Hi Ian,
saw your post and thought I could help with some of your enquiries. Spotted
Quailthrush is definitely extinct in SA and probably has been since around
the turn of the century. The last record I know of was in 1999. The closest
population to Adelaide if you want to see them is just across the Victorian
border in Glenelg River National Park, particularly the Kentbruck Heath
section. There is an isolated population there but can be hard to find.
Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens are still very much apart of the hills face
environment. You can find them around Stoneyfell and up Black Hill
Conservation Park. Now is not a good time of year though as they are rarely
calling. You could try around the nursery area in Black Hill.
Fuscous Honeyeaters are a rare (probably) winter visitor and despite the
erratic nature of historical records the bias is more towards winter. Most
of these historical records especially about the Adelaide Hills and points
north are more than likely misidentified immature Grey-fronted or
Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters as they show a yellow "gape mark" Certainly those
that I've followed up on have proven to be so. The only place I have seen
them in SA has been at Bordertown in winter and most other reliable records
are from the upper south-east in autumn winter.
Plains Wanderers are certainly still found in SA and there are records most
years. Boolcoomatta Station on the Broken Hill Rd is the best spot but there
is no access to the public. Other than that spotlighting up and down the
Birdsville track in the far north is your best bet but you might as well
look for a needle in a haystack. If you really want to see them just do what
almost everyone else has done and make the pilgrimage to Deniliquin. Hope
that helps you?
Cheers
David Harper
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