OUTBACK BIRDS - PART 3 - 1 October to 3 October
Arrived during the afternoon of Tuesday 1 October to Kinchega National Park
(110 kilometres south east of Broken Hill), and stayed there for two nights.
Kinchega comprises Lake Cawndilla and Lake Menindee, fed by the Darling River,
and these are the water providers to Broken Hill and district. The water was
not clear when we were there and apparently it's always like that, because the
soil has some clay and the solids just suspend in the water. In terms of
vegetation, there were tall trees including gum trees, bluebush with small
grasses, wildflowers and herbs in between (thus covering all the earth), and
in other areas there was bare red sandy dirt between the bluebush. Roads were
gravel, dry just before and when we were there so no problem getting around in
the bus.
Near the shearers' quarters were a couple of ponds, with Red-rumped Parrots
and Blue Bonnets (yellow-vented) coming in to drink at dusk, Apostlebirds
arguing with a Little Friarbird, a Rufous Songlark giving a lovely serenade,
and lots of Fairy Martins including nesting in pipes under the road. The
ponds proffered Lifer No. 14 to me: Black-tailed Native-hens which came in
early morning and late evening, but were rather skittish so it was hard to get
a good close view of them. At the quarters themselves was a Grey
Shrike-thrush which had learned that easy pickings were to be had at insects
on car front grills. In the various buildings around the quarters were
Welcome Swallows nesting, apparently totally unconcerned by fluorescent lights
going on during the night.
Also near the quarters was a light phase Little Eagle sitting in a tree, and a
Red-backed Kingfisher gave us a great viewing. He was truly showing off as he
turned his back to us and spread his wings a little, giving us the perfect
view of the colour on his back, and turning his head in full profile.
Thankyou.
The night of 2 October was clear so some of us went for a spotlighting walk,
admiring the great starry Milky Way and enjoying the peace and quiet and fresh
air. We found an Australian Owlet-Nightjar; first it was on one branch and
then very silently slipped to another a few feet away but was found again and
co-operated while we all had a good look.
During the clear, warm day of Wednesday 2 October we drove along the road to
Lake Cawndilla, finding Black-faced Woodswallow (Lifer No. 15) and saw them a
few times in the Park doing the cute thing that woodswallows do, cuddling up
together on branches (even in the heat). And Lifer No. 16, Chirruping
Wedgebill sitting on top of a bluebush and walking on the ground amongst
flowers. I was fortunate to get a few good views of this species during the
trip - they are a lovely bird with a large dark eye and a great call. Near
the Chirruping Wedgebill were Crimson Chats (Lifer No. 17) also on top of
bushes and down on the ground. On these Chats the red colour was a little
washed out, but later on in the trip I saw Crimson Chats in all their red
glory, a terrific bird in this environment.
On visits to the Lakes themselves, we found Australian Shelduck, Eurasian
Coot, Great Egret, Grey Teal (about 30), Hoary-headed Grebe, Masked Lapwing,
Black Swan, Pink-eared Duck (10), Pied Cormorant, Caspian Tern, Gull-billed
Terns and Silver Gulls. Other birds near or at the lakes included Black Kite
and Whistling Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Grey Shrike-Thrushes in a duet,
Rainbow Bee-eater, Red-capped Robin and White-fronted Chat. Nankeen Kestrels
were a particular highlight at Morton Boolka (Moulton Boulki) Swamp where we
found a female sitting on a branch, at eye level, only 25 feet away, and the
male was on a branch just above.
And Lifer No. 18 for me, Budgerigar. I have one in a cage at home and loved
seeing his native cousins in the wild.
And Lifer No. 19, Chestnut-crowned Babblers which were fast moving but we
eventually saw the great colour on their crown and the white marks on the
wings.
Left Kinchega on the morning of 3 October to go to Mootwingee. Next
instalment soon.
Happy birding to you all
(I know it makes me happy)
Irene Denton
Sydney NSW Australia
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