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COMPANY WANTED FOR TRIP TO CHEYNES BEACH NEXT FEBRUARY

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Subject: COMPANY WANTED FOR TRIP TO CHEYNES BEACH NEXT FEBRUARY
From: Frank O'Connor via Birding-Aus <>
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 15:11:29 +0800

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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