Birdwatching Around Geraldton and Dongara

Home , Chapman River, Eastern great egret, Geraldton, Greenough River, Irwin River

1 CHAPMAN RIVER REGIONAL PARK Birdwatching around Geraldton and Dongara

This extensive reserve within Geraldton City is worth Areas within the City of Geraldton provide eucalypt a visit at any time of year. It extends from Sunset & acacia woodland, river margins and shorelines. Birdwatching Beach north of Geraldton, along the Chapman River For the more adventurous, those with more time to to a large area of bushland and includes estuarine spare or en route to other places, there are a number salt-marsh, limestone cliff-tops, groves of river of other options, including significant river pools around Geraldton sheoak, eucalypts and acacia; scrub and heathlands. and estuaries, farmlands, ranges and bush reserves. Australian Pelican, Osprey, herons, egrets, White- The Houtman Abrolhos Islands to the west provide browed Scrubwren, Mistletoebird and Grey habitat and food sources for many seabirds. Currawong have all been recorded here. Please note: Directions are given for travel from Geraldton. Tappak Street P Sunset Beach Chapman River Local Contacts P BirdLife Midwest – Geraldton: P Jan Ph 9964 3773 Spalding Mike Ph 0427 872 161 Park Entrance P P Spalding Oval Crowtherton P Street Green Street P Acknowledgements: P Farlan Street Illustrations / photographs by Robin Ashford, John Anderson, Alan Collins, Pam Free, Keith Lightbody, Chapman River Regional Park Michael Morcombe, SusanTingay.

Kempton Street Information: J. Checker, S. Vigilante, M. Lawrie - Chapman Road

North West Costal Highway sites and bird lists; J. Brooker, A Howitt (Chapman

There are a number of access points, the best being: BirdLife Western Australia members are offered

a variety of activities and services including Lawrie Mike by Kite Black-shouldered Spalding Park - Enter Spalding Park from Chapman conservation and research projects, excursions, Road immediately south of the Chapman River campouts, surveys and social activities. There is also Bridge. Park near the picnic shelters. Walk down a library and books for sale at the office. To view the the dual use path then either under the North Coast full range of bird guides visit the website. Highway bridge to access the south bank, or cross the river by the footbridge then walk under the bridge to access the north bank. Australia’s voice for birds since 1901 Tappak Street, Waggrakine - Park 50m from the BirdLife Australia is dedicated to achieving outstanding end of Tappak St on the left hand (south) side. Walk conservation results for our native birds and their habitats. With our specialised knowledge and the south down the sandy track to the park’s fence line. commitment of an Australia-wide network of volunteers Avoid the large gate, but turn left (east) and walk and supporters, we are creating a bright future 50m to the walk access. for Australia’s birds.

Fairfax Road, Moresby - Car park and park entry are at the west end of Fairfax Rd. birdlife.org.au

