I spent the last two days going up to Geraldton with Mike Carter to check
on the Grey Heron. But the bird had flown ... Sean Dooley also was
there. His 600 twitch is progressing well and he is approaching 450
now. Wait for his next instalment.
We had some very good sightings never the less.
Sean reported Roseate Terns at the Geraldton harbour so we checked them
out. 4 adults in full breeding plumage feeding three fledged but dependent
young. We had some debate where they might have bred. The consensus was
that they were very unlikely to be from the Abrolhos, and probably bred a
rocky area just offshore.
We went to Kalabarri (about 150 km north of Geraldton) this morning in case
the heron was following the coast. Highlights were :
About 25 Pallid Cuckoos. Never seen so many in such a short time.
One adult Black-eared Cuckoo.
A pair of Western Yellow Robins mating. The female landed on a branch,
started shaking her body and lifted her tail. The male flew in and did the
deed.
About six Little Woodswallows over the Murchison River.
150 Black-tailed Native-hen on the banks of the Murchison. A White-backed
Swallow at the same location, plus a Glossy Ibis.
Several Spotted Harriers which are not that common close to the coast.
White-necked Herons in many places.
Sean and Mike headed off towards Yalgoo to try their luck for Grey
Honeyeater (same initials! even if a little smaller), as I headed back to
Perth. Looking forward to the pelagic on Sunday with a front forecast for
tomorrow afternoon / evening, but the weather forecast to have cleared for
most of Sunday before another front is due. With Mike Carter on board who
knows what we will see ...
___________________________________________________________________
Frank O'Connor Birding WA http://members.iinet.net.au/~foconnor
Phone : (08) 9386 5694 Email :
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