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WA Sept 2011 Dave Torr Et Al

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WA Sept 2011 Dave Torr Et Al WA Sept 2011 Dave Torr et al Joan Broadberry, Iian Denham, Peter Gibbons, Christine Shelley, Dave Torr and Chloe Youl. Monday Sep 19th Monday morning found us gathered at Melbourne Airport ridiculously early for a 0615 Virgin flight to Perth. We had mixed “wish lists” – Peter had never been to SW WA before, whilst the rest of us had been before but needed specific species or subspecies. Many thanks to all who have been before us and posted information (Tim Dolby’s report was very useful), and especially Frank O’Connor, of course, who also reviewed the draft of this – any mistakes of course are mine! Arriving in Perth at 8:15 we picked up our Kia Carnival from Avis (booked through vroomvroomvroom.com.au, which consistently seems to find the best rates), ticked the Laughing Dove in the car park and headed off to Wungong Gorge, seeing our first Red- capped Parrots on the way. The road in gave us more Red-capped Parrots, our first Western Wattlebird, Brown and White-cheeked Honeyeaters, several Kookaburras, a “Swan River” Honeyeater, great views of male Splendid Fairy-wrens, our first Black-capped Sittellas, Western Gerygone and the “Spotted” Scrubwren. No luck with the Firetail, despite a lot of searching in the rain. After a disappointing lunch in Armadale we went to the Ellis Brook Reserve, where a large group of Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos were near the entrance. Little Eagle and Brown Goshawk were the only other new birds there – again a dip on Firetail. Then, like many before us, we went to see those strange white swans at Northam. No worse than ticking Barham Ostriches I suppose. Easily found 4 on the river, along with Shelduck, Black-winged Stilt and Hardhead. Driving south we stopped just south of Beverley for a solitary Western Corella (derbyi), sharing a paddock with the inevitable “28”s, a Banded Lapwing and several Pipits. Overnight in Narrogin at the Albert Facey Motel for two nights – would have preferred to stay in Dryandra but the requirement to bring bedding makes it hard if you fly in. Tuesday Sep 20th Early morning walk in the Foxes Lair woodland opposite our motel produced a good list – 30+ Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos, a Western Rosella (hybrid of the two subspecies), Red- capped, White-breasted and Western Yellow Robins, Mistletoe bird, Red-capped Parrot and large numbers of Sittellas. Honeyeaters included both Wattlebirds, White-cheeked, Brown- headed and Brown. Then on to Dryandra. We started at the Village Dam where we heard the first of many Fan- tailed Cuckoos – although we were not to see any. The NE corner of the dam produced a pair of male Blue-breasted Fairy-wrens very quickly, and as it warmed up we also had Scrubwren and our first Inland Thornbills and Grey Currawongs. On then to the Arboretum and Ochre Trail walk. There were more Blue-breasted Fairy- wrens at the start of the walk, and the first of many Rufous Treecreepers. Western Wattlebird and Singing Honeyeater were also common, along with Western Gerygone. Part way down the track we had a pair of Elegant Parrots. After this long walk (one of our group had a bad leg and found the walk rather strenuous) we drove towards the Congelin Campground, picking up Dusky Woodswallow and Brown Goshawk on the way. We then did the loop walk to the nearby dam and back, easily finding Western Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill and Red-capped and Scarlet Robins. After a quiet lunch at the dam we drove slowly up Marri Rd on the Darwinia Drive. Half way up Marri we stopped, and were quickly rewarded with the western race of Shrike-tit. The T- junction at the end of Marri Rd gave us more Red-capped Robins and Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, whilst the drive down Gura Rd (whilst not producing any Numbats) gave us another Western Rosella – this time a more pure bred icterotis. We concluded our visit by going to the Old Mill Dam (Wood Duck and Aussie Grebe on the dam) and finding Restless Flycatcher, Jacky Winter, Rufous Whistler, more Blue-breasted Fairy-wrens and the “Swan River” Honeyeater on the short walk. The Village seemed to be devoid of birds. Back at the motel a small flock of Regent Parrots flew over. Wednesday Sep 21st Early morning walk in Foxes Lair, as it was so productive yesterday. Not so many birds, but we did get the Western Yellow Robin, Red-capped Parrot, Western Rosella and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos, along with Elegant Parrot. We then drove to the Stirling Ranges via Rocky Gully in heavy showers. Along the way we had a Yellow-billed