About a month ago now I bought a slide on camper for my VW Amarok, an Overlander XP made by Trailblazers in Braeside. I had to do the Anderson plug connection myself so took it to my friend Russell, so spent my first night in it at his place in Lal Lal.
We didn’t get a fuse for it, and when I put one in there was no connection, so back to Russell’s the next weekend, he found the problem, fixed it and I spent that night in the Brisbane Ranges NP, I had intended to camp at Little River picnic area, but when I arrived there were still picnickers there, I had another spot in the north of the ranges, and was on my way there when a Spotted Quail-thrush dashed across the track in front of me, this was my first sighting as a birdwatcher, I’d seen them twice before only as a bushwalker many years ago. So I pulled over on Aeroplane track and camped the night there, thus spending my second night in the camper, on the way out I stopped at Sapling Gully picnic area. There were a few issues with the camper, so I took it back and yesterday I picked it up all ready to go. Yesterday was a busy day at work and I only just got to Braeside by 5pm, and it was 6pm when I left there to head home.
18/4/14 195km
This morning I packed until 10.30am and headed off with the occasional heavy shower persisting until late afternoon. Went via Anglican church Diamond Creek Yarra Glen, Sugarloaf reservoir Yarra Glen wetlands, Theiss Woori Yallock and Torbets Rd Gilderoy. Two campsites I checked out were absolutely chockers full of campers with chainsaws, dogs, children and campfires. At Tooronga Falls picnic area I found a bloke chopping down a wattle sapling, I told him that it wouldn’t burn because it was green. He replied that he wasn’t going to burn it, but use it as a stake, 5-10 years of growth for use as a stake for a weekend, what short-sighted selfish destructive arrogant people, and the bush is full of them this weekend. The other one was Loch valley camp. I found a spot on Kenny Spur track south of Fumina, there was a group down by the ford, they have motorbikes, another bane of birdwatchers. The birds have already changed from my local stock north of Melbourne, with such species as Lewin’s Honeyeater, Yellow Robin and Brown Gerygone already present on some of my 8 surveys today.
19/4 281k
Had some light showers overnight, up before dawn, had breaky as it was getting light, added a few more birds. Stopped by Blue Rock lake and in to Moe, fuel at 1.56.9cpl, got some rice and pasta which I’d forgotten to take from home and other supplies and headed for Dargo, stopping at Lake Narracan, Cowarr weir, Websters Rd Newry, Briagalong Rd SF, Davidson Rd Glenaladale, Peels gap S Castleburn, Dargo Rd picnic. Near Cambooya there had been a fire this season, I’d thought the survey would be virtually birdless, not so, I got 6 species including an adult Emu with 2 juveniles which probably deserves bird of the day. Ended up at Dargo Rd King Spur Tk on the high plains, where I surprisingly I got some Goldfinch and a pair of Starlings, but then there is farmland up here. The late afternoon was perfect with a warm sun and no wind. I cooked dinner of meat and vegies stir-fry, with all but the rice and carrot old or suspect. Then more suspect yoghurt and fruit loaf for desert. By 6.30pm it was 5 degrees.
A frosty start on Dargo highplains
20/4 235km
It was 1 degree when I got up and a light frost was on the ground, but it took ages to de-ice the windscreen. The wind was picking up, coming in from the north and as I got towards Mt Hotham I got in to cloud. I did an old spot out on The Razorback in thick cloud howling up the mountain, very dramatic. I was meandering around having found a few Flame Robins and Crimson Rosellas and wondering what I was going to do for the rest of the survey when out of the corner of my eye I saw a bird come zooming up the mountain zipping by me about 10m away and 1m off the ground a Sparrowhawk, and it was gone, my encounter of the day. Down to Tolands Rd Cobungra then Lake Omeo Church La at Benambra which disappointingly was dry. Along to Limestone track Alpine NP, then Rams Horn Tk Alpine NP, and on to one of the best named places in Australia, Suggan Buggan. Got some Diamond Finches there. Down to another old spot at Seldom Seen Ck near Wulgulmerang, what evocative names. Camped by Little River falls Snowy river NP. Since I’d survived last night’s dinner with no ill effects I had the same meal again only with fish instead of meat. For most of the day it didn’t get above 11 degrees. Both yesterday and today my fuel average is 9.5L/100k probably not too bad considering all the hills.
21/4 198km
Up at dawn had a quick look at the falls. It was -1 degree but not as much ice on the windscreen this morning. Down to McKillop’s bridge camp, a very spectacular drive into the snowy river valley. I got 8 Turquoise Parrot at the campground, where there were a few people but not the overcrowding as at some spots. Over to Deddick river Ambyne, Jingalalla River S of Delicknora, then Strawberry Tk E of Delicknora, Delegate cemetery, through to Bombala River Bombala and via Black lake Bibbenluke that had 5,000 Coot and Maffra lake Maffra which had 1,500 Grey Teal to Ironmungy Nature reserve where I got a pair of Speckled Warblers. Had more fish with a bland pasta sauce for dinner.
