Hi All,
We have just returned from an enjoyable trip to Burren Junction to
twitch the Grey-headed Lapwing. On Saturday 15th July we observed the
bird from about 9am, adjacent to and east of the silos in the grassed
area along the railway siding, and at times it was quite close to the
road. In drizzling rain the bird was searching for food and feeding.
It favoured the right foot when walking but with little apparent
discomfort from the bumblefoot ball on it's foot, and was seen to "dart"
to pounce on a morsel. After a time it moved to the ditch (between the
railway siding and the road) and commenced to preen. At one time it
stood on it's crook right foot to scratch it's head with it's left.
Although wet, it seemed quite healthy and active.
Returning to the site after refuelling, we were told that the bird had
flown to the other side (south) of the railway siding. We waited until
it returned, and we had more very good views of it close to the road -
it eventually flew off over the road towards the town and disappeared
from sight.
We left for Wee Waa and then stayed overnight at Narrabri, and on the
way we were pleased to see lots of Cockatiel and there were 30+
Intermediate Egret on a flooded oval at Narrabri.
Next day we travelled from Narrabri to Moree to Walgett. Highlight was
200+ Plum-headed Finches at Ruth Leitch Bridge (27km west of Moree).
Monday dawned clear and bright at Walgett - so we decided to go back to
Burren Junction to see the Lapwing in better light. But no such luck -
more rain on the way and constant drizzle at Burren Junction. We
spotted the Lapwing on the town side of road opposite the silos. We
also saw lots of Plumed Whistling-Duck on a large body of water south of
the silos.
We left heading east on the Wee Waa road. Between Burren Junction and
Wee Waa we saw hundreds of Cockatiel, 4 Pale-headed Rosellas in with a
flock of about 20 Cockatiel, 2 Black Falcons at a nest, and another
Black Falcon 5km from the other 2.
Headed home with overnight stops at Coonabarabran, Warren, Broken Hill,
and with 128 species for the trip.
Additional highlights for a couple of South Aussies - Hundreds of
cockatiel, Apostle Birds and White-winged Choughs, a dozen or so Major
Mitchell Cockatoos west of Cobar, Red-winged Parrots, a small flock of
Double-barred Finches, Black-chinned Honeyeaters (a bit different call
in the east!) and several Brolga in a flooded paddock east of Warren.
Terry & Lyn Gould
Reynella. S.A.
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