Trip map shows major towns we visited plus camp and caravan park stops in our journey of 10,143km.
Part 1 Julatten - Broome August - September 2018
This trip was mainly to attend the Birdlife Australia Congress and Campout in Broome and the nearby Broome Bird Observatory with a side trip to Darwin to catch up with old friends.Day 1 13/8/18
Left Julatten just after 9.am with a stop in Mareeba to stock up on supplies. Then onto Mt. Hypipamee via Atherton for lunch, quiet for birds but a steady flow of tourists arrived.
Australian Brushturkey
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Australian)
Wompoo Fruit-Dove
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
Australian Swiftlet
Rainbow Lorikeet (Rainbow)
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
White-throated Treecreeper
Lewin's Honeyeater
Bridled Honeyeater
Atherton Scrubwren
Mountain Thornbill
Brown Gerygone
Eastern Whipbird
Pied Currawong
Grey Fantail (keasti)
Victoria's Riflebird
Pale-yellow Robin
Grey-headed Robin
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| Brown Cuckoo Dove |
Had lunch then continued on to Mt. Garnet, where we knew the fuel was the cheapest around, $1.46.9 ($1.55.9 everywhere else). Filled up the car and the 20lt gerry can (111lt). Next stop was the 40 Mile Scrub for a coffee. Few birds here, two Lewin’s Honeyeater, two Torresian Crow plus a single Laughing Kookaburra on a powerline. From here we drove to Mt. Surprise (45min) and managed to hit a small bullock along the way who came charging out of the grass in front of the car – unavoidable. Broke the rego plate protector and slightly bent the holding bracket and shifted the bull bar back a few millimeters. The bullock disappeared into the bush. Booked into the Bedrock Village camp ground at Mt. Surprise just after 4.00pm and set up camp. A check of the birds found Brown Honeyeater were the most common, with the noisy Blue-faced Honeyeater harassing them plus Grey-crowned Babbler calling in the distance.
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| Grey-crowned Babbler |
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Galah
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet
Great Bowerbird
Yellow Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Pied Currawong
Torresian Crow
Day 2 14/8/18
Early morning before dawn a Tawny Frogmouth was calling beside our camp waking us up at 5.30. Up at first light for a hot drink, as it was a cool morning (7ºC), and a quick check of the birds around the Bedrock Village Caravan Park.
Mount Surprise--Bedrock Village -18.1478914 144.3193662 06:50am
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Rainbow)
Great Bowerbird
Yellow Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Pied Butcherbird
Pied Currawong
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Grey Fantail
Torresian Crow
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| Yellow Honeyeater |
Then took a rocky pathway (old volcanic rocks) to nearby Elizabeth Creek, where there were a few birds such as Pale-headed Rosella, Red-winged Parrot and Leaden Flycatcher. Along the way we had a Great Bowerbird calling from a tree near his bower.
Elizabeth Creek -18.14258 144.32767 08-14-2018 07:10am |
| Elizabeth Creek |
Peaceful Dove
Red-winged Parrot
Pale-headed Rosella
Rainbow Lorikeet (Rainbow)
Great Bowerbird
Yellow Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
Rufous Whistler
Grey Fantail
Leaden Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
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| Red-winged Parrot |
Packed up and headed to Georgetown, where we topped up the fuel. ($1.48.9lt). Then onto Cumberland Dam, 20km west along the Savannah Highway, a great birding spot. Look out for the big chimney on the left. This area has now been set up for free camping. Only a few caravans when we arrived but a few more came in whilst we were having a coffee and counting the birds on the lagoon. These arrivals were just checking out the facilities and not staying. Several of them were interest in the birds so we showed them some through the scope. Also met a guest from our days running Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge, who was camped here. Not too many waterbirds around, just a few Green Pygmy-goose, Jacana, Plumed Whistling Duck and Red-tailed Black Cockatoo perched in the surrounding trees were the best.
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| Cumberland Dam with our transport and T-Van camper-trailer |
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Green Pygmy-Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Eurasian Coot
Black-fronted Dotterel
Comb-crested Jacana
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Black Kite
Forest Kingfisher
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Budgerigar
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
Fairy Martin
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Australasian Darter
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Then onto Croydon 128km away, for a 30 min lunch stop, which we had at Reese Park, which is in the middle of town - tables, benches and amenities.
Reese Park, Croydon -18.2036092 142.2453514 08-14-2018 12:50pm
Masked Lapwing
Black Kite
Galah
Rainbow Lorikeet
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
Carried on towards our intended overnight stop at Leichardt Lagoon. Had a drink break at Blackbull Siding.
Blackbull -17.9407 141.75534 08-14-2018 02:25pmPeaceful Dove
Black Kite
Brown Honeyeater
Willie Wagtail
Torresian Crow
Zebra Finch
Arrived at Leichardt Lagoon (also known as Twelve Mile Lagoon) just before 4.00pm. This is a great camp for a small fee, even hot showers and excellent birding both on the lagoon and surrounding woodland. Set up camp before checking out the birds on the lagoon. Lots of birds but few species, mainly Comb-crested Jacana, Cattle Egret, Australasian Darter and Straw-necked Ibis. The woodland area proved to be more productive with Blue-winged Kookaburra, Red-throated Honeyeater, Weebill, Grey-crowned Babbler, Common Bronzewing, Apostlebird and White-winged Triller.
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Blue-winged Kookaburra
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| Cattle Egret |
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Apostlebird
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Twelve Mile Lagoon/Leichhardt Lagoon -17.85139 141.12694 4.30pm
Magpie Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Common Bronzewing
Peaceful Dove
Brolga
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Gull-billed Tern
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
White-necked Heron
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
Pied Heron
Cattle Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Galah
Red-winged Parrot
Varied Lorikeet
Yellow Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Weebill
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
Black-faced Woodswallow
Grey Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
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| Leichardt Lagoon Camp |
Several generators were going on and off during the evening, which was very annoying. The closest two eventually stopped but a distant one kept going, definitely not an asset to the camp ground.
Day 3 Wednesday 15/8/18
Was woken up by a Tawny Frogmouth calling outside the T-Van at 5.20am. Got up at first light to a 7ºC morning. Had a hot drink to warm up before going for a walk along the edge of the lagoon, plenty of birds but only added White-faced Heron and White-bellied Sea-Eagle to the trip list.
Twelve Mile Lagoon/Leichhardt Lagoon -17.85139 141.12694 06:45am
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type)
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Brolga
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Gull-billed Tern
Australasian Darter
White-necked Heron
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
Cattle Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Grey-crowned Babbler
Australian Magpie
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Tree Martin
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White-necked Heron
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Straw-necked Ibis
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Then walked the fence line beside the woodland area. Nothing much happening here apart from 100+ Apostlebird, along with a few Black and Whistling Kite resting in the trees.
Twelve Mile Lagoon/Leichhardt Lagoon -17.85139 141.12694 07.05am
Packed up and left by 9.00am heading west towards Normanton until we came to the Burke Development Road, where we turned south towards the Burke and Wills Roadhouse. New birds for the trip on this stretch of road were Australian Pratincole and Australian Kestrel. Arrived at the roadhouse just before 12 midday in time for lunch. Set up the table and chairs and watched fellow travellers as we ate. We were joined by a group of 50+ Apostlebird looking for a hand out, only got a few crumbs.
Burke and Wills Roadhouse -19.22806 140.34694 11:53am
Twelve Mile Lagoon/Leichhardt Lagoon -17.85139 141.12694 07.05am
Bar-shouldered Dove
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Galah
Little Friarbird
Weebill
White-throated Gerygone
White-breasted Woodswallow
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
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Whistling Kite
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Burke and Wills Roadhouse -19.22806 140.34694 11:53am
Black Kite
Little Corella
Cockatiel
Brown Honeyeater
Torresian Crow
Apostlebird
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| Apostlebird |
Continued on south avoiding the 4 trailer mining trucks and 3 trailer cattle trucks. The road still has stretches of single lane bitumen, which slowed us down. Made it to the Flinders Highway and turned west towards Mt. Isa.
