Tim, you describe two ways of finding flocks on foot. Have you got any opinion
on the technique of driving till you find one?
I've recently returned from a trip to Little Desert, where I've never been
birding before. I was a little dismayed to find that walking in some places got
me just a few very quick glimpses of birds darting across tracks, no matter how
long I did it for. I resorted to slow driving, and at least the birds lingered
a little longer.
Peter Shute
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> On Behalf Of Tim Dolby
> Sent: Monday, 4 October 2010 1:15 PM
> To: Jeremy Weiss;
> Subject: RE: [Birding-Aus] Mallee trip report
>
> Sounds like a really interesting trip Jeremy. I wouldn't be
> too concerned Jeremy about not seeing some of the rarer
> species in the mallee, particularly those linked to Triodia.
> I did a quick count and you saw 22 new species, not bad by
> anyones calculations! Dipping on species such as Mallee
> Emu-wren, Striated Grasswren and Malleefowl is not unusual at
> the best of times - especially not first time around. For
> example a bird tour guide recently missed them there at
> Nowingi, stating that it was very quiet.
>
> When I was at Hattah and Wyperfeld last week the amount of
> water in the area was amazing. Lake Hattah was literally
> bursting its banks. This is probably one reason things are a
> little quiet, especially around the Lake Hattah area. With
> all the water around, bird such as Regent Parrot are no
> longer reliant upon the lake for drinking, and therefore can
> disperse more widely. For example last week I saw a Regent
> Parrot flying over a winery near Mildura.
>
> Personally I find that a specific feature of Mallee birding
> is behaviour known as mixed-species flocking, even amongst
> some of the sedentary species such as Mallee Emu-wren and
> Striated Grasswren. Mix-species flocking is were flocks of
> usually insectivorous birds of different species join with
> each other and move together while foraging. Mix-flocks moves
> through the mallee at about 0.3 km an hour, with different
> species foraging in their preferred niches (on the ground, on
> trunks, in high or low foliage, and so on). Some species
> follow the flock all day, while others - such as Grasswren
> and Emu-wren, join it only as long as it crosses their own
> territories.
>
> The key to seeing a range of species is to travel through the
> area in hope of finding one of these flocks. Personally I
> found there are two ways of doing this:
>
> - Walk slowly and listen very carefully for bird calls and
> then follow it up straight away
>
> - Alternatively walk quickly, covering more territory,
> stopping when ever you think you hear something. Note that
> this is a good technique for seeing Grasswren and Emu-wren,
> which tend to move away or hide when approaching.
>
> FYI I've place some information of finding the rarer species
> of bird in the mallee on my report site. Hopefully it provide
> some assistance next time you visit, see:
>
> http://tim-dolby.blogspot.com/search/label/Finding%20Rare%20an
> d%20Uncommon%20Birds%20in%20Northern%20Victoria
>
> Once you get used to the mallee you'll find that it is one of
> the most rewarding birding habitats in Australia. The colour
> of plants, soil and the birds - such as parrots, chats and
> fairy-wren - adds to its beauty. As you say not seeing some
> species simply gives you an excuse to go back. To be quite
> honest I'm usually glad that I've dipped on not seeing some
> birds for this very reason!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Tim Dolby
>
>
> ________________________________________
> From:
> on behalf of Jeremy Weiss
>
> Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 11:33 AM
> To:
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Mallee trip report
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> Thought I would give a report of my trip to the mallee. I
> went from Monday September 27 to Friday Oct 1.
>
> First I should say upfront that I dipped on a lot of birds.
>
> I had the 'Where to See Birds in Victoria' book and was
> expecting to find a lot more than I did. I've only been
> birding for a year so I think this was just a problem of
> technique, often I would enter a dry forest and just find it
> completely silent and I wasn't sure if driving along tracks
> was better than going on foot.
>
> That said I had a great trip, still saw quite a few new birds
> and the scenery was just incredible.
