Western
Australia,
November
2016
4th
November
Our adventure started with an 11 day campervan trip
around the south-west of Western Australia (WA) before two weeks on
Christmas and Cocos-keeling Islands.
Due to staffing issues our flight to Perth from Cairns
was delayed 45 minutes, not too much of a problem. The flight direct
to Perth arrived (WA time, 2 hours behind Queensland) at 10.20pm only
20 minutes late. Got a taxi to our hotel which was only 10 minutes
from the airport.
5th November
Due to the time difference we woke up at 4.00am!
Eventually got up at 6.am and had breakfast before checking out and
getting a ride in a Mercedes to pick up the campervan. Headed out of
Perth to our first destination, Northam 97km north-east of Perth in
the Avon Valley. The reason for this visit was to put the introduced
Mute Swan onto our Australian Bird list. The population here was
introduced in the late 1890's and has remained in Northam ever since.
Occasionally birds have been reported from other areas such as Perth
and Lake Bibra. First stop was Avon Weir but no swans here.5th November
Avon Weir
3 Australian Wood Duck
7 Pacific
Black Duck
6 Grey
Teal
11 Australian
White Ibis
1 Yellow-billed
Spoonbill
17 Eurasian
Coot
5 Silver
Gull
3 Brown Honeyeater
1 Striated
Pardalote
1 Willie
Wagtail
2 Magpie-lark
2 Australian
Raven
We did see one Mute Swan on the Avon River opposite the
council chambers, whilst we were having lunch in Bernard Park. Just in case you don't know what a Mute Swan looks like
here is the one we saw!
 |
| Mute Swan |
Avon River, Bernard Park
1 Mute Swan 1 Black Swan
2 Pacific Black Duck
1 Chestnut Teal
2 Australian White Ibis
Eurasian Coot 2 separate nests with birds sitting. Other 6 swimming in river.
5 Black-winged Stilt (Australian)
1 Singing Honeyeater
4 Brown Honeyeater
The Tourist Bureau at Northam is very good as is the adjacent cafe, we also appreciated the air-conditioning with a temperature outside of 38ºC! From Northam we headed to the Tourist Park at Toodyay, 85 kilometres north-east of Perth. The settlement was proclaimed by Governor Arthur Kennedy on 1 October 1860 as Newcastle but in May 1910, due to confusion with the New South Wales city of Newcastle, it's name was changed to Toodyay. The park was almost full with mostly Bush Poets who had a weekend contest in town, apparently an annual event. An afternoon bird watch had plenty of birds but did not produce anything new for our trip list.
Toodyay Tourist Park - pm
3 Australian Wood Duck
4 Carnaby's
Black-Cockatoo (Calling whilst flying)
8 Galah 1 entering tree hollow
12 Australian Ringneck
4 Brown Honeyeater
4 Striated Pardalote (Heard)
4 Weebill
1 Western Gerygone
1 Australian Magpie
1 Rufous Whistler (M) (eating caterpillar)
1 Australian Raven
30 Tree Martin (Estimate) (2 entering a tree hollow)
8 Galah 1 entering tree hollow
12 Australian Ringneck
4 Brown Honeyeater
4 Striated Pardalote (Heard)
4 Weebill
1 Western Gerygone
1 Australian Magpie
1 Rufous Whistler (M) (eating caterpillar)
1 Australian Raven
30 Tree Martin (Estimate) (2 entering a tree hollow)
6th
November
Awoke early as it got light at
5.00am, heard Australian Owlet Nightjar and Southern Boobook
overnight. A pleasant temperature of 18°C for a morning walk around
the park produced a couple of Rufous Treecreeper foraging around and
on the cabins.
 |
| Rufous Treecreeper |
3 Australian Wood Duck
1 Shining
Bronze-Cuckoo
1 Australian Owlet-nightjar (Heard)
5 Rainbow Bee-eater
4 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
14 Galah
12 Australian Ringneck
2 Rufous
Treecreeper1 Australian Owlet-nightjar (Heard)
5 Rainbow Bee-eater
4 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
14 Galah
12 Australian Ringneck
3 Brown Honeyeater
6 Striated Pardalote
3 Weebill
1 Western Gerygone
2 Australian Magpie (Western)
2 Black-faced Cuckooshrike
2 Grey Shrikethrush
1 Rufous Whistler (Heard)
1 Crested Bellbird (Heard)
1 Little Crow
2 Australian Raven
50 Tree Martin (Estimate)
Left the park and headed back to Northam before going south towards York and Edward Crossing by the Avon (on Top Beverly Road) for a drinks break.
2 Weebill
1 Grey Butcherbird (Heard)
2 Rufous Whistler (Heard)
3 Australian Raven
Next
stop was the town of Brookton where we phoned the campervan company
because the vans air-conditioning had failed. The outcome was that we
needed to go Albany to get it fixed. This meant a change of plan as
we were intending to go to the Stirling Ranges. Continued on to our
overnight destination which was Dryandra National Park which we last
visited in 1998. At Narrogin we took Turner Road and a few back roads
to Dryandra. Got to the Congelin Dam Campsite and
Picnic Ground where we had lunch.
Congelin Dam Campsite and Picnic Ground2 Striated Pardalote (Heard)
2 Weebill (Heard)
2 Rufous Whistler (Heard)
Decided
to check out the Gnaala Mia Campground,
after lunch. It was a bit burnt in the surrounding area but no-one
else was camped here so we set up camp and had a welcome afternoon
snooze! Went for a walk in the afternoon. Good birds were
Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Western Spinebill, Inland Thornbill,Grey
Currawong, Jacky Winter and Scarlet Robin who was displaying. Some of them even posed
for photographs.
 |
Western
Spinebill (M)
|
Gnaala Mia Campground - pm
2 Australian
Ringneck
1 Rufous
Treecreeper
5 Blue-breasted
Fairywren
1 Western
Spinebill
6 Yellow-plumed
Honeyeater
4 Striated
Pardalote
1 Inland
Thornbill
3 Weebill
1 Western
Gerygone
2 Grey
Currawong
1 Rufous
Whistler (Heard).
