2 Highlights from a recent trip to Gluepot

[sandra henderson <>]

4 COG members went to Gluepot in SA for a few days camping a couple of weeks ago. While the weather wasn't the best, we had a great time and there were a couple of very special moments.

As I drove towards Waikerie, in an area with a strip of shrubbery beside the road, a spotted harrier flew alongside the car, at about eye level, and only about 5 metres away from us, for several hundred metres. It was obviously looking for a meal in the shrubbery, and we were entranced by this most spectacular view of a special raptor.  Where's Geoffrey or Steve with their video camera when you need them.... ?

Towards the end of our time at Gluepot we stopped at the Lunettes walk parking area. Just beyond the gate we were delighted to see white-fronted chats, our 51st species at Gluepot for the trip.  As we were watching the chats a male red-capped robin appeared on the fence, and hopped down to the path. Then another male RCR joined him on the path. They faced off about 30cm apart. Bird 1 took a little hop forward, bird 2 hopped back the same distance. They repeated this about half a dozen times, one advancing and the other retreating, until bird 2 gave up and flew off. One of the funniest examples of bird behaviour I've ever seen - boys strutting their stuff

Sandra H