Trip map shows major towns we visited plus camp and caravan park stops in our journey of 10,143km. The trip is divided into Part 1 and Part 2
Part 2 Broome - Darwin - Julatten September - October 2018
Day 31 Wednesday 12/9/18
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| Plumed Whistling Duck |
Heard Plumed Whistling Duck flying over just on dawn, then had a 5.30am walk around the BBO and along the access road before breakfast.
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| Black-faced Cuckooshrike |
Broome Bird Observatory -17.9752021 122.344662 05:30am
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Little Bronze-Cuckoo
Brahminy Kite
Great Bowerbird
Singing Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Singing Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Grey Shrikethrush
Olive-backed Oriole
Yellow White-eye
Double-barred Finch
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| Little Friarbird |
A group of us then went back to the One Tree viewing area to see if we could relocate yesterdays Asian Dowitcher but no luck but we did do a survey. Saw this parasitic wasp to distract us from birding.
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| Parasitic Wasp |
Pied Stilt
Greater Sand-Plover
Eastern Curlew
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Great Knot
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Curlew Sandpiper
Grey-tailed Tattler
Common Greenshank
Silver Gull
Little Tern
Gull-billed Tern
Great Egret
White-faced Heron
Striated Heron
Yellow White-eye
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| Striated Heron (file image) |
From One Tree we went to Tattler Rocks, where we watched thousands of shorebirds coming into roost on the rising tide. Mainly Grey-tailed Tattler (as the name suggests) but lots of Ruddy Turnstone, Great Knot, a few Terek Sandpiper plus several other species. They crowded on the rocks as the tide rose to force them off. Meanwhile there were thousands of other shorebirds flying by, the majority Black-tailed Godwit and Great Knot. What a great spectacle.
Tattler Rocks (Roebuck Bay) -17.9750696 122.31918 10:15am
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Grey Plover
Pacific Golden-Plover
Lesser Sand-Plover
Greater Sand-Plover
Red-capped Plover
Oriental Plover
Whimbrel
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Knot
Red Knot
Curlew Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Grey-tailed Tattler
Common Greenshank
Silver Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Lesser Crested Tern
Great Egret
White-faced Heron
Little Egret
Eastern Reef Egret
Sacred Kingfisher
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| Terek Sandpiper (file image) |
Back to the BBO for lunch and a rest. Mid afternoon a group was organised to go to Taylors Lake, which was only 45km up the highway, so we joined in. As it turned out it was considerably more than that. We eventually arrived at the lake, which is on private property, finding plenty of birds to check out. Highlights were Oriental Plover, Spotted Harrier, Glossy Ibis and a couple of Australian Bustard.
Taylors Lagoon (restricted access) -17.77851 122.88821 04:05pm
Magpie Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Australian Bustard
Eurasian Coot
Brolga
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Oriental Plover
Red-kneed Dotterel
Black-fronted Dotterel
Comb-crested Jacana
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Common Greenshank
Gull-billed Tern
White-winged Black Tern
Whiskered Tern
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
White-necked Heron
Glossy Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Spotted Harrier
Barn Owl
Nankeen Kestrel
Australian Hobby
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Zebra Finch
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| Glossy Ibis - non breeding adult |
Day 32 Thursday 13/9/18
Slow start to the morning going for a walk passing the hide in the observatory grounds, then along the road to the viewing platform overlooking Roebuck Bay. Found this location has good phone reception.
Broome Bird Observatory -17.9752021 122.344662 07:10am
Wader Beach (Roebuck Bay) -17.977432 122.3333229 10:25am
From here we went back to Tattler Rocks, where there were a few more birds but a Brown Goshawk put them up and the majority did not return.
Tattler Rocks (Roebuck Bay) -17.9750696 122.31918 11:40am
So back to the BBO and lunch in the shadehouse, where we could do a survey in comfort watching the birds come in to drink.
Broome Bird Observatory -17.9752021 122.344662 12:15pm
Late afternoon drove down to the mangroves, stopping on the way to do a wader survey at Boiler Point.
Boiler Point (Roebuck Bay) -17.9797525 122.3585963 03:40pm
Parked up a walked down to Crab Creek, pretty quiet with a Royal Spoonbill in the creek plus Mangrove Grey Fantail and Yellow White-eye in the mangroves.
Crab Creek Mangroves (Roebuck Bay) -17.9897541 122.3708296 04:25pm
Walked back to the car along the beach rather than the track. Back to the BBO for bird call and dinner in the shadehouse. A few of us went for a spotlight looking at hermit crabs, found a few along with wolf spiders and two unidentified birds roosting.
Day 33 Friday 14/9/18
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| Roebuck Bay |
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Brahminy Kite
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Sacred Kingfisher (Australasian)
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Singing Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Mistletoebird
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| Brahminy Kite |
Back for breakfast and the shadehouse for morning coffee before heading down to Wader Beach to stake out the shorebirds. Quite a few Bar-tailed Godwit, Red-capped Plover, Greater Sandplover and Red-necked Stint to begin with but they gradually flew off.
Wader Beach (Roebuck Bay) -17.977432 122.3333229 10:25am
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Greater Sand-Plover
Red-capped Plover
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Knot
Red Knot
Curlew Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper
Common Greenshank
Silver Gull
Lesser Crested Tern
Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Great Egret (Eastern/Australasian)
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
Tattler Rocks (Roebuck Bay) -17.9750696 122.31918 11:40am
Brush Cuckoo
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Common Sandpiper
Grey-tailed Tattler
Lesser Crested Tern
Great Egret (Eastern/Australasian)
White-faced Heron
Brown Goshawk
Whistling Kite
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| Brown Goshawk |
Broome Bird Observatory -17.9752021 122.344662 12:15pm
Peaceful Dove
White-gaped Honeyeater
Singing Honeyeater
White-throated Gerygone
Olive-backed Oriole
Torresian Crow
Zebra Finch (Australian)
Double-barred Finch
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| Double-bar Finch |
Boiler Point (Roebuck Bay) -17.9797525 122.3585963 03:40pm
Pied Stilt
Whimbrel
Bar-tailed Godwit
Great Knot
Curlew Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper
Common Greenshank
Silver Gull
Little Tern
Gull-billed Tern
Caspian Tern
Pied Cormorant
Great Egret (Eastern/Australasian)
Little Egret (Australasian)
Australian White Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Crab Creek Mangroves (Roebuck Bay) -17.9897541 122.3708296 04:25pm
Bar-shouldered Dove
Gull-billed Tern
White-faced Heron
Little Egret
Australian White Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Black Kite
Brahminy Kite
Mangrove Golden Whistler
Mangrove Grey Fantail
Yellow White-eye
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| Royal Spoonbill |
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| Hermit Crab |
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| Wolf Spider - close up |
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| Wolf Spider |
Day 33 Friday 14/9/18
Went for an early morning walk walk along the Pindan Trail, in the observatory grounds. where there were a good number of birds
Broome Bird Observatory -17.9752021 122.344662 7.10am
Back to pack up the T-Van and have breakfast. Left about 9.30 after saying good-bye to the staff at the BBO. Then drove down to the Broome Caravan Park on the edge of town and booked in just after 10.00am. Headed into town about 12.00pm to get something to eat at the Green Mango. Had wraps and coffee which was very good. Next stop was Settlers Jetty, where the tide was in and a small aluminium boat (known as a tinnie in Australia) was picking up some guys for a fishing trip. Our last two visits had been low tide and it was just mud at the end of the jetty. Not many birds this time.
Streeters Jetty (Broome) -17.95433 122.24536 01:25pm
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Little Bronze-Cuckoo
Great Bowerbird
Singing Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Grey Shrikethrush
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Mistletoebird
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| White-winged Triller |
Back to pack up the T-Van and have breakfast. Left about 9.30 after saying good-bye to the staff at the BBO. Then drove down to the Broome Caravan Park on the edge of town and booked in just after 10.00am. Headed into town about 12.00pm to get something to eat at the Green Mango. Had wraps and coffee which was very good. Next stop was Settlers Jetty, where the tide was in and a small aluminium boat (known as a tinnie in Australia) was picking up some guys for a fishing trip. Our last two visits had been low tide and it was just mud at the end of the jetty. Not many birds this time.
Streeters Jetty (Broome) -17.95433 122.24536 01:25pm
Bar-shouldered Dove
Australian White Ibis
Black Kite
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
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| Brown Honeyeater |
So we headed off to the Post office to pick up our Solar Screens for the Prado’s rear windows, which we had ordered when we were at Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles). Back to the Caravan Park to fit them and they did a great job of keeping the fridge and the rest of the interior of the Prado several degrees cooler for the rest of the trip, highly recommended. Checked out a small wetland at the back of the park but nothing much in there.