22/4 307km
A balmy 10 degrees when I got up at dawn and headed towards Cooma. At Cottage Creek rd S of Cooma I stopped to see what I could find in the open grasslands. The first bird was a Hobby Falcon, and the second a Wedge-tailed Eagle, not what I was expecting, then I got the expected Galahs, Skylarks, Starlings, Magpies, and finally a Willie Wagtail came to check me out clicketing away at me. On to Murrumbidgee River res then stopped at Muddah lake north of Cooma and got the now expected 1,000 Grey Teal with a spattering of other ducks such as Pink-eared Duck. The Bologen rd through Namadgi NP was a really nice drive, though the birding stops were a bit ordinary at Boboyan Rd S of Queenbeyan and Glendale picnic Namadgi NP where I got the first Fuscous Honeyeater for the trip. In south Canberra I picked up 76.8litres of diesel doing 827ks at a cost of $122. Through Queenbeyan to Cuumbeyun NR and down to Captains Flat Rd creek, over to Rocky Pig Rd Tallaganda NP, and on to Jembaicumbene Ck and got 70 White-naped Honeyeaters, they just kept on flying over me, chipping and shurping as they went. Ended up not where I wanted to be. I bypassed one camping spot, looking at the map a track headed off the Kings Hwy in the NP, but of course being in the NP it was closed, so came down the long hill to Currowan ck,Lyons rd headed off into the forest and down the hill I went. I came to the namesake creek and found a little dirt track to follow up the stream a bit, it came out at a very nice secluded spot with the creek gurgling away right by the car, I put some mozzie repellent on expecting hordes in the dank valley, but none came. I relaxed by the creek for ½ hour or so, but the birds were as absent as the mozzies, so went for a wander, and found a few of the usuals such as Large-billed Scrubwren and Eastern Yellow Robin, there’s another nice spot on the other side of the creek but with a steep access, which might be tricky when wet. In Canberra I had put the tyre pressure up to 45psi which seemed to improve the way the car felt. Dinner was cooked in the semi dark and eaten in the dark, as I was munching away, I saw what looked like a Sugar Glider a Small Forest Bat and a Large Forest Bat.
23/4 245km
No night birds, which was a bit disappointing for a location with such vitality, mind you I probably just didn’t hear them above the burble of the creek. Found a pair of Azure Kingfishers which I think is one of the most beautiful of the Kingfishers and one of my birds of the day. Through Old Nelligen Rd Benandarah SF to Wasp head, a repeat survey, where I found 8 Variegated Fairywrens which is the first time I’d seen the coastal subspecies, also a Crested Shrike-tit, which I always rate highly. Next to Lagoon Head also a repeat survey where I got a Rose Robin which I think always rates as a contender for bird of the day. So no standouts today but some nice birds. Re-did 3 survey spots around Nowra, Triplitana NR, Tapallee NR and Abernathys Rd Bugong NP, but couldn’t find a Rock Warbler, and made a dash for Barren Grounds, found I couldn’t camp there so went to the nearby Jamberoo lookout and had another late dinner, with quite a few mozzies, the bites of which would irritate me for the rest of the trip. It’s school holidays in NSW so the highway and coastal towns are choked full of holiday-makers, they are extending the freeway south of Kiama and I got caught in a huge traffic jam as they changed the flow of traffic onto a new bit of road, they stopped the traffic both ways whilst they painted new lines and put down new cones to direct the flow.
24/4 207km
Got a rufous Bristlebird at the lookout, heard some wrens in the low shrubs on the other side of the road, but couldn’t entice them out with my pishing. I suspect they were Southern Emuwrens, but a Bristlebird popped up and I got a brilliant look at it, only a meter or so from me. So I got my bird of the day early. Went back to Barren Grounds and spent over an hour on the trails near the carpark but the best bird I could find were 3 Gang Gang Cockatoos creaking away in the treetops. There were heaps of New Holland Honeyeaters and Little Wattlebirds. Had a look at Cecil Hosking Nature Reserve at Bong Bong, nice looking wetland but there wasn’t even 1 duck on it, but got 27 species in 40mins. Re-surveyed Gordon VC rest area right by the noisy fwy which turned up a White-bellied Sea Eagle and 10 other species but at my Belanglo SF spot could only find 4 Magpies and 2 Crimson Rosellas, so a bit of a dud. Spent most of the rest of the day on the winding twisting way of the Wombeyan Caves road doing 20-30kph. Just past the fizzer of a tunnel, which is just a hole in a rock formation, and a lookout that I couldn’t stop at with it jam packed full of cars and people, a Spotted Quail-thrush crossed the road in front of me, so parked the car in the ditch and did a survey there at Nattai NP Wombeyan Caves Rd, there were a few tracks, one leading to a passable campsite. Had lunch at the Wollondilly river crossing then Langs Rd Blue Mountains NP. My campsite was a spot I’d earmarked before as being a nice spot to camp, it’s the Bummaroo campsite Abercombie river, there were only a few other campers there, so found a nice quiet spot away from them, and had a dunk in the river and a relaxing twilight. Just on dark a family arrived and camped right next to me… darn!
