Brookfield Conservation Park, Morgan, Along the Murry River at Morgan Conservation Park Camp and Gluepot, South Australia.

A fast moving day with Sue and Dave.

Australia, Day Seventy Three.

Ebird List for Brookfield CP. 

Ebird List for Gluepot.

A very good info board at Broomfield CP.

We were up and out nice and early and were at our first spot Brookfield CP by 06.40, on the way we had seen Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos) and Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius).

Greater Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster) record shot.

Greater Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster) an even worse shot.

As soon as we drove into this brilliant spot we picked up a couple of Lifers for me when a fine Greater Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster) flew along side the car and the perched in a dead tree, this was soon followed the first of 4 Gilbert's Whistlers (Pachycephala inornata), Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus), Crested Bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis), Yellow-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula ornata), Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus) and Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii).

Gilbert's Whistler (Pachycephala inornata).

Gilbert's Whistler (Pachycephala inornata).

We moved around and made several stops, one was right out on the far side of the reserve where we had brief but nice views of a pair of Chestnut Quail-thrushes (Cinclosoma castanotum), Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris), Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis), Jacky-winter (Microeca fascinans) and Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa).

Hooded Robins (Melanodryas cucullata) male top.

We continued on and came out into a more open area where we had another Greater Bluebonnet, a nice pair of Hooded Robins (Melanodryas cucullata) and a stunning Black-eared Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx osculans) which after hearing it call off in the distance Dave called in, one thing I learnt about Dave is that he has an amazing talent for whistling the calls of the birds and they respond well. 

Black-eared Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx osculans).

Black-eared Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx osculans).

Black-eared Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx osculans).

We continued on around the rest of the Park adding White-browed (Pomatostomus superciliosus) and Chestnut-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis), Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla), Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens), Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor) and Little Raven (Corvus mellori).

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea).

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea).

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea).

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea).

We left the CP and drove to the town of Morgan where we were going to call at the bakery but unfortunately it was closed or maybe even shutdown but we still managed to catch up with the target Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) which came down to drink from a puddle on the roadside, we only saw 7 but I am sure the other 5 were hanging around somewhere.

Female Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus).

Female Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus).

Male Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus).

Male and Female Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus).

We crossed the Murry River at the end of Morgan High Street just out side the town and drove a short way to Morgan Conservation Park Camp where we parked on the river bank and had some food before searching the area, pretty soon Dave called me over to him when he had found a very smart female Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus) and a short while later another pair flew across from the far side of the river, so I also got good views of a very nice looking Male bird.

Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans).

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).

Little Corellas (Cacatua sanguinea).

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae).

In the same area we picked up Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae), my first Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) for SA,  Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) and we heard but could not see the brilliant Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerilii) which sounds like a Banjo string being plucked and when there are loads call, well you can imagine.

Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus).

Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus).

Southern Scrub-Robin (Drymodes brunneopygia).

Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhyncha lanceolata).

Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhyncha lanceolata).

We moved on again and headed to the Reserve Called Gluepot which I had seen many posts about on Facebook, we had several difficult targets here, Sue and Dave really came up with the birds and I had several Lifers including Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhyncha lanceolata), Southern Scrub-Robin (Drymodes brunneopygia) a bird that had played hard to get up until one sat out nicely, a Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus) which we flushed whilst I was stalking the Robin but instead of flying straight off it dropped just a few meters away and sat there for about 30 seconds giving us amazing views, White-browed Treecreeper (Climacteris affinis) which we watched from a distance as it was checking out potential nest holes and last of all one of the very few remaining Black-eared Miners (Manorina melanotis).

White-browed Treecreeper (Climacteris affinis).

Black-eared Miner (Manorina melanotis).

Black-eared Miner (Manorina melanotis).

Other species seen in the reserve were Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera), Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius), Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis), White-fronted Honeyeater (Purnella albifrons), Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis), Varied Sittella (Daphoenositta chrysoptera), Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris) and Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps).

Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps).

We left the reserve and headed for our hotel in Waikerie and after settling into our very nice rooms we had something to eat and drink and talked birds for a while, later I went to bed, Knackered but happy.

Eagle View and to Northern edge of Adelaide, South Australia.

A morning around the farm and later a Curry with Dave and Sue.

Australia, Day Seventy Two.

Curry and a glass of Red, great way to started a few days birding with Sue and Dave.

We headed out and did the feeding, I did Eagle View and Deb went over to her Mom's, as I walked around I picked up House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) and Little Raven (Corvus mellori).

Later during the afternoon Deb and I headed up to see Dave and Sue for a Curry and so that I was at there house ready for an early start on the Saturdays as I was going to be birding with them for a couple of days whilst Deb and Renate did a couple of Markets. 

On the way to their house I saw Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) and Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula).

Once we were there we had a very nice meal and a few drinks before Deb headed off and we all hit the sack ready for the early start.

Balaklava, Bald Hill Beach, Port Gawla Road and Eagle View, South Australia.

Continuing on South.

Australia, Day Seventy One.

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

I was up a bit early so spent a while birding from my room window hoping the rain would stop before we headed out, during this time I picked up Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Feral Pigeon (Columba livia), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) and Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula).