Broome Caravan Park -17.91274 122.25024 05:30pm
Broome Caravan Park -17.91274 122.25024 05:30pm
Crested Pigeon
Masked Lapwing
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Brahminy Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Yellow-throated Miner
Little Friarbird
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
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| Crested Pigeon |
Day 34 Saturday 15/9/18
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| White-breasted Woodswallow |
Streeters Jetty (Broome) -17.95433 122.24536 07:30am
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Silver Gull
Australian White Ibis
Brown Goshawk
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Singing Honeyeater
Red-headed Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-br. Woodswallow
Magpie-lark
Broad-billed Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Yellow White-eye
Went into town and had breakfast at the Green Mango, Lindsay had Eggs Benedict and I had mushroom, potato, egg, avocado, pesto, toast and leafy green spinach, all very good. Then back to the Broome Caravan Park, where everything had dried out from the overnight moisture. Packed up slowly and set sail for Derby. Travelled to the Wiluna Roadhouse, where we stopped for a cold drink. Decided to overnight at Munkayamma Pool, set up camp beside the lagoon as the temperature soared to 38ºC. Had a late lunch whilst checking out the birds on the lagoon. An immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle had flushed, when we arrived and a Brown Falcon was lurking in a tree on the edge of the lagoon. There were a few ducks on the lagoon, Pacific Black, Hardhead and Grey Teal plus a couple of Australasian Grebe.
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Black-fronted Dotterel
Australian Pratincole
Little Pied Cormorant
White-necked Heron
Intermediate Egret
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Cockatiel
Pied Butcherbird
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Double-barred Finch
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| Australasian Grebe |
Late afternoon a flock of Hardhead arrived along with one Magpie Goose. Grey-crowned Babbler entertained around the camp and a White-necked Heron visited us.
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| White-necked Heron |
Magpie Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Hardhead
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Brolga
Black-fronted Dotterel
White-necked Heron
Intermediate Egret
White-faced Heron
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Bl.-Cockatoo
Cockatiel
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Double-barred Finch
Day 35 Sunday 16/9/18
Restless nights sleep. Up before 6.00am to do a scan of the lagoon. A few more Grey Teal had arrived overnight. Had a cuppa and the went for a short walk. Plenty of birds along the way including a party of Red-backed Fairy-Wren with Golden-headed Cisticola, White-throated Gerygone Brown Falcon and two Australian Hobby trying to catch a Cockatiel.
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| Brown Falcon |
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| Brown Falcon |
Munkyarra Wetland -17.4348176 123.7222981 06:35am
Magpie Goose
Green Pygmy-Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Brolga
Black-necked Stork
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
White-necked Heron
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
Little Egret (Australasian)
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Australian Hobby
Brown Falcon
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Little Corella
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Red-backed Fairywren
Little Friarbird
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
Black-faced Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Golden-headed Cisticola
Double-barred Finch
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| Australian Hobby |
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| Cockatiel |
Had breakfast and drove into Derby to get some supplies and to fuel up. Then headed south again before turning left onto the Gibb River Road. Bitumen for quite a long way before patches of gravel and sections of new road being built, probably due to cyclone damage earlier in the year. Had a Square-tailed Kite and Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo along this stretch of road.
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| Square-tailed Kite |
Windjana Gorge National Park--campground -17.414637 124.943707 02:45pm
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo
Black Kite
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Olive-backed Oriole
Magpie-lark
Zebra Finch (Australian)
Double-barred Finch
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| Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo |
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| Crested Pigeon |
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| Windjana Gorge |
 |
| Freshwater Crocodile |
Bar-shouldered Dove
Australasian Darter
Great Egret
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Weebill
Green-backed Gerygone
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Sandstone Shrikethrush
Paperbark Flycatcher
Double-barred Finch
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| Yellow-tinted Honeyeater |
Day 36 Monday 17/9/18
Up just after 5.00am as it was light and we needed to go for the walk down the gorge before it got hot. Managed to get going by 5.50am on the gorge trail. We had not gone far when we heard a Peregrine Falcon calling, we found it perched on the top of the rocky escarpment. Other good birds along the track were Green-backed Gerygone, Varied Lorikeet, Northern Fantail, Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo and Striated Pardalote.
Windjana Gorge National Park--Windjana Gorge -17.40699 124.95094 05:50am
Back for breakfast and to pack up as it was starting to get hot again. Left the campground by 9.15am and headed back to the Gibb River Road and turned right. The road was in quite good condition and felt better now we had let some more air out of the tyres. Stopped after an hour to have a coffee and do a 20 minute survey within the King Leopold Conservation Park.
King Leopold Conservation Park--at -17.14941, 125.0659 -17.14941 125.0659 10:15am
Continued along the road to Dog Chain Creek, where there is a good camp area beside a small lily covered lagoon. Few birds were active in the heat of the day but we did see Paperbark Flycatcher and Rufous Whistler along with a few other birds coming in to drink.
Dog Chain Creek (Derby Gibb River Rd) -17.1255056 125.2437778 11:00am
Back on the road we reached the Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary road turn off (Australian Wildlife Conservancy property), where we radioed the reception to say we were coming. Looked for a place to stop along the road for lunch eventually finding a suitable stop, where there were no cattle. Unfortunately no shade so it was a brief stop before continuing on to the last section, which was through hilly country with a couple of wet creek crossings. Generally the road was in good condition making the suggested time from the main road of 2 hours an easy 1 hour 40 minute drive as it was well graded for most of the way. Arrived at the office and booked into the Annie Creek campground. Decided to take it easy in the heat of the day. Later in the afternoon it had dropped a few degrees so we explored the campground and Annie Creek. A few Purple-crowned Fairywren were along the creek and a Brown Falcon soared overhead with a gang of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.
Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary--Annie Creek Campground -17.5079204 126.1123464 03:25pm
Early evening we had a talk at the reception area outlining other Australian Wildlife Conservancy Kimberly projects involving the local Indigenous people. Back at camp a couple of Bush Stone-curlew were calling.
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| Windjana Gorge |
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo
Little Bronze-Cuckoo
Brush Cuckoo
Australasian Darter
Great Egret
White-faced Heron
Royal Spoonbill
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Peregrine Falcon
Little Corella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Red-winged Parrot
Varied Lorikeet
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Striated Pardalote
Weebill
Green-backed Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Sandstone Shrikethrush
Grey Shrikethrush
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Northern Fantail
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Mistletoebird
Double-barred Finch
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| Black Kite |
Back for breakfast and to pack up as it was starting to get hot again. Left the campground by 9.15am and headed back to the Gibb River Road and turned right. The road was in quite good condition and felt better now we had let some more air out of the tyres. Stopped after an hour to have a coffee and do a 20 minute survey within the King Leopold Conservation Park.
King Leopold Conservation Park--at -17.14941, 125.0659 -17.14941 125.0659 10:15am
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Weebill
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Zebra Finch
Zebra Finch
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| Zebra Finch - female |
Dog Chain Creek (Derby Gibb River Rd) -17.1255056 125.2437778 11:00am
Peaceful Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Rainbow Bee-eater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Gerygone
Rufous Whistler
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| Rufous-throated Whistler - male |
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Brown Falcon
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Great Bowerbird
Purple-crowned Fairywren
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Silver-backed Butcherbird
Northern Fantail
Willie Wagtail
Torresian Crow
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| Silver-backed Butcherbird |
Day 37 Tuesday 18/9/18
Early rise at 5.15am to get ready for a trip to Dimond Gorge after we did a survey around the campground and had breakfast.
Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary--Annie Creek Campground -17.5079204 126.1123464 05:30am
Morningtom Sanctuary--Adcock River Crossing -17.53592 126.11143 09-18-2018 06:50am
Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary--Dimond Gorge -17.6381533 126.0399199 08:45am
Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary--Annie Creek Campground -17.5079204 126.1123464 05:30am
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
White-gaped Honeyeater
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Silver-backed Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
 |
| White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike |
Stopped a few times along the road to the gorge to check out a few birds on the road, Long-tailed Finch and an Australian Bustard.
Stopped at the Adcock River crossing for a 20 minute survey, a few birds here including a male Crimson Finch.
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| Australian Bustard |
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Little Corella
Red-winged Parrot
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Paperbark Flycatcher
Crimson Finch
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| Crimson Finch - male |
Reached Dimond Gorge car park and set off down to the river across lots of rocks to an area where the hire canoes were parked.
Walked across to a backwater, which had dried out into a series of waterholes. This was a good move as we found a Little Egret fishing, a White-faced Heron, three Black-fronted Dotterel and best of all a Wood Sandpiper.
 |
| Dimond Gorge |
 |
| Dimond Gorge |
Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary--Dimond Gorge -17.6381533 126.0399199 08:45am
Brown Quail
Peaceful Dove
Black-fronted Dotterel
Wood Sandpiper
White-faced Heron
Little Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Rainbow Bee-eater
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-throated Miner
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Striated Pardalote
Pied Butcherbird
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Fairy Martin
Double-barred Finch
 |
| Wood Sandpiper |
 |
| Banded Honeyeater |
On the way out we flushed some button-quail from the side of the road, stopped to check out where they had landed and flushed them again for reasonable looks. Decided they were Red-backed Button-Quail due to their flight pattern and the distance they flew - they did not call when they flew. Drove down to Cadjeput Hole at the Fitzroy River for lunch, which we had sitting under a shady tree. A few birds came down to drink including Long-tailed Finch and Rufous-throated Honeyeater.
