Well done Mark. Thanks for keeping us informed of goings on in the centre.
Regards,
Alan
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Mark Carter" <>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 8:17 AM
To: <>
Subject: Grey Falcon on Princess Parrot Twitch
Hi Birders!
My 2 day guided birding package to twitch the Princess Parrots which
returned yesterday (1st Dec) was a roaring success- I thought perhaps
people out there might like to read about the birding highlights:
After a brief stop at Alice Springs sewage ponds to pick up a spread of
species such as Buff-banded Rails, Pink-eared Ducks and a very brief view
of a Black Falcon, we proceeded south on the Stuart Highway. A roadside
stop by woodland on Owen Springs Reserve turned up Black, Pied and White
Fronted Honeyeaters. North of Erldunda Chiming Wedgebill, many Crimson
Chat and a couple of Spotted Harrier were found among verdant grasslands
and shrubs. Three more roadside stops in good habitat on the way to
Watarrka National Park (AKA Kings Canyon) got us Varied Sittela, Pallid
and Horsefields Bronze Cuckoo, Red-capped Robin, Western Gerygone,
White-browed Babbler, White-browed Treecreeper (a very rare bird out here)
and mixed flocks of Inland and Slaty-backed Thornbill as well as a lone
Major Mitchell Cockatoo and a roadkilled Barn Owl.
We overnighted at Kings Canyon Resort where Spinifex Pigeon were easily
seen on the resort grounds. Dawn and dusk is a good time for dingo
sightings in the surrounding country. Clearly pickings are good these
days- these animals are looking fat!
A dawn start the next day for our rendezvous with the Land Council
officers and Traditional Owners who led us to the area of previous
Princess Parrot activity. Our first stop was an open area of grassland
sprinkled with stately Marble Gums which was alive with curious
Grey-fronted Honeyeaters. A quick flyby of a pair of Princess Parrots in
the first 5 minutes raised everyone's excitement to fever pitch but
searches of the surrounding area only turned up a Mulga Parrot nest and
many White-fronted Honeyeater- none of the magic Parrots. We decided to
proceed to the next site as we could already feel the landscape warming up
there was no time to waste. We parked with the intention of walking in to
a flagged site which had been the focus of recent activity but within a
minute of getting out of the vehicle a pair of Princess Parrots were
spotted skulking in a gum right beside us! Over the next hour we
encountered several birds in small groups spread over about 1km2. Adults
were observed feeding juvenile birds but there was no evidence of current
nesting. As the morning proceeded and the temperatures started to rise the
birds became subdued and dispersed around the wider site in preparation
for roosting up for the day.
On the suggestion of Alison, the lead Traditional Owner, we headed 8km
down the track to a site which was presumably a feeding ground previously.
There were no Parrots present so it was decided to return to the prior
site. On the drive back a Grey Falcon flew over our vehicle, buzzing the
treetops and swooping on flushed budgies. We got a good view of the bird
but it didn't hang around. It powered off in the general direction of the
site we were heading back to so we proceeded slowly, eyes-to-the-skies
style. One more stop for roadside White-winged Fairy Wren also turned up a
small party of Banded Whiteface- a nice bonus. By now we had dropped a
good 20 minutes behind the CLC vehicle so we caught them up again at the
main Parrot location. The sky had clouded over and the temperatures had
dropped enough that the Parrots became active again: one party of 6 birds
were doing 'victory laps' around the site before landing together in a
stately marble gum, chattering loudly all the while. By the time we
departed the site it was 11am and the temperature was creeping up again.
We returned to Alice via the gravel road to Hermannsburg, further roadside
birding stops producing Splendid Fairy Wrens, Western Gerygone, Little
Buttonquail and close encounters with a Crested Bellbird.
All in all it was a very rewarding journey- everywhere in the Red Centre
is bursting with life. From my point of view it has been great to finally
get access for birders to this historic but ephemeral natural event. We
had been hopeful of good encounters with the Princess Parrots and the
birds certainly delivered- but we hadn't expected a Grey Falcon into the
bargain!
The final date offered by the CLC for permits to the site is tomorrow (3rd
Dec) but I am hopeful that more can be arranged. Get in touch if you would
like more information.
Cheers
Mark Carter
DesertLife: Bird Guiding in Australia's Red Centre
T ++61 (0) 447358045
http://www.desertlife.com.au
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