Arrived and set up camp after negotiating the steep rocky road in. Quite a few interesting birds, Australian Grebe, Australian Pelican, Varied Lorikeet, Spotted Bowerbird, and Yellow-rumped Thornbill were a few of the new trip birds. Going to be a cold night as the thermometer started to fall early – down to 9ºC before we went to bed.
Lake Corella--Clem Walton Park Camp Ground -20.84611 140.05194 04:10pm
Lake Corella--Clem Walton Park Camp Ground -20.84611 140.05194 07:00am
Sunset Tourist Park, Mount Isa -20.7092921 139.5003004 07:20am
After this we set off for the water tanks on Pamela Road to look for Kalkadoon Grasswren. Great habitat but not a sign of grasswrens, however there were some other good birds and some Purple-necked Rock-wallaby. This species was classified as being many other species of rock wallaby, since being described in 1924 but finally was recognised as a separate species in 2001. They are sparsely distributed in rocky outcrops around Mt. Isa and north-west to the Northern Territory border
Pamela Street Water Tanks, Mt Isa -20.73194 139.51083 08:00am
Then we ended up at Peacock Park for lunch. Counted 32 feral peacocks/peahens in the park making a living off handouts. Peacocks are always good for photos!
Peacock Park (Lake Moondarra) -20.5813874 139.5758486 12:35pm
Lake Moondarra--Kingfisher Bay -20.5907281 139.5613647 01:15pm
Then onto the Mt. Isa Treatment Works and parked up in the birders parking area by the front entrance. Birds are viewed from a platform outside the fence, not ideal as you can only see birds on the bund wall, not right into the ponds. Only a couple of ponds had water on them, one of which could be seen reasonably well. This one was dominated by about 150 Pink-eared Duck and over 100 Silver Gull. Interesting to see 23 Black-fronted Dotterel together on the side of the pond. A new treatment works opened nearby in 2017 and it seems some of the old works ponds have been decommissioned.
Mount Isa Wastewater Treatment Plant -20.6991587 139.5065832 02:12pm
Pamela Street Water Tanks, Mt Isa -20.73194 139.51083 04:30pm
Restless night due to the wind getting up, blowing up to 40kph. It did keep it warm it only dropped to 16ºC, which was relatively warm so far on the trip. Went for a walk early morning away from the road to a gully we had seen grasswrens in before but no luck, too windy. There were three Black-tailed Treecreeper, which was a new trip tick and a few more Grey-fronted Honeyeater. A few more walks around the area only found a Crested Bellbird and Grey-fronted Honeyeater. A disappointing day with the wind playing a big part in the lack of sightings.
Day 8 Monday 20/8/18
Australasian Grebe
Diamond Dove
Dusky Moorhen
Australasian Darter
Australian Pelican
Whistling Kite
Sacred Kingfisher
Budgerigar
Varied Lorikeet
Spotted Bowerbird
White-plumed Honeyeater
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Grey-crowned Babbler
Willie Wagtail
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Budgerigar
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Day 4 Thursday 16/8/18
The temperature did drop to 4ºC so we stayed in bed a bit longer before getting up for a welcome hot drink. Went for a walk along the creek and to explore a track off the camp ground. Saw a pair of Collared Sparrowhawk trying to catch a Grey-crowned Babbler among a group foraging in a tree. They were unsuccessful and the babblers just kept foraging. Hundreds of Budgerigar flew overhead in small and large groups of more than a hundred, noisily chattering away. The track from the camp was very rocky, leading to another camp area beside the river with nobody here.
Whilst enjoying our breakfast a Collared Sparrowhawk flew over and landed in a nearby tree. The tree was already occupied by a female sparrowhawk tearing apart a prey item – hope it was not a babbler! The newly arrived male sat on a nearby branch watching the female until he decided it was time to copulate, while she was otherwise occupied. This brief encounter was soon over and captured on camera. The female resumed her breakfast and the male perched nearby looking pleased with himself. Time to resume our breakfast and pack up, leaving behind the most delightful camping area and head for Mt. Isa.
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| Spotted Bowerbird |
Pacific Black Duck
Australasian Grebe
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Dusky Moorhen
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
White-faced Heron
Nankeen Night-Heron
Collared Sparrowhawk
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Galah
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
Budgerigar
Varied Lorikeet
Spotted Bowerbird
Yellow-throated Miner
White-plumed Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Weebill
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Grey Shrikethrush
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Grey Fantail
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Australian Reed Warbler
Zebra Finch
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| Mt. Isa, dominated by the mine |
Arrived in Mt. Isa and booked into the Sunset Caravan Park for two nights. Left a gas bottle to be filled at the office and set up in our site among the hordes of other caravans – not really our scene but we had to catch up with such mundane chores as clothes washing and having showers ourselves. Also all the electronic gadgets needed charging so we took advantage of a powered site. After setting up it was lunch time so we decided to treat ourselves at the information centre and to log on and check out our emails. A cautionary tale of phone coverage: We looked online at the coverage map for our pre-paid phone provider Belong, who we had recently changed to as they said they used the Telstra network and had cheaper plans. After looking at the coverage map we soon realised that they did not use all the Telstra towers and their coverage was severely limited away from main population centres, this made sense as we had been unable to get coverage, where we knew there were Telstra towers. Now Belong are a subsidiary of Telstra, which maybe OK for those in cities but the coverage was no good for us in the outback. So we decided to change back to a Telstra plan.
We managed to break a support leg on our T-Van floor in Mt. Isa so had to find a welder to repair it. We found Wright's Welding at 17 Ryan Road late in the afternoon and dropped it off. Picked it up the following morning repaired. It was a small job for which they refused to accept any payment. Great service and highly recommended.
Day 5 Friday 17/8/18
A quick bird survey of the park, whilst having a warming drink got the day underway.
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
Crested Pigeon
Little Corella
Varied Lorikeet
Yellow-throated Miner
Brown Honeyeater
Magpie-lark
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| Pamela Street Escarpment |
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| Purple-necked Rock-wallaby |
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| Purple-necked Rock-wallaby |
Pamela Street Water Tanks, Mt Isa -20.73194 139.51083 08:00am
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Australian Hobby
Red-winged Parrot
Varied Lorikeet
Yellow-throated Miner
White-plumed Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Olive-backed Oriole
Willie Wagtail
Torresian Crow
House Sparrow
Zebra Finch
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Varied Lorikeet
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Mid morning we set out to explore Lake Moondarra, first checking out the lakeside.
Lake Moondarra -20.59438 139.54473 11:55amPacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Pied Stilt
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Straw-necked Ibis
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Australasian Grebe
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| Peacock (Indian Peafowl) |
Indian Peafowl (Domestic type)
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Galah
Little Corella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Varied Lorikeet
Yellow-throated Miner
Brown Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
White-winged Triller
Magpie-lark
Apostlebird
Zebra Finch
Stopped off at Kingfisher Bay where a few birds were foraging on the shoreline and just off shore.
Grey Teal
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing (Masked)
Australian Pelican
Glossy Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Galah
Brown Honeyeater
Magpie-lark
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Brown Honeyeater
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From here we visited the horse paddocks on the way to the Mt. Isa Treatment Works. A small creek runs through the paddocks attracting a good variety of birds.
Horse Paddocks (Dump Rd, Mt Isa) -20.6996605 139.5104563 01:52pm
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
Crested Pigeon
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing (Masked)
Black-fronted Dotterel
Little Egret (Australasian)
Straw-necked Ibis
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Australian Raven
Fairy Martin
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Little Egret
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Pink-eared Duck
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Greylag Goose (Domestic type)
Australian Wood Duck
Grey Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Eurasian Coot
Pied Stilt
Black-fronted Dotterel
Silver Gull
Cattle Egret
Rainbow Bee-eater
Galah
Spotted Bowerbird
White-plumed Honeyeater
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Australian Raven
Fairy Martin
It was becoming too hot for birding so back to camp for a short rest before returning to Pamela Street for another attempt at the grasswrens. This time we met another couple looking for the grasswrens as well on the same track we had used in the morning. We teamed up and were fortunate to find two Kalkadoon Grasswren, who popped up for brief views before disappearing up the escarpment. Zebra Finch were plentiful here and one of the few sites we had seen them so far.