Peaceful Dove
Black-fronted Dotterel
White-faced Heron
Straw-necked Ibis
Rainbow Bee-eater
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-thr. Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Silver-backed Butcherbird
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Double-barred Finch
Long-tailed Finch
 |
| Yellow-tinted Honeyeater |
It was getting hot again so we returned back to the camp for a break as the temperature soared to 42.8ºC. Heard Pale-vented Bushen call in the afternoon from the direction of Annie Creek, called again a few hours later. By about 4.00pm it had cooled down a few degrees so we headed off to Bluebush Wetlands on the way to the Sir John George Gorge. Turned off on the wetland road and came across a party of Spinifex Pigeon on the road. Drove on to the car park and walked the 400m to the hide, the wetland was dry with no birds in sight. So headed back to camp.
Day 38 Wednesday 19//9/18
Another early start, up at 5.15am and managed a survey of the campground.
Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary--Annie Creek Campground -17.5079204 126.1123464 06:15am
Mornington Sanctuary--Bluebush Wetland Rd at -17.54956, 126.16332 09:45am
Morningtom Sanctuary--Adcock River Crossing -17.53592 126.11143 11:40am
Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary--Annie Creek Campground -17.5079204 126.1123464 04:05pm
Then we walked the Annie Creek Trail, which ends up near the reception area. From here it was a 1.9km back to camp.
Mornington Wilderness Camp--Annies Creek Walk -17.5096679 126.1126399 09-19-2018 04:30pm
Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary--Annie Creek Campground -17.5079204 126.1123464 06:15am
Bar-shouldered Dove
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Silver-backed Butcherbird
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Torresian Crow
Red-backed Fairywren
Weebill
Double-barred Finch
 |
| Bar-shouldered Dove |
Left the campground by 6.40am for Sir John George Gorge and as usual had a few stops along the way to check out a few birds. Lots of Double-bar Finch along with Red-backed Fairy-wren and Weebill. Arrived at the gorge and walked the 200m down to the water. Scrambled across the rocks, which were pretty flat and layered making it easier to walk on than yesterdays jumbled rocks.
Saw a pair of Spinifex Pigeon and a White-quilled Rock Pigeon. Found a spot beside the river to sit and in the process disturbed a Brown Goshawk lurking in the bushes. Both Tree and Fairy Martin were here. A dragon Ctenophorus slathering (thanks to Grant Husband for ID) was running around on the rocks near the White-quilled Rock-Pigeon.
Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary--Sir John Gorge -17.52852 126.21046 09-19-2018 07:50am
 |
| Sir John George Gorge |
 |
| Sir John George Gorge |
 |
| Ctenophorus slathering Dragon |
Spinifex Pigeon
White-quilled Rock-Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Australian Bustard
White-faced Heron
Brown Goshawk
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Great Bowerbird
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Magpie-lark
Fairy Martin
Tree Martin
Long-tailed Finch
 |
| White-quilled Rock-Pigeon |
Next stop was Bluebush (not to be confused with the dry Bluebush Wetlands we visited the day before) along the Fitzroy River, found a place to stop on a branch of the river and had morning coffee. Lots of honeyeaters here along with Budgerigars. and a Spotted Harrier which flew over, spent 45 minutes here.
Mornington Sanctuary--Bluebush Wetland Rd at -17.54956, 126.16332 09:45am
Budgerigar
White-winged Triller
Peaceful Dove
Australian Bustard
Spotted Harrier
Whistling Kite
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Budgerigar
Varied Lorikeet
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Striated Pardalote
Grey-crowned Babbler
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Double-barred Finch
 |
| Spotted Harrier |
Decided to go to the Adcock River for lunch, along the way we saw an Australia Magpie, which was a species we had not seen much of on the trip. Plenty of birds along the river with nothing unusual but a good spot for lunch.
Morningtom Sanctuary--Adcock River Crossing -17.53592 126.11143 11:40am
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Australian White Ibis
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
 |
| Little Corella |
Back to camp as it was warming up to 38ºC. Took it easy, heard a bushen call again in the afternoon. Went for a wander along Annie Creek in the campground seeing Purple-crowned fairy-wren and lots of Crimson Finch.
Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary--Annie Creek Campground -17.5079204 126.1123464 04:05pm
Peaceful Dove
Little Corella
Great Bowerbird
Purple-crowned Fairywren
Red-backed Fairywren
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Gerygone
Rufous Whistler
Torresian Crow
Buff-sided Robin
Golden-headed Cisticola
Crimson Finch
 |
| Golden Headed Cisticola |
Mornington Wilderness Camp--Annies Creek Walk -17.5096679 126.1126399 09-19-2018 04:30pm
Bar-shouldered Dove
Great Bowerbird
Purple-crowned Fairywren
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Northern Fantail
Willie Wagtail
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
 |
| Northern Fantail - file image |
There was a bird call at 5.30, which we contributed to. Had an evening meal at the restaurant as a treat. The evening cooled down to less than 30ºC!
Day 39 Thursday 20/9/18
Another early start at 5.15am. After the wake up coffee started to clean up and get the T-Van packed. Went for a quick bird walk along Annie Creek and found a roosting Nankeen Night-Heron and heard a Buff-sided Robin.
 |
| Nankeen Night-Heron |
Peaceful Dove
Nankeen Night-Heron
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Purple-crowned Fairywren
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-backed Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Willie Wagtail
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Buff-sided Robin
Crimson Finch
Crimson Finch
 |
| Crimson Finch - male |
Then more packing up and breakfast before we headed off around 8.00am. Uneventful trip on the road out, which took about 1hr 40mins to reach the Gibb River Road. Continued on towards Barnett River Roadhouse with a stop at Galvin’s Gorge (about 14km from the roadhouse).
Galvin Gorge Walk -16.79832 125.84815 10:30am
Galvin Gorge Walk -16.79832 125.84815 10:30am
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Yellow-throated Miner
 |
| Yellow-throated Miner |
Reached the roadhouse and put some of fuel in the Prado. Booked into the Manning Gorge campground, which is 7km from the roadhouse. Arrived at the campground and set up camp with the quick set up. It was now lunch time so we ate our wraps.
Manning Gorge -16.6574081 125.928297 12:00pm
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Torresian Crow
Sat around trying to plan our next move as the solar on the T-Van was not keeping up with the fridge, which was now only 7ºC and the batteries were getting down to 10V. Decided an early start was required in the morning. Later in the afternoon we went down to the water and took a few Dragonfly photos as well as Paperbark Flycatcher, White-throated and Brown Honeyeater.
 |
| Pygmy Percher |
 |
| Common Bluetail |
It started to rain, well a light shower from a big black cloud overhead. This was the cue to go back to the T-Van and re-attach it to the Prado for a quick morning getaway.
Manning Gorge -16.6574081 125.928297 04:30pm
Manning Gorge -16.6574081 125.928297 04:30pm
Peaceful Dove
Little Pied Cormorant
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Torresian Crow
 |
| Paperbark Flycatcher |
Day 40 Friday 21/9/18
Heard some Bush Stone-curlew calling just before dawn. Up before 5.30 to pack up the van, have breakfast and a quick bird survey.
Manning Gorge -16.6574081 125.928297 05:50am
Gibb River Rd at -16.11861, 126.51999 09:04am
Spider Hole -15.78076 127.6367 12:05pm
Arrived at Home Valley and booked into a powered site. Set up camp and had a relax before going for a walk around the camp.
Home Valley Station -15.72261 127.82996 09-21-2018 04:30pm
 |
| Manning River |
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Red-winged Parrot
Varied Lorikeet
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Australian Magpie
Torresian Crow
 |
| Rainbow Bee-eater |
Away just before 7.00am to continue along the Gibb River Road. We encountered several road surfaces, sand, rock and even a bit of bitumen – mainly on jump ups. Stopped at the road junction with the Kalumbarru/Mitchell Falls roads rest area for a coffee.
Gibb River Rd at -16.11861, 126.51999 09:04am
Yellow-throated Miner
White-throated Gerygone
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Then continued on the road, passing Ellenbrae Station, which had been an overnight option but due to the fridge power problems we pressed on. Decided to head for Home Valley Station, which has powered sites. Stopped short of Home Valley Station at a free camp spot called Spider Hole. A small drying waterhole in a creek bed provided a watering point for the local birds. Two Brolga and a Pied Cormorant took off as we arrived. During our lunch, birds came into bathe including Grey-fronted, White-throated and Yellow-tinted Honeyeater. Crimson and one Long-tail Finch came into drink, whilst Little Woodswallow flew overhead and a Pheasant Coucal flew by. A great lunch stop.
Peaceful Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Brolga
Little Pied Cormorant
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Grey-fronted Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Little Woodswallow
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Crimson Finch
Long-tailed Finch
 |
| Long-tailed Finch - ssp acuticauda |
 |
| Home Valley Entrance Gate |
 |
| Home Valley Camp |
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Masked Lapwing
Straw-necked Ibis
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Mistletoebird
Crimson Finch
Double-barred Finch
Long-tailed Finch
 |
| An old Fiat dozer from bygone days at Home Valley |
Day 41 Saturday 22/9/18
Heard a pair of Southern Boobook calling early morning. Up for an early morning walk to Asomulus Waterhole on Bindoola Creek. The track to the creek was rocky and up over a ridge leading to the waterhole. Most of the area had been burnt apart from a small area, where most of the birds were. At the beginning of the track Lindsay saw a group of Brown Quail. Honeyeaters were Brown, Rufous, White-throated, Grey-fronted, Yellow-tinted and White-gaped. A group of 35 Red-tail Black Cockatoo were flying around with some stopping to feed in a tree.