2 Jacky
Winter
3 Scarlet
Robin (Campbell's)
Evening meal was a Cumberland Sausage, yum and the evening entertainment was trying to get rid of the hundreds of bush flies in the van!
7th November
 |
| Scarlet Robin |
White-eared and White-cheeked busy foraging. The highlight was a Red-capped Parrot, 1st for the trip. To celebrate the cold morning we had porridge for breakfast as the temperature slowly rose to 12ºC. This Jacky Winter was also trying to keep warm!
 |
| Jacky Winter |
1 Red-capped Parrot
7 Brown Honeyeater
2 White-cheeked Honeyeater
4 White-eared Honeyeater
3 Brown-headed Honeyeater
4 Spotted Pardalote going into tree hollow.
2 Striated Pardalote
6 Weebill
1 Grey Currawong
2 Grey Shrikethrush (Heard)
2 Jacky Winter
1 Western Yellow Robin
From the campground we drove a short distance to Old Mill Dam and took a walk. Highlights were Australian Hobby, lots of Rufous Treecreeper, more Scarlet Robin and one Dusky Woodswallow.
 |
| Rufous Treecreeper |
Old Mill Dam – Dryandra NP
5 Rainbow
Bee-eater1 Australian Hobby
7 Australian Ringneck
12 Rufous Treecreeper
3 Yellow-plumed Honeyeater
4 Striated Pardalote
2 Western Gerygone
1 Dusky Woodswallow
1 Australian Magpie
1 Black-faced Cuckooshrike
2 Grey Shrikethrush
1 Rufous Whistler
1 Willie Wagtail
3 Scarlet Robin (Campbell's)
2 Tree Martin
We then left Dryandra NP and headed to the nearest town,
Narrogin, to visit the information centre. We made use of their free
Wi-Fi and bought a more detailed map of the area. Despite having a
Sat. Nav. and maps on a tablet you can't beat a decent paper map.
Took a while getting out of town as we were held up by a funeral
procession, which was probably somebody of great importance judging by
the number of cars. Headed off to Katanning and found the Lions Park
which was a good spot to stop for lunch.
Lions Park, Kattaning
18 Red Wattlebird
2 Brown Honeyeater
1 Striated Pardalote
1 Weebill
1 Australian Raven
Due to the air conditioning problem with our van we had
to head to Albany along the main Perth-Albany road via Mt. Barker. We
knew the caravan park at Middleton form our trip in 1998 so we headed
there. Of course everything had changed since our last visit 18 years
ago and we did not recognise anything. Anyway we checked in and found
our site tucked away in a corner but only a few metres walk to the
beach.
Middleton Beach Big 4 Caravan Park
Middleton Beach Big 4 Caravan Park
 |
| Red-capped
Plover |
2 New Holland Honeyeater
1 Willie Wagtail
After getting organised we took a beach walk, which was good with a Rock Parrot foraging in the dunes and several Carnaby's Black Cockatoo foraging in the shrubby vegetation at the back of the dunes. Red-capped Plover were darting in and out of the dunes to run along the beach. All providing good photo opportunities.
 |
| Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo |
Middleton Beach
2 Straw-necked
Ibis
7 Red-capped
Plover
19 Silver
Gull
5 Carnaby's
Black-Cockatoo
8 Galah
1 Rock
Parrot
1
Southern Emuwren
Our Japanese neighbours in a tent spent the evening
watching a noisy video but they eventually quietened down, this led
to us having a late night, after 9 O'clock!
 |
| Rock Parrot |
 |
| Sooty Oystercatcher |
8th November
Early morning went for a walk along Middleton Beach, where there was a lone Sooty Oystercatcher, to the Ellen Cove Boardwalk we had last visited in 1998. The boardwalk runs around the cliffs and is a good birding spot. Saw Red-eared Firetail, White-browed Robin and WA race of Silvereye among others. Also several Southern Brown Bandicoot were foraging along the edge of the boardwalk. Australian Magpie were on the grassy areas behind the beach looking for handouts along with a few Galah.
Ellen
Cove Boardwalk and Middleton Beach
1 Straw-necked
Ibis (flying over)
2 Australian
Pied Oystercatcher
1 Sooty
Oystercatcher
2 Red-capped
Plover
30 Silver
Gull
3 Common
Bronzewing
4 Carnaby's
Black-Cockatoo
9 Galah
 |
| Galah |
10 New
Holland Honeyeater
4 White-browed
Scrubwren (spotted)
2
Western Whistler
2 Rufous
Whistler
3 Australian
Magpie
2 Magpie-lark
2 Grey
Fantail
3
White-breasted Robin
7
Silvereye
2 Red-eared
Firetail
After breakfast we headed out to the nearby Lake Seppings where we took the walk around the lake. Walked half way around and returned to the car. Plenty of Australian Reed Warbler, Blue-billed Duck and a very obliging Common Bronzewing who posed for photos. Also on the board walk was a skink, Common Dwarf Skink Menetia greyii. Drove to the opposite side of the lake, where there is a bird hide, not much seen here, highlights were Musk Duck and Swamp Harrier flying over.
 |
| Silvereye - race gouldii |
4 Australian
Wood Duck
2 Pacific
Black Duck
11 Blue-billed
Duck
6 Musk
Duck
7 Australian
Pelican
2 White-faced
Heron
100 Australian
White Ibis
80 Straw-necked
Ibis
1 Swamp
Harrier
2 Australasian
Swamphen
4 Eurasian
Coot
1 Common
Bronzewing
1 Laughing
Kookaburra
3 Galah
2 Red-winged
Fairywren
4 Red
Wattlebird
4 New
Holland Honeyeater
1 White-browed
Scrubwren
2 Western
Gerygone
2 Australian
Magpie
1 Western
Whistler
1 Grey
Fantail
4 Australian
Raven
5 Welcome
Swallow
5 Australian
Reed-Warbler
2 Silvereye
 |
| Common Bronzewing |
Cheynes Beach Caravan Park
3 Common Bronzewing
2 Brush Bronzewing
2 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
20 Red Wattlebird
20 New Holland Honeyeater
2 White-browed Scrubwren
2 Grey Fantail
Went for a walk but did not find the targets but did see Black-shouldered Kite (new for the trip list) and Australian Kestrel.