25/4 348km
Up before dawn, not much new to be found, just a few Silvereyes. Yesterday was a beautiful day, clear blue sky, light to no wind. Overnight the weather blew in heavy cloud. At some points as I headed north I drove in to the cloud. There was only one short heavy shower though at Sofala, by Bathurst it had mostly cleared to a pleasant afternoon. Bird of the day was a Peregrine Falcon using the creek side of the Oberon dam as a perch. Everything else was a bit pedestrian, and pretty quiet all day as I made my way around the back of the Blue Mountains. All of today’s sites were old ones, put in on my return from delivering caravans to Newcastle, Swatchfield Rd Vulcan SF, Oberon dam wall, Fish river O’Connell, Turon river Sofala, Clandulla SF Kandos, Breakfast Ck Rd Breakfast Creek and Cox’s gap Wollomi NP. I came down the Byland valley, they are up in arms about a coal mine and coal seam gas, but one look at the valley and you can see it’s already knackered environmentally, there isn’t even a stream running down it, and they’ve cleared the trees right up to the rocks and in some places I saw hill erosion. As far as I can tell it’s the same old selfish vested interest. Not that I’m advocating a coal mine, but if they took better care of their valley instead of squeezing it for all it’s worth they’d get more sympathy from me. At the Goulburn River Yarrawa I found access to a flat down by the river near my site and set up camp. On sunset there was an onslaught of mozzies, so I ate my dinner in the car. 2 of the little buggers got in to the camper and it took a while to dispatch them, the little suckers weren’t going to get me! The Goulburn River is in no better shape than the Byland Valley with almost all the flora being weeds, from the trees and shrubs to the grasses, but I still got 36 species including a Koel.
26/4 220km
Met one of the locals on my morning round and he agreed with me that the river is in a bad way, but he said there was no money to do anything. I disagree; all it takes is some community activity to care for the environment. Surveyed Doyles Ck Rd Jerry’s Plains and as I came in towards Singleton there was a pall of smog. I bought a few supplies and headed for the hills. Stopped at Parks Ck Rd Gresford next stop was Skimmings Gap Rd Barrington NP, then I got 3 White-headed Pigeons at Coachwood camp as well as a nice look at a Bassian Thrush, but it was full of people, some had loud stereos, there were dogs wandering around off the leash and in the creek, and of course the inevitable chainsaw. I flushed 4 Brown Cuckoo-doves at one spot so did a survey there at Chichester SF 1. At Wangtag Trig rd which is a walkers access to the Barrington NP the motorbikers were getting around the gate and into the National Park. No respect, they have a huge area here to hoon around in, is that enough? No they have to go where they’re not supposed to. At Terrible Billy I got a Yellow-throated Scrubwren. About half way down the mountain I found a flat spot next to a closed road and camped at Avon River SF 1. Got a Grey Goshawk as it crossed the track 20m in front of me. Once darkness fell a nice chorus of 3 Boobook Owls started up. My peace and quiet was briefly interrupted by some motorbikers as they headed off down the closed road, typical.
27/4 271km
Got out onto the bitumen and headed around to Gloucester river camp, then around the back through Kerripit River Rawdon Vale to Copeland Tops SCA 1 then Bretti camp on through Giro SF 1 and Brackendale to Tia Falls camp. A nice drive through the hills, though the bitumen in places is in worse shape than the dirt with more patches than an old pair of jeans. On Thunderbolt Way there is virtually no place to overtake, so I reckon it got its name from the looks people like me get from the speedsters when they finally get the chance to get by. Despite 7 surveys during the day I failed to get a noteworthy bird, though perhaps the Forest Ravens at Tia falls might rate a mention. The camp is a pleasant place despite the cries of a very young baby which emanated from the next campsite over, that being the least of the nasties of camping with strangers around.
28/4 359km
Went and had a look at the gorge, quite spectacular, even found a Peregrine Falcon which appeared out of the low cloud. Over the last few days I’ve had flocks of honeyeaters chipping as they flew by overhead and disappeared. At last one group stopped long enough for me to identify them as Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, a bird I’ve been getting regularly anyway. In light drizzle at Cottan Bimbang NP 1 I was looking at a Yellow-throated Scrubwren, when a Pale Yellow Robin flew in and sat on a low perch to see what all the scolding was about, giving me a nice long look at my bird of the day. Down to Bagnoo Rd Bagnoo then up to Werrikimbe NP but the two spots I chose to survey were bushfire affected, The Brushy Mountaint Camp area seems to have been the start of the fire. Yet another bushfire started by a careless campfire lighter no doubt. The fire burnt west from there, and my spot at Werrikimbe NP creek was totally burnt out, and was in the early process of regenerating, I got 6 species here: Yellow and Brown Thornbills, Flame and Yellow Robins, White-throated Treecreeper, and the ever-present Pied Currawong, with all but the currawong in a feeding group. My car has a kilometres to go function, it had shown 120k to go as I stopped at the creek, when I started off again it now showed 40k, don’t trust technology! So I emptied my emergency jerry can which gave me 140k, and hoped that the reading was accurate this time. The other way down the mountain was closed which meant I had to retrace my route up. Got in to Wauchope with 60k to go but the cheapest I could find was $1.62.9 so went to Telegraph Point, disaster! it was $1.65.9 I was back on empty, so put in $20 worth and drove to Kempsey, I happened upon the Woolworths store which had diesel at $1.59.9, but as I pulled in I found it was closed for works, doh! Just up the road was my salvation a Liberty store also at $1.59.9 so filled up $140 including the jerrycan for the next time my car tries to trick me. Drove up into the hills to Carrai SF, not as far as I’d like to have got. I camped at two old shacks, which turned out to be a school and I presume the teachers residence, now dilapidated and forlorn. I didn’t get to Carrai SF school site until 5.30pm in the dark, so cooked and ate my dinner in the camper and listened to the Boobook chorus again.