Home Valley Station--Asomulus Waterhole -15.7194483 127.8206322 05:45am
Brown Quail
Peaceful Dove
Straw-necked Ibis
Whistling Kite
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Grey-fronted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-winged Triller
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
 |
| Straw-necked Ibis |
Back to camp to pack up and put some air in the tyres, whilst doing this I noticed the top shock absorber rubbers were worn out on the T-Van, so had to replace the original two top double rubbers with four single ones (easier to fit). One of the shock absorbers was leaking so we also needed a new one, only done about 15,000km so should have lasted longer than this. Then off to join the Gibb River Road again, the corrugations were worse on this section to the Pentecost River. Reached the river and crossed over driving through the rocky water, which was not very deep. Pulled up on the other side but no bitumen in sight, the maps were wrong! While we were stopped did a 20 minute survey.
 |
| Pentecost River Crossing, through the smoke haze |
Masked Lapwing
Whiskered Tern
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Great Egret
Little Egret
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Grey-crowned Babbler
Magpie-lark
 |
| Little Pied Cormorant |
Luckily the grader driver had just graded the road ahead so it was relatively smooth. Eventually hit the bitumen at the El Questro turn off. All along this section of road there were wild fires, some had burnt up to the roadside. Many were still burning but fortunately for us, off in the distance on the Cockburn Range.
Made it to the main road and turned left heading for Wyndham. Twenty-eight kilometers out from town we hit road works and several stop-go signs. This continued all the way to town making it a slow journey. Headed to the wharf area and did some birding along the edge of the mangroves. Keith was lucky to see a Chestnut Rail pop out onto the mud and quickly turn around to go back and out of sight. Further investigation found Mangrove Gerygone and Mangrove Grey Fantail plus two Common Sandpiper.
 |
| Fire on Cockburn Range |
 |
| Wyndham Wharf Area |
Wyndham Wharf -15.4499 128.1027 12:55pm
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Chestnut Rail
Common Sandpiper
Silver Gull
Black Kite
Brahminy Kite
Brown Honeyeater
Mangrove Gerygone
Mangrove Grey Fantail
Torresian Crow
 |
| Brahminy Kite |
Had lunch here in the shade before heading back to the roadworks and turning off to Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park which is set on 120 acres of freehold land in the Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve. Reached the farm, passing a tractor-grader from a bye-gone era and introduced ourselves. Booked a powered site and set up, nobody else here. Had some cold drinks and a relax before checking out the amenities and the birds.
Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park -15.59699 128.27885 04:05pm
 |
| Tractor-grader |
Peaceful Dove
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Little Corella
Red-winged Parrot
Great Bowerbird
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Magpie-lark
 |
| Blue-faced Honeyeater |
Day 42 Sunday 23/9/18
A Single Barking Owl was calling with the dawn chorus, which also included Blue-wing-Kookaburra. Went for a walk around the farm and lagoon area getting a good bird list. A pair of Long-tailed Finch and a pair of Grey-crowned Babbler were seen building nests.
Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park -15.59699 128.27885 05:55am
Had breakfast and went to the Marlgu Billabong bird hide in the Ramsar wetlands of Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve a few kilometres away. What a great place, lots of birds and lots of species (42). Just about every waterbird in WA was present with Wandering Whistling Duck being the only new one for our WA list. Spent an hour here counting and photographing.
Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve--Marglu Billabong -15.5490214 128.259431 09:30am
Then moved on to visit Moochalabra Dam along a very rocky road. The dam was disappointing with nowhere to sit or eat our lunch so we moved back along the road and found a small lagoon at the bottom of the hill. This turned out to be the place for birds. They started to come into drink and the best bird of the day showed up, Star Finch. They came in with the Double-bar Finch to drink. Also here were some, Bar-breasted Honeyeater (new for trip list), Brolga and many more species of honeyeater. Ended up with 24 species here.
Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park -15.59699 128.27885 05:55am
Magpie Goose
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Brolga
Australian Pelican
Straw-necked Ibis
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
Red-winged Parrot
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Yellow Oriole
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Double-barred Finch
Long-tailed Finch
 |
| Grey-crowned Babbler |
 |
| Pied Heron, White-necked Heron, Little Egret and Wandering Whistling-Duck |
Magpie Goose
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Wandering Whistling-Duck
Radjah Shelduck
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Peaceful Dove
Eurasian Coot
Australasian Swamphen
Brolga
Pied Stilt
Black-fronted Dotterel
Comb-crested Jacana
Australian Pratincole
Whiskered Tern
Black-necked Stork
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Australian Pelican
White-necked Heron
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
White-faced Heron
Little Egret
Pied Heron
Glossy Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Spotted Harrier
Whistling Kite
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Brown Falcon
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Rufous Whistler
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Fairy Martin
 |
| Rufous-throated Honeyeater |
 |
| Star Finch |
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Brolga
White-necked Heron
Little Egret
Australian White Ibis
Rainbow Bee-eater
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Bar-breasted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-winged Triller
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Crimson Finch
Star Finch
Double-barred Finch
Long-tailed Finch
We decided to go back into town to try and get some internet time so drove up to Five Rivers Lookout. This was quite different to our last visit here, bitumen road, car park and interpretive signage. We did get a pair of Pacific Swift flying over, which was a new WA and trip list bird. Also managed a phone signal as well.
 |
| Five Rivers Lookout (Wyndham) |
Peaceful Dove
Pacific Swift
Black Kite
Yellow-throated Miner
Pied Butcherbird
Willie Wagtail
Fairy Martin
Day 43 Monday 24/9/18
Public holiday for the Queen’s Birthday in WA today. Leisurely start to the morning. Went to go and look for Gouldian Finch by the lagoon but no luck. One of the other ladies who was staying in a cabin said she had seen them earlier. We did see Masked and Long-tailed Finch, Magpie Goose and lots of Little Corella.
Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park -15.59699 128.27885 05:50am
Back for breakfast and final pack up. Decided to go back to the main road and not take the Old Halls Creek Road. This road is more like a bumpy track and we had enough of them, besides we did not want to damage the shock absorbers anymore. Back to the roadworks, which slowed us down. Eventually got rid of the roadworks and continued on toward Kununurra passing the Gibb River Road turn off. Stopped at the rest area on the junction with the Broome Road and had Long-tail and Zebra Finch gleaning some water below the toilet facilities (which were awful).
Great Northern Hwy at Victoria Hwy -15.8688009 128.3718109 09:48am
The bush fires we had been seeing over the past few days had reached Kununurra and there were warnings for some parts of the town. First stop in Kununurra was the car wash followed by fuelling up the car at the 24hr bowsers. The price had gone up 4c a litre since we were here a month ago but was still 9c a litre cheaper than the Shell garage around the corner. Then booked into Kimberlyland Holiday Park again and set up camp. Had a lazy afternoon around the park checking out the birds on Lily Creek Lagoon, adjacent to the park.
Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park (Kununurra) -15.7862198 128.7353536 04:25pm
Lily Creek Lagoon (Kununurra) -15.7859105 128.7392092 04:50pm
The fires around Kununurra were quite close to the park with smoke billowing over us. There was a full moon over the park as we went to bed.
Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park -15.59699 128.27885 05:50am
Magpie Goose
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Straw-necked Ibis
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Yellow Oriole
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Double-barred Finch
Masked Finch
Long-tailed Finch
 |
| Whistling Kite |
 |
| Little Friarbird feeding in Bauhinia cunnighami |
Great Northern Hwy at Victoria Hwy -15.8688009 128.3718109 09:48am
Black Kite
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Zebra Finch
Masked Finch
Long-tailed Finch
The bush fires we had been seeing over the past few days had reached Kununurra and there were warnings for some parts of the town. First stop in Kununurra was the car wash followed by fuelling up the car at the 24hr bowsers. The price had gone up 4c a litre since we were here a month ago but was still 9c a litre cheaper than the Shell garage around the corner. Then booked into Kimberlyland Holiday Park again and set up camp. Had a lazy afternoon around the park checking out the birds on Lily Creek Lagoon, adjacent to the park.
Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park (Kununurra) -15.7862198 128.7353536 04:25pm
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Australasian Swamphen
Comb-crested Jacana
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Yellow Oriole
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Crimson Finch
 |
| Comb-crested Jacana |
Green Pygmy-Goose
Australasian Grebe
Comb-crested Jacana
Caspian Tern
Whiskered Tern
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
White-breasted Woodswallow
Fairy Martin
Tree Martin
Australian Reed Warbler
Golden-headed Cisticola
 |
| Australian Pelican |
 |
| Full Moon over Lily Creek |
Got up to be greeted with a very smokey view over Lilly Creek Lagoon but it cleared quite quickly. Did a couple of surveys of the park and lagoon.
Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park (Kununurra) -15.7862198 128.7353536 06:10am
A Dollarbird on Lily Creek Lagoon was the first for the season for us.
Lily Creek Lagoon (Kununurra) -15.7859105 128.7392092 09-25-2018 06:30am
Got organised for the morning, starting off with a visit to the Treatment Works where there were not as many birds as a month ago. Plenty of Plumed Whistling Duck, Pied Stilt, Rajah Shellduck and a few Pied Heron. A few waders were seen including Common Sandpiper and a Marsh Sandpiper but two other waders had us going for a while. They were definitely tringa’s as they had the characteristic tail bobbing going, we finally settled on Wood Sandpiper.
Kununurra Sewage Ponds -15.7799162 128.7281477 08:40am
Then we tried to buy some spare shock absorber rubbers but none in Kununurra. By now it was time to get a cup of coffee and a shared muffin before replenishing our food supplies. Back to camp to phone Track Trailer for the third time to try and get replacement shock absorbers for the T-Van, nobody had returned our previous calls. Eventually got onto Steve who said they were out of stock until mid-late October but said he would try and help. He rang back later and said he had one to send to us in Darwin – hooray. We then had a pair of Glossy Ibis putting on a show in front of our camp, not sure if they were trying to mate as they did not make any apparent attempts to do so.
Whilst these Glossy Ibis were performing for at least 20 minutes a Black Kite came down to watch the performance.
Later in the afternoon went for a walk around Lily Creek. Australian Reed-Warbler were very vocal and obliging for photos. The distribution maps in "The Directory of Australian Birds" by Schodde and Mason showed these birds were of ssp gouldi.
Lily Creek Lagoon (Kununurra) -15.7859105 128.7392092 04:45pm
Heard Bush Stone-curlew calling in the evening.
Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park (Kununurra) -15.7862198 128.7353536 06:10am
Peaceful Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Brush Cuckoo
Australasian Swamphen
Glossy Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Red-winged Parrot
Varied Lorikeet
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
 |
| Lily Creek Lagoon |
Lily Creek Lagoon (Kununurra) -15.7859105 128.7392092 09-25-2018 06:30am
Australasian Grebe
Pied Stilt
Whiskered Tern
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Pied Cormorant
Intermediate Egret
Pied Heron
Dollarbird
White-breasted Woodswallow
Fairy Martin
Tree Martin
 |
| Dollarbird |
Kununurra Sewage Ponds -15.7799162 128.7281477 08:40am
Magpie Goose
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Radjah Shelduck
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
Peaceful Dove
Brush Cuckoo
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Red-kneed Dotterel
Black-fronted Dotterel
Common Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Whiskered Tern
Pied Heron
Striated Heron
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Brown Falcon
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Rufous Whistler
 |
| Wood Sandpiper |
 |
| Wood Sandpiper |
Then we tried to buy some spare shock absorber rubbers but none in Kununurra. By now it was time to get a cup of coffee and a shared muffin before replenishing our food supplies. Back to camp to phone Track Trailer for the third time to try and get replacement shock absorbers for the T-Van, nobody had returned our previous calls. Eventually got onto Steve who said they were out of stock until mid-late October but said he would try and help. He rang back later and said he had one to send to us in Darwin – hooray. We then had a pair of Glossy Ibis putting on a show in front of our camp, not sure if they were trying to mate as they did not make any apparent attempts to do so.
Whilst these Glossy Ibis were performing for at least 20 minutes a Black Kite came down to watch the performance.
 |
| Black Kite |
Later in the afternoon went for a walk around Lily Creek. Australian Reed-Warbler were very vocal and obliging for photos. The distribution maps in "The Directory of Australian Birds" by Schodde and Mason showed these birds were of ssp gouldi.
Lily Creek Lagoon (Kununurra) -15.7859105 128.7392092 04:45pm
Peaceful Dove
Brush Cuckoo
Australasian Swamphen
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Whiskered Tern
Australasian Darter
Australian Pelican
Black Kite
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Little Friarbird
White-breasted Woodswallow
Yellow Oriole
Magpie-lark
Australian Reed Warbler
 |
| Australian Reed Warbler - ssp. gouldi |
 |
| Australian Reed Warbler - ssp. gouldi |
Heard Bush Stone-curlew calling in the evening.
Day 45 Wednesday 26/9/18
Up early for a bird survey and to pack up the T-Van before breakfast.
Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park (Kununurra) -15.7862198 128.7353536 05:20am
Peaceful Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Brush Cuckoo
Australasian Swamphen
Masked Lapwing
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Varied Lorikeet
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Yellow Oriole
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Australian Reed-Warbler
Australian Reed-Warbler
 |
| Australasian Swamphen |
Saddle Creek Rest Area - Victoria Hwy -15.95688 129.56205 10:45am
Peaceful Dove
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
 |
| Policemans Point lookout |
Peaceful Dove
Australasian Darter
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-breasted Woodswallow
Torresian Crow
 |
| Brown Honeyeater |
Judbarra/Gregory National Park--Joe Creek -15.6140812 131.1201833 02:40pm
Then went the few kilometres to the Victoria River Roadhouse and booked in. Only using the quick set up tonight. Checked out the local birdlife.
Victoria River Roadhouse -15.61611 131.12805 03:00pm
Victoria River Crossing (Victoria Hwy) -15.6146 131.1303 05:20pm
Peaceful Dove
Rainbow Bee-eater
Great Bowerbird
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Grey-fronted Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Weebill
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Torresian Crow
 |
| Weebill - ssp flavescens |
Victoria River Roadhouse -15.61611 131.12805 03:00pm
Peaceful Dove
Masked Lapwing
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Torresian Crow
Later in the afternoon we went for a walk along the Victoria River passing under the old and new road bridges. Climbed up onto the old bridge to get views up and down the river.
 |
| Little Corella |
Brown Quail
Peaceful Dove
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
White-faced Heron
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Torresian Crow
Fairy Martin
Day 46 Thursday 27/9/18
Not light until gone 6.00am so not quite an early start as we had been having. Managed a survey before we packed up as quickly as we could and were first out of the campsite. Drove back towards the Victoria River boat ramp. Turned off the highway and had a bird fly in front of us, stopped and found a Peregrine Falcon perched in a tree. The falcon was hunting near a dam beside the road, this dam contained 166 Plumed Whistling Duck, two Grey Teal and eight Australian Bustard. The falcon flew out of the tree and did a few very fast fly bys for great views and a few not so good photos.
Dam on Victoria Hwy at -15.62368, 131.12409 07:40am
Continued onto the boat ramp and drove down where we had breakfast looking over the river. Pretty quiet but we did manage 20 species.
Dam on Victoria Hwy at -15.62368, 131.12409 07:40am
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Grey Teal
Australian Bustard
Peregrine Falcon
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Fairy Martin
 |
| Peregrine Falcon |
 |
| Peregrine Falcon |
 |
| Victoria River Boat Ramp |
 |
| Victoria River |
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Black-fronted Dotterel
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Dollarbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Bar-breasted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Torresian Crow
Crimson Finch
Double-barred Finch
 |
| Channel-billed Cuckoo |
Mathison Rest Area, Victoria Hwy -15.13973 131.68402 10:23am
Peaceful Dove
Brown Goshawk
Black Kite
Great Bowerbird
Purple-backed Fairywren
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Weebill
Magpie-lark
 |
| Yellow-tinted Honeyeater |
Katherine Holiday Park -14.48875 132.2468889 12:55pm
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Yellow Oriole
Magpie-lark
Day 47 Friday 28/9/18
Up by 6.30 when it was light, had a coffee and managed a survey.
Katherine Holiday Park -14.48875 132.2468889 06:45am
Then went down to the nearby Katherine Low Level Nature Reserve. Had a group of Black Kite sitting in a tree, one sunning got it’s photo taken. Only new trip bird was a Yellow-breasted Flycatcher (fly-robin).
Low Level Nature Reserve -14.4902 132.2516 07:40am
Back to camp for breakfast and pack up. Left just before 10.00am. Headed north and turned off onto the Edith Falls Road, which is 20km of bitumen. Different to our last visit back in the 1980's when it was just a narrow winding track!. The end of the road came to a big coach/car park, Cafe/Kiosk and hordes of people, not our scene. Had a look at the falls and left.
Katherine Holiday Park -14.48875 132.2468889 06:45am
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Silver-backed Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Yellow Oriole
Magpie-lark
 |
| Straw-necked Ibis |
Low Level Nature Reserve -14.4902 132.2516 07:40am
Radjah Shelduck
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Little Pied Cormorant
White-necked Heron
Black Kite
Galah
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Rufous Whistler
Yellow Oriole
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Leaden Flycatcher
Paperbark Flycatcher
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher
 |
| Black Kite - sunning |
Nitmiluk National Park--Edith Falls -14.18051 132.18784 10:55am
Headed north to Pine Creek and booked a site at the Lazy Lizard for the night. Took it easy for the rest of the day.