Spoonbill, White-browed Babbler and Black-faced Woodswallow. We found our first Western Corellas (pastinator) north of Frankland River, and had numerous sightings until we got to Rocky Gully. At Stirling Ranges Retreat we had Yellow Robin and Elegant Parrot outside our cabin after we checked in, and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo flew over. We then drove to Mt Trio in heavy showers again, where we met up with our friends Dick and Lynn from NSW who would join us for the next few days. We saw our first Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Square-tailed Kite and Western Spinebill. We heard 3 distinct Western (Mallee) Whipbirds (but no sightings) and saw a Western Fieldwren halfway down the road. Overnight at the Stirling Range Retreat for two nights. Thursday Sep 22nd Six am found us on Mt Trio road again – we quickly found one of the Whipbirds we had heard yesterday, and soon had reasonable views of the bird. Also present were Western Spinebill and Tawny-crowned Honeyeater. Back at our cabin we saw Western Shrike-tit, Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, Elegant Parrot, Splendid Fairy-wren, Red-capped parrot and Purple-crowned Lorikeet. After a short break we walked the Ongarup Creek Walk, which took close to three hours. The path out to the creek was very productive, with Sittella, Western Gerygone, Inland and Western Thornbill, Scarlet and Western Yellow Robins, White-winged Triller, Western Rosella amongst the birds seen. The creek was dry with no birds. The path back was very quiet – although we heard Red-eared Firetail in a gully the other side of the fence near the mallee. After lunch we walked round the retreat briefly before the rain started. The paddock behind the camping area had 6 parrot species feeding – Ringneck (some of the locals have the yellow belly of the Port Lincoln race, whereas up until now we had been seeing the 28 race and possible hybrids), Red-capped, Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, Elegant, Galah and Regent. We also added the “Swan River” Honeyeater to the day list. When the rain stopped, we headed off to Toolbrunup in search of wet gully species. After we found two White-breasted Robins the rain started again, and we went back to the retreat – most of us got dropped off at Paper Collar Bridge, and the walk along the fence- line produced Yellow-throated Miner and Australian Hobby, with a Sacred Kingfisher heard and seen near the cabins. After dinner we went spotlighting on the Ongarup Creek Walk going all the way to the creek and back – we heard a distant Boobook, but saw nothing. Friday Sep 23rd We started the day by driving to Porongurup for a brief visit, where we easily found Red- winged Fairy-wren and White-breasted Robin near the car park, and heard (but could not see) Red-eared Firetail near the toilets. Other good birds included Sacred Kingfisher. On then to Two People’s Bay. Initially we visited Little Beach where we added Sooty Oystercatcher, Osprey and Common Sandpiper to our trip list. We then went to Two People’s Bay itself, picking up Caspian Tern. Returning to Little Beach in the late afternoon we were rewarded with great views of Western Bristlebird on the dunes. Overnight in Albany Saturday Sep 24th We started early from Albany to get to Betty’s Beach by 6am. We found the sandy track leading to the boulders that has been mentioned in recent reports by Frank and Tim, and heard a distant Whipbird, but did not see it. We did, however, see our first Southern Emu- wren and a group of 5 Red-eared Firetails. We then drove to Cheyne Beach and were at the gravel track just past the turning for the Caravan Park around 0840. We heard the Noisy Scrub-bird calling, and at 0905 it walked slowly across the track. About 45 minutes later it ran back across the track and started calling, but we were not to get any more views. A Brush Bronzewing was visible and calling above the track. Having seen our first Fan-tailed Cuckoo at the caravan park – we had heard many but not seen them, we set off mid-morning to look for Whipbirds, although several people had told us that there were no recent sightings. We followed the track to Back Beach (see Tim’s recent map) and came back via the coastal path – again we heard a distant bird but no sightings. There were Emu-wrens in several places on the walk. Lunch at our cabins and a single Red-eared Firetail flew past. After lunch we had a walk to the area near the headland (at the end of Cheyne Rd) to look for the Whipbird, but with no luck. Then we went down the southern track from the Caravan Park which added nothing to the list! Some of the group saw Red-winged Fairy- wrens near our cabins, and White-breasted Robins were also present.
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