>
> So here it goes:
>
>
>
> Monday September 27
>
>
>
> Set out from Melbourne early in the morning. Before the first
> destination, Lake Tyrrell, we stopped to take pictures of the
> amazing orange flowers that were popping up everywhere. I had
> heard that Central Australia was getting a lot of flowers and
> the Mallee didn't disappoint in that regard.
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5041885994_b5bea4c40f_o.jpg
>
>
> After that, the first interesting sighting on the way was a
> Red-backed Kingfisher sitting on a power line in some town
> (sorry, completely forgotten the name but it was a small town
> on the Calder)
>
> I thought this was a good omen since I love kingfisher but
> arriving in Lake Tyrrell midday it was completely dead. Very
> windy and couldn't find any birds other than a Singing
> Honeyeater (new)
>
>
> After that we went to check out Gama Reserve on the way to
> Ouyen. Lots of activity here, mostly from a family of Brown
> Treecreepers (new) that were making a ton of noise. Did see
> the first Mulga Parrots (new) of the trip, some Spiny-cheeked
> Honeyeaters, Singing Honeyeaters and caught a glimpse of a
> male Variegated Fairy-wren (new.)
>
>
> Next we headed for Bronzewing Flora and Fauna Reserve...at
> least I hope that's where we went. It was off Torneys Road
> and had a dam with water in it. Anyway saw a pair of Southern
> Whiteface (new,) a few Weebills as well as a beautiful male
> Splendid Fairy-wren (new). Got very close to him but
> unfortunately he was against an overcast sky.
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5042523381_3340e17420_o.jpg
>
>
> Then it was off to Hattah-Kulkyne to set up camp. Saw this
> lizard strutting across the road; maybe someone can help me
> with an ID?
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5041886022_043419f5d7_b.jpg
>
>
> Setting up the tent at the Lake Hattah campsite I saw my
> first Apostlebirds
> (new.) The novelty wore off quickly, let me tell you!
>
> That was the end of the first day since the afternoon was
> spent setting up the tent and camping gear.
>
>
>
>
>
> Tuesday September 28
>
>
>
> Tuesday morning we headed to the Nowingi track to look for
> Mallee Emu-wrens.
> This was a lot more difficult than I had originally thought.
> First I had only brought track pants with me and walking
> through the spinifex gave my legs a gentle stabbing every
> time. Next, although I enjoyed roaming the spinifex clumps,
> it was incredibly hard to find anything. Most of the sounds I
> heard was just loose bark scraping against the trees in the
> wind. Anyway didn't see any Emu-wrens that time, over an hour
> spent there and the only birds I saw were a few Yellow-plumed
> Honeyeaters (new)
>
> After a few nice panoramic views at Warepil Lookout we
> decided to try the track around Lake Mournpall. Not long
> after leaving the Lookout we saw a pair of Mulga Parrots fly
> into the woods. Aching to get some photos of one I headed out
> and managed a slightly blurry shot of the male
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5041283929_22b71ceb50_o.jpg
>
>
> Luckily enough I stumbled on a family of Red-capped Robins
> while looking for the parrots. I love these guys and even
> managed to witness two males fighting, looked like fat little
> fireballs colliding with each other. Took tons of pics and
> the male was pretty indifferent to me as he went about
> foraging for the youngster
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5041264205_7b8208f853_b.jpg
>
>
> On the way out I also saw a Ringneck Parrot (new) and a pair
> of Emu (new) from the car.
>
>
> After that we arrived at Lake Mournpall and decided to do a
> bit of the track (wasn't feeling up for doing the whole 9.5km
> lake loop.) There were lots of flowers around the track and
> they were covered in bees but I never got stung the entire trip.
>
> Anyway on the brief walk I saw Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
> (new) Brown-headed Honeyeater (new) , Spiny-cheeked
> Honeyeater, Rufous Whistler, Red-capped Robin and spent the
> rest of the time chasing Splendid Fairy-wrens. No good photos
> of them from that walk, they sure are a lot more skittish
> than the Superbs back home.