Lazy Lizard Campground (Pine Creek) -13.8215561 131.8346932 12:40pm
Later in the afternoon went for a walk around the town and back to camp. Did see a flock of Hooded Parrots fly over.
Pine Creek -13.8225783 131.8334055 05:15pm
Back to camp where it was filling up fast, including a school group. More noise but not from the school group, mainly from the bar.
Peaceful Dove
Straw-necked Ibis
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Weebill
White-throated Gerygone
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Leaden Flycatcher
Double-barred Finch
 |
| White-throated Honeyeater |
Lazy Lizard Campground (Pine Creek) -13.8215561 131.8346932 12:40pm
Black Kite
Little Corella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cockatiel
Varied Lorikeet
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
 |
| Australasian Figbird |
Pine Creek -13.8225783 131.8334055 05:15pm
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Little Pied Cormorant
Intermediate Egret
Black Kite
Sacred Kingfisher
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Bee-eater
Hooded Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Australasian Figbird
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Masked Finch
 |
| Blue-faced Honeyeater |
Day 48 Saturday 29/9/18
In the morning we found over 100 Hooded Parrot outside the service station on the ground and in the trees, what a treat. Most of them looked in poor condition with tatty feathers, plenty of juveniles in the flocks. Two Sacred Kingfisher where perched on a power line and Red-winged Parrot were feasting on Mangoes.
Pine Creek -13.8225783 131.8334055 07:00am
Back for breakfast and to pack up. Decided to drain the water tank as the water tasted of sulphur, drained and flushed it but it made no difference. Had a cup of coffee at the service station then headed north to Adelaide River, where we stopped for lunch.
Riverside Park Adelaide River -13.2353365 131.1124706 11:55am
After lunch continued on north and had a detour to Manton Dam, where we had afternoon coffee.
Manton Dam -12.8625 131.12083 01:20pm
Then it was the final push to Darwin. Arrived at the Hidden Valley Holiday Park where we were given a choice of powered sites, ended up choosing one, which had some shade. A bit small but we managed to set up OK and have a relaxing end to the afternoon, serenaded by a Pacific Koel!
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 05:40pm
 |
| Hooded Parrot - immature |
 |
| Hooded Parrot - male |
 |
| Hooded Parrot - male |
Pine Creek -13.8225783 131.8334055 07:00am
Peaceful Dove
Pacific Koel (Australian)
Masked Lapwing
Black Kite
Sacred Kingfisher
Dollarbird
Dollarbird
Galah
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
Hooded Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
White-winged Triller
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Magpie-lark
 |
| Red-winged Parrot - Feeding on a Mango |
 |
| Sacred Kingfisher |
Back for breakfast and to pack up. Decided to drain the water tank as the water tasted of sulphur, drained and flushed it but it made no difference. Had a cup of coffee at the service station then headed north to Adelaide River, where we stopped for lunch.
Riverside Park Adelaide River -13.2353365 131.1124706 11:55am
Straw-necked Ibis
Whistling Kite
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Dusky Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Leaden Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher
 |
| Whistling Kite |
Manton Dam -12.8625 131.12083 01:20pm
Magpie Goose
Green Pygmy-Goose
Peaceful Dove
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Australasian Darter
Glossy Ibis
Forest Kingfisher
Brown Falcon
Yellow Oriole
 |
| Masked Lapwing |
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 05:40pm
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Pacific Koel (Australian)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Varied Triller
Australasian Figbird
Australasian Figbird
 |
| Pacific Koel - male |
The resident Pacific Koel fired up at 4.30am! Woke up just before 6.00am and gave away any more ideas of a lie in due to the Koel's continued calling beside our T-Van and Blue-winged Kookaburra trying to outdo him.
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 06:45am
Stopped off at Repco in Winnelie and got the elusive shock absorber rubbers (8) for the T-Van (Kelpro Part No 23020 Rubber Bush). Good to have a spare set. Continued on into Darwin to stock up with more food supplies. Back to camp via Tiger Brennan Drive through Francis Bay, where Keith used to work. By now it was time for lunch, which we had in the shade of our awning.
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 06:45am
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Pacific Koel
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Black Butcherbird
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Varied Triller
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Magpie-lark
Mistletoebird
 |
| Brown Honeyeater |
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 04:50pm
Magpie Goose
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Little Corella
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Green-backed Gerygone
Australasian Figbird
Mistletoebird
 |
| Orange-footed Scrubfowl |
Day 50 Monday 1/10/18
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 06:55am
Peaceful Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Dollarbird
Little Corella
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Varied Triller
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Magpie-lark
Mistletoebird
 |
| Figbird - male |
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens -12.443617 130.8372116 10:35am
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Straw-necked Ibis
Rufous Owl
Forest Kingfisher
Dollarbird
Galah
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-banded Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Varied Triller
Olive-backed Oriole
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Spangled Drongo
 |
| Torresian Imperial Pigeon |
From the gardens we headed into the city as we had a lunch date with long time friend Hillary, a fellow birder from our days living in Darwin. We had a light lunch and caught up with each others news, good to keep in touch. Had a relaxing afternoon. In the evening we went off to have dinner with more long time birding friends Tony and Mary at the Cairns Yacht Club. When we arrived we got a surprise, another old birding friend from Darwin days Niven, who was also having dinner at the Yacht Club. We had a quick word with him before he had to go as he was heading back south to where he now lives.
Day 51 Tuesday 2/10/18
Up for a survey in the park.
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 06:45am
Then off to find the nearby Berrimah Treatment Works but were foiled by no right turns and road closed signs at the Hidden Valley Motorsport complex. We actually went via Palmerston before we could turn around to get on the right site of Tiger Brennan Drive. Gave it away and returned to camp for breakfast.
Our friends who we went out with the night before came around for morning coffee and bought 4 big muffins! They also own a T-Van so we spent the morning checking out our van and discussing modifications with a bit of birding talk in between. They left at lunch time, so we had our lunch and headed off to ARB to give them the suspension information they needed to check out the Prado's suspension. We then went back along Tiger Brennan Drive to Palmerston to meet more friends for an afternoon coffee and to catch up on more news. Checked out Marlow Lagoon in Palmerston on the way back to Hidden Valley
Marlow Lagoon -12.4866348 130.9660369 04:33pm
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 06:45am
Pacific Koel (Australian)
Black Kite
Dollarbird
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Green-backed Gerygone
Varied Triller
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Mistletoebird
 |
| Rufous-throated Honeyeater |
Our friends who we went out with the night before came around for morning coffee and bought 4 big muffins! They also own a T-Van so we spent the morning checking out our van and discussing modifications with a bit of birding talk in between. They left at lunch time, so we had our lunch and headed off to ARB to give them the suspension information they needed to check out the Prado's suspension. We then went back along Tiger Brennan Drive to Palmerston to meet more friends for an afternoon coffee and to catch up on more news. Checked out Marlow Lagoon in Palmerston on the way back to Hidden Valley
Marlow Lagoon -12.4866348 130.9660369 04:33pm
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Masked Lapwing
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Intermediate Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Bar-breasted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-winged Triller
Paperbark Flycatcher
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher
 |
| Grey-crowned Babbler |
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 07:10am
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Bar-shouldered Dove
Pacific Koel
Black Kite
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Green-backed Gerygone
Varied Triller
Yellow Oriole
Mistletoebird
 |
| Pacific Koel (F) |
East Point--far end -12.4065118 130.8169415 08:40am
Magpie Goose
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Masked Lapwing
Eastern Reef Egret
Forest Kingfisher
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Helmeted Friarbird
White-winged Triller
Varied Triller
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Magpie-lark
 |
| Forest Kingfisher |
From here we went to the Mangrove Boardwalk, saw Mangrove Gerygone, Torresian Kingfisher and heard Mangrove Robin. These Swamplands Lashtail Amphibolurus temporalis dragon were quite common.
 |
| Swamplands Lashtail Amphibolurus temporalis |
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Little Bronze-Cuckoo
Masked Lapwing
Whistling Kite
Brahminy Kite
Torresian Kingfisher
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Helmeted Friarbird
Mangrove Gerygone
Yellow Oriole
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher
Mangrove Grey Fantail
Broad-billed Flycatcher
Mangrove Robin
Yellow White-eye
 |
| Lemon-bellied Flycatcher - ssp flavigaster |
Day 53 Thursday 4/10/18
Slow start to the day, still waiting for the shock absorber for the T-Van. After breakfast we went out to Knuckey’s Lagoon, where there were plenty of waterbirds. Whilst there we met Laurie Ross who runs Tracks Birding and Photography Tours who arrived with two guests. Good to catch up with Laurie again. Laurie is a great guide and excellent photographer. Did a survey here at Snipe Lagoon, noting one Wood Sandpiper among the 1200 or so Magpie Goose.
Knuckey Lagoons CR--Snipe Swamp -12.4261831 130.9369469 09:20am
From here we moved to another nearby lagoon at the end of Fiddlers Lane. Over 2000 Magpie Goose here along with two Wood Sandpiper, a Marsh Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper. Grey Teal were here but not at the other Lagoon, also two Australian Pratincole were foraging in between the geese.
