Hi Bert/Tony/All
The best place to see Western Whipbird on KI is in the South Coast Mallee
Belt. This association is Eucalyptus diversifolia/Melaleuca lanceolata and
ranges from c. 8 m high along the South Coast Road to knee high on the
clifftops. Some of the easier access spots to see this species are D,Estrees
Bay, Seal Bay access road (west side of road as east side burnt out 12
months ago; Vivonne Bay subdivision area and CP near Point Ellen; Cape
DuCouedic area (still an unburnt refuge here) and West Bay on the extreme
western end of KI where a sizeable unburnt refuge still remains. The birds
are mostly heard calling territorial song from August to December and become
quieter after that until seldom heard during autumn-early-mid winter. If
they are not calling then they are extremely difficult to find and it is
just chance if one flushes (scuttles) low across the road in front of an
approaching vehicle (eg: along Cape DuCouedic Road). Having said all this
they are moderately common in the mallee scrub growing on the south coast
limestone belt and it is only their skulking secretive nature that stops one
from seeing them more often.
As for thir taxonomic listing/distribution Tony, I am afraid Simpson/you
have got it wrong. Whibirds are all of the one species- Ie: Psopodes
nigrogularis. However, there are four races: P. n. nigrogularis and P. n.
oberon in WA; P. n. leucogaster in the Murray Mallee, Eyre and York
Peninsulas; and P. n. lashmari on KI.
Cheers
Chris Baxter
Kangaroo Island
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Tony Russell
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:38 PM
To: 'Bert Harris';
Subject: whipbirds on Kangaroo Island?
Try the car park at Seal Bay. Where did you look at D'Estrees Bay ?
Simpson lists the KI birds as Psophodes leucogaster race lashmari - ie
Mallee Whipbirds.
Western Whipbirds, Psophodes nigrogularis, start west of Waychinicup
and Cheynes Beach in WA.
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Bert Harris
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:20 PM
To:
Subject: whipbirds on Kangaroo Island?
Dear all,
Can anyone help me out with a reliable spot for Western Whipbird on
KI? I have heard that the birds are present at Cape du Couedic,
D'Estrees Bay, and Lasueur Conservation Park. The last time I was on
KI, we searched for the species in the heath at Cape du
Couedic/Remarkable Rocks and in the Hanson Bay area with no luck.
Any hints, specific localities, or recent reports would be much
appreciated!
Thanks very much,
Bert Harris, Adelaide
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