>
> On the way out we saw a pair of Mallee Ringnecks and I got my
> only good photo of them
>
>
> <goog_59613587>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5041264199_c2fb82187a_z.jpg
>
>
> I found it was pretty common to see pairs of parrots flying
> around the Mallee but they were all incredibly twitchy.
>
>
> A brief rest at the campground where I saw a Great crested
> Grebe on the lake before we headed back to Nowingi to look
> for the emu-wrens again.
>
>
> At Nowingi in the afternoon I again found Yellow-plumed
> Honeyeaters but this time also saw some friendly Jacky
> Winters. Caught a very blurry glimpse of a Chestnut
> Quail-Thrush (new) and I think I may have seen a Mallee Emu-wren:
>
> It was a bird the size of a wren and it jumped/flew out of a
> spinifex clump in front of me into another one. It landed in
> the base of another patch and seemed to burrow through to the
> other side where it flew in to a larger clump. I stood
> staring at the spinifex for about 5 minutes when I realised
> it must have taken an exit I wasn't watching and was long
> gone. I'm not too confident IDing stuff without a photo and I
> guess it could also have been a Striated Grasswren but i'm not sure.
>
>
> Slightly cheered up after seeing something we headed back to
> the campground for the night. Tried a bit of spotlighting
> heading from Lake Hattah to Mournpall but only turned up a
> few Brushtail Possums.
>
>
>
> Wednesday September 29
>
>
>
> Wednesday morning we headed back to Nowingi for one last shot
> at the Mallee Emu-wren. Again I only got photos of some
> Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters but I also had 2 possible Emu-wren
> encounters. I heard a soft squeaking and saw a wren-sized
> bird up ahead of me. Of course it was sitting with the sun
> behind it and by the time my camera focused it had magically
> vanished, that's how it goes I guess :P
>
> Back at the campground for a break I saw a few Yellow
> Rosellas around and also a pair of Black-Tailed Native Hens (new)
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5041886038_613e2141f2.jpg
>
>
> and some Grey Teal in the water.
>
>
>
> In the afternoon we headed for Pink Lakes in Murray-Sunset
> National Park.
>
> Managed to avoid running over a Shingleback Lizard and got
> some nice photos as a reward :)
>
> Saw a pair of Blue Bonnets (new) by the lakes but couldn't
> get a decent shot. I hadn't heard much about these birds
> before the trip which is a shame because they are just
> beautiful. I wish I had gotten a nice picture but they got
> spooked so easily. Also in the Pink Lakes area was a pair of
> Red-rumped Parrots, A Black-shouldered Kite, some Masked
> Lapwings with chicks, Rufous Songlark (new), and a ton of
> newly hatched locusts by the lake!
>
> Again I looked for Emu-wrens around the spinifex area around
> Pink Lakes but only found this lizard
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5041886028_2633c18631_o.jpg
>
>
> anyone up for an ID?
>
> On the way out I saw the only Major Mitchells Cockatoo (new)
> of the trip but just got a blurry photo.
>
>
> Nearing sunset we went to Wymlet Tank to try to find some
> parrots. Saw a pair of Banded Lapwings (new) and managed to
> get some nice shots of them
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5041886000_b5bea4c40f_o.jpg
>
>
> Also in the area were more Brown Treecreepers, Red-rumped
> Parrots and a pair of Blue Bonnets that permitted me very
> distant shot.
>
>
> I had decided the night before that I was sick of camping
> (this was my first time in almost ten years and the nostalgia
> didn't last long) so we stayed at a motel in Mildura the last
> 2 nights.
>
>
>
> Thursday September 30
>
>
>
> Thursday morning we decided to try King's Billabong near
> Mildura. The Vic Parks website said it had fairy-wrens along
> the walking track....all lies!
> Nothing there but some Miners and a few Yellow Rosellas.
>
> After that we headed for Bronzewing again, this time trying
> the northern part from Merrett Rd. I was hoping for some
> Malleefowl or a shot at the Quail-thrush but didn't get any
> luck. It was very quiet, had a few Splendid Fairy-wrens but i
> couldn't get close with all the undergrowth but did get some
> decent shots of Chestnut-rumped Thornbills collecting nesting
> material.