29/4 219km
It was 5am when I woke to the sound of a Boobook Owl boobooking away then I heard a second different owl call. Was that a Powerful Owl? But after two hoots, nothing. I umed and ahhed for half an hour, questioning myself, was I awake enough, was I sure enough to count it in my survey. I even got out my iPod to listen to the call to reassure myself. Thankfully at 5.30 it called briefly again, this time I was certain. That turned out to be the highlight and bird of the day. Added a few more birds such as Brown Goshawk, White-headed Pigeon, and I do find the Yellow-throated Scrubwrens have a bit of character to them. Drove down to Daisy Plains Oxley River NP along the ridge, but couldn’t find any birds of note in the saddle, despite some nice looking habitat. So headed back down the mountain to Warbro brook. I’d seen some Double-barred Finches there on the way up, I managed to find them again, but as I arrived I had 3 other birds I couldn’t remember the calls of, and couldn’t find any of them, very frustrating. Had some nice back roads stopping at Greenhills Rd Ngambaa NR, and Williams Hill Rd W of Macksville to get to Argents Hill, where I made a mistake. my Hema navigator has several maps to choose from in many areas. The most detailed is the topographic, but it’s a bit unreliable when it comes to small tracks, so I’d been using the NE NSW map which has better coding of the tracks, but for some reason I’d switched back to the topographic map and took the road to Girralong which shows it being the shortest route to Mt Killekranke, my target for the night. It petered out to end at a house. The other map also showed it going through but as a very minor track which I knew was unreliable. After a look at another track that hadn’t been used for ages going up a spur to the north I asked some locals. The lady said you can’t get up the mountain because the greenies had got all the tracks closed off, she was a bit lost for words when I told her I was a greenie. Her husband and son weren’t sure if you could get up, but warned me I’d need 4wd because of steep muddy tracks. I was considering giving up on Killekranke, but it was getting late and I needed to find somewhere to camp so I thought I’d head up the mountain on the advised Horseshoe track and see how far I could get. Well, apart from a few trees down, one of which I had centimeters to spare getting under, the track was in excellent condition. I got to my planned intersection at Horseshoe Forest Rd 1 and there was a little flat spot to camp, but there had been a fire through the area, the canopy wasn’t burnt but most of the undergrowth was gone. It was 5pm, so after a short relax interrupted by mozzies I retreated to the camper. Dinner for 1: Take a small billy, fill one third with water, bring to boil, add pasta to just below level of water, cook till nearly ready, add defrosted precooked Bolognese sauce, heat, add small cubes of cheese, enjoy! My billy is old and dented from my bushwalking days, I often run out of water in the bottom and end up with a bit of pasta stuck to the bottom right next to a big dent, but this time I cooked it to perfection with no watery sauce at the bottom and no pasta stuck there either, success! If water isn’t an issue fill the billy and rinse out in the morning, if it is then just re-use the next night. For desert several spoons of strawberry yoghurt a piece of my wife’s fruit cake with extra cherries of course, and 3 pieces of peppermint dark chocolate, yum. A single Boobook started up and came and boobooked me, then went off to do its boobooky things, later a second one gave me a duet for a while, and even later an Owlet Nightjar indicated its presence.
30/4 220km
Didn’t find anything of note in the morning, did find an unburnt gully which hid a Lyrebird and other undergrowth birds such as Brown Thornbills and White-browed Scrubwrens. I stopped at another spot just down the track at what looked like nice habitat at Horseshoe forest Rd 2, but only got 7 species including 5 King Parrots. Headed for Bellingen, only to find several kilometres down the road that the road was closed, my maps, yes I checked both maps and both showed a track going through Missabotti, but it petered out to an impassable track. On my way back through Missabotti I did a survey, got mainly open country species such as Red-browed Finch, Bar-shouldered Dove, and Straw-necked Ibis, but also some forest species such as Brown Cuckoo-dove. Had to go out onto the main highway then up Waterfall Way to Dorrigo. The first road I wanted to go on ended up on private land. I decided I really don’t like this part of Australia, all the roads are closed or don’t exist anymore. The Griffiths lookout Dorrigo was a fizzer and then it started to rain, it persisted all afternoon. Went in to the Never Never picnic area, there were a few birds still active. Went through Dorrigo and tried to find a spot to camp at Junny Juluum NP but couldn’t find one. Found a flat patch of grass in a pullover in Wild Cattle Creek SF with some nice forest on both sides and being a dead end there was little traffic. After I’d cooked and eaten dinner I found a leech wandering around the camper which was a bit of a worry.
1/5 313km
Finished the survey at 7.30am with no further leeches found and hit the road, I went back to the Dorrigo Mountain rest area on the highway, the bushland next to it looked promising, but couldn’t find anything noteworthy. Did a series of old spots, Hyland SF Tyringham, Ellis Rd Chaelundi NP, Clarence river Mountain View and Braemar SF S of Casino, through Casino and in to Border Ranges NP, and camped at Sheepstation ck camp. The standout spot was the Braemar sf which added 4 birds for the trip, Noisy Friarbird, Tawny Grassbird, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin and White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, the Tawny Grassbird being my first for NSW. I arrived at camp at 15.30 which gave me plenty of time to relax and let the birds come to me, on dark though there was the inevitable onset of mozzies, and thus a general retreat to the camper.
