This is the sort of inspiring birding-aus post I like.
I'll probably never get out to see the Princess Parrots. But because I know
that somewhere there is a place with hundreds of Princess Parrots, the
world seems a better place.
John Leonard
On , Ian May <> wrote:
Hello again
Subsequent to my previous post, just returned to Alice Springs after
spending a week searching for Princess Parrots with Geoff Jones and Don
Hadden in the area between Mereenie Oil and Gas Field and Mt Liebig,
Northern Territory.
Great news.
We have located many hundreds, of Princess Parrots at various locations.
From the observations so far, most birds are concentrated mainly within 4
or 5 areas however it is likely to be many more because our searching was
somewhat restricted by difficult access. It is likely that there are many
hundreds, probably thousands of birds spread over a much greater area
than we could cover.
When we return to Price SA next week I will post a complete report
including coordinates and details of all our sightings. For those
interested to have a look, two reasonably accessible areas offer high
probability of locating birds if visited over a period of at least a day
or two. Remember the hot weather will arrive soon and the current ideal
conditions will almost certainly deteriorate quickly
Please note; The following information refers to Map datum WGS 84.
Coordinates are in Deg, min, sec. Time is Australian Central Standard
The first location is the most south eastern population we encountered.
First birds only approx. 17 km from the Meereenie Loop road at 23 56 04S,
131 22 28 E
More than 100 birds scattered at various locations adjacent to and off
the track for about 15 km traversing west to 23 59 01S, 131 14 08E.
Approximately 65 km from Kings Canyon Resort. The birds can be found
dispersed singly, in pairs and in small flocks of up to 20 frequenting
open tall forest areas of Desert Oak and Eucalyptus (Bloodwood?). Many
are found while feeding between dawn to about 11.00 and again from about
1500 until dusk At these times birds usually flush from the ground and
fly about calling loudly often circling and settling again in nearby
desert oaks.
The other location offering reasonable access is approximately 60 km
south west of Mt Liebig and 23 km WSW of Browns bore. Birds were
scattered in pairs and flocks up to 20 birds encountered along about 7 km
of track from 23 39 22S, 131 03 48E to 23 41 46S, 131 00 46E.
Although we experienced cold conditions, now is the seasonal transition
and very hot weather can be expected soon. These areas are extremely
remote so proceed with caution and with full safety preparation. Arrange
transit permits and be equipped with 1:250,000 topo maps.
Please report your sightings on birding-aus. When this exciting and
remarkable natural event concludes, I hope to compile the sightings and
post a full report on birding-aus with full acknowledgments of course.
The country is in great condition and birding is excellent at present.
Pat and I found Geoff Jones and Don Hadden to be great company. They are
professionals and took hundreds of pics. More than once I watched
Princess Parrots nearly landing on their cameras and I cant wait to see
the results of their photographic extravaganza. On my next posting, I
will provide links to their web sites. We also want to thank Llane and
Don Hadden for their generous hospitality when we returned to Mt Liebig
on Wednesday evening.
If you intend to visit, please contact Don Hadden at Mt Liebig. You will
find his email address above.
Regards and good birding
Ian and Pat May
St Helens, Tasmania
(currently at Kurnoth bore west of Alice Springs)
0428337956
Ian wrote:
Hi all
It is pleasing to report that on Friday 23rd July 2010 Pat and I located
good numbers of Princess Parrots frequenting an area of more than 100 sq.
km within the Northern Territory between Yulara and Mt Liebig within a
geographic area that could be described as the eastern Gibson Desert. The
minimum number of birds observed were estimated to be more than 100 but
it is probable there were many morein the area. The birds were very
active and had formed numerous flocks of mostly 12 to 20 birds. One flock
comprised more than 60 birds.
At about 1030 am on Friday morning while driving east along a remote
abandoned seismic track a flock of about 15 Princess Parrots flushed
noisily from vegetation in front of us. Calling loudly they allowed great
views before heading south west. In a state of excitement we searched the
surrounding dunes for more birds without success and after about an hour
we continued traveling east. After traveling about 4 km further east we
flushed another flock of about 20 birds. We decided to camp at this
location and at about 4.30 pm while looking south across a broad valley
between the dunes several flocks of from 12 to 20 birds were observed
simultaneously wheeling in from various directions and merging to an area
about 300 meters from me where they landed to commence feeding. Minimum
estimate of 100 birds in the area on Friday. On Saturday 24th, as we were
driving out we came across several birds then a flock of more than 60
perched in full view on a dead desert oak. Many birds were on the ground
feeding among spinifex covered sanddunes while others were perched in
Desert Oak. There are many flowering Gravilliar, Cassia, Eromophila and
acaia in the area. It is hard to estimate numbers accurately because they
are so mobile however there could be several hundred in the area
We have just resupplied at Alice Springs and now stopped at Erldunda to
send this email message before heading back out therein about 20 minutes
and out of phone and internet range. Sorry if this message is a bit
rushed but as we speak storm clouds are brewing to the south west so we
could be in for a wet night. We are heading out to the site hopefully to
take some more photos. Meeting Geoff Jones and Don Hadden at Mereenie Oil
Fields on the way. I will post full details including GPS coordinates
when we return in about a week.
Regards
Ian May
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