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Zebra Finch
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Peaceful Dove
Rainbow Bee-eater
Budgerigar
Varied Lorikeet
Spotted Bowerbird
Kalkadoon Grasswren
Yellow-throated Miner
White-plumed Honeyeater
Grey-headed Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
Weebill
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Grey Shrikethrush
Olive-backed Oriole
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Australian Raven
House Sparrow
Zebra Finch
Day 6 Saturday 18/8/18
Left Mt. Isa heading to McNamarra Road, which is 61km West of Mount Isa towards Camooweal. Turned off at McNamarra Road and travelled the 8km down to the famous cairn (to birders) on the right with the site hat on top. Had a quick look at the sightings book, not many Carpentarian Grasswren seen recently - the reason to visit this site.
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| Checking the cairn sightings book |
Whilst up on the rocky escarpment we could see trucks with 3 trailers travelling up and down McNamarra Road. They were coming from the Lady Loretta Mine along with other mine traffic.
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| Mining truck |
Day 7 Sunday 19/8/18
Restless night due to the wind getting up, blowing up to 40kph. It did keep it warm it only dropped to 16ºC, which was relatively warm so far on the trip. Went for a walk early morning away from the road to a gully we had seen grasswrens in before but no luck, too windy. There were three Black-tailed Treecreeper, which was a new trip tick and a few more Grey-fronted Honeyeater. A few more walks around the area only found a Crested Bellbird and Grey-fronted Honeyeater. A disappointing day with the wind playing a big part in the lack of sightings.
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| McNamarra Road Camp |
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| Black-tailed Treecreeper |
Day 8 Monday 20/8/18
Temperature dropped to about 8ºC overnight. Had our usual hot drink and went for a walk along the track towards the main road and turned of to walk along the creek, where grasswrens had been seen a few days before. Walked further along the creek than previously but still no sign of the grasswrens. More Grey-fronted Honeyeater and some Yellow-throated Miner. Walked back to the track, then past our camp and found the Black-tailed Treecreeper. Met some other birders who had seen the grasswrens here 3 days ago but not since. So we packed up and left after recording 4 species over two days, call ourselves birders!
Next destination was Camoweal and the campsite at Lake Canellan. Stopped in Camoweal to use the dump point and noted a few birds.
Camooweal -19.9215 138.1201 12:35pm
Then onto Lake Francis and Lake Canellan just out of town on the left adjacent to the Georgina River. Lake Francis look crowded with caravans so we kept going until we reached Lake Canellan, which had plenty of sites. Found a spot overlooking the lake and set up the T-Van and had lunch. Lots of birds on the lake including a few new trip ticks, Yellow-billed Spoonbill and Red-kneed Dotterel were two of them.
Lake Canellan (Camooweal) -19.9488511 138.1075596 03:10pm
Camooweal -19.9215 138.1201 12:35pm
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Galah
Yellow-throated Miner
Magpie-lark
House Sparrow
Then onto Lake Francis and Lake Canellan just out of town on the left adjacent to the Georgina River. Lake Francis look crowded with caravans so we kept going until we reached Lake Canellan, which had plenty of sites. Found a spot overlooking the lake and set up the T-Van and had lunch. Lots of birds on the lake including a few new trip ticks, Yellow-billed Spoonbill and Red-kneed Dotterel were two of them.
Australian Wood Duck
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Crested Pigeon
Eurasian Coot
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Red-kneed Dotterel
Black-fronted Dotterel
Whiskered Tern
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Australian Pelican
White-necked Heron
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Galah
Cockatiel
Yellow-throated Miner
White-plumed Honeyeater
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Fairy Martin
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Whistling Kite
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Day 9 Tuesday 21/8/18
It was a cold welcome to the day with 1.9ºC to greet us! Coldest yet. We got rugged up but had cold fingers. Even the hot drink did not warm us up much. Did another scan of the lake before we had porridge for breakfast.
Lake Canellan (Camooweal) -19.9488511 138.1075596 07:30am
Australian Wood Duck
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Eurasian Coot
Brolga
Pied Stilt
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Red-kneed Dotterel
Black-fronted Dotterel
Whiskered Tern
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Black Kite
Galah
Little Corella
Cockatiel
Yellow-throated Miner
Pied Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Zebra Finch
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| Whiskered Tern |
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| Pied Stilt |
Packed up and went into Camoweal to top up the fuel, ($1.79) in a much improved Puma Camoweal Roadhouse since we were last there two years ago. Then it was off along the Barkly Highway towards the Barkly Homestead. Stopped for a coffee break at Sudan rest stop and only saw a Torresian Crow in 20 minutes.
Reached the Barkly Homestead at lunch time (we were now on Northern Territory time 30 minutes behind Queensland) and decided to get something to eat. Did a quick bird survey before we had a couple of toasted sandwiches and lovely cup of coffee all arriving without much of a wait.
Whistling Kite
Galah
Yellow-throated Miner
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Did not need to fuel up here ($1.89) so headed off after lunch. Kept going until we reached the 41 Mile Bore, further west along the Barkly Highway, at 2.10pm and found a free campsite for the night. Later in the afternoon we checked out the bore. There we found a small patch of water, which was attracting flocks of Zebra Finch. Also found a juvenile Brown Goshawk hiding in one of the surrounding trees, obviously looking out for it’s next meal. Other birds here were Singing Honeyeater, Grey-headed and Grey-fronted Honeyeater.
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Brown Goshawk
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Crested Pigeon
Galah
Brown Goshawk
Brown Falcon
Singing Honeyeater
Grey-headed Honeyeater
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Zebra Finch
Back to camp for another relax before returning to the patch of bore water. Not much going on, the goshawk was still lurking in the same tree and the honeyeaters were feeding in the same tree. Ten Crested Pigeon plucked up enough courage to come in for the briefest of brief drinks, probably aware of the goshawks presence.
Day 10 Wednesday 22/8/18
The forecast warmer weather did not come overnight, it was 0.2ºC, when we got out of bed for our warm drink - the coldest yet. It soon began to warm up so we went over to the bore water pond to look for birds, not much around – a few finches, honeyeaters and a couple of Little Crow.
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Singing Honeyeater
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Crested Pigeon
Galah
Singing Honeyeater
Grey-headed Honeyeater
White-winged Triller,
Willie Wagtail
Torresian Crow
Zebra Finch
Keith was having knee problems, so we decided to make a detour to Tennant Creek (25km from 3 ways). Found a pharmacy and an elasticated support to fit his knee. Stopped off at the BP servo ($1.69.9) on our way out of town to top up.
Tennant Creek -19.6488 134.19 10:20am
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Torresian Crow
Little Crow
House Sparrow
Pulled over near Tennant Creek airport for a coffee before setting off north.
Red-browed Pardalote
Weebill
Rufous Whistler
Back on the road we kept travelling north stopping for a five minute break at Elliot and to change drivers. Arrived about 4.30 at Dunmarra Wayside Inn
Dunmarra Wayside Inn -16.6793 133.4125 05:15pm
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Crested Pigeon
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Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Whistling Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Willie Wagtail
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Double-barred Finch
Went over to the roadhouse for dinner in the evening. Birding was good but the evening was spent listening to Australian Army trucks arriving for the night and road trains thundering by.
Day 11 Thursday 23/8/18
The truck noise was not too bad during the night, which was relatively warm, down to 12ºC. Up for a coffee to start the day then off to do some birding in the surrounding area. Plenty of action with lots of Brown Honeyeater, White-winged Triller, Black-faced Woodswallow, Apostlebird, Double-bar Finch and a few Variegated Fairy-Wren. Had breakfast and packed the T-Van then topped up the fuel ($1.62 with a discount because we had a meal there).
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| Double-bar Finch |
Common Bronzewing
Crested Pigeon
Bar-shouldered Dove
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Cockatiel
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Purple-backed Fairywren
White-gaped Honeyeater
Singing Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Grey-crowned Babbler
Black-faced Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
White-winged Triller
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Little Crow
Apostlebird
Mistletoebird
Double-barred Finch
Travelled the 8km up the Stuart Highway from the Dunmarra Wayside Inn to the start of the Buchanan Highway west.
