Off Port Macdonnell and Port Macdonnell., South Australia.

First day of the double header.

Australia, Day Sixty Five.

Ebird List for closer in Shore.

Ebird List for Deep Hole and the drift. 

ALL BIRD PHOTO'S TAKEN BY DEB WHO HAS KINDLY GIVEN ME PERMISSION TO USE THEM HERE.

Before my head went inside the Bucket again.

We had a slightly later start then usual for a pelagic as the wind was forecast to drop off a bit but things were quite rough on the way out, I was fine until we reached the main birding area again and had to stand up for the chairs to be relocated.

White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis).

Grey-faced Petrel (Pterodroma gouldi).

Grey-faced Petrel (Pterodroma gouldi).

I was feeling fine for most of the trip as long as I remained seated and didn't use the camera so all photo's will be Deb's again unfortunately but thankfully I saw all the species recorded except for the Flesh-footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes).

Snowy (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea exulans).

Snowy (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea exulans)..

Northern Royal (Diomedea sanfordi) and Snowy (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea exulans).

On the way out we saw Black-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens), Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii), 60+ Short-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostris) which was the first of 3 lifers for me, Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator), Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta), Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli) and Grey-faced Petrel (Pterodroma gouldi).

Snowy (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea exulans).

Snowy (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea exulans).

We reached the main drift point and even though the birds were performing brilliantly at the rear of the boat I stayed seated and just watched them and didn't take any Photo's.

Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli).

Out at the drift we added  Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi), Antipodean (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis), Snowy (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea exulans) the 2nd Lifer, Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche carteri), