Mungeraine, Cowarie Station Track, Mungeraine to Marree via a couple of pools, Clayton Wetlands and another Pool, Marree, South Australia.

A good start to the day, a dip in the middle and an amazing finish.

Australia, Day Sixty Nine.

Record shots of the stunning Eyrean Grasswren (Amytornis goyderi).

After last nights high winds we were not confident of seeing out first target species the Eyrean Grasswren (Amytornis goyderi), anyway we decided to give it a go and went just along the road to some nearby Sand Dunes and even though the wind was strong we had fleeting views straight away but it took us quite a while before we got views I was happy with.

Eyrean Grasswren (Amytornis goyderi).

Eyrean Grasswren (Amytornis goyderi).

As we searched we also saw Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata), Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides), Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis), Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata) and a single Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica).

Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis) male.

Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis) male and female.

We took a nearby track out to Cowarie Station along the Kalakurina Road where we were looking for a subspecies of the Thick-billed Grasswren (Amytornis modestus) but the wind did for us this time, however we did find Orange Chat (Epthianura aurifrons), Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla), Zebra Finch, Nankeen Kestrel, Black Falcon (Falco subniger), Purple-backed Fairywren and Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis).

Budgies (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Budgies (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax).

We returned to Mungeraine where we called at the Pub for more Coffee before we headed back down towards Marree making several stops on the way, the first was on a dry sand dune where we looked for the Grasswren's again , we didn't find any but we did add Budgies (Melopsittacus undulatus), Pied Honeyeater (Certhionyx variegatus), Poached Egg Daisies (Polycalymma stuartii) and Parrot Pea (Crotalaria cunninghamii).

Poached Egg Daisies (Polycalymma stuartii).

Parrot Pea (Crotalaria cunninghamii).

Blue Rod (Stemodia florulenta).

Further along the Track we stopped next to a water hole where we checked the area of water but it was quiet, on the opposite side of the road Deb heard a call which she knew straight away came from a group of 4 Chestnut-crowned Babblers (Pomatostomus ruficeps) which we got views of as they quickly disappeared off into the distance.

Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca).

Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca).

In the same area we had flocks of Budgies, a Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax), Diamond Dove, Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) and a fast moving White-backed Swallow (Cheramoeca leucosterna).

Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus).

At another roadside lake we made a stop and walked down to the shoreline where we saw Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus), Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Orange Chat and Crimson Chats (Epthianura tricolor), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel) and Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus).

White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus).

White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus).

White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus).

Further on where bore water formed some pools near Dulkaninna Station we made another stop finding Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus), Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Grey Teal, Magpie-lark, Zebra Finch, Little Grassbird (Poodytes gramineus) and Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus).

Flock Bronzewings (Phaps histrionica) arriving.

Flock Bronzewings (Phaps histrionica).

Flock Bronzewings (Phaps histrionica).

Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica).

As we headed on we had a quick look at a small pool where we saw  Flock Bronzewings (Phaps histrionica) on our way up but we were too early so we decided to pop down to Clayton Wetland where we parked and had a walk along the small stream finding both male and female White-browed Woodswallows (Artamus superciliosus) whch were new for me as well as White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata), Rufous Songlark (Cincloramphus mathewsi), Little Grassbird, Black-fronted Dotterel, Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae), White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus) and Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae).

Flock Bronzewings (Phaps histrionica).

Flock Bronzewings (Phaps histrionica).

Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica).

Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica).

We returned to the small pool and parked on the road side to see what would happen, as we sat there another car pulled up to check all was well and it turned out to be Chris Steeles and Mike Warnes so we explained that we were hoping to see some Bronzewings and just at that moment they started to arrive so we relocated to a spot near to the pool and started to take photo's.

Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica).

Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica).

We had a magical hour or so watching these amazing birds come into drink in good numbers before we headed to Marree and finished the day with a flyby Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) and a very disappointing meal in the Hotel.