This is a 393km gravel road, we had deflated our tyres (26psi) back at Dunmarra in readiness. The road condition was not too bad with the usual corrugations, an average speed for us was 60-70kph. After an hour we pulled over for morning coffee break at a station road, which led to Drovers Dam, so the sign said on the gate. Here we had four Long-tailed Finch, new for the trip list.
Peaceful Dove
Cockatiel
Striated Pardalote
Long-tailed Finch
Continued on for another hour before pulling into a small camp area beside the road for lunch. Had a few birds here including another party of Apostlebird.
Cockatiel
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Weebill
Apostlebird
Jacky Winter
Mistletoebird
After lunch we continued on to Top Springs, where we had decided to continue along the Buchanan Highway to the Victoria Highway instead of the 500km gravel road to Halls Creek.
Continued on to Dashwood Crossing on the Victoria River, where we found an overnight camp site with a pair of Tawny Frogmouth.
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Dashwood Crossing Camp
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Had a relaxing few hours watching a procession of birds pass by.
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| Dashwood Crossing |
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Tawny Frogmouth
Little Egret (Australasian)
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-winged Parrot
Great Bowerbird
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Weebill
Grey-crowned Babbler
Masked Woodswallow
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Magpie-lark
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| Little Friarbird |
Cooled down to 8ºC overnight. After our hot drink we walked to Dashwood Crossing, where we saw a Grey Falcon fly over. This certainly got the other birds attention as they all went quiet. Plenty of other birds along the river and adjacent riparian woodland.
Victoria River at Buchanan Hwy (Dashwood Crossing) -16.333596 131.11435 07:45am
Buchanan Hwy at Victoria River Downs -16.4011359 131.0142038 09:55am
The road opened out after awhile as it entered escarpment country with towering rock faces. Quite a spectacular landscape, some of it in Judbarra (Gregory) National Park. We stopped at the Jasper Gorge day use area for a coffee break. Jasper Gorge is not actually inside Judbarra (Gregory) National Park but situated between the eastern and western parts of the park. This was really a nostalgic place for us as the last time we had been here was in 1985. We surveyed the area and wrote a short article about the bird and reptile fauna in the NT Naturalist Journal (Fisher K. & Fisher L. (1985). Some observations of Jasper Gorge, Victoria River Downs, NT. Northern Territory Naturalist 8:13-16).The current Day Use Area/Campground did not existed when we were here before. Lindsay spotted a Sandstone Shrikethrush perched at the top of a bare tree, new for our trip
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| Black Kite |
Peaceful Dove
Black-fronted Dotterel
Little Pied Cormorant
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Grey Falcon
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Varied Lorikeet
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Striated Pardalote
Weebill
Grey-crowned Babbler
Masked Woodswallow
Rufous Whistler
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Double-barred Finch
After breakfast we continued north along the Buchanan Highway (track) towards Victoria River Downs Station, where we stopped to view about 500 Little Corella coming in to drink.
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VRD Mustering Helicopters
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Black Kite
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Little Corella
Masked Woodswallow
White-browed Woodswallow
Torresian Crow
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| Jasper Gorge |
Jasper Gorge campground -16.030243 130.803669 11:10am
Jasper Gorge -16.02944 130.77472 04:20pm
After the walk we had a visit from a local Aboriginal Ranger on his way back from Katherine searching for a lost person. He told us that the campground was definitely closed and that it would not be open until next year due to funding problems. He was OK about it and said we could stay the night. The official campground is still the Jasper Gorge Day Use Area despite signs pointing to the new one and the gate into the campground open. All very confusing.
Bar-shouldered Dove
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Weebill
Sandstone Shrikethrush
Magpie-lark
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Weebill
|
From here we moved on the 8km to the new Lupayi campground, which had only recently been opened or so we thought.
Found a spot to park the van off the service road and set up. took it easy after lunch as it was very hot.
Found a spot to park the van off the service road and set up. took it easy after lunch as it was very hot.
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Lupayi Campground
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Later in the afternoon went for a walk to find a few birds who were braving the 32ºC temperature. Found a few who were feeding in a tree adjacent to our camp.
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Rufous Whistler - male
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Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Varied Lorikeet
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-throated Miner
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Weebill
White-winged Triller
Sandstone Shrikethrush
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Torresian Crow
After the walk we had a visit from a local Aboriginal Ranger on his way back from Katherine searching for a lost person. He told us that the campground was definitely closed and that it would not be open until next year due to funding problems. He was OK about it and said we could stay the night. The official campground is still the Jasper Gorge Day Use Area despite signs pointing to the new one and the gate into the campground open. All very confusing.
Day 13 Saturday 25/8/18
Before breakfast we went for a walk along the road back towards Jasper Gorge. At least five Great Bowerbird along here plus lots of White-throated Honeyeater, Little Friarbird and White-winged Triller.
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Little Friarbird
|
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
Varied Lorikeet
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-throated Miner
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Weebill
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Back for breakfast and to pack up. Drove the rest of the Buchanan Highway and stopped at a gravel area at the junction of the Victoria Highway for a morning coffee and to pump up the tyres for bitumen highway driving.
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Inflating Tyres
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Decided not to stop at Timber Creek and to travel on towards Kununurra. Passed through Timber Creek and turned right just after the township to go two kilometers to Policeman’s Point Lookout, which overlooks the Victoria River. A sign said it was not suitable for caravans but the T-Van had no problem. Had lunch here whilst doing a bit of birding. A Black-necked Stork flew over and landed on the edge of the river, whilst a Pelican tried out a small pond in the river bed. Ate some of our fruit, apples, tomatoes, banana and mandarins as we found out they were not allowed into WA.
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Policeman's Point Lookout
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Peaceful Dove
Black-necked Stork
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
White-faced Heron
Brown Goshawk
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
White-breasted Woodswallow
Torresian Crow
Fairy Martin
Drove to East Baines River Rest Area for an afternoon cuppa. Whilst we were here we handed over our remaining fruit and vegetables to a couple who were heading east from WA. Better than putting them into the quarantine bin.
Peaceful Dove
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Great Bowerbird
Brown Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Torresian Crow
From the East Baines Rest Area towards the Western Australian border there were some bush fires, which were attracting a lot of Black Kite.
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Victoria Hwy, fires and kites
|
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Freshwater Crocodile
|
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Glossy Ibis
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Green Pygmy-Goose
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Australasian Swamphen
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Australian Pratincole
Whiskered Tern
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Intermediate Egret
Pied Heron
Glossy Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Osprey (Australasian)
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Brown Honeyeater
White-breasted Woodswallow
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Australian Reed Warbler
Day 14 Sunday 26/8/18
Woke up too early 4.30am as it was just getting light then. Had a leisurely start to the day with a walk along the edge of the lagoon for more photo opportunities.
Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park (Kununurra) (Lily Lagoon) 15.7862198 128.7353536 06:45am
Ord River, Ivanhoe Crossing. -15.68816 128.6873 09:00am
On our way back we checked out a 24hr service station we had seen on the way to Ivanhoe, it was down a side road and had Diesel at $1.46 ($1.59 at the Shell just around the corner). Next stop was the Kununurra Treatment Works for some birding. There is a track around the perimeter fence, which we drove to observe the birds inside. About 500 Plumed Whistling Duck, Radjah Shelduck and Pied Stilt were the most common. We came upon a Brown Falcon who looked like he had caught a Radjah Shelduck, we disturbed the falcon who flew a short distance to perch on a branch. The poor shelduck staggered out onto the track but could not fly so went back into the vegetation, where the falcon was waiting – not much hope for the shelduck.
Kununurra Sewage Ponds -15.7799162 128.7281477 10:35am
Again the heat drove to seek shade and relax until the late afternoon when we checked out Lily Lagoon. Another small crocodile was sunning on the bank. Pied Heron, Glossy Ibis and Australian Reed Warbler obliged for more portraits.
Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park (Kununurra) (Lily Lagoon) 15.7862198 128.7353536 04:25pm
Then the full moon emerged from behind the horizon so more photos were in order.
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Comb-crested Jacana
|
Green Pygmy-Goose
Bar-shouldered Dove
Australasian Swamphen
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
White-winged Black Tern
Whiskered Tern
Little Pied Cormorant
Pied Heron
Glossy Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Sacred Kingfisher (Australasian)
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Grey-crowned Babbler
Yellow Oriole
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Australian Reed Warbler
After breakfast took a drive out to Ivanhoe Crossing where we had a morning coffee before checking out the adjacent vegetation. Found the Buff-sided Robin, which live here and a couple of Crimson Finch.