Bald Island Road, Waychinicup National Park
4 Brown Quail
3 Common Bronzewing
2 Brush Bronzewing
2 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
20 Red Wattlebird
20 New Holland Honeyeater
2 White-browed Scrubwren
2 Grey Fantail
Went for a walk but did not find the targets but did see Black-shouldered Kite (new for the trip list) and Australian Kestrel.
Bald Island Road, Waychinicup National Park
4 Brown Quail
1 Black-shouldered Kite
1 Nankeen Kestrel
1 Southern Emuwren
30 New Holland Honeyeater
40 White-cheeked Honeyeater
1 White-browed Scrubwren
3 Australian Raven
8 Welcome Swallow
1 Silvereye
Heard two Southern Boobook calling during the evening, whilst we were having a hot green curry.
Cheynes Beach Caravan Park
4 Common Bronzewing
2 Brush Bronzewing
2 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
6 Galah
1 Purple-crowned Lorikeet
6 Red Wattlebird
7 New Holland Honeyeater
1 White-browed Scrubwren
2 Australian Magpie
1 Western Whistler
2 Australian Raven
1 White-breasted Robin
13 Tree Martin
The road was quiet so we headed to the Bald Island Track in the Waychinicup National Park.
We had only walked a few hundred meters when we heard a Western Bristlebird calling, then a movement in a small banksia before we saw the bird. It skulked around in the vegetation giving us tantalising views before it popped up onto a dead branch and continued calling allowing some great photos to be taken – hooray target one!
Also nearby were a group of Western Grey Kangaroo. Continued along the road until we came to a 3-way junction (about 1.3km from the Caravan Park), we decided to turn around here as it was getting late for breakfast! About halfway back to base we heard a Western Whipbird calling so stopped to look, a movement in a bush got our attention then up popped a bird onto the top of the bush. It was the Western Whipbird who stayed long enough for us to get good binocular views but no photo – another hooray and target two. Elated we had got our two target species we headed back for that well earned breakfast.
Bald Island Road, Waychinicup National Park
2 Brown Quail
Shortly after this it started to rain until late morning when we drove down to the beach for lunch. We had Splendid Fairy-wren for company here, the female was particularly cheeky coming into the van to pick up the crumbs whilst the male tried to chase off the wren in the vans wing mirror. A Noisy Scrub-bird called but did not show and a few beach birds showed.
Cheynes Beach
At 4.45 headed off to the Cheynes Beach loop track, where we were told to look for Noisy Scrub-bird, we were rewarded with 2 birds scurrying across the track. Big three in a day!
Cheynes Beach Loop Track
Fire-Break Track behind Caravan Park at -34.88769,
118.4036
1 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
1 Fan-tailed
Cuckoo
1 Nankeen Kestrel
3 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
11 Purple-crowned Lorikeet
1 Southern Emuwren
21 Red Wattlebird
1 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater
4 Brown Honeyeater
30 New Holland Honeyeater
20 White-cheeked Honeyeater.
2 White-browed Scrubwren
1 Western Whipbird
1 Grey Butcherbird
5 Australian Magpie (Western)
1 Grey Shrikethrush
1 Western Whistler
1 Grey Fantail
2 Australian Raven
26 Welcome Swallow
11 Tree Martin
5 Silvereye
Back for porridge to warm us up. Time to say goodbye to Cheynes Beach, which came up with the goods as it had done for many birders before. Next destination was Porongurup National Park where we arrived at 10.50am. After a coffee we decided to walk the 2.2km Skywalk Track, which was all up hill through some fantastic vegetation, with a few birds thrown in including this Inland Thornbill.
It was a good workout to get to the top,
where we found a lookout overlooking the surrounding countryside. We
also noticed another walk way and lookout above us, which was on the
outside of the cliffs supported by rods drilled into the rock face.
We had to get that bit higher so took the 65m track over rocks with
handles to haul yourself up. The final part to the platform was via a
vertical ladder but the effort was well worth it. Great panoramic
views both outwards an down through the metal mesh. The walk back
down to the car park was much easier!
Porongurup National Park - Castle Rock / Granite Skywalk Trail (1.3km)
Porongurup National Park - Castle Rock / Granite Skywalk Trail (Final 1.0km)1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
3 Inland Thornbill
1 Western Gerygone
1 Grey Shrikethrush
3 Western Whistler
3 Grey Fantail
5 Welcome Swallow
11th November
Cold and miserable start to the morning with a little light drizzle as well. A short walk around the park and adjacent road added a few birds to our trip list.
1 Nankeen Kestrel
1 Southern Emuwren
30 New Holland Honeyeater
40 White-cheeked Honeyeater
1 White-browed Scrubwren
3 Australian Raven
8 Welcome Swallow
1 Silvereye
Heard two Southern Boobook calling during the evening, whilst we were having a hot green curry.
9th
November
13ºC overnight but it felt a lot cooler than that. Up at 6.00 for a quick walk around the caravan park and
the fire break road behind for 30 minutes.
 |
| Australian Magpie |
4 Common Bronzewing
2 Brush Bronzewing
2 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
6 Galah
1 Purple-crowned Lorikeet
6 Red Wattlebird
7 New Holland Honeyeater
1 White-browed Scrubwren
2 Australian Magpie
1 Western Whistler
2 Australian Raven
1 White-breasted Robin
13 Tree Martin
The road was quiet so we headed to the Bald Island Track in the Waychinicup National Park.
