Birdline Western Australia
Published sightings for the week ending 12 Oct 2014.
Wed 8 Oct Black Bittern Cocos Keeling Islands , West Island
Spotted on the road to the swimming beach by Liz Znidersic. Had time to
drive back to town for a camera. See in same spot with head up roosting
later in the afternoon.
Liz Znidersic
Tue 7 Oct Broad-billed Sandpiper Cocos Keeling Island
One Broad-billed Sandpiper amongst a small group of waders. A first for
Cocos.
Geof Christie
Sat 4 Oct Striated Grasswren (race oweni) Neale Junction Nature Reserve
Proposed elevated species Sandhill Grasswren A. oweni (Christides et al
2013) photographed 36km north of the junction. this completes an
'Amytornis Odyssey this calendar year, during which time I have been
lucky enough to photograph all 18 ssp proposed in the above-mentioned
Christides review of the genus. Although fresh Grasswren tracks were in
great abundance in the 'good patch' of spinifex habitat 10-14km south
of the Junction, I failed to hear a peep there, despite several
extended (four-hour) searches. After a highly successful trip through
South Australia along the Anne Beadell Hwy, it was disappointing to
find evidence of extensive burning in recent years throughout most of
the accessible aspects of the reserve. No Princess Parrots nor
Scarlet-chested Parrots were encountered, contrasting an apparent
abundance of both species on the SA side of border. I would recommend
anyone intending to visit Neale Junction to consider the drive from the
east, which at present, at least, is in terrific shape, and with more
complex vegetation accompanying both Mallee and Mulga woodlands, and
seemingly, a much higher incidence of birds and reptiles. It needs to
be kept in mind however, that the eastern approach is much much
rougher, and requires additional permits.
John Weigel
Broad-billed Sandpiper Cocos Keeling Islands , South Island
One Broad-billed Sandpiper with a small group of waders.
Geof Christie
Saunders Tern Cocos Keeling Islands,SouthIsland sand flats.
There are now 7 Saunders Terns roosting on the same sand bar as
previous years. More should arrive and stay until March. There is now
10 differant species of migrating waders on Cocos.
Geof Christie
Fri 3 Oct Black Falcon Farm Dam approx 2km North of Minilya Bridge
Roadhouse
Travelling south to Carnarvon from Exmouth and noticed a lot of bird
activity around dam just off NW Coastal Highway. Stopped to investigate
and found 30+ Budgerigars, 20+ Cockatiels, 30+ Diamond Dove, 2
Whistling Kites and 1000+ Zebra Finch at the dam drinking. Whilst
observing this a new raptor flew and and all the birds were immediately
agitated. Watched bird and photographed and saw that bird was a Black
Falcon.
Ross Jones
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