birding-aus
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To: | birding-aus <> |
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Subject: | Nullarbor birding trip. |
From: | Bernard O'Keefe <> |
Date: | Wed, 6 Jul 2016 05:39:24 +0000 |
NULLARBOR BIRD TRIP JUNE-JULY 2016 Myself, Scott Baker and Rob Farnes are almost home after spending 11 days birding across the Nullarbor. We had been planning this trip for a number of months and we had 4 main targets for the trip: the Copperback Quail Thrush, the Nullarbor Quail Thrush, the Naretha Blue Bonnet and the Western Quail Thrush. It was also a great opportunity to spend time in an area I had not previously been to. We left Portland early on a Saturday morning to make our way to Lake Gilles, about 155 kms past Port Augusta. Although we had siets in mind, after getting a tip from a local, we concentrated our search around 35 kms south of Kimba at a place called Secret Rocks. After a search for about 2 hours, Rob managed to find two birds and they presented very well for photographs. First tick! The site was also good for Rufous Treecreeper and Western Yellow Robin. We made our way to the Nullarbor Roadhouse where we began searching for the Nullarbor Quail Thrush. Over the next 24 hours, in different locations behind the roadhouse, we estimated that we found 21 of these species. The problem was not finding these birds, but photographing them which proved to be very challenging as they were very elusive and skitty. Finally, we managed to get some average photos but we were happy with this after hearing how difficult these birds are to photograph. Second tick! We also found the first of 4 Mallee Black-headed snakes for the trip which was the commonest reptile on the trip. We also found Barking Gecko, Southern Spiney-tailed Gecko and Bynoe’s Gecko. The next part of the journey was to find our way across the border to WA to Cocklebiddy. From Cocklebiddy, we travelled a very stoney and rough track towards Rawilla. It took us 4 hours to travel 100kms but we finally found some Desert Oaks and then the big reward – 6 Naretha Blue Bonnets near the water tank! Third tick! Along the road, we also found and photographed Inland Dotterel, Slender-billed Thornbill, Redthroat and 21 bustards! The last target required a long trip to Kalgoorlie and then onto Niagara Dam, which was the southern most distribution for the Western Quail Thrush. Just outside Balladonia, we came across some more Copperback Quail Thrushes, which provided better photographic opportunities. We finally made our way into Niagara dam and after two hours of checking suitable habitat, Scott managed to find 4 birds, which were very obliging to photograph. We were thrilled as we expected to travel to Mt.Magnet to see this bird so finding it here saved us about 800 kms of travel! Final tick and mission accomplished! We could now use our time to travel around other places in WA to photograph some endemics. We travelled to Esperance and photographed great birds such as Red-eared Firetail, Western Wattlebird, Western Spinebilll and Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo. Thinking we had the birding Gods on our side, we made our way to Cape Arid, the home of the Western Ground Parrot! We spent and afternoon and morning looking for this species with no luck but it was good to gain an appreciation for the area. We did manage to find and photograph Western Fieldwren. As we turned for home, the weather changed and became very windy and wet, so we were very fortunate to enjoy nice weather although the nights were freezing while camping out. A quick look near Whyalla gave great views of Western Grasswren. It was a very enjoyable trip, with many stories told and laughs had. We now look forward to planning our next adventure! Bernie OKeefe 6-7-16 Bernard O'Keefe Applied Learning Coordinator [cid: Caroline Chisholm Catholic College 204 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook. 3019 T: 03 9296 5311 | F: 03 9296 5381 E: <> [cid:<http://www.cccc.vic.edu.au> [cid: <https://www.facebook.com/carolinechisholmcatholiccollege> [cid: <https://twitter.com/CCCC_Braybrook> [cid: <https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/103669887623517832436/103669887623517832436/posts> [cid: <http://www.linkedin.com/company/2301162?trk=tyah&trkInfo=tarId%3A1403237262010%2Ctas%3Acaroline%2Cidx%3A2-2-7> [cid: [cid: -------------------------------------------------------------- This Email and any attachments may be confidential and, if you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or use the information in this mail. If received in error, please notify us immediately and delete the Email and all copies. Caroline Chisholm Catholic College does not guarantee that this Email is virus or error free. The attached files are provided and may only be used on the basis that the user assumes all responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the attached files, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not. The content and opinions in this Email are not necessarily those of Caroline Chisholm Catholic College. Attachment:
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