We had only walked a few hundred meters when we heard a Western Bristlebird calling, then a movement in a small banksia before we saw the bird. It skulked around in the vegetation giving us tantalising views before it popped up onto a dead branch and continued calling allowing some great photos to be taken – hooray target one!
 |
| Western Bristlebird |
Lindsay then turned around and found a Honey Possum
feeding on the nectar of a banksia, brilliant, what a great little
mammal, Australia's smallest possum
 |
| Honey Possum |
 |
| Western Grey Kangaroo |
Also nearby were a group of Western Grey Kangaroo. Continued along the road until we came to a 3-way junction (about 1.3km from the Caravan Park), we decided to turn around here as it was getting late for breakfast! About halfway back to base we heard a Western Whipbird calling so stopped to look, a movement in a bush got our attention then up popped a bird onto the top of the bush. It was the Western Whipbird who stayed long enough for us to get good binocular views but no photo – another hooray and target two. Elated we had got our two target species we headed back for that well earned breakfast.
Bald Island Road, Waychinicup National Park
2 Brown Quail
1 Black-shouldered
Kite
2 Brush Bronzewing
1 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
2 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
2 Southern Emuwren
1 Western Wattlebird
6 Red Wattlebird
5 New Holland Honeyeater
16 White-cheeked Honeyeater
2 Western Bristlebird
1 Western Whipbird
1 Black-faced Cuckooshrike
1 White-breasted Robin
2 Brush Bronzewing
1 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
2 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
2 Southern Emuwren
1 Western Wattlebird
6 Red Wattlebird
5 New Holland Honeyeater
16 White-cheeked Honeyeater
2 Western Bristlebird
1 Western Whipbird
1 Black-faced Cuckooshrike
1 White-breasted Robin
Shortly after this it started to rain until late morning when we drove down to the beach for lunch. We had Splendid Fairy-wren for company here, the female was particularly cheeky coming into the van to pick up the crumbs whilst the male tried to chase off the wren in the vans wing mirror. A Noisy Scrub-bird called but did not show and a few beach birds showed.
 |
| Splendid Fairy-wren (F) |
 |
| Splendid Fairy-wren (M) |
2 Sooty
Oystercatcher
2 Silver
Gull
1 Pacific
Gull
11 Crested
Tern
1 Common
Bronzewing
1 Fan-tailed
Cuckoo
1 Noisy
Scrub-bird
2 Splendid
Fairywren
3 New
Holland Honeyeater
1 Black-faced
Cuckooshrike
1 Western
Whistler
1 Willie
Wagtail
2 Grey
Fantail
8 Welcome
Swallow
8 Silvereye
1 Australasian
Pipit
Lazy afternoon at the Caravan Park.
Cheynes Beach Caravan Park
1 Silver Gull
6 Common Bronzewing
1 Silver Gull
6 Common Bronzewing
4 Galah
8 Red
Wattlebird
2 New
Holland Honeyeater
1 Grey
Fantail
2 Australian
Raven
18 Tree
Martin
 |
| Silver Gull |
At 4.45 headed off to the Cheynes Beach loop track, where we were told to look for Noisy Scrub-bird, we were rewarded with 2 birds scurrying across the track. Big three in a day!
1 Brush
Bronzewing
2 Purple-crowned
Lorikeet
2 Noisy
Scrub-bird
2 Splendid
Fairywren
2 Red Wattlebird
2 New Holland Honeyeater
2 White-breasted Robin
3 Silvereye
2 Red Wattlebird
2 New Holland Honeyeater
2 White-breasted Robin
3 Silvereye
10th
November
A bit cooler overnight, down to 11ºC. Off at 6.30 to
walk along the fire-break track behind the caravan park, this time we
headed further along the track towards the hills. First up we had 12
Purple-crowned Lorikeet fly into the park before we saw a male
Southern Emu-wren, Grey Butcherbird and Tawny-crowned Honeyeater
amongst others along the track. Quite a few flowers in bloom
including this Banksia coccinea,
which was attracting White-cheeked Honeyeater. Also flowering here was the Basket Flower Adenanthos obovatus
 |
| White-cheeked Honeyeater |
 |
| Basket Flower Adenanthos obovatus |
 |
| Silvereye - race gouldii |
1 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
 |
| New Holland Honeyeater |
1 Nankeen Kestrel
3 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
11 Purple-crowned Lorikeet
1 Southern Emuwren
21 Red Wattlebird
1 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater
4 Brown Honeyeater
30 New Holland Honeyeater
20 White-cheeked Honeyeater.
2 White-browed Scrubwren
1 Western Whipbird
1 Grey Butcherbird
5 Australian Magpie (Western)
1 Grey Shrikethrush
1 Western Whistler
1 Grey Fantail
2 Australian Raven
26 Welcome Swallow
11 Tree Martin
5 Silvereye
Back for porridge to warm us up. Time to say goodbye to Cheynes Beach, which came up with the goods as it had done for many birders before. Next destination was Porongurup National Park where we arrived at 10.50am. After a coffee we decided to walk the 2.2km Skywalk Track, which was all up hill through some fantastic vegetation, with a few birds thrown in including this Inland Thornbill.
 |
| Inland Thornbill |
Porongurup National Park - Castle Rock / Granite Skywalk Trail (1.3km)
 |
| Western Whistler |
1 Shining
Bronze-Cuckoo
1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
3 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
3 White-browed Scrubwren
4 Inland Thornbill
2 Western Gerygone
4 Grey Shrikethrush
6 Western Whistler
2 Rufous Whistler
1 White-breasted Robin
3 Silvereye
1 Red-eared Firetail
1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
3 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
3 White-browed Scrubwren
4 Inland Thornbill
2 Western Gerygone
4 Grey Shrikethrush
6 Western Whistler
2 Rufous Whistler
1 White-breasted Robin
3 Silvereye
1 Red-eared Firetail
Porongurup National Park - Castle Rock / Granite Skywalk Trail (Final 1.0km)1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
3 Inland Thornbill
1 Western Gerygone
1 Grey Shrikethrush
3 Western Whistler
3 Grey Fantail
5 Welcome Swallow
Decided to stay in the Porongurup Range Tourist Park
which is adjacent to the National Park. Here we had a late lunch at
2.00pm. Our afternoon plans were thwarted by heavy rain, which set in
for the afternoon but gave us an opportunity to sort out photos.