Knuckey Lagoons CR--Fiddlers Ln -12.429494 130.945787 10:40am
Time to go back to base and lunch. Explored the East Point Mangrove Boardwalk in the afternoon, lots of birds in this area.
East Point Mangrove Boardwalk -12.40954 130.832004 03:15pm
 |
| Snipe Lagoon |
Magpie Goose
Wandering Whistling-Duck
Green Pygmy-Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Australasian Grebe
Brolga
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Wood Sandpiper
Whiskered Tern
Black-necked Stork
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Australian Pelican
White-necked Heron
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
White-faced Heron
Little Egret
Pied Heron
Cattle Egret
Glossy Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Black Kite
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Yellow Oriole
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
 |
| Comb-crested Jacana |
 |
| Knuckey Lagoons - Fiddlers Lane |
Magpie Goose
Radjah Shelduck
Green Pygmy-Goose
Grey Teal
Brolga
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Common Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Australian Pratincole
Intermediate Egret
Pied Heron
Glossy Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Sacred Kingfisher
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Varied Triller
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
 |
| Australian White Ibis |
East Point Mangrove Boardwalk -12.40954 130.832004 03:15pm
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Little Bronze-Cuckoo
Brush Cuckoo
Whimbrel
Eastern Curlew
Bar-tailed Godwit
Terek Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Grey-tailed Tattler
Silver Gull
Australian White Ibis
Black Kite
Brahminy Kite
Torresian Kingfisher
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-banded Honeyeater
Dusky Honeyeater
Red-headed Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Mangrove Gerygone
Black Butcherbird
Varied Triller
Grey Whistler (Brown)
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Magpie-lark
Leaden Flycatcher
Shining Flycatcher
Golden-headed Cisticola
Mistletoebird
 |
| Common Sandpiper |
Day 54 Friday 5/10/18
Birthday and wedding anniversary!
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 07:00am
Up for breakfast and an early trip to ARB to get the Prado's suspension checked. This only took 30 minutes and should have been done 500kms after it was fitted instead of 11,000kms! Anyway all was good. Headed into town as we had notification the shock absorber we were waiting for had finally reach the Darwin Post Office. Then went back to the Darwin Botanic Gardens for a coffee and to see if the Rufous Owl family were in residence. They were and sitting out on an exposed branch posing for photos unlike our previous visit when they were hiding behind branches.
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens -12.443617 130.8372116 11:00am
Had lunch and then fitted the new shock absorber onto the T-Van and checked the bearings, which were OK. Spent the evening with another friend, which concluded our social calendar for Darwin.
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 07:00am
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Bar-shouldered Dove
Masked Lapwing
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Dollarbird
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Green-backed Gerygone
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Varied Triller
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Magpie-lark
Mistletoebird
 |
| Dollarbird |
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens -12.443617 130.8372116 11:00am
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Masked Lapwing
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Brahminy Kite
Rufous Owl
Dollarbird
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Green-backed Gerygone
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Common Cicadabird
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Spangled Drongo
Magpie-lark
 |
| Rufous Owl - adult |
 |
| Rufous Owl - immature |
Had lunch and then fitted the new shock absorber onto the T-Van and checked the bearings, which were OK. Spent the evening with another friend, which concluded our social calendar for Darwin.
Day 55 Saturday 6/10/18
Leisurely start to the day. Did some birding around the park and found a couple of Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, a back yard bird but the first for this trip.
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 07:20am
Had a great 6 days in Darwin, a place we had lived in from 1976-87, visiting old haunts and catching up with friends. Probably the last road visit for us as it is a long drive for us oldies! Eventually got away by 9.30am and headed south with a stop at Noonamah to fuel up. Continued on to Coomalie Creek for a coffee break. Great spot beside the creek, which had a pair of Shining Flycatcher and Crimson Finch among the majority of honeyeaters.
Coomalie Creek at Stuart Hwy -13.01472 131.12277 10:50am
After smoko we headed on south passing through Adelaide River and onto a lunch stop at the Bridge Creek Rest Area. It was very hot by now and we had lunch under the shelter at a concrete picnic table. There were a few large melaluecas in flower attracting lots of honeyeaters, including Bar-breasted and Red-collared Lorikeet.
Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Berrimah) -12.4368804 130.9160042 07:20am
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Pacific Koel (Australian)
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Dollarbird
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Green-backed Gerygone
Black Butcherbird
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Varied Triller
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Magpie-lark
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher
Mistletoebird
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
 |
| Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo |
 |
| Spangled Drongo |
Peaceful Dove
Little Bronze-Cuckoo
Brown Goshawk
Black Kite
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Dusky Honeyeater
Dusky Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
White-thr. Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Green-backed Gerygone
Varied Triller
Yellow Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Spangled Drongo
Magpie-lark
Shining Flycatcher
Crimson Finch
After smoko we headed on south passing through Adelaide River and onto a lunch stop at the Bridge Creek Rest Area. It was very hot by now and we had lunch under the shelter at a concrete picnic table. There were a few large melaluecas in flower attracting lots of honeyeaters, including Bar-breasted and Red-collared Lorikeet.
Bridge Creek Rest Area at Stuart Hwy -13.43704 131.31340 12:40pm
Reached Katherine mid afternoon and fuelled up $1.56, cheaper than Darwin ($1.61 or $1.58). Then booked into the Katherine Holiday Park and had the same site we had on the way up. There was another T-Van in the park, it was a Firetail with orange trim. Said a quick hello and will catch up later. Set up camp and went for a walk finding a few new birds for the park list.
Katherine Holiday Park -14.48875 132.2468889 04:35pm
Back for a cuppa and dinner. Had a possum visit in the evening, scavenging food. Also heard two Barking Owl.
Peaceful Dove
Red-tailed Bl.-Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Bar-br. Honeyeater
Dusky Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
White-thr. Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Varied Triller
Crimson Finch
Katherine Holiday Park -14.48875 132.2468889 04:35pm
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Masked Lapwing
Black Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Northern Rosella
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Yellow Oriole
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher
 |
| Torresian Imperial-Pigeon - calling |
Day 56 Sunday 7/10/18
Slow start to the morning. Did a bird walk around the park first and saw lots of birds.
Slow start to the morning. Did a bird walk around the park first and saw lots of birds.
Katherine Holiday Park -14.48875 132.2468889 06:15am
Magpie Goose
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Pheasant Coucal
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Sacred Kingfisher
Rainbow Bee-eater
Dollarbird
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Varied Triller
Yellow Oriole
Spangled Drongo
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
 |
| Pied Butcherbird |
King River Rest Area -14.64370, 132.63328 -14.6437 132.63328 10:50am
Black Kite
Great Bowerbird
Rufous Whistler
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
Elsey National Park--12 Mile Yards camp -14.95315 133.2192278 10-07-2018 12:40pm
Peaceful Dove
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Grey-crowned Babbler
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Mistletoebird
 |
| Willie Wagtail |
 |
| Galah |
Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn -16.3074 133.3858 04:20pm
Common Bronzewing
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Masked Lapwing
Red-kneed Dotterel
Black-fronted Dotterel
White-necked Heron
White-faced Heron
Black Kite
Red-tailed Bl.-Cockatoo
Galah
Cockatiel
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Singing Honeyeater
Grey-fronted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-br. Woodswallow
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
Day 57 Monday 8/10/18
Awake too early again – 4.30am. Got up and did some birding around the roadhouse grounds. Had a few bush birds, mainly honeyeaters and a Purple-backed Fairy-Wren in eclipse plumage.
Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn -16.3074 133.3858 06:30am
Packed up and had breakfast and set off about 9.00 am. Decided to head east towards Cape Crawford then make a decision to go south to Barkly Highway or continue east to Borroloola and the unmade gulf road to Normanton. Stopped at Bullwaddy Rest Area for morning coffee. The road along here was mainly single lane bitumen with a few three trailer cattle trucks and a few four wheel drives.
 |
| Apostlebird |
Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn -16.3074 133.3858 06:30am
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Masked Lapwing
Red-kneed Dotterel
White-necked Heron
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Red-tailed Bl.-Cockatoo
Galah
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Singing Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Grey-fronted Honeyeater
Rufous-thr. Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-throated Gerygone
White-br. Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
Double-barred Finch
Bullwaddy rest stop (Carpentaria Hwy) -16.449877 134.195982 10:20am
Then continued on to Goanna Creek Rest Area for lunch. This was a good choice as there were a lot of birds hanging around a water tank, with a dry bowl under the tap. We filled the bowl and had at least 80 Grey-fronted Honeyeater plus Long-tailed Finch, Great Bowerbird and Silver-crowned Friarbird come in almost immediately. Great lunch time entertainment and a help to the birds in the very hot conditions.
Goanna Creek Rest Area at -16.70334, 134.36699 12:35pm
Decided to keep heading east to Borroloola and take the rough road (rather than go via Mt.Isa) as it was over 500km less driving, but probably no quicker. Stopped at Caranbirini Conservation Reserve and walked down to the birdhide at the lagoon. Lots of birds coming in to drink and bathe. A few Green Pygmy-Goose, at least 15 Great Bowerbird, Banded, White-gaped, Yellow-tinted and Brown Honeyeater plus Crimson and Double-Bar Finch. Lots of other birds made a species list of 33.
