Steve Happ Photography Ramblings and dissertations

Outback Birding

I set out from Cobar and stopped about 100 kilometers on the way to Wilcannia at the Lilyvale Rest Area. I did not have much hope of seeing much so I went for a walk before sunset and was suprised to see quite a few birds.

Lilyvale Rest Area.

This Common Bronzewing is in typical country for this bird.

Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)

I finally got to see the pink crest on the top of this and a few other Spotted Bowerbirds. I was beginning to doubt myself. I keep thinking of them as Spotted Catbirds. Possibly because they are related to catbirds.

Spotted Bowerbird (Chlamydera maculata).

And I was quite surprised to see this Hooded Robin. There were a few young ones about as well.

Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata)

Baden Park

The next stop was Baden Park and it was similar country – dry and harsh. I did see some Yellow-rumped Thornbill along the road as well as a few Noisy Miner.

Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)

I am not sure what this is. It could be a thornbill or it could be some kind of robin. I really have no idea. Cute, but. Edit: Thanks to Tim Dolby for the ID.

Red-capped Robin

This is pretty right as you can plainly see the white eye and chestnut rump of this Chestnut-rumped Thorbill.

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis)

Wilcannia.

Wilcannia is on the Darling River and has declined a lot over the years. I saw quite a few Black Kite and Whistling Kite soaring over the town and river. And I think I have never got a photo of a Red-tailed Black-cockatoo before. I just cannot remember. It is a female.

female Red-tailed Black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii)

Spring Hill

I walked up this dry creek at Spring Hill, about 130 kilometers east of Broken Hill. A few honeyeaters were around as well as some thornbills. More than I expected. I found a kangaroo digging into the dry creek bed near a reef and about half a meter down it had found water.

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis).

And some more Singing Honeyeaters.

Singing Honeyeater (Lichenostomus virescens)

Outback bird list

Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata)
Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)
Singing Honeyeater (Lichenostomus virescens)
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis)
Spotted Bowerbird (Chlamydera maculata)
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis)
Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Whistling Kite
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Red-tailed Black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii)
Australian Pelican
White Ibis
White-necked Heron

From Narromine to Cobar.

I am now in Cobar. At Narromine there was a huge flock of Little Corella by the river.

Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)

At Nyngan, the most interesting thing was the helicopter in the park. It was a gift from the government because the town was evacuated from flooding in 1990 by helicopter. I think this one is an Iriquois.

Helicopter.

I stopped at Hermidale Rest Area and walked along the train line for a while. There were lots of Noisy Miners and a mob of Grey-crowned Babblers.

Outback New South Wales.

Spider.

Florida Rest Area is on the Barrier Highway, 80 kilometers from Nyngan and 50 kilometers from Cobar. On the border between the shires of Bogan and Cobar.

Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala)

There are lots of Noisy Miner, some Red-winged Parrots, mainly female or juvenile. I did happen to see one adult male. The birds were drinking out of a plastic bowl near a water tank.

Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus).

Outback NSW bird list

Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Grey-crowned Babbler
Apostlebird
Australian Ringneck
Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus)
Noisy Miner
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Pied Butcherbird

Central West NSW.

It has poured raining here in Narromine this morning. You would not believe it! The streets were almost flooding. Last night I was going to camp at Mac’s Reserve, about four kilometers out of town on the banks of the Macquarie River. It was a horrible place, all dry and dusty and a place for rednecks to go and get drunk and burn out cars.

Burnt out car.

Instead I camped at the rest area out of town. It was OK. It had a table and toilets. I have done about 450 kilometers so far from Newcastle. I plan to do about 500 kilometers per week. This is a standard view of most inland towns in Australia – big wide streets and wheat silos.

Standard country town view.

Whilst eating breakfast, I caught sight of this Black-shouldered Kite over the other side of the railway tracks. I never get bored taking photos of these beautiful raptors.

Black-shouldered Kite ( Elanus axillaris)

I went for a walk along the river in town at the Rotary Park. A few birds here and there but not much.

Red-rumped Parrots (Psephotus haematonotus)

A few Welcome Swallows were circling over the football oval. And I spotted a Black Kite in the distance.

Welcome Swallow ( Hirundo neoxena)

Some good camping sites west from Newcastle are:

1. Jerry Plains rest area – just before the village. It has a big field with plenty of room for caravans and turning, barbecue, tables and toilets.

2. Cassilis Park rest area – 5 k west of Cassilis. A nice bush area off the road with plenty of space, toilets, and tables.

Narromine Bird List

Pacific Black Duck
Crested Pigeon
Australian Magpie
Magpie-lark
Australian Raven
Common Starling
Red-shouldered Parrot
Red-rumped Parrot
Eastern Rosella
Welcome Swallow
Black Kite
Black-shouldered Kite
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Galah

Great Dividing Range.

On top of the Great Dividing Range at around 700 meters. Woohoo! This is my favourite camping spot going west. It is called Cassilis Park rest area and is about 5 kilometers past the village of Cassilis on the Golden Highway.

Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus sagittatus)

I was a bit surprised to see these here. I do not know why.

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

White-throated Treecreeper ( Cormobates leucophaea)

Probably a female White-throated Treecreeper but have to look in the book yet. Edit: Yes it is. (from birdsinbackyard.net) “The White-throated Treecreeper is dark brown, with a distinctive white throat and chest, and white streaks on its flanks, edged with black. The wings have a red bar that is visible in flight and the undertail is barred. The female has an orange mark on the sides of the face. Like other treecreepers, spends most of its time foraging in trees and has a short, spiralling flight.”

Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)

Yellow Thornbill (Acanthiza nana)

I do not have my book on me at the moment, so I will properly identify this later. My internet time in the library is limited. doh! I need my book. doh! Edit: hopefully this is right but with limited time to properly check.

Spider

Dragonfly