11th November
Cold and miserable start to the morning with a little light drizzle as well. A short walk around the park and adjacent road added a few birds to our trip list.
Porongurup Range Tourist Park
1 Wedge-tailed Eagle
Porongurup NP, Tree in the Rock Day Use Area.
Near by is the Wilson Inlet Heritage Walk Trail so we decided to continue our walk along here before breakfast.
Good
internet connection at the caravan park so caught up with some eBird surveys. Drove into town, where there is a good IGA supermarket, to
get some food supplies. It was 11.30 before we left Denmark heading
North-west towards Walpole. Took a detour to Coalmine Beach for lunch
and some birding, not much around with highlights being Red-winged
and Splendid Fairy-wren along with a White-browed Scrubwren.
Coalmine Beach Picnic Area
1 Wedge-tailed Eagle
5 Fan-tailed
Cuckoo
1 Western Rosella
3 Red Wattlebird
11 New Holland Honeyeater
1 White-browed Scrubwren
3 Australian Magpie
2 Western Whistler
4 Australian Raven
1 Western Rosella
3 Red Wattlebird
11 New Holland Honeyeater
1 White-browed Scrubwren
3 Australian Magpie
2 Western Whistler
4 Australian Raven
We left the Tourist Park and headed of to Porongurup NP,
where we parked at the Tree in the Rock day use area and managed some
birding in between showers, highlights here were Baudin's Black
Cockatoo and Red-winged Fairy-wren.
 |
| Baudin's Black Cockatoo |
1 Common
Bronzewing
1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
20 Baudin's Black-Cockatoo (Estimate)
1 Elegant Parrot
1 Western Rosella
3 Rufous Treecreeper
2 Gilbert's Honeyeater
4 White-browed Scrubwren
1 Grey Shrikethrush
1 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
1 Australian Raven
3 White-breasted Robin
Twin Creeks Conservation Reserve
1 Shining
Bronze-Cuckoo
3 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
2 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
8 Regent Parrot
6 Australian Ringneck
2 Western Rosella
2 New Holland Honeyeater
1 Gilbert's Honeyeater
1 Western Gerygone
1 Grey Shrikethrush
1 Western Whistler
1 Rufous Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
1 Magpie-lark
1 Australian Raven
1 Western Yellow Robin
1 Welcome Swallow
3 Silvereye
Next stop was the information centre at Mt. Barker to
make use of some free WI-FI from the adjacent Telstra Air internet
connection at the public phone box. Had a male Western Spinebill here.
From here we had an uneventful drive to Denmark where we booked into the Riverside Caravan Park, which is in a lovely setting at the mouth of the Denmark River. Plenty of birds around including a Little Corella and a Galah who had paired up and were feeding two cross bred youngsters who looked like very pale galahs.
1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
20 Baudin's Black-Cockatoo (Estimate)
1 Elegant Parrot
1 Western Rosella
3 Rufous Treecreeper
2 Gilbert's Honeyeater
4 White-browed Scrubwren
1 Grey Shrikethrush
1 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
1 Australian Raven
3 White-breasted Robin
A short distance from Porongurup NP is the 511 hectare
Twin Creeks Conservation Reserve, which is now a National Trust
Property. The property came up for sale in 2002 and the community was
determined to save it from development so they raised $200,000 and
obtained another $200,000 from the government's National Reserve
System Program towards purchase and establishment costs. It is part
of an Internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot containing many
diverse habitats such as, Jarrah, Marri, Ponongurup Karri and Wandoo
Woodlands as well as heathlands. Highlights here were three
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Regent Parrot, four Western Rosella,
Western Yellow Robin and Rufous Whistler.
 |
| Red-tailed Bl. Cockatoo ssp. naso (F) |
 |
| Red-tailed Bl. Cockatoo ssp. naso (M) |
Twin Creeks Conservation Reserve
 |
| Western Spinebill (M) |
3 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
2 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
8 Regent Parrot
6 Australian Ringneck
2 Western Rosella
2 New Holland Honeyeater
1 Gilbert's Honeyeater
1 Western Gerygone
1 Grey Shrikethrush
1 Western Whistler
1 Rufous Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
1 Magpie-lark
1 Australian Raven
1 Western Yellow Robin
1 Welcome Swallow
3 Silvereye
From here we had an uneventful drive to Denmark where we booked into the Riverside Caravan Park, which is in a lovely setting at the mouth of the Denmark River. Plenty of birds around including a Little Corella and a Galah who had paired up and were feeding two cross bred youngsters who looked like very pale galahs.
Riverside
Caravan Park, Denmark
27 Australian Wood Duck
5 Little Black Cormorant
2 Australian Pelican
1 Silver Gull
6 Galah
4 Little Corella
2 Red Wattlebird
In the afternoon we arranged to meet Lorraine and Geoff, Lorraine is Lindsay's 4th cousin once removed and has been compairing family history. They took us on a conducted tour of the area, which is very scenic with plenty of lookouts over the ocean. Back to their house for afternoon tea before going out in the evening to the local hotel for dinner. Back to the campervan by 7.30 by which time it had cooled down considerably from the near 40ºC during the day.
12th
November
27 Australian Wood Duck
5 Little Black Cormorant
2 Australian Pelican
1 Silver Gull
6 Galah
4 Little Corella
2 Red Wattlebird
In the afternoon we arranged to meet Lorraine and Geoff, Lorraine is Lindsay's 4th cousin once removed and has been compairing family history. They took us on a conducted tour of the area, which is very scenic with plenty of lookouts over the ocean. Back to their house for afternoon tea before going out in the evening to the local hotel for dinner. Back to the campervan by 7.30 by which time it had cooled down considerably from the near 40ºC during the day.
 |
| Little Pied Cormorant |
Had an early morning walk around the caravan park and
Wilson's Inlet. At the mouth of the river we counted 53 nests of Little Black Cormorant, 12 were occupied.
