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Birdline Northern Territory
Published sightings for the week ending 21 Aug 2011.
| Thu 18 Aug
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Australian Pelican
Alice Springs, 23 41S 133 52E 1' Cell
Flock counted as 52 birds, seen clearly by myself and Jesse Carpenter from the Woolies carpark. The birds were just to the west of the Coles complex at a height of (best guess) 100-200m. I had clear and sustained views through the binoculars and am quite confident of the count. I would imagine that someone from the Desert Park must have seen these birds as they headed west and out of sight. Perhaps they will turn up at some prominent water out in the Western Macs.
Christopher Watson
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| Mon 15 Aug
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Grey Honeyeater
Between Ochre Pits & Serpentine Gorge, Namatjira Dr, West McDonnell Ranges
I have just returned from a multi-day trip to the West McDonnell Ranges which was absolutely bird-packed. The various mallee species are currently in flower and have attracted a huge influx of honeyeaters, including Grey Honeyeaters. In three consecutive days I encountered noisy Greys each dawn and dusk, at one point seeing 5 individuals at one site- a record for me as I personally have ever seen more than two of these birds together at any one site. They were frantically feeding on flowers but suffering very aggressive mobbing by Brown Honeyeaters. Also present in good numbers are White-fronted Honeyeaters and Golden-backed Honeyeaters as well as a few Pied Honeyeaters.
Any birders in the region would do well to head out there soon as the flowering event won't last. I found the best sites for Greys to be in the mosaic areas of mulga, riverine and mallee woodland to be found between Ochre Pits and Serpentine Gorge along Namatjira Drive, although similar habitat stretches from Glen Helen to Ellery Creek so these areas are probably worth a look too. The action is all quite fast, furious and noisy so follow your ears to find these birds!
Per Mark Carter
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