded Honeyeater, common throughout
Conopophila rufogularis, Rufous-throated Honeyeater,common throughout
Myzomela obscura, Dusky Honeyeater, common throughout
Myzomela erythrocephala, Red-headed Honeyeater, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Lichmera indistincta, Brown Honeyeater, x (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Melithreptus albogularis, White-throated Honeyeater, common throughout
Entomyzon cyanotis, Blue-faced Honeyeatercommon throughout
Philemon buceroides, Helmeted Friarbird, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock 
to Gunlom),
x (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Philemon argenticeps, Silver-crowned Friarbird,x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
X (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Philemon citreogularis, Little Friarbird,x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), X 
(05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Pomatostomus temporalis, Grey-crowned Babbler, X (05-15-19Darwin), 6 (05-22 
Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Coracina novaehollandiae, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), x 
(05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Coracina papuensis, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, common throughout
Lalage sueurii, White-winged Triller,2 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 1 (05-22 
Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), x (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Lalage leucomela, Varied Triller, x (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto 
Ubirr), x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), X (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), x
(05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Pachycephala melanura, Mangrove Golden Whistler,1 pair (05-20 AdelaideRiver), 
Pachycephala simplex, Grey Whistler, 3 (05-15-19Darwin), 1 (05-22 Nourlangie 
Rock to Gunlom), 
Pachycephala rufiventris, Rufous Whistler,x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x 
(05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom),
1 (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Colluricincla megarhyncha, Little Shrike-thrush, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), 
Colluricincla woodwardi, Sandstone Shrike-thrush,3 (05-23 Gunlom)
Colluricincla harmonica, Grey Shrike-thrush,1 (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Sphecotheres vieilloti, Australasian Figbird, x (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Oriolus flavocinctus, Yellow Oriole, common throughout
Artamus leucorynchus, White-breasted Woodswallow, x (05-15-19Darwin), X (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Artamus cinereus, Black-faced Woodswallow,x (05-23 Pine Creek)
Artamus minor, Little Woodswallow,common outside Darwin
Cracticus nigrogularis, Pied Butcherbird,2 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 3 
(05-22 Nourlangie to Gunlom), x (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Dicrurus bracteatus, Spangled Drongo, common throughout
Rhipidura dryas, Arafura Fantail, 1 (05-15-19Darwin), 2 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto 
Ubirr), 
Rhipidura rufiventris, Northern Fantail, 4 (05-15-19Darwin), 1 (05-21 Ubirr to 
Nourlangie), 4 (05-22 Nourlangie
Rock to Gunlom), 2 (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek)
Rhipidura leucophrys, Willie Wagtail,common throughout
Corvus orru, Torresian Crow, common throughout
Myiagra ruficollis, Broad-billed Flycatcher,4 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Myiagra rubecula, Leaden Flycatcher,1 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Myiagra alecto, Shining Flycatcher, X (05-15-19Darwin), 
(Myiagra nana), (Paperbark Flycatcher),  common outside Darwin 
Grallina cyanoleuca, Magpie-lark, common throughout
Microeca flavigaster, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), X (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Cisticola exilis, Golden-headed Cisticola, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), 1 (05-20 
AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Zosterops luteus, Yellow White-eye, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Hirundo neoxena, Welcome Swallow,x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Dicaeum hirundinaceum, Mistletoebird, 2 (05-15-19Darwin), 
Taeniopygia bichenovii, Double-barred Finch, x (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-21 Ubirr 
to Nourlangie), 
Poephila acuticauda, Long-tailed Finch,10 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Poephila personata, Masked Finch,20 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 2 (05-22 
Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Neochmia phaeton, Crimson Finch, x (05-15-19Darwin), x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto 
Ubirr), 4 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Erythrura gouldiae, Gouldian Finch,1 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Lonchura castaneothorax, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
 