Riverside Caravan Park and Wilson Inlet, Denmark
40 Australian Wood Duck
5 Little Pied Cormorant
51 Little Black Cormorant
64 Australian Pelican
1 White-faced Heron
3 Australian White Ibis
29 Silver Gull
6 Galah
3 Little Corella
3 Australian Ringneck (Twenty-eight)
3 Australian Magpie (Western)
2 Australian Raven
8 Welcome Swallow
40 Australian Wood Duck
5 Little Pied Cormorant
51 Little Black Cormorant
64 Australian Pelican
1 White-faced Heron
3 Australian White Ibis
29 Silver Gull
6 Galah
3 Little Corella
3 Australian Ringneck (Twenty-eight)
3 Australian Magpie (Western)
2 Australian Raven
8 Welcome Swallow
 |
| Welcome Swallow (immature) |
Near by is the Wilson Inlet Heritage Walk Trail so we decided to continue our walk along here before breakfast.
Wilson
Inlet Heritage Walk Trail
1 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
2 Laughing Kookaburra
2 Red-winged Fairywren
2 Red Wattlebird
2 White-browed Scrubwren
1 Inland Thornbill
2 Australian Magpie
1 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
1 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
2 Laughing Kookaburra
2 Red-winged Fairywren
2 Red Wattlebird
2 White-browed Scrubwren
1 Inland Thornbill
2 Australian Magpie
1 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
 |
| Inland Thornbill |
Coalmine Beach Picnic Area
1 Australian
Pelican
1 Silver Gull
2 Red-winged Fairywren
2 Splendid Fairywren
2 Red Wattlebird
2 White-browed Scrubwren
1 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
6 Silvereye
Shannon
National Park
2 Red-winged Fairywren
1 Western Gerygone
2 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
1 Australian Raven
1 White-breasted Robin
Reached Warren NP only to find the camping areas closed, we found out later that road works had just been completed when they got washed away in a heavy downpour making it impassable. The nearest town is Pemberton so we headed there and checked out the caravan park but noticed there was a nearby camping area at Big Brook Arboretum (GPS: -34.4045, 116.004) in the Greater Beedelup National Park. So we checked this out, a small camping area
which was almost full but we found a spot on an old track adjacent to the designated area. Only costs $7.50 per adult a night. Nice location but a bit noisy, children and a generator the main culprits but we did not have to walk far to get away from them.
The park is set in the karri forest, the Smooth Barked Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) being the major tree species found here along with Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and Marri (Corymbia calophylla). Other species like Swamp Peppermint (Agonis linearifolia), Water Bush, Myrtle Wattle (Acacia myrtifolia) and Lemon-scented Darwinia (Darwinia citriodora) like the swampy areas.
Big Brook Arboretum Camp Ground, Greater Beedelup National Park
1 Laughing Kookaburra
3 Gilbert's Honeyeater
1 Striated Pardalote
2 Western Gerygone
4 Australian Magpie (Western)
1 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
13th November
Cold night down to 9ºC but managed to get out of bed and into birding at 6.20am! Did a 1km walk along the roads managing to see a few birds in the tall trees.
Big Brook Arboretum Camp Ground and surrounds, Greater Beedelup National Park
1 Common Bronzewing
2 Laughing Kookaburra
2 Gilbert's Honeyeater
6 Striated Pardalote
1 White-browed Scrubwren
2 Western Gerygone
4 Australian Magpie (Western)
3 Grey Currawong
7 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
1 Scarlet Robin
1 White-breasted Robin
Back at the van it was porridge for breakfast to warm up! Got on the road to Pemberton by 7.40am where we stopped to use their very good amenities block. From here we took the road to Bunbury stopping at Fettlers Park in Boyanup for a coffee, not a spectacular birding spot!
Fettlers Park, Boyanup
3 Red Wattlebird
8 Brown Honeyeater
1 New Holland Honeyeater
Next stop was the information centre in Bunbury which did not have free WI-Fi like most other information centres. They directed us to the outdoor entertainment centre adjacent which did have Wi-Fi. We then took the coast road north stopping at Australind next to the ocean and opposite a paddock full of Kangaroos.
By now we were running out of fuel so we got back onto the main Perth road where we found a fuel station selling petrol for 12c a litre cheaper than Bunbury. It was buzzing with people, apparently they are well known for their food as well as the cheaper fuel. Heading north again we turned back onto the coast road and found the Estuary Hideway Holiday Park, which was better than the name suggests. We had a campsite right next to the waters of the Harvey Estuary, which is south of Mandurah. It was a good spot for birding and photography.
Estuary Hideway Holiday Park and Harvey Estuary
14th November
Walked along the foreshore before breakfast and had a good number of species.
17 Grey
Teal
14 Little Pied Cormorant
4 Little Black Cormorant
60 Australian Pelican
1 Great Egret
1 White-faced Heron
4 Silver Gull
1 Caspian Tern
1 Crested Tern
1 Common Bronzewing
11 Galah
3 Australian Ringneck (Twenty- eight)
6 Red Wattlebird
8 Striated Pardalote
3 Australian Magpie
2 Willie Wagtail
2 Magpie-lark
3 Australian Raven
3 Welcome Swallow
Left before 8.00am to head to our next destination which was Lake McLarty Nature Reserve, this meant heading north on the Perth highway and taking a left turn onto Mills Road. The reserve is approximately 90km south-east of Perth on the eastern side of the Harvey Estuary within the Swan Coastal Plain. More information can be found here. We did a survey in the woodlands at the southern end of the lake. The temperature rose to the mid 30's.whilst walking to the lake making it a bit unpleasant out in the open.
Lake McLarty Nature Reserve, Southern End Woodlands
1 Whistling Kite
1 Laughing Kookaburra
2 Rainbow Bee-eater
2 Galah
11 Australian Ringneck
3 Striated Pardalote
8 Western Gerygone
1 Grey Butcherbird
16 Australian Magpie (Western)
2 Rufous Whistler
1 Willie Wagtail
4 Grey Fantail
4 Australian Raven
The lake was a bit disappointing with few birds, mainly Black Swans. There were many cygnets and at least 23 active nests. There was a constant background of guns going off, not sure if they were aimed at the wildlife or just scare guns for nearby crops.