2/5 146km
Not much luck on my morning round, but last night about 2hrs after dark and again at 5am I heard a Noisy Pitta very close to the campground, I couldn’t find it this morning though, but with the longer time to count than usual I got 18 species. As I was winding down the top on the camper the threatening rain arrived and despite it only taking a minute to wind it down I got soaked. Tried three spots on the mountain, Forest top camp, Brindle Creek picnic and Antarctic Beech picnic, but the birds weren’t active in the cold mist and showers, so I headed for Scott’s Island reserve via a traffic jam in Murwillumbah. When I stop to do a survey I usually open the car door to listen to what’s around, whilst I mark the spot on my gps and take note of the time etc. As soon as I did this at Scott’s Island 4 mozzies dived inside, after dispatching them I put on some repellent and raincoat and did a 20min survey. I’d intended to come back here to camp tonight, but with the hordes of mozzies, having no access to the island and a noisy road right next to the camp I decided to head elsewhere. That elsewhere was down the road to Womin bay Kingscliff. All the nicest spots had no camping signs, but at the RSL walk to the beach they’d neglected to put one. I arrived there at 13.30 and had a pleasant afternoon and evening at the lookout slowly adding birds to the list, including firsts for the trip like Striped Honeyeater, Spangled Drongo, White-cheeked Honeyeater and Brush Turkey. Bev’s flight into Cooloongatta was late so rather than 22.30 it was 23.00 before we were heading back to my spot on Womin bay.
Mt Warning from lookout Border Ranges NP
3/5 119km
Last night we’d parked in the flattest spot that being the car park to the playing fields, so as we were having breakfast and finishing the survey the little soccer league were turning up for their matches. The beach was full of joggers and people walking their dogs so only added 8 more species to yesterdays total of 34. Went to the mangroves at Ukerebagh NR and got 42 species there, but no mangrove specialities. The board walk was very well done. We had lunch at Terranora Broadwater and got 29 species there. Had a nap for nearly an hour before heading to the Palm Beach SLSC to witness my nephew’s wedding. We left there at 21.30 and drove up to O’Reilly’s Lamington NP arriving at nearly midnight to camp, on the way in saw what might have been a Potoroo.
4/5 140km
In the morning we had a pair of Whipbirds and a male Satin Bowerbird right next to the camper, so we watched them through the mesh windows. Walked for about 5k along the Border track doing 3 surveys at Border Tk 1, Border Tk 2 and Border Tk 3, taking in the treetop walk (up the top of the tree on level 3 there is a risk of getting tree sick in the swaying tree) and the botanic gardens. There were a lot of walkers but the birds were used to humans and were active right up to the track, so we got nice views of Crested Shrike-tit, Logrunner, Paradise Riflebird, Albert’s Lyrebird, Green Catbird and Pale Yellow Robin as well as the usuals such as Lewin’s Honeyeater, Crimson Rosella and Brown Gerygone. Drove down the mountain and down the freeway to an uninspiring Yelgun rest area just off the freeway. I was surprised to find the first Leaden Flycatcher for the trip here. There were a lot of people camped here as well as a few trucks, all of which meant the sewerage system couldn’t cope, so there was an occasional whiff to turn one off, not a nice spot.
5/5 277km
Predictably it was a noisy night, I actually slept well up till one o’clock, just after I woke up I heard a Noisy Pitta call quite close and then again further away. In the morning I had a good look around, but no pitta and no habitat, so it may have been a bird moving through. White-faced Herons were feeding on the grass where the sewerage system ended and was now making a little smelly wetland for them. Drove down to Tyagarah NR accessing it from the north, got 36 species, including a pair of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets which were new for the trip also Brush Turkeys, Scarlet Honeyeaters and 40 or so silently migrating Noisy Friarbirds. Drove to Rocky Creek dam and the Nightcap NP down a little unmarked side track to a dead end, in the creek bed found a Rufous Fantail. Through Lismore and a bit north of Balllina to Skennar’s Head rocks where a Grey-tailed Tattler was bobbing around on the rocks with some Sooty Oystercatchers before some surfers invaded their space. To Yamba and had a look at a little inlet with some mangroves, found some Common Mynas which aren’t common yet but I suspect will become so if something isn’t done to get rid of them. Again a good variety of birds the most interesting being a pair of Grey-crowned Babblers, Osprey which we are seeing regularly, a White-bellied Sea-eagle which is less common and a pair of Whistling Kites which were active around a nest, but weren’t adding to it, they did shoo away some Pied Butcherbirds and Blue-faced Honeyeaters, taking lunges at them as they hung around the pair. Also saw the kites attempting to fish, one appeared to be successful. We noticed a $5.00 fish and chips at a fresh fish place, was okay but nothing special. We struggled to find our way to a spot on Wooloowaeyah lagoon, eventually found the track on the southern side of the Palmer Channel, and got permission from the house near the gate to drive down to the water’s edge. Care needed to be taken as some of the grass was boggy.
6/5 193km
A couple of tinnies went down the channel at 3am, otherwise it was a very peaceful night with the gentle sound of water lapping on the shore. In the large mangroves along the shore I finally found some Mangrove Gerygones. From the moment we got up at dawn till we left at 9.10 there was a steady stream of migrating Noisy Friarbirds heading north, some occasionally stopping briefly in the tree sized mangroves, one flight was going the wrong way, jokingly I shouted at them “Hey! You’re going the wrong way” Obediently they swung around to head north. Drove down to Red Rock, you can see it on the right hand side as you come in to town, but it’s easy to miss. There were lots of birds in the flowering bottlebrushes, mainly White-cheeked and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters. Re-surveyed an old spot at Emerald Beach and finally got a Brahminy Kite on a survey and also the first Fairy Martin. Tree Martins have graced my surveys a few times this trip. Down to Urunga and a walk along the boardwalk and the inside lagoon produced a Curlew and 4 bar-tailed Godwits, others were Hobby Falcon another Brahminy Kite and Osprey and more Mangrove Gerygones. The gerygones have all been very co-operative getting very good looks at them. From the boardwalk the fish are easily visible such as Pufferfish and Brim. A short distance away is the Newry SF, we drove down to the 71 marker off Ainsworth track Newry SF past where they’re building the new freeway and found a flat spot down a short dead end track and had a few hours to relax before sundown.