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo's (Chrysococcyx basalis).

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

Our first stop of the day was going to be at Bald Hill Beach, on the way we picked up Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Yellow-throated Miner (Manorina flavigula), Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) and Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis).

Samphire or Slender-billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei).

Samphire Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei ssp rosinae).

Samphire Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei ssp rosinae).

Samphire Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei ssp rosinae).

We parked at the usual spot at the beach and checked the foreshore first where we had views of White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), Great White Egret (Ardea alba), Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia), Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris), Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus), Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii), Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus), Little Pied (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Pied (Phalacrocorax varius) and Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) and Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus).

Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae).

Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens).

Once the Shoreline was checked we went along the track to try and get better views of the Samphire Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei ssp rosinae), as it was quite a bit less windy this morning but it was a couple of  stunning Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis) that kept us entertained first of all.

Spotted Scrubwren (Sericornis maculatus).

Spotted Scrubwren (Sericornis maculatus).

Spotted Scrubwren (Sericornis maculatus).

A little further on we checked the Samphire scrub and had brilliant views of the Thornbills and also picked up White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons), Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus), Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens) and Grey Teal (Anas gracilis).

Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles).

As we left the area on our way to Port Gawla Road we found Brown Songlark (Cincloramphus cruralis) and Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) before we were watching Spotted Scrubwren (Sericornis maculatus) in the Mangroves at Gawla Road, a new species for me as it has recently been split from White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis) as it is quite distinctive.

Welcome Swallows (Hirundo neoxena).

In this area we also had a single Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea), Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa) and more Samphire Thornbill.

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

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

We dropped down around Adelaide back to Eagle View, unpacked the vehicle and had a drink, a little later Deb came around and told me that there were lots of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo's (Calyptorhynchus funereus) in the trees just above the house so I went out onto the road but only caught them as they started to fly off to roost in the Pines in the next valley across but a nice end to the day.

Heading South from Marree, Farina area, Retention Dam, Bald Hill Beach and Balaklava, South Australia.

Travelling South, picking up my 400th species for the trip and and new SA bird on the way.

Australia, Day Seventy.

Plumed Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna eytoni).

We left Marree after a decent nights sleep but my second in a row where my room had no hot water, cold and none to Chuffed but better after a couple of Coffee's.

Plumed Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna eytoni).

As we drove South to a spot which Chris Steeles had told us about where we might pick up a group of Plumed Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna eytoni), an SA rarity we started the day list with Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis) which flew up off the road, Crimson (Epthianura tricolor) and Orange Chats (Epthianura aurifrons), Black Kite (Milvus migrans) and Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae).

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes).

We arrived at the Dam's Chris had told us about, we parked and walked through the scrub to get there adding Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Chirruping Wedgebill (Psophodes cristatus), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Rufous Songlark (Cincloramphus mathewsi), Singing (Gavicalis virescens), Spiny-cheeked (Acanthagenys rufogularis) and White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata), Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and both White-winged (Malurus leucopterus) and Purple-backed Fairywrens (Malurus assimilis).

Black-breasted Buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon).

Black-breasted Buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon).

On the first of the Dams (furthest from the car) we found Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) and Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) but when we reached the second Dam we saw the target species, there were 9 very smart Plumed Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna eytoni) sat out on the far bank showing very nicely in the early morning sun.

Black-breasted Buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon).

As we walked back to the car we picked up White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus), Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa), Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) and Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata).

Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax).

Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax).

We headed south again and near Farina Deb pulled over when she saw a distant Raptor which she suspected might be a Black-breasted Buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon) and of course she was spot on, it showed distantly to start with but after a short while it flew straight at us and continued on passed us off into the distance.

Yellow-throated Miner (Manorina flavigula).

Other species seen as we dropped south included Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), Brown Falcon (Falco berigora), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae) and several flocks of Budgies (Melopsittacus undulatus) and at the Retention Dam the list was boosted by Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), Musk Duck (Biziura lobata), more Hoary-headed Grebes and several Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus), Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Little Pied (Microcarbo melanoleucos) and Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris), Australian Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica ssp macrotarsa) and plenty of both Welcome Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) and Tree Martins (Petrochelidon nigricans).

Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius).

Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius).

Heading South again we made a rather rapid roadside stop when we came across a Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) feeding on a dead Roo as well as Brown Songlark (Cincloramphus cruralis), Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Yellow-throated Miner (Manorina flavigula), Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius) and Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus).

Immature Pacific Gulls (Larus pacificus).

Our final stop of the day was at Bald Hill Beach but the tide was quite high so there were not many waders but we did find Silver (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) and Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus), Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii), Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris), Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), White-faced Heron, Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius), Singing and Spiny-cheeked, Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica) and my 400th Australian species the Samphire or Slender-billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei).

Pied Cormorants (Phalacrocorax varius).

We eventually found somewhere to stay in the nearby Balaklava and had something to eat in the pub there. As I had now seen 400 species for the trip, with 380ish of them being lifers Deb now set a new target for the trip of getting me up to 400 full lifers before I go home, nothing like putting pressure on yourself DEB !!!!!!!!