I have just returned from the bunk-camp organised by BOCA at
Nelson. There were 30 keen birders
and I enjoyed the lively exchange of opinions. The final count was 127 birds ( my count 110) .
My most
memorable sighting was the 50+ brolga
in a paddock north of Mt Gambier near Mil Lel SA.
During a lunch stop near the kiosk at Nelson I was able to
add the Common Sandpiper to
my ‘lifer’ list. There were many Nankeen Night Herons all along the Glenelg
River. Near Port MacDonnell we
spent time scanning waders on the rocks at low tide. The Golden Plover and
Ruddy Turnstones were difficult to
find despite the Plovers advanced breeding plumage.
Near Piccaninnie Hole I added another two ‘lifers’ in 5
minutes, the Brush Bronzewing
and a Beautiful Firetail.
(My count is now 500!)
At Pritchards’s
Landing we saw a Rose Robin.
Near Princess Margaret Rose Caves at Dry Creek we
watched large groups of Yellow-tailed Cockatoos sorting out
territorial boundaries or arranging a conference!.
The honeyeaters
we saw in various places were: Yellow-faced,
Singing, White-plumed, White-naped, New Holland, Eastern Spinebill Red, Little and Spiny- Cheeked
Wattlebirds.
On the river were usual Cormorants,
Coot, Swamphen & Moorhen, Swan, Musk, Chestnut teal, Pacific Black , A.
Shoveler, Pelican, White-faced and Great Heron, Great Crested, Aust. & Hoary Headed Grebe.
The raptors provoked the most discussion; Black-shouldered and Whistling Kite, Brown Goshawk,
Collared Sparrowhawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Hobby and Kestrel were all seen, some added
Peregrine to their list.
It was a great week in a very interesting part of Australia
and I really appreciated the work the organisers had done to ensure excellent
birding.
Shirley Cameron
