Hello All,
Went to WA for two weeks after Christmas with my partner for a holiday and
did a bit of birding whilst over there. Visited a number of places.
Went to Carrine Open Space (28/12) looking for Blue-billed Ducks. Saw huge
flocks of mixed Little and Long-billed Corellas but dipped on the
duck. Went on to Pinaroo Valley Memorial Park. Great spot for a number of
birds including Spendid Wren, Rainbow-Bee-eater, Sitella, Western Gerygone,
Weebill, White-browed Scrub-wren. Good place for birding in Perth.
Had two days (29-30/12) on Rottnest Island. Very nice but very busy
(between Christmas and New Year). Bicycled around the western end of the
island, including around the lakes. I could only find Peafowl around the
buildings in the Settlement- literally lounging on the concrete in front of
a building in one case. They seemed a bit too feral to be tickable, but
apparently they were released originally away from the Settlement and made
their way there! Also saw Ringneck Pheasants near the Settlement, and
especially in the Golf Course. A large group (23) of Banded Lapwings were
present on the Cricket ground on both days. Lots of Banded Stilts present
on most lakes, with a few Black-winged Stilt and a lone Avocet at Garden
Lake. Tried Frank O'Connor's Rock Parrot site near the Tennis Courts twice
with little success although a number of other birds were present including
a large (150-200) flock of Tree Martins nearby. Also tried Bickley Swamp
for Rock Parrot (recommended also by Birds WA). Dipped the first time, but
on the second visit, two flew past about 30m away as I was leaving. Bridled
terns were easily seen from the lighthouse at Bathurst Point on the nearby
rock stacks. Fairy Terns were breeding at Lake Baghdad and Crested Terns
were breeding on Herschel Lake. Great views of a pair of Ospreys near
Salmon Bay. Also saw Red-capped Robin at the Golf Course.
After returning to Perth, we headed off for the Stirling Ranges the next
day (31/12). Stayed at the Stirling Ranges Retreat (31/12 & 1/1). Spent the
first afternoon and a little time the next morning and afternoon birding
around the retreat grounds on the many small tracks. This was a great place
for birds. Elegant Parrot, Ringneck, Red-capped Parrot, Western Rosella,
Regent Parrot, Purple-crowned Lorikeet were all present. Some of the Wandoo
trees were heavily in flower and supporting feeding Yellow-plumed
Honeyeaters and a few Purple-gaped Honeyeaters amongst others. A flock
Brown headed Honeyeaters stopped by briefly to feed the on the second day.
Wrens which actually appeared more like Red-winged were present the first
afternoon, but I'm certain that I saw Blue-breasted Wrens the next day. A
group of up to 15 Striated Pardalotes were present near our earth cabin. A
flock of around 30 Short-billed Black Cockatoos flew past at times, and I
flushed a Common Bronzewing which was to be the first of more seen on this
trip than I've ever seen before. Western Yellow Robins were also present
near the pool the second morning, and near the paddocks the second afternoon.
We walked up Bluff Knoll on New Years Day morning. Views were great, but
the area looked to be quite recently burnt, and there were few birds
present. A couple of Grey Currawongs were conspicuous at the summit. After
returning from the mountain early the temperature was soaring, so we went
for a drive. Saw Square-tailed Kite on the Stirling Range Drive. Walked
both the Kanga Ck and Ongarrup Creek trails, but was somewhat disappointed,
since the weather seemed to be against me on both days. The Kanga trail
walk (afternoon, 1/1) started off hot and ended up very windy. Saw little
new except for a Tawny-crowned Honeyeater in Wandoo woodland. The Ongrrup
Creek walk the next day (2/1) started well after storms through the night,
but again wind picked up early. Nevertheles here I was able to see Emus,
beautiful Regent Parrots perched in a dead tree strongly sunlit against a
dark stormy sky, Western Thornbills, and Southern Emu Wrens. Scarlet Robins
were prominent at a number of points along this trail. Got back just in the
thunder just before the rain hit.
Frank Hemmings
Curator
John T. Waterhouse Herbarium
School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences
University of New South Wales
UNSW SYDNEY 2052
AUSTRALIA
Tel +61 2 9385 3274
Fax +61 2 9385 1558
CRICOS Provider Code: 00098G
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