Thanks Ian. Just to add to this, I've got some information about Mereenie Loop
Rd on my trip report site, see http://tim-dolby.blogspot.com/
When I was there last month the Centre was looking stunning. I can highly
recommend camping beside the Finke River (near Glen Helen) at the 'Finke Two
Mile Bushcamping Area'.
I've also just returned from the Flinders Ranges, a perfect contrast with
MacDonnell Ranges. The Flinders were similarly stunning, particularly in terms
of the greenness of the place, and the wildflowers. The native pine forests
before Wilpena Pound were carpeted in green grass, looking more like a pine
forest in Germany, and the Triodia grasslands were all flowering. I found
flowering Sturt's Desert Pea at Wilkawillina Gorge - it's an amazing experience
to stumble across this plant in the wild in an unexpecting situation. Little
Woodswallow was also common at Wilkawillina, an uncommon bird this far south.
It was nice to link up with this bird, they were a feature of the gorges of the
MacDonnell Ranges and Watarrka (Kings Canyon).
Short-tailed Grasswren also seemed more common than on my previous trip to the
Flinders. On the Appealina Ruins Track (just north of the turnoff to Willow
Springs) I found Short-tailed Grasswren in flatland immediately beside the
road, and at one point a family crossed the road. While at Stokes Lookout I
found Short-tailed Grasswren 20 metres from the lookout. At both sites Elegant
Parrot regularly flew through.
Cheers,
Tim Dolby
http://tim-dolby.blogspot.com
________________________________________
From: on
behalf of Ian May
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 4:49 PM
To:
Subject: Princess Parrots Try this spot on the Mereenie LoopRd.
Hi all
If looking for Princess Parrots along the Mereenie Loop Rd, there is an
area with likely potential for finding them at 24 01' 54"S, 131 26'
30"E. The site is accessible with a Mereenie Loop Rd Permit and near a
road building borrow pit next to a short service track with room to pull
off at the north side of the main road. Putting in some extra effort
here may pay off. Although I have not searched here, this is the only
site along the road where the preferred habitat of the Mereenie North
area comprising tall open forest of marble gum associated with a few
scattered Desert Oak is found. It is only about 12 km south from where
Princess Parrots were found many seen in pairs frequenting tall Marble
Gum and displaying breeding behavior in early August.
It was after returning home and while looking at these locations using
Google Earth that it became apparent that the plant associations around
the borrow pit area are the same and almost continuously connected to
the same habitat where Princess Parrots were found breeding. It is 7
weeks since then and it is probable now that adult birds are ranging
away from their nesting areas to feed. Now would be a good time to have
a good look.
It is worth noting that in July and August, Princess Parrots were often
observed in flocks calling loudly while flying rapidly in an erratic,
roller like flight and then landing nearby to forage across the ground
for short periods.. Their behavior was conspicuous and would draw
attention from several hundred meters. They were most active during
two periods each day, from about 1 hour after sunrise and lasting for
about 90 minutes and then again later in the day commencing about two
hours before sunset and lasting for a period of about 60 minutes.
Some other influencing factors should be considered if looking for
Princess Parrots now. Approximately 100 mm of rain has fallen across
some parts of the area since August and at that time, daylight hours
were shorter and weather was cooler. Birds now may be active at
different times and may have spread out further.
<>For those that have not looked already, there are some great Princess
Parrot pictures on Geoff Jones "Barra Imaging" birding web site.
See
http://www.barraimaging.com.au/gallery/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pos=0
<http://www.barraimaging.com.au/gallery/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pos=0>
I have also posted some pics on Flickr.
See also http://www.flickr.com/photos/oo000oo/sets/72157624789253688/
Good luck and drop a line to birding aus if you see them .
Kindest regards
Ian May
St Helens, Tasmania
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