Lake McLarty Nature Reserve
370 Black Swan
17 Australian Shelduck
5 Pacific Black Duck
3 Grey Teal
3 Little Pied Cormorant
9 White-faced Heron
6 Australian White Ibis
2 Whistling Kite
It was getting too hot for the birds and us so we made it back to the campervan and headed off in the non air-conditioned (broken still) vehicle. Called into the Coodanup Foreshore Reserve at the end of John Street, Coodanup, Mandurah, where there is a bird hide overlooking the foreshore mudflats. It was locked when we visited and the tide was very low exposing a huge expanse of mudflats making it difficult to see many shorebirds. There was an Osprey perched in a tree next to the hide who was quite unconcerned about us.
33 Australian Pelican
6 Great Egret
8 Little Egret
1 Osprey
1 Whistling Kite
2 Australian Pied Oystercatcher
143 Silver Gull
3 Caspian Tern
8 Crested Tern
2 Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
1 Western Gerygone
1 Willie Wagtail
From here we drove into Mandurah and found the information centre where they had a free Wi-Fi connection, which was good as we received our ticketing information for our trip to Christmas and Cocos-Keeling Island. We found a spot in Hall Park down by the waterfront to have our lunch.
Hall Park (Mandurah)
23 Silver Gull
3 Galah
5 Red Wattlebird
3 Brown Honeyeater
2 Australian Magpie
3 Willie Wagtail
4 Australian Raven
Temperatures were rising, up to 39ºC, which made driving around in the non air-conditioned camper-van very unpleasant, however we persevered and made it into Perth. Found the Perth Discovery Tourist Park and checked into a rather crowded camping/caravan area. Tried to log into the Wi-Fi with the password reception gave us but it would not work as we were too far from the office. Even back down at the office it would not work so we got another password, which eventually did work. Spent a few hours uploading 19 bird surveys onto the eBird site.
Still hot with the temperature in the van going over 40ºC! The evening was spent relaxing and watching the “Big Moon”.
After all this excitement it was off to bed with all the windows open to try and get some air into the van and cool it down.
Perth
Discovery Tourist Park
1 Pacific Black Duck
2
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
15th November
Restless nights sleep due to heat and a few mosquitoes. Woke up early at 5.15 so we organised the van and with plenty of time to kill we parked up at the front of the park and used the Wi-Fi. From here we headed into Perth to drop off the van. The sat-nav proved it's worth as it guided us through a maze of roads to the rental return via a fuel station. Air-conditioning still not working so we got a days rental on the hire of the van refunded as compensation. End of our WA 10 days.
1 Silver Gull
2 Red-winged Fairywren
2 Splendid Fairywren
2 Red Wattlebird
2 White-browed Scrubwren
1 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
6 Silvereye
After
lunch we re-fuelled at Walpole and continued onto Warren National
Park, a place we had camped at 18 years ago. In between we stopped
for a smoko break in the Shannon National Park.
 |
| White-browed Scrubwren |
2 Red-winged Fairywren
1 Western Gerygone
2 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
1 Australian Raven
1 White-breasted Robin
 |
| White-breasted Robin |
Reached Warren NP only to find the camping areas closed, we found out later that road works had just been completed when they got washed away in a heavy downpour making it impassable. The nearest town is Pemberton so we headed there and checked out the caravan park but noticed there was a nearby camping area at Big Brook Arboretum (GPS: -34.4045, 116.004) in the Greater Beedelup National Park. So we checked this out, a small camping area
which was almost full but we found a spot on an old track adjacent to the designated area. Only costs $7.50 per adult a night. Nice location but a bit noisy, children and a generator the main culprits but we did not have to walk far to get away from them.
The park is set in the karri forest, the Smooth Barked Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) being the major tree species found here along with Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and Marri (Corymbia calophylla). Other species like Swamp Peppermint (Agonis linearifolia), Water Bush, Myrtle Wattle (Acacia myrtifolia) and Lemon-scented Darwinia (Darwinia citriodora) like the swampy areas.
 |
| Australian Magpie (Western) |
1 Laughing Kookaburra
3 Gilbert's Honeyeater
1 Striated Pardalote
2 Western Gerygone
4 Australian Magpie (Western)
1 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
13th November
Cold night down to 9ºC but managed to get out of bed and into birding at 6.20am! Did a 1km walk along the roads managing to see a few birds in the tall trees.
Big Brook Arboretum Camp Ground and surrounds, Greater Beedelup National Park
1 Common Bronzewing
2 Laughing Kookaburra
2 Gilbert's Honeyeater
6 Striated Pardalote
1 White-browed Scrubwren
2 Western Gerygone
4 Australian Magpie (Western)
3 Grey Currawong
7 Western Whistler
2 Grey Fantail
1 Scarlet Robin
1 White-breasted Robin
Back at the van it was porridge for breakfast to warm up! Got on the road to Pemberton by 7.40am where we stopped to use their very good amenities block. From here we took the road to Bunbury stopping at Fettlers Park in Boyanup for a coffee, not a spectacular birding spot!
Fettlers Park, Boyanup
3 Red Wattlebird
8 Brown Honeyeater
1 New Holland Honeyeater
Next stop was the information centre in Bunbury which did not have free WI-Fi like most other information centres. They directed us to the outdoor entertainment centre adjacent which did have Wi-Fi. We then took the coast road north stopping at Australind next to the ocean and opposite a paddock full of Kangaroos.
 |
| Little Pied Cormorant |
Cathederal Ave, Leschenault, Australind
1 Little Pied Cormorant
1 Little Pied Cormorant
4 Little
Black Cormorant
1 Australian
Pelican
1 Little
Egret
1 Straw-necked
Ibis
9 Silver
Gull
1 Crested
Tern
1 Galah
1 Red
Wattlebird
2 Grey
Butcherbird
By now we were running out of fuel so we got back onto the main Perth road where we found a fuel station selling petrol for 12c a litre cheaper than Bunbury. It was buzzing with people, apparently they are well known for their food as well as the cheaper fuel. Heading north again we turned back onto the coast road and found the Estuary Hideway Holiday Park, which was better than the name suggests. We had a campsite right next to the waters of the Harvey Estuary, which is south of Mandurah. It was a good spot for birding and photography.