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Ivanhoe Crossing
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Crimson Finch - male
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Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Little Black Cormorant
Pied Cormorant
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Buff-sided Robin
Golden-headed Cisticola
Crimson Finch
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Pied Heron
|
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Radjah Shelduck
Hardhead
Peaceful Dove
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Black-fronted Dotterel
Caspian Tern
White-winged Black Tern
Whiskered Tern
Pied Heron
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Brown Falcon
Magpie-lark
Fairy Martin
Again the heat drove to seek shade and relax until the late afternoon when we checked out Lily Lagoon. Another small crocodile was sunning on the bank. Pied Heron, Glossy Ibis and Australian Reed Warbler obliged for more portraits.
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Australian Reed Warbler
|
Green Pygmy-Goose
Australasian Swamphen
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Australian Pratincole
White-winged Black Tern
Whiskered Tern
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Intermediate Egret
Pied Heron
Glossy Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Rainbow Bee-eater
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-breasted Woodswallow
Yellow Oriole
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Australian Reed Warbler
Then the full moon emerged from behind the horizon so more photos were in order.
Later in the evening a pair of Bush Stone-curlew started to call.
Day 15 Monday 27/8/18
Up before 6.00am as it was light just after 5.00am. Had a coffee down by the waterside and took a few more photos of the Australian Pratincole, which was very obliging. Then walked along the edge to the reed area where there were plenty of reed warblers singing, one came out for a few photos. Also here was a few Crimson Finch. Had another walk along the waters edge in the opposite direction and found a White-browed Crake along with three former guests of Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge.
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Australian Pratincole
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Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park (Kununurra) -15.7862198 128.7353536 06:35am
Stopped at a roadside parking bay for lunch as the temperature had hit 33ºC.
Radjah Shelduck
Green Pygmy-Goose
Australasian Grebe
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Australasian Swamphen
White-browed Crake
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Australian Pratincole
Whiskered Tern
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Intermediate Egret
Pied Heron
Glossy Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Sacred Kingfisher (Australasian)
Rainbow Bee-eater
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
White-winged Triller
Yellow Oriole
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Leaden Flycatcher
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Fairy Martin
Australian Reed Warbler
Crimson Finch
Then packed up and left at 10.00am. Headed towards Wyndham before turning off onto the Halls Creek Road. Spectacular escarpments along here and a very good road, mobile phone reception most of the way as well..
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Great Northern Hwy.
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Great Northern Hwy rest area at -16.74998, 128.28706 -16.74998 128.28702 07-27-2018 12:07pm
Black Kite
Striated Pardalote
Black-faced Woodswallow
Striated Pardalote
Black-faced Woodswallow
Then continued on to Muluks (Fletchers Creek) rest area for an afternoon coffee.
Fletcher Creek at -17.34000, 128.05194 -17.34 128.05194 08-27-2018 01:36pm
Whistling Kite
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Weebill
Fletcher Creek is only 15km north of our destination at the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park on Mable Downs Station. Arrived at the caravan park and booked in, got our site and set up. Spent a few hours talking to fellow travellers before exploring the park and its birds. Mainly Little Corella and Galah with a few others thrown in.
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Galah
|
Crested Pigeon
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Little Corella
Great Bowerbird
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Australian Magpie
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Day 16 Tuesday 28/8/18
Had a lie in until just before 6.00am! It was well light by now so we had a hot drink and went birding around the camp site. Took a few more photos, saw some yellow-billed Long-tailed Finch and a flock of budgies, which were new for our WA list.
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Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
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Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Black Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Little Corella
Budgerigar
Great Bowerbird
Yellow-throated Miner
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-winged Triller
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Double-barred Finch
Long-tailed Finch
Breakfast and packed up the T-Van.Talked to one of our neighbours who was from Cairns and he told us about some insulation he had on his 200 series Toyota Landcruiser back windows. It was great for keeping the fridge cool, just what we needed. So we sent an email to the manufacturers, Solarscreen and subsequently ordered a set to be sent to Broome.
Then it was off for the Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) National Park along the Mable Downs Station road. Plenty of serious corrugations, dips, bends and hills through the rocky landscape, no caravans allowed down here. Stopped along the way for a hot drink and a rest from the jarring and bouncing around. Made it to the Ranger Station in 1hr 28mins not including the drink stop. The road did improve a bit once we entered the National Park. Got our camping permit and set off for the Kurrajong Camp. Arrived and found a site by which time it was lunch. Just finishing lunch when six Brown Quail walked across the road.
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Peaceful Dove
|
Brown Quail
Peaceful Dove
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
Red-winged Parrot
Great Bowerbird
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
The temperature had soared up to 37ºC. in the afternoon but by 4.00pm It had cooled down enough for us to head up to the northern sites. Stopped at Stonehenge to take a few photos of the escarpment then drove down to Echidna Gorge. Parked here and walked up to Osmand lookout for spectacular views. From here we backtracked to the gorge track which went along the dry rocky creek bed.
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Echidna Chasm Walk
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Spectacular deep gorge with steep sides and lots of huge chunks of conglomerate dotted around.
Echidna Chasm -17.3229917 128.4118697 04:15pm
Peaceful Dove
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Pied Butcherbird
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
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Rufous Whistler - female
|
A Tawny Frogmouth was seen after it started calling at.8.18pm in a tree beside our camp.
Day 17 Wednesday 29/8/18
Another early start and did a quick bird survey before we set off for the southern area of the park. Got to the Picanniny Area about 6.45 and had breakfast overlooking the beehive shaped rocks.
Purnululu National Park--Kurrajong campground -17.3842451 128.3325112 05:35amPeaceful Dove
Purnululu National Park--Kurrajong campground -17.3842451 128.3325112 05:35amPeaceful Dove
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Red-winged Parrot
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Rufous Whistler
Torresian Crow
Set off a 7.00 for Cathedral Gorge. Amazing rock formations in various shapes including the beehive shaped ones. Quiet walk with nobody else around. There was a tour group ahead of us, who we caught up with at the end of Cathedral Gorge. They had some mood music playing which echoed around the rock wall. They left and we had the place to ourselves – fantastic. We then went on the Picanniny Lookout track which started off going along a creek bed then through some rocky spinifex country. Here we saw our first White-quilled Rock-Pigeon for the trip, in all we saw four.
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| Beehive Rocks |
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| Picanniny Lookout Walk |
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White-quilled Rock-Pigeon
|
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| Picanniny Lookout |
Whilst we were doing this we looked up and had a Black-breasted Buzzard fly over. Eventually made it to the lookout which again was worth the 800m detour. Finished off by deviating off onto the 300m loop track around the domes, another rocky marvel.
Purnululu National Park--Cathedral Gorge - Picaninny lookout walk -17.485303 128.377917 07:00am
Brown Quail
White-quilled Rock-Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Black-breasted Buzzard
Rainbow Bee-eater
Great Bowerbird
Little Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Torresian Crow
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| Black-breasted Buzzard |
Had coffee and a snack back at the car park, which by now was filling up with buses and 4WD’s. Had a look at the southern campsite, which allows generators, only one camp here. Other areas here are designated for tour operators. Back to camp for lunch as the temperature once again hit 37ºC. Headed off to a lookout for sunset. Heard two Tawny Frogmouth during the evening.
Day 18 Thursday 30/8/18
Heard Spotted Nightjar calling during the night. Up early, before 6.00am for a walk around the campsite, which took us up onto the escarpment, which was comprised of limestone rocks, eucalyptus, grevilleas, acacias and kurrajongs with a spinifex understory. A few birds were actively foraging in the foliage, not much flowering. Two Little Corella were busy extracting seeds out of an acacia and allowed a close approach for some photos.
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Little Corella
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Purnululu National Park--Kurrajong campground -17.3842451 128.3325112 06:30am
Drove to the ranger station and were greeted by two more T-Van's, one leaving, one arriving. A couple more vehicles passed us along the road out before we hit the worst section of the road with plenty of corrugations, somehow it did not seem so bad as when we drove into the park. Must have been getting used to the corrugations! Made it to the Mable Downs Caravan Park at mid-day and set up. Had lunch and a relaxing afternoon.
Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, Mabel Downs Station -17.44153 127.99718 08-30-2018 01:10pm
Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, Mabel Downs Station -17.44153 127.99718 08-30-2018 05:05pm
Peaceful Dove
Little Corella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Red-winged Parrot
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-throated Miner
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Rufous Whistler
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Drove to the ranger station and were greeted by two more T-Van's, one leaving, one arriving. A couple more vehicles passed us along the road out before we hit the worst section of the road with plenty of corrugations, somehow it did not seem so bad as when we drove into the park. Must have been getting used to the corrugations! Made it to the Mable Downs Caravan Park at mid-day and set up. Had lunch and a relaxing afternoon.
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White-winged Triller - female
|
Black Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Weebill
White-winged Triller
Torresian Crow
A short walk in the afternoon did not add any new birds.
Crested Pigeon
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Little Corella
Little Friarbird
Weebill
Grey-crowned Babbler
Australian Magpie
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Day 19 Friday 31/8/18
Up for a bird walk around the park, found some very obliging Black-tailed Treecreeper to photograph along with some Red-backed Fairy-wren female/immature.
Up for a bird walk around the park, found some very obliging Black-tailed Treecreeper to photograph along with some Red-backed Fairy-wren female/immature.
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Black-tailed Treecreeper
|
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Black Kite
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Great Bowerbird
Black-tailed Treecreeper
Red-backed Fairywren
Yellow-throated Miner
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Weebill
Grey-crowned Babbler
Australian Magpie
White-winged Triller
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Long-tailed Finch
Packed up and headed towards Halls Creek. Only got a few hundred metres down the highway and pulled off at the Spring Creek Rest Area to use the dump point. Had Telstra connectivity, so decided to have a break and upload a few photos to eBird. Had a look around the camping area down by the spring and found a few birds including two Brolga.
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Magpie-lark - male
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Brolga
White-necked Heron
Intermediate Egret
White-faced Heron
Straw-necked Ibis
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Halls Creek -18.2251 127.6665 12:20pm
Black Kite
Little Corella
Yellow-throated Miner
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
From here we travelled towards Derby and pulled off at the Mary Pool Rest Area at 2.40. Found a camp spot next to the dry river and set up. Plenty of time left in the day to do some birding. Lots of Little Friarbird along with a new trip list bird, four Northern Rosella. Birded the riverine and woodland area, where there were some Purple-backed Fairy Wren and Rainbow Bee-eater.
 |
Rainbow Bee-eater
|
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Black-fronted Dotterel
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Southern Boobook
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Little Corella
Red-winged Parrot
Northern Rosella
Great Bowerbird
Purple-backed Fairywren
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-throated Miner
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Rufous-throated Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Little Crow
Day 20 Saturday 1/9/18
Went for an early morning walk back along the camp ground access road (old highway) and checked out the old causeway across the river. White-faced Heron was here standing on rocks for a few photos whilst hundreds of budgies wheeled overhead.
 |
White-faced Heron
|
 |
| Rufous-throated Honeyeater |
Mary Pool -18.7258 126.8713 06:00am
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Black-fronted Dotterel
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Intermediate Egret
White-faced Heron
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Black Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
Northern Rosella
Budgerigar
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Black-faced Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Leaden Flycatcher
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
 |
| Crested Pigeon |
Packed up and set off along the highway towards Fitzroy Crossing, stopping at Ngumban Cliffs Rest Area for a break. Great lookout here, which is best seen at sunset.
Ngumpan Cliff Rest Area -18.748287 126.108755 09:45am
Interesting rock formations along the road looked like something out of a western cowboy movie in Arizona. Also plenty of Boab Trees.
Ellendale Rest Area, Great Northern Hwy -17.96027 124.83694 12:55pm
Great Northern Hwy -17.93167 124.78417 (restricted area) 02:05pm
Also saw the crocodile that we had been warned about.
Black Kite
Brown Honeyeater
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Interesting rock formations along the road looked like something out of a western cowboy movie in Arizona. Also plenty of Boab Trees.
 |
| Boab Tree |
Made it to the unrecognisable Fitzroy Crossing town. Nothing like our last visit in 1977! Information Centre was closed so we drove around town and headed off towards Derby. Had to give way to slightly larger vehicles than ours along the way!
 |
| Machinery on the move |
Straight uninspiring road, stopped at Ellendale Rest Area for a late lunch at 12.55. Had a group of Crested Pigeon sharing our sandwiches.
Crested Pigeon
Black Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Yellow-throated Miner
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Red-browed Pardalote
Pied Butcherbird
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
From here it was only 8km to the Lake Ellendale camping area where we were to spend the night. The camp is beside a lagoon on Ellendale Station, which the owners allow camping on. Found a spot beside to lagoon a set up the T-Van for an over night camp. Surveyed the lagoon, 24 Plumed Whistling-Duck, Royal Spoonbill and a Common Greenshank were good sightings.
 |
| Plumed Whistling-Duck |
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Australasian Grebe
Peaceful Dove
Pied Stilt
Black-fronted Dotterel
Common Greenshank
Australasian Darter
Great Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Cockatiel
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
White-breasted Woodswallow
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Also saw the crocodile that we had been warned about.
Day 21 Sunday 2/9/18
Had a lie in until 5.50am! Up to check out the lagoon and go for a short walk. Found Millie the cow (well known scrounger!), eating carrots from other campers in a motorhome.
Finished our walk and got breakfast with Millie the cow annoying us for food, managed to pursued her to go and check out the other campers. Finished breakfast in peace left the camp site at 8.30 and drove the straight road towards Derby.
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Australasian Grebe
Crested Pigeon
Pied Stilt
Black-fronted Dotterel
Australasian Darter
Great Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
Varied Lorikeet
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Yellow-throated Miner
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
 |
| Pied Butcherbird |
The vegetation was mainly grassy plains and low shrubs with Boab trees either side of the road. Some grevillea and acacia species became more common as we approached the junction with the Derby - Broome Highway. Stopped at the junction for smoko then turned right to drive the 42km to Derby.
Great Northern Hwy at Derby Hwy -17.6334806 123.7389962 09:55am
Black Kite
Brown Honeyeater
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Torresian Crow
Drove into town and found the Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park and booked in. Had a wide site with plenty of room and shade under an African Mahogany. Lunch and a snooze.
Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park -17.3068489 123.6277878 02:00pm
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Tawny Frogmouth
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
 |
| Pheasant Coucal |
Then drove down to the jetty where we had a Nankeen Kestrel, 4 Collared Kingfisher, Eastern Reef Egret, Grey-tailed Tattler and Eastern Curlew.
Crested Pigeon
Eastern Curlew
Grey-tailed Tattler
Silver Gull
Eastern Reef Egret
Black Kite
Sacred Kingfisher
Nankeen Kestrel
White-breasted Woodswallow
 |
| Nankeen Kestrel |
Then back through town to find the Derby Water Treatment Works (15 Wodehouse St, Derby WA 6728) and adjacent wetlands. The treatment works was full of Plumed Whistling Duck and the adjacent wetland had over 120 Red-kneed Dotterel, the most we have ever seen in one place. Spent about an hour here watching the birds, including a Peregrine Falcon trying to catch Purple Swamphen.
Derby Wastewater Treatment Plant and Artificial Wetland -17.3356961 123.6468586 03:55pm
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Australian White Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Black Kite
Red-winged Parrot
Magpie-lark
 |
| Australian White Ibis |
 |
| Derby Wastewater Treatment Plant Artificial Wetland |
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Grey Teal
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Australasian Swamphen
Brolga
Pied Stilt
Red-kneed Dotterel
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Australian Pratincole
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Swamp Harrier
Nankeen Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Little Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Willie Wagtail
Paperbark Flycatcher
Australian Reed Warbler
Golden-headed Cisticola
Double-barred Finch
 |
| Australian Reed Warbler |
 |
| Red-kneed Dotterel |
Then back to town, Woolworth Supermarket was closed (after 5.00pm) so we went back to the caravan park. After dinner we had a large flock of noisy lorikeets descend on to the tree above the T-Van to roost for the night, they eventually quietened down.