7/5 269km
Had another Powerful Owl overnight but then only added large-billed Scrubwren and Brown Goshawk to yesterday’s 18 species on my morning’s search. Stopped at Way Way SF for breakfast, there were a lot of mature trees on the edge of a Hoop Pine grove by the creek. Apart from the ever present mozzies it’s a nice spot. Got a nice look at a Pale Yellow Robin, which is turning up every now and again in habitat. Down to South West Rocks and a track at German bridge South West Rocks, unfortunately the weather had turned, after yesterday’s 25 degrees a change was inevitable, thankfully it wasn’t more than a few light showers, but a flowering gum was the only point of activity on the survey. Went the back road to Kempsey and had lunch on the Hytec quarry rd south of Kundabung. By now the showers had stopped and the sun was out again. At Dunbogan beach Kattang NR we found another White-bellied Sea-eagle that hung around the cliffs. Went to Coopernook SF camp which is supposed to be special, but the only highlight was a flock of 60 hyperactive Scaly-breasted Lorikeets having an exuberant time before bed time. It’s a small over popular campsite with the expected dogs loud music and chainsaws and people denuding the forest of wood for their huge campfires, one guy had about a 10m long log which he towed to his campsite behind his car, amazing.
8/5 289km
In the morning found some White-headed pigeons on the ground poking around a compost heap. Down to Old Bar, the tide was out exposing the inner mud flats, got Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, 11 Double-banded plovers a Golden Plover and a Tawny Grassbird in a large dune. There was a huge traffic jam getting back to the highway, so wound our way through the forest tracks to Koorainghat. Down the highway to Hawks Nest and a look at Myall river camp. At $20 per night for a basic camp not good value. We had lunch by the river, watched expectantly by 4 Kookaburras and 5 Pied Butcherbirds, one which perched on the open door, all were disappointed when no food came their way. Drove to Newcastle and spent the 2 hours until dark at Cobbans Ck Ash island. Of the 39 species 400 Avocets, a single Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and a Spotless Crake were of note. Drove up to the end of Gosforth rd to an old site to camp on the side of the road. We’d had a few showers overnight and a few heavy ones around lunchtime, but we managed to dodge them at survey times.
Ash Island
9/5 341km
We had light steady rain from the early hours, but just before dawn it stopped and as the day wore on it got sunnier. One advantage of the camper is no soggy tent to pack away. Did my other spot at dam Gosforth rd by the lake and another one at Water St Greta by the town lake. Over to Giants ck rd N of Sandy Hollow and Stairs rd Gungal both with nice bush birds like Eastern Spinebill, Double-barred Finch, Striped Honeyeater and the first Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater for the trip. The next spot at Redwell Rd W of Merriwa was a remnant open copse of trees but still produced 7 species. We had lunch at Durridgerie SF a place I’d camped at before, much nicer looking forest but it only produced 5 species. At The Drip Picnic Ground on the Goulburn River I had a good look at a Brush Cuckoo, there was also a Horsefield’s Bronze Cuckoo, but neither calling unlike the Fan-tailed Cuckoos I’ve been getting on some surveys from their calls. There were another 13 species here including 4 species of honeyeater. At Deadman’s Ck Cope SF we went back to only getting 6 species perhaps because it’s dry. Down to Lake Burrendong W of Yarrabin. The lake was dry with only the river running through its old watercourse. Not much activity, though a pair of Striped Honeyeaters with their wonderful brylcream style hairdo were active, my favourite honeyeater. A short distance back to Merinda River S of Yarrabin a short track was long enough to get off the road to camp. A busy day with 10 surveys done all but the camp being re-surveys. As the sun was in its last throes a pair of Glossy Black Cockatoos made a fly by for us.
10/5 288km
The skies looked threatening when we got up, but the rain held off all day. The first move was north up a very pleasant valley filled with designer cattle grids, as in they are uneven, with pot holes strategically put at their threshold, designed to make sure you have to go slowly over them. Ruin at Twelve Mile I was struggling until a flock of Yellow-rumped Thornbills moved through. I ended up with a more healthy 11 species as a Golden Whistler, 5 Spotted and 2 Striated Pardalotes and 6 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters which had all been there, started feeding. Wound our way to Wellington, did some shopping then up to Landa Lookout Wellington. With the weather still lowering the birds were quiet, not even a pair of Buff-rumped Thornbills and a very strange calling Striped Honeyeater could fire up the other birds so ended up with 8 species. Headed to Rutherford Rd S of Molong then to Nangar NP Nanami lane. I’d camped here before and had a busy time with heaps of birds. A more subdued 13 species greeted us this time including Musk Lorikeet, Common Bronzewing and some Noisy Friarbirds. At Nanami Rail we got 14 open country birds like Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Nankeen Kestrel and Crested Pigeon. The surprise survey of the day was Gooloogonga S dam that in the gloomy late afternoon with the first showers coming through produced Grey-Crowned Babbler and Apostlebird and 7 Olive-backed Orioles. The Apostlebirds were interesting, in that they were only seen on the side of the road a few times before they got on a survey, whereas the White-winged Choughs which we’ve been seeing much more haven’t made it onto a survey yet. With the rain and darkness now upon us we headed for the only non repeat survey for the day at Holy camp Weddin NP. We sat under the shelter of the information shelter until the birds stopped moving and had 12 species before we retreated to the camper.