Caranbirini Waterhole -16.27136 136.07829 02:55pm
Then onto Borroloola, where we topped up the fuel and booked into the McArthur River Caravan Park. Got a powered site but the power was off because somebody had driven into a power pole down the road. Managed a bird survey of the park late afternoon. The power was restored in time for dinner.
McArthur River Caravan Park (Borroloola) -16.0697126 136.3082314 04:50pm
Red-winged Parrot
Great Bowerbird
White-winged Triller
Rufous Whistler
Torresian Crow
Goanna Creek Rest Area at -16.70334, 134.36699 12:35pm
White-necked Heron
Great Bowerbird
Grey-fronted Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Weebill
Pied Butcherbird
Torresian Crow
Long-tailed Finch
 |
| Long-tailed Finch - ssp hecki |
 |
| Grey-fronted Honeyeater |
 |
| Green Pygmy-Goose |
Green Pygmy-Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Australasian Grebe
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Australasian Darter
White-faced Heron
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Weebill
Grey-crowned Babbler
Australian Magpie
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Yellow Oriole
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
Crimson Finch
Double-barred Finch
 |
| Silver-crowned Friarbird with Great Bowerbird, bathing |
McArthur River Caravan Park (Borroloola) -16.0697126 136.3082314 04:50pm
Peaceful Dove
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
 |
| Little Friarbird |
Day 58 Tuesday 9/10/18
Up before 6.00am to have a hot drink and do another bird survey before breakfast.
McArthur River Caravan Park (Borroloola) -16.0697126 136.3082314 06:20am
We left the caravan park at 7.45am (NT time), heading east towards Queensland. Crossed the wet Wearyan River crossing and stopped for a 20 minute survey and to take a few photos, Crimson Finch was about the most exciting bird here, had 15 species.
Wearyan River crossing, -16.16587 136.75712 08:40am
Continued on and stopped for morning coffee at the Robinson River, best bird here was Bar-breasted Honeyeater.
Robinson River at Savannah Way -16.46605 137.05313 09:50am
Next stop was Calvert River where the bird life was prolific, so we decided to have lunch here. Best birds here were Arafura Fantail (2), Buff-sided Robin, which eventually stopped for a few photos and at least 10 Olive-backed Oriole who entertained us with their mimicry. Spent an hour here before continuing on.
Calvert River -16.93398 137.36 11:20am
The road was quite corrugated after the first 100km, which had been fairly smooth. This was the middle section of the road to Doomagee, very rocky in places especially around Echo Gorge. We crossed over the border into Queensland and drove past Hells Gate Roadhouse. Around Doomagee there was a section of bitumen, which went all the way to Tirranna Springs Roadhouse apart from about 5km of dirt. After Doomagee we stopped to inflate the tyres to bitumen pressures. Kept going until we reached the Tirranna Springs Roadhouse, which was open, just. The shop was closed but they still sold fuel. We found a spot in the yard around the back and set up camp, all on our own camping tonight. Had an early night after driving 466km over some rough and good roads.
McArthur River Caravan Park (Borroloola) -16.0697126 136.3082314 06:20am
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Spangled Drongo
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Mistletoebird
 |
| Olive-backed Oriole |
 |
| Wearyan River Crossing |
Peaceful Dove
Great Egret
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Cockatiel
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Gerygone
Rufous Whistler
Magpie-lark
Crimson Finch
 |
| Rainbow Bee-eater |
Robinson River at Savannah Way -16.46605 137.05313 09:50am
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Bar-breasted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
Rufous Whistler
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
 |
| Silver-crowned Friarbird |
Calvert River -16.93398 137.36 11:20am
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Sacred Kingfisher
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cockatiel
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Australasian Figbird
Arafura Fantail
Torresian Crow
Buff-sided Robin
Mistletoebird
 |
| Arafura Fantail |
 |
| Buff-sided Robin |
Day 59 Wednesday 10//1018
Up early to try and avoid the flies but they were already waiting! Managed a 20 minute survey before breakfast. Difficult looking through binoculars with hundreds of flies crawling all over them and getting into our eyes!
Tirranna Springs Roadhouse on Nicholson River -17.8959311 139.2961049 06:35am
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
Great Bowerbird
Brown Honeyeater
Weebill
Pied Butcherbird
Torresian Crow
 |
| Great Bowerbird |
Packed up and got on the road at 7.40. Drove to Burketown and then onto the Leichardt Falls. Drove off the track and walked down to the rocks overlooking the river and gorge, lots of Fairy Martins flying around.
 |
| Leichardt Falls - dry |
Crested Pigeon
Bar-shouldered Dove
Masked Lapwing
Black-fronted Dotterel
Little Pied Cormorant
Black Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
Great Bowerbird
Brown Honeyeater
Pied Butcherbird
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
Fairy Martin
Encountered some roadworks, near the Burdekin River on what was a good dirt road towards Normanton. Along the way we saw Whistling Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Brolga and Sarus Crane. Stopped at the Bynoe River crossing for a drink and a bird survey.
 |
| White-belied Sea-Eagle |
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Hardhead
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Pied Stilt
Black Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Magpie-lark
 |
| Pied Stilt |
Got to Normanton and drove through the town to Mutton Hole Wetland, which is situated on the edge of town. This was a good lunch stop with lots of waterbirds including Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Australian Pratincole and a Swamp Harrier swooping over the water.
 |
| Intermediate Egret |
Magpie Goose
Radjah Shelduck
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Pied Stilt
Comb-crested Jacana
Australian Pratincole
Whiskered Tern
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
White-faced Heron
Pied Heron
Glossy Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Swamp Harrier
Black Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Black-faced Woodswallow
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
 |
| Pied Heron |
Headed out of town and turned onto the Savannah Way east stopping at Blackbull Siding.
Blackbull -17.9407 141.75534 02:10pm
Peaceful Dove
Black Kite
Little Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
Then on to Croydon for a coffee but the machine in the store was out of action so we made do with some cold drinks. Continued to head east towards Georgetown. Stopped off at Cumberland Dam to stay for the night. Set up camp and did a survey of the dam, most interesting bird was a Latham’s Snipe. Managed a distance shot of it, which is highly cropped below.
Cumberland Dam -18.302 143.3514 05:15pm
Magpie Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Peaceful Dove
Eurasian Coot
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Black-fronted Dotterel
Latham's Snipe
White-necked Heron
Great Egret
White-faced Heron
Glossy Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Dollarbird
Great Bowerbird
Yellow Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Apostlebird
 |
| Latham's Snipe |
Day 60 Thursday 11/10/18
Up just before 6.00am for a coffee and a survey of Cumberland Dam. Had 45 species including Squatter Pigeon and a few hundred Plumed Whistling-Duck we had heard flying in during the night.
Cumberland Dam -18.302 143.3514 06:10am
Packed up and had breakfast before getting on the road around 7.30am. Drove to Georgetown and put in some fuel then headed to Mt. Surprise where we stopped for a toilet stop and to use the dump point.
Mount Surprise--general area -18.1478914 144.3193662 09:15am
Then onto the 40 mile Scrub NP, where we had a morning coffee. at 10.15. and a 20 minute bird survey, had Fairy Martin and White-browed Scrubwren in a total of seven species.
Forty Mile Scrub National Park--Rest Area -18.10777 144.82777 10:15am
Continued on to Mt. Garnett where we filled the Prado with diesel at $1.58lt. Next stop was Mt. Hypipamee NP where we arrived at 12.30 for lunch. Pretty quiet for birds with only 13 species (had 20 species on our way west).
Mount Hypipamee National Park--picnic area -17.428377 145.4862205 12:35pm
From here we drove to Mt. Molloy, where we picked up our mail. Then it was back home after a journey of 10,143km. We managed to see 288 species and photography a good many of them.
Part 1 can be found here.
Cumberland Dam -18.302 143.3514 06:10am
Magpie Goose
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Common Bronzewing
Crested Pigeon
Squatter Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Eurasian Coot
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Red-kneed Dotterel
Black-fronted Dotterel
Black-necked Stork
Australasian Darter
Australian Pelican
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
White-faced Heron
Little Egret (Australasian)
Cattle Egret
Glossy Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
Great Bowerbird
Yellow Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
 |
| Cattle Egret |
Mount Surprise--general area -18.1478914 144.3193662 09:15am
Rainbow Lorikeet
Great Bowerbird
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Australian Magpie
Apostlebird
 |
| Blue-faced Honeyeater |
Forty Mile Scrub National Park--Rest Area -18.10777 144.82777 10:15am
Great Bowerbird
Lewin's Honeyeater
White-browed Scrubwren
Fairy Gerygone
Pied Currawong
Varied Triller
Little Shrikethrush
 |
| Pied Currawong |
 |
| Lewin's Honeyeater |
Australian Brushturkey
Wompoo Fruit-Dove
Laughing Kookaburra
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
White-throated Treecreeper
Lewin's Honeyeater
Bridled Honeyeater
Mountain Thornbill
Eastern Whipbird
Golden Whistler
Victoria's Riflebird
Grey-headed Robin
Part 1 can be found here.