Tersonia Way, Strathalbyn - Several entries provide BirdLife Western Australia access to the river or sandplain and a wide track 167 Perry Lakes Drive, Floreat WA 6014 T 08 9383 7749 | [email protected] birds are in our nature linking to Spalding Park. Western Australia facebook.com/BirdLifeAustralia | @BirdlifeOz ABN 75 149 124 774 2 GERALDTON CITY BEACHES 6. GREENOUGH RIVER MOUTH Horrocks Over the years, increased human activity has meant Northampton Yuna reduced bird activity but Point Moore, Grey’s Beach Yuna Tenindewa Road To the south, another good day outing includes and Back Beach offer good opportunities to see Greenough River Flats, the river mouth and the Chapman River Osprey. There are man-made nesting platforms at Nabawa Road East historically significant areas of Greenough and Nabawa Point Moore, Greys Beach & Separation Point. Other Chapman Valley Road Dongara. possibilities are Nankeen Kestrel, Pacific Gull, Ruddy Access Greenough River Mouth via Brand Hwy. Turnstone, Sanderling and Red-caped Plover. About 10km south of Geraldton, turn west on Chapman Mullewa River Valley North West Costal Highway 8 Greenough River Rd. ValentineGreenough Road River Waggrakine Cutting Explore the river’s edge and beach for Australian Lookout Geraldton Mt Magnet Road Pelican, Osprey and in summer watch out for Geraldton Wicherina 3 Eradu Nature 2 Reserve shorebirds such as Australian Pied Oystercatcher, 3Beetalyinna Nature Red-necked Stint and Common Sandpiper. 6 Reserve Greenough River Devlin Pool, a long river pool 3 4 Ellendale Pool Nangetty Walkaway Road on the Greenough, is also worth Immature Pacific Gull Mingenew Mullewa Road Walkaway Burma Road exploring. From Greenough River Brand Highway Rd, travel approx. 2.5 km further 3 MINNENOOKA; BEETALYINNA AND ERADU 5Burma Road south on Brand Hwy. Turn right Carnarvon Nature Reserve NATURE RESERVES. into Devlin Pool Rd and follow it down to the river. With care Kalbarri Common Sandpiper A pleasant 120 km round day trip can be made via Abrohlos Geraldton Devlin Pool Rd is also accessible Islands 9 Arthur Rd towards Walkaway, then east through Irwin River from the south. farmland via Minnenooka Rd to Sandsprings Rd Perth The Midlands Road Dongara 7 and Ramsay Rd to meet Eradu South Rd. Return Mingenew 7. DONGARA via Geraldton-Mt Magnet Rd. There are a number of sites worth visiting en route: two Greenough River The Irwin River divides Dongara and the beachside crossings, Beetalyinna Nature Reserve / Pool and town of Port Denison. It can be accessed via a Eradu Nature Reserve (see map). NB Much of this 4.6 km loop trail, starting at either Irwin River Mouth journey is on unsealed roads. Lookout on Church St (signage here), or Irwin River Park at the south end of Irwin Bridge (shady parking 5. BURMA ROAD NATURE 4 ELLENDALE POOL available). Insect repellent is wise. RESERVE This is an alternative to include on the longer day trip The walk includes river margins, samphire wetland, Alternatively, this site could be combined with (see previous entry), or to combine with Burma Rd a bird hide near the river mouth and boardwalks to Ellendale Pool for a full day’s outing. Nature Reserve for quite different habitat. access the estuary. NB The river occasionally breaks Access as for Ellendale, via Nangetty-Walkaway Access via Walkaway, then east through a bar, making crossing at the river mouth Rd to Ellendale turn-off. Go 2 km further east then on Walkaway–Nangetty Rd. impossible. turn south onto Burma Rd (unsealed). The reserve Follow signs north to Ellendale is marked with signs at both northern & southern Look for Eastern Reef Egret, Caspian Tern and Great Pool. boundaries. Firebreaks and internal tracks allow Egret near the river mouth. Pied Cormorants roost A popular spot for picnics and access on foot. At 17 km south, a track to the left along the river. barbecues, this natural pool is provides access to a farm gate. Park along the side at the foot of tall river cliffs and of the road. Please use caution on sandy tracks. is surrounded by eucalypts and This extensive area of heath is worth a visit for acacias, with reed beds along wildflowers and bush birds; best in spring. The the margins. Waterbirds include speciality here is Rufous Fieldwren. Emu, Australasian Darter and Musk White-winged Fairy-wren, Red-capped Robin and Duck. There are many bush birds White-cheeked Honeyeater are among the other and Peregrine Falcons inhabit birds in the area. the cliff face. Australian Darter Eastern Great Egret 8. CHAPMAN VALLEY DRIVE Bird List Species Geraldton Abrolhos