11/5 619km
Added another 7 species in the morning. It was a hectic time, I’m sure I undercounted most species and probably missed some too. On Tubbil Rd E of Weedalllion we came across more Grey-crowned Babblers with 35 Apostlebirds, this time there were 14 White-winged Choughs as well. Stopped at Wonga wetlands in Albury for lunch, the highlight being 16 Freckled Ducks, then the long drive down the freeway to home just on dark.
Bird list for the trip. % is of the 212 surveys done B is for vreeding record
- Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae 1 (0.65%)
- Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus 2 (1.31%)
- Black Swan Cygnus atratus 6 (3.92%)
- Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides 3 (1.96%)
- Hardhead Aythya australis 3 (1.96%)
- Australasian Shoveler Spatula rhynchotis 2 (1.31%)
- Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa 22 (14.38%)
- Grey Teal Anas gracilis 12 (7.84%)
- Chestnut Teal Anas castanea 7 (4.58%)
- Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa 1 (0.65%)
- Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata 16 (10.46%)
- Australian Brush-turkey Alectura lathami 2 (1.31%)
- Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae 4 (2.61%)
- Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus 1 (0.65%)
- Rock Dove Columba livia 2 (1.31%)
- White-headed Pigeon Columba leucomela 6 (3.92%)
- Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis 5 (3.27%)
- Brown Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia phasianella 7 (4.58%)
- Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera 1 (0.65%)
- Brush Bronzewing Phaps elegans 1 (0.65%)
- Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes 10 (6.54%)
- Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis 7 (4.58%)
- Eastern Koel Eudynamys orientalis 1 (0.65%)
- Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites basalis 1 (0.65%)
- Little Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites minutillus 1 (0.65%)
- Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis 8 (5.23%)
- Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus 1 (0.65%)
- Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus 6 (3.92%)
- Spotless Crake Zapornia tabuensis 1 (0.65%)
- Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 6 (3.92%)
- Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa 7 (4.58%)
- Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 12 (7.84%)
- Australian Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris 2 (1.31%)
- Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus 2 (1.31%)
- Red-necked Avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae 1 (0.65%)
- Black-winged Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus 3 (1.96%)
- Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 1 (0.65%)
- Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus 1 (0.65%)
- Double-banded Plover Charadrius bicinctus 1 (0.65%)
- Black-fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops 1 (0.65%)
- Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles 19 (12.42%)
- Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis 2 (1.31%)
- Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 2 (1.31%)
- Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata 1 (0.65%)
- Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes 1 (0.65%)
- Silver Gull Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae 13 (8.50%)
- Australian Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon macrotarsa 2 (1.31%)
- Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 3 (1.96%)
- Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii 10 (6.54%)
- Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus 10 (6.54%)
- White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica 1 (0.65%)
- Great Egret Ardea alba 6 (3.92%)
- Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia 2 (1.31%)
- White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae 15 (9.80%)
- Australian White Ibis Threskiornis moluccus 9 (5.88%)
- Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis 5 (3.27%)
- Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes 1 (0.65%)
- Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia 1 (0.65%)
- Australasian Gannet Morus serrator 5 (3.27%)
- Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos 8 (5.23%)
- Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 5 (3.27%)
- Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris 5 (3.27%)
- Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius 8 (5.23%)
- Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae 3 (1.96%)
- Osprey Pandion haliaetus 6 (3.92%)
- Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris 2 (1.31%)
- Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax 7 (4.58%)
- Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides 1 (0.65%)
- Swamp Harrier Circus approximans 2 (1.31%)
- Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae 1 (0.65%)
- Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus 3 (1.96%)
- Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus 2 (1.31%)
- White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 4 (2.61%)
- Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 12 (7.84%)
- Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus 2 (1.31%)
- Powerful Owl Ninox strenua 2 (1.31%)
- Southern Boobook Ninox boobook 6 (3.92%)
- Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus 1 (0.65%)
- Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus 2 (1.31%)
- Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus 5 (3.27%)
- Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae 27 (17.65%)
- Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides 4 (2.61%)
- Australian Hobby Falco longipennis 4 (2.61%)
- Brown Falcon Falco berigora 1 (0.65%)
- Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 2 (1.31%)
- Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami 1 (0.65%)
- Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Zanda funereus 5 (3.27%)
- Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum 1 (0.65%)
- Galah Eolophus roseicapilla 23 (15.03%)
- Long-billed Corella Cacatua tenuirostris 1 (0.65%)
- Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea 1 (0.65%)
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 12 (7.84%)
- Australian King-Parrot Alisterus scapularis 10 (6.54%)
- Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus 4 (2.61%)
- Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans 48 (31.37%)
- Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius 19 (12.42%)
- Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella 1 (0.65%)
- Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna 5 (3.27%)
- Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla 1 (0.65%)
- Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus moluccanus 23 (15.03%)
- Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus 3 (1.96%)
- Noisy Pitta Pitta versicolor 2 (1.31%)
- Albert’s Lyrebird Menura alberti 1 (0.65%)
- Superb Lyrebird Menura novaehollandiae 8 (5.23%)
- Green Catbird Ailuroedus crassirostris 1 (0.65%)