Day 22 Monday 3/9/18
A slow start to the morning, making sure all the electrics were charged up and cleaning the lorikeet poo off our awning!
Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park -17.3068489 123.6277878 06:15am
Munkyarra Wetland -17.4348176 123.7222981 11:55am
Munkyarra Wetland -17.4348176 123.7222981 04:55pm
Had two Southern Boobook calling in the evening.
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Tawny Frogmouth
Black Kite
Nankeen Kestrel
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Yellow-throated Miner
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
 |
| Tawny Frogmouth |
Eventually left at 9.00am for the 20km mark south of Derby, where we turned off to visit a small lagoon and meet up with a couple of friends Found a spot to park the van before having lunch overlooking the lagoon.
Pacific Black Duck
Australasian Grebe
Peaceful Dove
Black-fronted Dotterel
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
White-necked Heron
Great Egret (Eastern/Australasian)
Intermediate Egret
Little Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Black-breasted Buzzard
Collared Sparrowhawk
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Double-barred Finch
 |
| Black-breasted Buzzard |
Spent the afternoon talking and sitting around keeping an eye open for the birds. The temperature soared up to over 38ºC. Had a few good birds make an appearance including Australian Hobby, Brown Goshawk, Black-breasted Buzzard and Collared Sparrowhawk.
Munkyarra Wetland -17.4348176 123.7222981 04:55pm
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Bar-shouldered Dove
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Intermediate Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Brown Goshawk
Whistling Kite
Australian Hobby
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Great Bowerbird
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Long-tailed Finch
 |
| Australian Hobby |
Day 23 Tuesday 4/9/18
Up for an early morning walk along the lagoon and adjacent woodland, found some Red-Backed Fairy wren and photographed the females only.
Munkyarra Wetland -17.4348176 123.7222981 06:20am
Pacific Black Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Brolga
Black-necked Stork
Australasian Darter
White-necked Heron
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Nankeen Kestrel
Australian Hobby
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Little Corella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cockatiel
Red-winged Parrot
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Red-backed Fairywren
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Striated Pardalote
White-throated Gerygone
Grey-crowned Babbler
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Jacky Winter
Golden-headed Cisticola
Double-barred Finch
 |
| Red-backed Fairywren - female |
|
Nillbubbaca Rest Area (Great Northern Hwy) -17.64036 123.17041 10:35am
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove
Black Kite
Red-winged Parrot
Torresian Crow
Zebra Finch
Long-tailed Finch
Continued on and reached the big town of Broome, again unrecognisable – everything has changed in 40 years! Found the Broome Holiday and Caravan Park (formerly Roebuck Bay Caravan Park) and booked in. Found our site overlooking the ocean and set up before lunch as the temperature had soared to 38ºC.
Broome Holiday and Caravan Park -17.97163 122.23416 01:50pm
Crested Pigeon
Tawny Frogmouth
Silver Gull
Intermediate Egret
Eastern Reef Egret
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Brahminy Kite
Great Bowerbird
Little Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
 |
| Eastern Reef Egret |
 |
| Barking Owl (file image) |
Day 24 Wednesday 5/9/18
Broome Holiday and Caravan Park -17.97163 122.23416 07:15am
Pied Stilt
Silver Gull
Osprey (Australasian)
Brahminy Kite
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Great Bowerbird
Little Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
Magpie-lark
 |
| Osprey |
Had a bit of a lie in until 6.30am. Up for a leisurely cuppa overlooking the ocean. Mid-morning we took our coffee up to the barbecue area along the cliffs overlooking Roebuck Bay. Here we had an Osprey flying in with a fish and landing on a TV aerial on one of the permanent caravans.
Pied Stilt
Whimbrel
Great Knot
Crested Tern
Great Egret
Eastern Reef Egret
Osprey (Australasian)
Black Kite
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
In the afternoon we went to the Broome South Wastewater Treatment Plant. Once again we had a road to drive around the outside on before we reached a viewing platform opened in August 2017. Other Waste Water Treatment Plants around Australia should take note of this initiative, some have, majority have not. Parked up and spent time checking out the birds, mainly Plumed Whistling Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Silver Gull, Whiskered Tern with a few Common Sandpiper, Pied Stilt, Pelican and Black Kite were some others present.
 |
| Viewing Platform |
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Australasian Grebe
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Eurasian Coot
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Black-fronted Dotterel
Common Sandpiper
Silver Gull
Whiskered Tern
Australian Pelican
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
Little Friarbird
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
 |
| Pied Stilt |
 |
| Masked Lapwing |
Broome Holiday and Caravan Park -17.97163 122.23416 6.30am
Crested Pigeon
Black Kite
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Torresian Crow
Did an early morning survey before breakfast then took the car to Broome Toyota for its 10,000Km service. The courtesy bus dropped us off at the Town Beach Cafe next to our campsite, where we had a coffee and a muffin. The afternoon was spent picking up the car and visiting the Broome South Wastewater Treatment Plant again. Much the same birds as yesterday, a Grey-tailed Tattler and Singing Honeyeater were new.
Broome South Wastewater Treatment Plant -17.9746307 122.2218919 04:05pm
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Eurasian Coot
Pied Stilt
Masked Lapwing
Black-fronted Dotterel
Common Sandpiper
Grey-tailed Tattler
Silver Gull
Whiskered Tern
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Osprey (Australasian)
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Bee-eater
Little Corella
Great Bowerbird
Singing Honeyeater
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
 |
| Grey Teal - upperwing |
 |
| Grey Teal - underwing |
The evening was spent at the Town Beach markets, where we had Mongolia Beef and Chicken Chow Mien for dinner.
Day 26 Friday 7/9/18
Broome Holiday and Caravan Park -17.97163 122.23416 07:00am
Streeters Jetty (Broome) -17.95433 122.24536 10:45am
Silver Gull
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Rufous Whistler
Magpie-lark
Did another early morning survey at the caravan park before having a very nice breakfast at the Town Beach Cafe. Drove into town and met up with other birders at Streeters Jetty It was hot and the old wharf was not very long but it did go into the mangroves. Here we had a lifer for us both, two Dusky Gerygone, also had White-breasted Whistler, Red-headed Honeyeater, Yellow White-eye, Brown Honeyeater, Bar-shouldered Dove and Rainbow Bee-eater.
Streeters Jetty (Broome) -17.95433 122.24536 10:45am
Bar-shouldered Dove
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian White Ibis
Black Kite
Brahminy Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Red-headed Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Dusky Gerygone
White-breasted Woodswallow
White-breasted Whistler
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow
Yellow White-eye
 |
| Yellow White-eye |
Town Beach (Broome) -17.9715274 122.2365475 02:45pm
Common Greenshank
Silver Gull
Australian Pelican
Great Egret
Eastern Reef Egret
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
Pied Butcherbird
 |
| Silver Gull |
Entrance Point and Port (Broome) -18.0076761 122.2091782 04:20pm
Brown Booby
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Osprey (Australasian)
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Little Friarbird
Magpie-lark
Australasian Pipit (Australian)
 |
| Little Friarbird |
Dinner was at the very good Som Thai Restaurant (15 Napier Terrace) with a few friends.
 |
| Som Thai Restaurant |
Day 27 Saturday 8/9/18
Broome Holiday and Caravan Park -17.97163 122.23416 06:35am
Early start, leaving by 7.00am to go to Streeters Jetty. It was pretty quiet here but we did see Mangrove Grey Fantail.
Streeters Jetty (Broome) -17.95433 122.24536 07:10am
Crested Pigeon
Silver Gull
Australian Pelican
Straw-necked Ibis
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared)
White-gaped Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
Rufous Whistler
Torresian Crow
 |
| Rainbow Lorikeet (Red-collared) |
Streeters Jetty (Broome) -17.95433 122.24536 07:10am
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Common Sandpiper
Australian White Ibis
Black Kite
Sacred Kingfisher
Red-winged Parrot
White-gaped Honeyeater
Red-headed Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-breasted Whistler
Mangrove Grey Fantail
Magpie-lark
Broad-billed Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Yellow White-eye
 |
| Red-headed Honeyeater |
Then on to the Mangrove Hotel to register for the conference. Had a variety of talks during the day, mainly based around Shorebirds, their habitats, feeding and conservation. Several Indigenous rangers talked about their roles in looking after the area, both from conservation and cultural view points. One of the talks was about tracking down the Night Parrot in Western Australia.