Chapman Valley Road runs north-east from North- Species Geraldton Abrolhos Great Egret M river margins White-faced Heron M U west Coastal Hwy, through the Moresby Ranges Emu U then along the Chapman River towards Nanson Eastern Reef Egret IA U C and Nabawa. Waggrakine Cutting Lookout, just Stubble Quail C (locally) Nankeen Night-heron U Greenough R, Ellendale off Chapman Valley Road is worth a visit. On the Musk Duck M Glossy Ibis U farmland backroads, Rufous Whistler, Splendid and Variegated Australian White Ibis M increasing Fairy-wrens, Striated Pardalote and Rufous Songlark Black Swan M R Straw-necked Ibis M farmland are among the birds to be Royal Spoonbill U Greenough R seen. Return to the highway via Australian Shelduck C U Yellow-billed Spoonbill M C Howatharra or Isseka Rd East. Australian Wood Duck C Grey Teal C R Osprey M C Pacific Black Duck C Black-shouldered Kite M Square-tailed Kite U Red-tailed Tropicbird U White-bellied Sea-Eagle U IA C Whistling Kite M Australasian Grebe U Australian Hobby 9. HOUTMAN ABROLHOS Hoary-headed Grebe U Black Kite R Rufous Whistler Brown Goshawk U This is an archipelago of 122 coral islands 60 km west Rock Dove C Collared Sparrowhawk U of Geraldton, historically significant due the wreck Laughing Dove C Spotted Harrier C of the Batavia in 1629. In the past the islands were Wedge-tailed Eagle C R Common Bronzewing M Little Eagle M also noted for guano production and, more recently, Brush Bronzewing M U an important rock-lobster industry, commercial Nankeen Kestrel C fishing and pearl farming. Schools of pelagic baitfish Tawny Frogmouth M Brown Falcon C provide a vital food source for birds. On the Houtman Spotted Nightjar U Australian Hobby M Abrolhos are found the largest breeding colonies in Australian Owlet nightjar U Peregrine Falcon U Western Australia of a number of species of seabird. Wilson’s Storm-Petrel IA C Mi Au Buff-banded Rail U R White Faced Storm-Petrel U C B Sp-Su Spotless Crake U U mangroves The islands have limited access for the general public. Blacked-tail Native-hen M farm dams Wi-Sp For visitors there are day flights:geraldtonaircharter. Yellow-nosed Albatross U R Su Eurasian Coot C com.au Eco Abrolhos offers five day boat tours or private charter in spring, summer or autumn: Southern Giant-Petrel U R Wi Australian Pied Oystercatcher U C ecoabrolhos.com.au or contact Geraldton Visitor Southern Fulmar R Wi Sooty Oystercatcher U U Centre. Wedge-tailed Shearwater IA C B Sp-Su Black-winged Stilt M Banded Stilt U Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Little Shearwater, White- Flesh-footed Shearwater IA C Mi Au-Wi Hutton’s Shearwater U Mi Au Red-necked Avocet U N faced Storm Petrel, White-breasted Sea Eagle, Grey Plover U U Sp-Su Osprey, Common and Lesser Noddies, Caspian, Little Shearwater C B Au-Wi Great-winged Petrel U Mi Au Red-capped Plover C C B Sp Crested, Roseate, Sooty and the endangered Greater Sand-plover U R Fairy Terns can be seen here. Breeding shorebirds Australasian Gannet C Brown Booby IA R vagrant Black-fronted Dotterel M R include Australian Pied and Hooded Plover U O Sooty Oystercatchers. Land Australasian Darter C U Banded Lapwing C birds include the threatened Little Pied Cormorant M U Black-tailed Godwit IA U Abrolhos Island sub-species of Great Cormorant M U Bar-tailed Godwit IA T U U Painted Button-quail. Little Black Cormorant C Whimbrel IA U C Pied Cormorant C B Sp C Eastern Curlew IA T U R Common Sandpiper IA C U Fairy Tern Australian Pelican C U Grey-tailed Tattler IA U C White-necked Heron U Common Greenshank IA M U Species Geraldton Abrolhos Species Geraldton Abrolhos Species Geraldton Abrolhos Marsh Sandpiper IA U R Rainbow Bee-eater C Sp-Au Dusky Woodswallow U Wood Sandpiper IA U Little Woodswallow U Dusky Woodswallow Ruddy Turnstone IA C C Splendid Fairy-wren M Great Knot IA T U U White-winged Fairy-wren M Grey Butcherbird M Red Knot IA T U U Variegated Fairy-wren M Pied Butcherbird C Sandling IA M U Blue-breasted Fairy-wren U Australian Magpie C Grey Currawong M increasing Red-necked Stint IA T C U White-browed Scrubwren C C Wallabi Is Sharp-tailed Sandpiper U Greenough R Su Rufous Fieldwren U Grey Fantail M Curlew Sandpiper IA T U U Redthroat U Striated Pardalote Willy Wagtail C Weebill M Painted Button-Quail T U declining Australian Raven C Little Button-Quail M Western Gerygone M Yellow-rumped Thornbill C Little Crow U Common Noddy IA U C B Sp-Su Chestnut-rumped Thornbill M Magpie-lark C Lesser Noddy U C B Sp-Su Inland Thornbill M Bridled Tern U C B Sp-Su Jacky Winter U Red-capped Robin Sooty Tern U C B Sp-Su Spotted Pardalote U Red-capped Robin M Fairy Tern T U C B Sp-Su Striated Pardalote C White-breasted Robin U Caspian Tern IA M C B Wi-Su Pied Honeyeater U after good rains Roseate Tern IA U C B Au & Su Australian Reed-Warbler U Singing Honeyeater C Little Grassbird U Lesser Crested Tern IA R White-eared Honeyeater U Crested Tern C C B Au Sp-Su Rufous Songlark M White-plumed Honeyeater C Brown Songlark M Pacific Gull C C B Sp-Su White-fronted Honeyeater M Silver Gull C C Yellow-throated Miner M Silvereye C C Red-tailed Black Cockatoo M T farmland Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater C Western Wattlebird U White-backed Swallow C Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo M Welcome Swallow C C Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo U Red Wattlebird U Crimson Chat U after good rains Fairy Martin M Galah C Tree Martin C R Western Corella R White-fronted Chat M Little Corella C Black Honeyeater R Mistletoebird M Tawny-crowned Honeyeater M White-winged Triller Cockatiel U Pallid Cuckoo Regent Parrot U Brown Honeyeater C Zebra Finch U White-cheeked Honeyeater M Australian Ringneck C Australasian Pipit C Budgerigar C Sp Brown-headed Honeyeater U Elegant Parrot U White-browed Babbler C Rock Parrot U BIRD LIST CODES Chestnut Quailthrush U Abundance Horsfield’s Bronze-CuckooU Wi Season Varied Sittella U C common Black-eared Cuckoo U Wi Su summer M mod. common Shining-bronze Cuckoo U Wi Black-faced Cockcoo-shrike C Au autumn U uncommon Pallid Cuckoo M Wi White-winged Triller M Wi-Sp Wi winter Fan-tailed Cuckoo M Wi R rare Golden Whistler U Sp spring Status Southern Boobook U Rufous Whistler C IA protected by Eastern Barn Owl U Grey Shrike-thrush C Mi migratory International Crested Bellbird U pastoral areas T threatened Agreement Red-backed Kingfisher U N nomadic OSP other specially Sacred Kingfisher M Sp-Au Masked Woodswallow U B breeding protiected Black-faced Woodswallow C WA endemics are in O of conservation bold concern