Estuary Hideway Holiday Park and Harvey Estuary
2 Grey
Teal
3 Little
Pied Cormorant
1 White-faced
Heron
2 Australian P. Oystercatcher
 |
| Australian Pied Oystercatcher |
1 Common
Sandpiper
36 Silver
Gull
1 Caspian
Tern
3 Crested
Tern
1 Common
Bronzewing
2 Laughing
Kookaburra
2 Galah
8 Australian
Ringneck
1 Red-capped
Parrot
1 Splendid
Fairywren
3 Red
Wattlebird
4 Striated
Pardalote
1 White-browed
Scrubwren
3 Inland
Thornbill
6 Australian
Magpie (Western)
2 Willie
Wagtail
2 Magpie-lark
5 Australian
Raven
2 Welcome
Swallow
14th November
Walked along the foreshore before breakfast and had a good number of species.
 |
| Red Wattlebird |
Estuary Hideway Holiday Park and shores of Harvey Estuary
1 Australian Wood Duck
1 Australian Wood Duck
14 Little Pied Cormorant
4 Little Black Cormorant
60 Australian Pelican
1 Great Egret
1 White-faced Heron
4 Silver Gull
1 Caspian Tern
1 Crested Tern
1 Common Bronzewing
11 Galah
3 Australian Ringneck (Twenty- eight)
6 Red Wattlebird
8 Striated Pardalote
3 Australian Magpie
2 Willie Wagtail
2 Magpie-lark
3 Australian Raven
3 Welcome Swallow
Left before 8.00am to head to our next destination which was Lake McLarty Nature Reserve, this meant heading north on the Perth highway and taking a left turn onto Mills Road. The reserve is approximately 90km south-east of Perth on the eastern side of the Harvey Estuary within the Swan Coastal Plain. More information can be found here. We did a survey in the woodlands at the southern end of the lake. The temperature rose to the mid 30's.whilst walking to the lake making it a bit unpleasant out in the open.
Lake McLarty Nature Reserve, Southern End Woodlands
1 Whistling Kite
1 Laughing Kookaburra
2 Rainbow Bee-eater
2 Galah
11 Australian Ringneck
3 Striated Pardalote
8 Western Gerygone
1 Grey Butcherbird
16 Australian Magpie (Western)
2 Rufous Whistler
1 Willie Wagtail
4 Grey Fantail
4 Australian Raven
The lake was a bit disappointing with few birds, mainly Black Swans. There were many cygnets and at least 23 active nests. There was a constant background of guns going off, not sure if they were aimed at the wildlife or just scare guns for nearby crops.
 |
| White-necked Heron |
370 Black Swan
17 Australian Shelduck
5 Pacific Black Duck
3 Grey Teal
3 Little Pied Cormorant
9 White-faced Heron
6 Australian White Ibis
2 Whistling Kite
It was getting too hot for the birds and us so we made it back to the campervan and headed off in the non air-conditioned (broken still) vehicle. Called into the Coodanup Foreshore Reserve at the end of John Street, Coodanup, Mandurah, where there is a bird hide overlooking the foreshore mudflats. It was locked when we visited and the tide was very low exposing a huge expanse of mudflats making it difficult to see many shorebirds. There was an Osprey perched in a tree next to the hide who was quite unconcerned about us.
 |
| Osprey |
Coodanup
Foreshore Reserve
4 Little
Pied Cormorant33 Australian Pelican
6 Great Egret
8 Little Egret
1 Osprey
1 Whistling Kite
2 Australian Pied Oystercatcher
143 Silver Gull
3 Caspian Tern
8 Crested Tern
2 Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
1 Western Gerygone
1 Willie Wagtail
From here we drove into Mandurah and found the information centre where they had a free Wi-Fi connection, which was good as we received our ticketing information for our trip to Christmas and Cocos-Keeling Island. We found a spot in Hall Park down by the waterfront to have our lunch.
Hall Park (Mandurah)
23 Silver Gull
3 Galah
5 Red Wattlebird
3 Brown Honeyeater
2 Australian Magpie
3 Willie Wagtail
4 Australian Raven
Temperatures were rising, up to 39ºC, which made driving around in the non air-conditioned camper-van very unpleasant, however we persevered and made it into Perth. Found the Perth Discovery Tourist Park and checked into a rather crowded camping/caravan area. Tried to log into the Wi-Fi with the password reception gave us but it would not work as we were too far from the office. Even back down at the office it would not work so we got another password, which eventually did work. Spent a few hours uploading 19 bird surveys onto the eBird site.
Still hot with the temperature in the van going over 40ºC! The evening was spent relaxing and watching the “Big Moon”.
After all this excitement it was off to bed with all the windows open to try and get some air into the van and cool it down.
1 Pacific Black Duck
 |
| Little Corella |
2
Laughing Dove
2
Common Bronzewing
7
Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
2
Galah
4
Little Corella
6
Australian Ringneck
5
Rainbow Lorikeet
2
Red Wattlebird
2
Singing Honeyeater
2
Brown Honeyeater
2
Striated Pardalote (Striated)
1
Grey Butcherbird
4
Australian Magpie (Western)
2
Willie Wagtail
2
Magpie-lark
15th November
Restless nights sleep due to heat and a few mosquitoes. Woke up early at 5.15 so we organised the van and with plenty of time to kill we parked up at the front of the park and used the Wi-Fi. From here we headed into Perth to drop off the van. The sat-nav proved it's worth as it guided us through a maze of roads to the rental return via a fuel station. Air-conditioning still not working so we got a days rental on the hire of the van refunded as compensation. End of our WA 10 days.