>
> On the way out I got some distant shots of a Pallid Cuckoo (new)
>
>
> Next we went back to the south part of Bronzewing to get more
> shots of Splendid Fairy-wrens. They were infuriating to try
> to photograph; the Southern Whitefaces were a bit more
> accommodating. Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Yellow-rumped
> Thornbill, Brown Falcon, a flock of Varied Sitella, Rufous
> Whistler and an immature Red-capped Robin were also present.
>
>
> After that we headed to Gama Reserve again, I wanted to try
> getting a picture of the Variegated Fairy-wren.
> Spiny-cheeked, White-plumed and Singing Honeyeaters were
> present a long with those noisy Brown Treecreepers.
> Located the Variegated Fairy-wren again but they rarely went
> out in to the open. This was the best shot I could get :/
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5041264211_60e9376ed5.jpg
>
>
> Made one last trip to Bronzewing as the sun was going down. A
> few new things were there this time, Brown-headed Honeyeater,
> Striated Pardalote, Cockatiel
> (new) and a Little Eagle (new.) As the light was failing we
> went back to Mildura for the last night.
>
>
>
>
>
> Friday October 1
>
>
> Friday morning we went back to Lake Tyrrell to look for the
> White-winged Fairy-wren or some colourful chats (anything
> other than white-fronted).
> Driving very slowly along Lake Tyrrell road I think I saw a
> White-winged Fairy-wren standing on a shrub but by the time
> my camera was raised it had flown off. It was very distant
> so I'm not that sure. I did see some Australasian Pipits,
> White-winged Triller, White-fronted Chat, an immature
> Red-capped Robin and very happily, a Rufous Fieldwren (new)
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5042533837_8b5093e4f4_b.jpg
>
>
> After that we decided to make the last stop at Wyperfeld
> before heading back to Melbourne. On the way we stopped at
> Patchewollock to photograph some flowers and found some
> Variegated Fairywrens but couldn't get close.
>
> Eventually we entered northern Wyperfeld and it was just
> stunning. Yellow flowers everywhere, absolutely amazing.
> Birding was very good here as well.
> Just south of the Casuarina campgrounds, off the Meridian
> track I wandered around a bit and found a nice mixed feeding
> flock. Was happy to catch a female Mulga Parrot unawares and
> finally get some in-focus shots
>
>
> http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5041886032_bf614f00a2_o.jpg
>
>
> would you believe that it was actually too close this time?
> Got very close to some Southern Whitefaces, saw some Ringneck
> Parrots, White-browed Babblers, Splendid Fairy-wrens and
> Red-capped Robins. Last birds of the trip were a pair of Blue
> Bonnets but in keeping with tradition they refused to let
> themselves be photographed :)
>
>
> After that we headed back to Melbourne, arriving Friday night.
>
>
> All in all I had a good trip. I think I would see it in a
> much better light if I'd gotten a photo of the Emu-wren but
> it wasn't to be. A few other disappointments like the lack of
> malleefowl, colourful chats, woodswallows and regent parrots
> were also pretty annoying.
>
> Weather was not too bad, had about 30 minutes of rain the
> second day but other than that it was mostly fine if a bit
> cold at night. The overcast days were frustrating as a week
> earlier they had it forecast as sunny the entire week but it
> was only a thin layer of clouds and still bright enough for
> photography.
>
>
> If I did it again I probably would have stayed at Wyperfeld
> or Pink Lakes instead of Hattah, found them to have a lot
> more birds and generally they seemed more scenic. Would
> probably have kept away from the Nowingi track but it's easy
> to say with hindsight :)
>
> I might have come off a bit negative about the experience but
> I always wish there was more I could see when out birding.
> I'm pretty happy with having seen around 20 new species
> (probably won't count WW FW or Emu-wren.) Still had a blast
> and there's an excuse to go back now!
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