- Satin Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus 13 (8.50%)
- White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaea 46 (30.07%)
- Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus 1 (0.65%)
- Variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti 4 (2.61%)
- Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus 54 (35.29%)
- Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus 1 (0.65%)
- Scarlet Honeyeater Myzomela sanguinolenta 4 (2.61%)
- Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata 5 (3.27%)
- Noisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatus 13 (8.50%)
- Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta 5 (3.27%)
- Crescent Honeyeater Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus 1 (0.65%)
- New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae 7 (4.58%)
- White-cheeked Honeyeater Phylidonyris niger 8 (5.23%)
- White-eared Honeyeater Nesoptilotis leucotis 11 (7.19%)
- Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis 5 (3.27%)
- Brown-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris 6 (3.92%)
- White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis 1 (0.65%)
- White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus 11 (7.19%)
- Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris 19 (12.42%)
- Lewin’s Honeyeater Meliphaga lewinii 47 (30.72%)
- Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis 1 (0.65%)
- Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera 11 (7.19%)
- Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata 31 (20.26%)
- Fuscous Honeyeater Ptilotula fusca 4 (2.61%)
- White-plumed Honeyeater Ptilotula penicillata 5 (3.27%)
- Yellow-faced Honeyeater Caligavis chrysops 46 (30.07%)
- Yellow-tufted Honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops 3 (1.96%)
- Bell Miner Manorina melanophrys 4 (2.61%)
- Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala 25 (16.34%)
- Spotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus 32 (20.92%)
- Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus 16 (10.46%)
- Brown Gerygone Gerygone mouki 14 (9.15%)
- White-throated Gerygone Gerygone olivacea 2 (1.31%)
- Mangrove Gerygone Gerygone levigaster 2 (1.31%)
- Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris 6 (3.92%)
- Speckled Warbler Pyrrholaemus sagittatus 2 (1.31%)
- Yellow-throated Scrubwren Sericornis citreogularis 9 (5.88%)
- White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis 49 (32.03%)
- Large-billed Scrubwren Sericornis magnirostra 18 (11.76%)
- Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa 10 (6.54%)
- Yellow Thornbill Acanthiza nana 9 (5.88%)
- Striated Thornbill Acanthiza lineata 17 (11.11%)
- Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla 59 (38.56%)
- Buff-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza reguloides 4 (2.61%)
- Australian Logrunner Orthonyx temminckii 2 (1.31%)
- Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis 3 (1.96%)
- Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera 1 (0.65%)
- Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae 17 (11.11%)
- White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis 1 (0.65%)
- Spotted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma punctatum 1 (0.65%)
- Olive Whistler Pachycephala olivacea 4 (2.61%)
- Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris 3 (1.96%)
- Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis 34 (22.22%)
- Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica 38 (24.84%)
- Crested Shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatus 2 (1.31%)
- Eastern Whipbird Psophodes olivaceus 23 (15.03%)
- Australasian Figbird Sphecotheres vieilloti 1 (0.65%)
- Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus 4 (2.61%)
- Pied Currawong Strepera graculina 55 (35.95%)
- Grey Currawong Strepera versicolor 2 (1.31%)
- Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen 66 (43.14%)
- Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis 13 (8.50%)
- Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus 29 (18.95%)
- Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus 4 (2.61%)
- Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus 5 (3.27%)
- Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys 38 (24.84%)
- Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons 1 (0.65%)
- Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa 61 (39.87%)
- Torresian Crow Corvus orru 16 (10.46%)
- Little Raven Corvus mellori 18 (11.76%)
- Forest Raven Corvus tasmanicus 5 (3.27%)
- Australian Raven Corvus coronoides 30 (19.61%)
- Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula 1 (0.65%)
- Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta 4 (2.61%)
- Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca 32 (20.92%)
- White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos 3 (1.96%)
- Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea 2 (1.31%)
- Paradise Riflebird Lophorina paradiseus 1 (0.65%)
- Rose Robin Petroica rosea 4 (2.61%)
- Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea 11 (7.19%)
- Scarlet Robin Petroica multicolor 5 (3.27%)
- Jacky Winter Microeca fascinans 3 (1.96%)
- Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis 41 (26.80%)
- Pale-yellow Robin Tregellasia capito 4 (2.61%)
- Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum 7 (4.58%)
- Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax 1 (0.65%)
- Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata 2 (1.31%)
- Red-browed Finch Neochmia temporalis 25 (16.34%)
- Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii 4 (2.61%)
- House Sparrow Passer domesticus 4 (2.61%)
- Australasian Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae 3 (1.96%)
- European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 3 (1.96%)
- Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 6 (3.92%)
- Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis 4 (2.61%)
- Tawny Grassbird Cincloramphus timoriensis 2 (1.31%)
- Little Grassbird Poodytes gramineus 2 (1.31%)
- Australian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus australis 2 (1.31%)
- Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel 1 (0.65%)
- Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans 4 (2.61%)
- Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena 42 (27.45%)
- Silvereye Zosterops lateralis 48 (31.37%)
- Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 14 (9.15%)
- Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 5 (3.27%)
- Bassian Thrush Zoothera lunulata 4 (2.61%)
- Common Blackbird Turdus merula 4 (2.61%)
- Domestic Goose 2 (1.31%)
- Domestic Duck 1 (0.65%)
If you would like to contribute the the well being of this world, our world, your world, an easy and effective way to do it is to join a quality environmental group. There are many spread across the world all plugging away trying to make the world a better place for wildlife. We belong to Birdlife Australia, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC). You can donate your time and or money to these and many others knowing that the world will be a slightly better place because of your effort.