A bit late sorry but had a great solo trip to Burren Junction on
Wednesday and Thursday 5th & 6th July from Sydney.
My first ever twitch was very exciting although I felt a bit guilty
that i didn't have to try to hard. The very kind and lovely couple
John and Ruth Walter kept an eye on the GHL and stayed until i
arrived at about 11:45am on Wednesday. (Many thanks again guys).
I literally pulled alongside their vehicle, jumped out and saw the
bird within a second!!
It was in the usual patch across the road NE of the silos.
Watched it for a couple of hours trying to get some good photos but
the heat haze didn't conspire well with a long telephoto lens,
rendering my first barrage of images pretty useless.
I then went exploring and found Spiny-cheeked HE and White-winged
Fairy-Wren (the wren another lifer).
Checked in to a cabin behind the pub and then went back in search of
the bird where I met up with the Lambs from Maleny and another couple
whose names i have forgotten from Newcastle way.
We caught up with the Lapwing again back in the same patch and i
managed to get some better shots as the last light of the day faded.
Next morning, determined to find the bird myself and prove that it
wasn't all so easy, i got out of bed and went to put stuff in the
car. Put the bins up to scan the paddock across the road and there it
was again!! Straight away found it. Watched it for about 15minutes
from 7:15-7:30am. Took a few atmosphere shots and then something
disturbed it and it took off toward the silos giving me a great shot
in flight.
Finished packing the car and went back to the original near the silo
and once again found it within seconds!
Not at all trying to sound like I am any good or anything, I just
found it amazing that something i had been stressing about finding
proved to be so lucky.
I then spent an hour or so creeping closer along the line of bushes
trying to get a bit closer for a photo which i did. A Black Flacon
(another lifer) then started causing panic among the Galahs and the
Lapwing flew briefly 20m north in the same paddock and then it went
off behind the big covered grain bunker to the SE of the silo.
After 1200km round trip i was pleased to have spent around 5 hours
viewing this beautiful bird.
I then spent the next few hours watching the Black Falcon and all the
cockatiels, and birding the bush behind the silos and dam where all
the Plumed WHislting Ducks are. Lots of Apostlebirds, White-winged
Choughs. Highlight was a pair of Bluebonnets and about 6 Eastern
Ringnecks as well as White-winged Fairy-wrens and Varigated Fairy-wrens.
What a great trip!!
Thanks again to everyone who kept the reports coming in which
encouraged me to do such a crazy jaunt!
Cheers
David Stowe
www.davidstowe.com.au
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