Eagle View and Victor Harbour, South Australia.

Visiting friends of Deb and Ian's.

Australia, Day Fifty Nine.

Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus) male.

The weather was not great during the morning so I didn't really see a great deal but as usual there were plenty of Superb Fairywrens (Malurus cyaneus) around, several Crimson Rosella's (Platycercus elegans) and other regulars.

Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus) male.

Later in the day we went for a drive down to the the Bluff at the southern end of Encounter Bay where I was pleased to meet Kath and Graham who have a very nice farm in a stunning location. 

Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus) male.

On the way there we went along the coast and I saw my first pair of Hooded Plover's (Thinornis cucullatus) but like a Muppet I had not taken my Bins or Camera as I had not known what to expect and thought we were visiting a house in a town somewhere. 

Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus) female.

Also seen on the way down and during a walk around the headland were Pacific (Larus pacificus) and Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae), Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa), White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons) and others I am sure but for some reason I didn't keep notes for today.

Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans).

Later we all sat down to a very nice meal before heading back to Eagle View.

Eagle View and Meadows, South Australia.

Around the farm and a run to Meadow Garage and Bakery.

Australia, Day Fifty Eight.

We did the feeding and I had a walk around the Farm finding New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) x2 and Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena).

Later we went up into Meadows where we left the car at the Mechanic's and went into the Bakery where we had some Lunch, whilst there we picked up Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) and Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes).

Bakara Conservation Park, South Australia.

A drive out East to search for a few Mallee Species.

Australia, Day Fifty Seven.

Ebird List for Bakara.

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

We did the feeding and headed out south towards Murry Bridge and then east, on the way to Murry Bridge we recorded Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Brown Falcon (Falco berigora), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus) and Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus).

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

From Murry Bridge to Bakara we added Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens), Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus) and White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos).

Chestnut Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma castanotum).

Chestnut Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma castanotum).

Chestnut Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma castanotum).

Chestnut Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma castanotum).

We arrived at the Mallee Woodlands and as we drove along the track we heard and then saw a very smart Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis), the first decent view I had had of this species after hearing a couple and getting distant flight views.

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis).

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis).

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis).

In the same area we picked up Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata), White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) and Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis). 

Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris).

Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii).

Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii).

After checking the fields we went into the woodland on one of the tracks, we parked and almost straight away we picked up a stunning male Chestnut Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma castanotum) which showed very well for us, we saw one later as well but it was not quite as helpful as this bird.

Yellow-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula ornata).

Yellow-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula ornata).

Brown-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus brevirostris).

Brown-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus brevirostris).

In this same area we also saw Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris), Jacky-winter (Microeca fascinans), Chestnut-rumped (Acanthiza uropygialis) and Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis), Yellow-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula ornata), Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis) and Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus).

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) Track.

A unactive Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) mound.

On one of the other tracks we did quite a long walk where we saw Brown-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus brevirostris), Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius), Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius), Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor), White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosus), Crested Bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis) and after quite a lot of searching a pair of Shy Heathwren's (Hylacola cauta).

Shy Heathwren (Hylacola cauta).

Shy Heathwren (Hylacola cauta).

We returned to the car and drove back to Eagle View but only added a couple of Black-shouldered Kites (Elanus axillaris), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) and Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus).

Lake Alexandrina, South Australia.

A wet and windy visit to Lake Alexandrina.

Australia, Day Fifty Six.

 

Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus).

We decided to have a run down to Lake Alexandrina as the weather was not very good, on the way we saw Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) and Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca).

We parked by the side of the lake at Milang Jetty where we found a Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris), Great White Egret (Ardea alba), Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) and Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa).

We did a bit of a loop back around to the Farm, on the way we saw Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans), Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), a big flock of Little Corella's (Cacatua sanguinea), White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) and Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus).

Mount Barker and Cox's Scrub, South Australia.

A drive to the hospital with Ian in Mount Barker and then a sit by a puddle at Cox's Scrub.

Australia, Day Fifty Five.

 

Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella).

Deb had headed out early to do some Survey Work and I drove Ian into the Hospital in Mount Barker for a check up on his Leg, on the way there and back we saw Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera) and New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae).

Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella).

Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella).

Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella).

We returned to Eagle view and then a little later I went 15 minutes down the valley to Cox's Scrub Conservation Park, I parked and walked a short way into the reserve where I found a local birder sat by a fairly large Puddle in the track, I started to have a chat and after a few minutes decided to sit on the floor near the puddle as well. 

New Holland Honeyeater's (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae).

New Holland Honeyeater's (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae).

New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae).

The other birder had a chair with him, so when he got up to go to the loo I whizzed back to the car and got the one Renate had lent me from the boot and returned, this was far more comfortable.

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater (Gliciphila melanops).

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater (Gliciphila melanops).

Brown-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus brevirostris).

Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus).

During the 3 or so hours I sat there we had good views of several species including the stunning Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella), which came in to drink and to have a bath.

White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis).

White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis).

Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis).

Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis).

Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis).

The only new species for the trip was a very nice Tawny-crowned Honeyeater (Gliciphila melanops), the commonest species by far were the aggressive New Holland Honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) which were there pretty much constantly and in gangs which saw quite a few of the other species off.

Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa) male.

Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa) male.

Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa) male.

Other species included Yellow-faced (Caligavis chrysops), Brown-headed (Melithreptus brevirostris) and Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus), White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis), Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), male and female Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa), Striated Thornbill (Acanthiza lineata), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor), Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus) and Little Raven (Corvus mellori).

Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa) female.

Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa) female.

Mount Bald Reservoir Area, South Australia.

A walk around one of the Local Wildlife Reserves.

Australia, Day Fifty Four.

 

Brush Bronzewing (Phaps elegans).

Deb and I headed out early to an area of scrub land and woods around Mount Bald Reservoir, we parked on one of the many tracks and searched for the target Chestnut-rumped Heathwren (Hylacola pyrrhopygia), almost straightaway Deb hear on singing close to us and we got brief views before it disappeared into the dense scrub.

Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus).

Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa).

We searched the area and found Brush Bronzewing (Phaps elegans), Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus), Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa), New Holland (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) and Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans) and Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa).

White-naped Honeyeater (Melithreptus lunatus).

White-naped Honeyeater (Melithreptus lunatus).

We moved a short way to another one of the wooded areas where we walked into a more open area that had been burnt, here we found White-naped (Melithreptus lunatus), Crescent and New Holland Honeyeater, White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaea), Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang), Western Whistler, Striated Thornbill (Acanthiza lineata), Grey Shrikethrush and a flock of noisy Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo's (Calyptorhynchus funereus).

Adamp Spider's Web in the morning sun.

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo's (Calyptorhynchus funereus).

Our third spot was in a similar habitat where we heard another Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Red-browed Firetail (Neochmia temporalis), Varied Sittella (Daphoenositta chrysoptera), Scarlet Robin, Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla), Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla), Grey Currawong and a couple of  Western Grey Kangaroo's (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) which we heard bounding through the scrub.

Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor).

Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang).

Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang).

At our last stop we had nice views of a pair of Elegant Parrots (Neophema elegans) and a passing Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) before we headed back to the farm.

Common Heath (Epacris impressa).

Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata).

Scented Sundew (Drosera whittakeri).

Scented Sundew (Drosera whittakeri).

Fire Orchid (Pyrorchis nigricans) leaves.

During our walk around the area we saw quite a few wild flowers including Fire Orchid (Pyrorchis nigricans) leaves, Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata), Common Heath (Epacris impressa), Climbing (Drosera planchonii) and Scented Sundew (Drosera whittakeri).