Mammals
Trichosurus arnhemensis, Northern Brushtail Possum, 1 (05-15-19DarwinBotanical 
Garden), 
Petropseudes dahli Rock Ringtail Possum, 3 (05-20 Bardedjilidji), 
Macropus agilis, Agile Wallaby, x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-21 Ubirr 
to Nourlangie), x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Macropus bernardus Black Wallaroo, 1 (05-23 Gunlom)
Macropus robustus
woodwardi, Northern Wallaroo/Euro, 1
(05-23 Gunlom)
Petrogale brachyotis, Short-eared Rock-wallaby, 4 (05-21 2 at Bardedjilidji
and 2 at Ubirr), 
Pteropus alecto, Black Flying Fox, X (05-15-19Darwin),
x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Canis lupus dingo, Dingo, 1 (05-15-19Darwin),
1 (05-22 Nourlangie), 
Felis silvestris catus, House Cat, 1 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Equus asinus, Donkey, 1 (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Sus scrofa, Pig, 12 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
 
Reptiles (IDs still in progress)
Crocodylus porosus, Estuarine Crocodile, 1 (05-15-19Buffalo Creek), 
Emydura tanybaraga, Northern Yellow-faced Turtle, x (05-15-19HowardSprings), 
Hemidactylus frenatus, Asian House Gecko, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Lialis burtonis, Burton's Snake-Lizard, 1 (05-21 Nourlangie), 
Carlia gracilis, Slender Rainbow-Skink, x (05-15-19Darwin),
x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Carlia munda, Shaded-Litter Rainbow-Skink, x (05-23 Gunlom Pine
Creek Darwin)
Cryptoblepharus
plagiocephalus, Fence Skink, x (05-15-19Darwin),
x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Ctenotus hilli, Top-end Lowlands Ctenotus, 1 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Ctenotus inornatus, Bar-shouldered Ctenotus, 1 (05-23 Gunlom)
Amphibolurus gulberti, Gilbert's Dragon, 1 (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Amphibolurus temporalis, Northern Water Dragon, x (05-15-19Darwin),
X (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Ctenophorus caudicinctus, Ring-tailed Dragon, x (05-23 Gunlom)
Diporiphora albilabris, White-lipped Two Lined Dragon, 1 (05-21 Bardedjilidji),
x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
 
Amphibians
Litoria coplandi, Copland's Rock Frog, 1 (05-20 AdelaideRiver), 
Litoria meiriana, Rockhole Frog, X (05-23 Gunlom)
Litoria nasuta, Rocket Frog, X (05-21 Ubirr), 
Litoria rubella, Red Tree Frog, 1 (05-15-19Darwin), 
Bufo marinus, Cane Toad, unfortunately common throughout
 
Butterflies
Papilio demoleus, Checkered Swallowtail, x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Cressida cressida, Clearwing Swallowtail, X (05-15-19Darwin),
x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), x (05-22 
Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Catopsilla scylla, Orange Migrant, x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), x (05-22
Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), x (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Mycalesis perseus, Dingy Bush-brown, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Hypocysta adiante, Orange Ringlet, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Cethosia penthesilea, Orange Lacewing, x (05-15-19Darwin),
x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Hypolimnas bolina, Varied Eggfly, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Hypolimnas alimena, Blue-banded Eggfly, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Junonia hedonia, Chocolate Argus, x (05-15-19Darwin),
X (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Junonia villida, Meadow Argus, x (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Junonia orithya, Blue Argus, x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-22 
Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
Euploea core, Common Crow, x (05-15-19Darwin),
x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), x (05-21 Ubirr to Nourlangie), 
Euploea darchia, Small Brown Crow, x (05-15-19Darwin), 
Danaus affinis, Swamp Tiger, x (05-15-19Darwin),
x (05-20 AdelaideRiverto Ubirr), 
Arthopala centaurus, Purple Oak-blue, x (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Candalides geminus, Twin Dusky-blue, x (05-23 Gunlom Pine Creek Darwin)
Euchrysops cnejus, Spotted Pea-blue, x (05-22 Nourlangie Rock to Gunlom), 
 ----------------
Nikolas Haass

Sydney, NSW




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