Had a light lunch, wraps, sandwiches. hot chips and salad at the Mangrove Hotel.
 |
| Lunch venue at the Mangrove Hotel |
After lunch the talks continued with some humour, Chris Hassel talked about the poo pits in Broome and how they were more productive than the Western Treatment Works in Melbourne! The reasoning was based on the size difference between the two treatment works and the number of species seen, very humorous talk. Other talks were about seagrass and feeding strategies of various species of shorebirds. Finished up the afternoon by going back to Streeters Jetty but it was very quiet.
Streeters Jetty (Broome) -17.95433 122.24536 05:25pm
Day 28 Sunday 9/9/19Streeters Jetty (Broome) -17.95433 122.24536 05:25pm
Bar-shouldered Dove
Australian White Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Black Kite
Brahminy Kite
Brown Honeyeater
White-breasted Woodswallow
Torresian Crow
Had a light dinner in town at the Aviators Hotel with a friend to celebrate her birthday. Barking Owl was still calling in the evening back at the Broome Holiday and Caravan Park.
Just before dawn a Tawny Frogmouth was calling in a tree beside our campsite. Did a quick survey before hitching up the Tvan and heading to the Mangrove Hotel for the last day of the congress.
Broome Holiday and Caravan Park -17.97163 122.23416 06:55am
Silver Gull
Australian Pelican
Australian White Ibis
Black Kite
Little Friarbird
Olive-backed Oriole
Torresian Crow
Had some good talks before the congress dinner at 1.00pm. Then drove out to the Broome Bird Observatory (BB0) in the afternoon.
Found our site where we set up before going over to the recently renovated cookshed (shadehouse) to meet other people and watch the birds coming in to drink, mainly Brown Honeyeater. Took a walk to the hide and found a few birds coming in, including Grey-crowned Babbler and Great Bowerbird. 6.30 we had bird call with a recorded 83 species for the day.
 |
| Grey-crowned Babbler |
Day 29 Monday 10/9/18
Got organised for the mornings activities. We were divided up into two groups, we were in the B group. Started off with a walk down to the beach to look at dinosaur tracks but were distracted by the birds on the beach. Lots of waders and terns.
Broome Bird Observatory Beach -17.97744 122.34551 07:50am
Walked along the beach to the viewing platform overlooking the beach.
Broome Bird Observatory--Viewing Platform -17.9773928 122.3445399 08:30am
Tattler Rocks (Roebuck Bay) -17.9750696 122.31918 10:25am
Back for lunch and a rest before the afternoon activities.
Broome Bird Observatory -17.9752021 122.344662 12:10pm
Broome Bird Observatory Beach -17.97744 122.34551 07:50am
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Red-capped Plover
Whimbrel
Eastern Curlew
Great Knot
Grey-tailed Tattler
Common Greenshank
Caspian Tern
Crested Tern
Lesser Crested Tern
Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Great Egret
White-faced Heron
Eastern Reef Egret
 |
| Australian Pied Oystercatcher |
Broome Bird Observatory--Viewing Platform -17.9773928 122.3445399 08:30am
Black Kite
Great Bowerbird
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Pied Butcherbird
Paperbark Flycatcher
Back to the BBO where we had a look at the new interpretive building, which is a work in progress. Had a break before going off in the vehicles to check out a high tide roost just offshore at Tattler Rocks. Here we had hundreds of birds in mixed flocks with the best being a Common Redshank. Tern species were also present. Spent about and hour and a half here watching roosting birds and flocks arriving.
 |
Watchers
|
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Grey Plover
Pacific Golden-Plover
Lesser Sand-Plover
Greater Sand-Plover
Red-capped Plover
Whimbrel
Bar-tailed Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Knot
Red Knot
Curlew Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Grey-tailed Tattler
Common Redshank
Silver Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Lesser Crested Tern
Crested Tern
Crested Tern
Little Egret
Eastern Reef Egret
Australian White Ibis
 |
| Tattler Rocks |
Broome Bird Observatory -17.9752021 122.344662 12:10pm
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Brown Goshawk
Great Bowerbird
Singing Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Gerygone
Double-barred Finch
We headed out onto the Roebuck Plains to Kidney Bean Clay Pans (private property, but can be visited on an organised tour). Saw Yellow Chat, one of the target species, along the way. Then at the clay ponds we had good birds like Oriental Plover, Avocet and Marsh Sandpiper. At the plains Duck Pond, which was dry we had Long-toed Stint, lots of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red-necked Stint.
Pink-eared Duck
Pied Stilt
Red-necked Avocet
Red-capped Plover
Oriental Plover
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Red Knot
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Long-toed Stint
Red-necked Stint
Marsh Sandpiper
Australian Pratincole
Caspian Tern
Whiskered Tern
Australian Pelican
Spotted Harrier
Yellow Chat
 |
| Off to see the Yellow Chat |
Day 30 Tuesday 11/9/18
Slow start to the morning with a survey around the observatory grounds first up.
Broome Bird Observatory -17.9752021 122.344662 06:30am
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Brahminy Kite
Red-winged Parrot
Great Bowerbird
White-gaped Honeyeater
Singing Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Grey-crowned Babbler
Black-faced Woodswallow
Pied Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-winged Triller
Rufous Whistler
Olive-backed Oriole
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Torresian Crow
Mistletoebird
Zebra Finch (Australian)
 |
| White-winged Triller |
The mornings activities were not due to start until 8.00am, so had a lazy breakfast and a stroll down to the beach to look for a reported Beach Stone-Curlew, which we did not find. Set off at 8.00am for One Tree car park overlooking the beach, mangroves and Roebuck Bay. The high tide was 9.9m at 11.30, so we had time to watch the shorebirds being pushed towards us in ever growing flocks. Highlight here was a couple of Asian Dowitcher and the big flocks of birds flying by.
One Tree (Roebuck Bay) -17.98549 122.36501 08:30am
Pied Stilt
Lesser Sand-Plover
Greater Sand-Plover
Whimbrel
Eastern Curlew
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Knot
Red Knot
Red-necked Stint
Asian Dowitcher
Terek Sandpiper
Common Greenshank
Silver Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Caspian Tern
Whiskered Tern
Pied Cormorant
Great Egret
Striated Heron
Australian White Ibis
Brahminy Kite
Sacred Kingfisher
Yellow White-eye
 |
| Asian Dowitcher |
 |
| Caspian Tern |
As the tide came in we moved further along the coast to cliffs overlooking a beach roost site with thousands of birds to look at. A Brahminy Kite kept putting the birds up and it was a spectacular sight watching them wheel around.
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Pacific Golden-Plover
Lesser Sand-Plover
Greater Sand-Plover
Red-capped Plover
Whimbrel
Eastern Curlew
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Knot
Red Knot
Curlew Sandpiper
Red-necked Stint
Terek Sandpiper
Common Greenshank
Little Tern
Caspian Tern
Brahminy Kite
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| Mixed flock, mainly Great Knot with Red Knot, Lesser and Greater Sandplover, Curlew Sandplover, Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwit |
Eventually we left the cliffs and returned to the BBO, where it was lunch time. Had lunch and spent the break behind the new interpretive building doing eBird surveys as this was the only shady spot that had adequate phone reception for us to use the internet. 3.00pm we headed out to the mangroves at Little Crab Creek. It was quite muddy and slippery underfoot at the area had been inundated by the morning high tide. Good birds here were Mangrove Grey Fantail, Dusky Gerygone and Beach Stone-Curlew.
Crab Creek Mangroves (Roebuck Bay) -17.9897541 122.3708296 03:40pm
Whimbrel
Caspian Tern
White-necked Heron
White-faced Heron
Little Egret
Australian White Ibis
Brahminy Kite
Brown Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Dusky Gerygone
Mangrove Golden Whistler
Mangrove Grey Fantail
Yellow White-eye
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| Brahminy Kite |
Part 2 Broome - Julatten can be found here
