Cocoparra NP Trip Report

["Matthew Herring" <>]

G'day All,

 

I've just returned from my first visit (two days) to the wonderful Cocoparra National Park, just north of Griffith in central NSW. I had a small amount of time for some serious birdwatching. Nothing too exciting to talk of, however Mulga Parrot and Bar-shouldered Dove really surprised me. I just did not expect them here, especially the former. Guess I'll ask the Murrumbidgee Field Nats. Unfortunately i did not have a chance to check out Binya SF. Honeyeater diversity and abundance was impressive (10, possibly 11 species). One Mistletoe species and the ironbarks were flowering, but not prolificly and the park appeared very dry. There were many other birds not found around Albury that were good to see (e.g. Eastern Ringneck, Splendid Fairy-Wren, Spiny-cheeked, Striped and Singing Honeyeaters). Never before in one patch of bush had i seen so many Speckled Warblers (groups of 10+ and they were seemingly everywhere we stopped). A single Spotted Harrier crossing the road as we left the park added a final highlight.

 

The following birds were seen in the park, with * species appearing to be particularly common (relatively).

Emu

Black-shouldered Kite

Wedge-tailed Eagle

Brown Falcon

Nankeen Kestrel

Painted Button-Quail

Peaceful Dove

Bar-shouldered Dove

Crested Pigeon

Galah

Eastern Ringneck

Blue Bonnet

Red-rumped Parrot

Mulga Parrot

Barn Owl

Laughing Kookaburra

Splendid Fairy-Wren

*Speckled Warber

Brown Thornbill

Buff-rumped Thornbill

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill

Yellow Thornbill

Weebill

Red Wattlebird

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater

Striped Honeyeater

Blue-faced Honeyeater

Yellow-throated Miner

Noisy Miner

*Singing Honeyeater

White-eared Honeyeater

White-plumed Honeyeater

White-naped Honeyeater

*Eastern Yellow Robin

*White-browed Babbler

Golden Whistler

*Grey Shrike-Thrush

Grey Butcherbird

Pied Butcherbird

Australian Magpie

Australian Raven

Zebra Finch

 

 

Additionally, a treecreeper was seen once, but only for a short time (Brown or White-browed) and another honeyeater (Grey-fronted or Yellow-plumed) was also not seen for long enough. Well worth a visit, and the mistletoe is about to explode! (Painted, White-fronted Honeyeaters etc).

 

Cheers, Matthew Herring, Albury NSW.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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