Patrick
You may want two nights at Dryandra, as you would probably not get
there until after dark. Northam is about two hours from the airport,
and it would probably be three to four hours from there to Dryandra
including stops. It will be warm to very hot in February, so there
won't be a lot of activity after say 10am or 11am. It tends to be
very quiet in the afternoonin summer, except at the water baths of
the wardens (John & Lisa - say hello!) I guess you could have one
night at Dryandra, and then head down to the Stirling Range in the
afternoon. Dryandra is a great place to bird, but having said that
there are not too many critical species there, particularly if you
also stay at the Stirling Range Retreat. You would want Western
Thornbill, Rufous Treecreeper, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren. If you want
the mammals, then you will definitely need two nights to give
yourself enough time. Also birds such as Bush Stone-curlew,
Brown-headed Honeyeater, Hooded Robin, Red-capped Robin, Jacky
Winter, White-browed Babbler, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill but these are
not SW specialties. Birds such as Western Yellow Robin, Dusky
Woodswallow, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Elegant Parrot, Regent Parrot
are easier at the Stirling Range.
You should not have too many problems with the three at Cheyne Beach,
but the Western Whipbird can play hard to get some times. One
advantage of staying a night at Stirling Range is that you can try
the road to Mt Trio in the afternoon and the following morning for
Western Whipbird (mallee form). If you have trouble with the Western
Whipbird at Cheyne Beach, then try the Little Beach car park at Two
People's Bay. There were two birds singing there last year, but be
careful as there is also Western Bristlebird there and so you have to
get a better look to be certain which you are seeing (unless it is calling).
Rock Parrot is getting much more difficult. My best sites are :
1. Cape Leeuwin at Augusta. In the grounds of the lighthouse ($5
entry I think), or nearby at the Waterwheel (or near the toilets there).
2. Rottnest Island. Near the tennis courts near Bathurst Point. Or
on the ground around the houses nearby. Sometimes not far from the bakery.
3. Bremer Bay. Could be worth a day trip from Cheyne
Beach. Anywhere along the beach from the car park across to the
other side of the sand bar where the track goes across.
4. Lancelin. About 2 hours north of Perth. Near the far north end
of town on the areas of short grass / vegetation. Occasionally along
the top of the beach.
Having said that, at least one person saw it close to Cheyne Beach
last year. Not certain whether it was along the main beach,or about
a 2km walk along the sand tracks to Back Beach. It used to be
recorded on Middleton Beach (could still be there but there is a lot
of people and dog pressure) and along the main beach at Two People's
Bay (but two of us walked the whole length of the beach last year and
failed - about 2km). The beach near Gull Rock has also been a site
in the past, as has Little Beach at Two People's Bay.
_________________________________________________________________
Frank O'Connor Birding WA
http://birdingwa.iinet.net.au
Phone : (08) 9386 5694 Email :
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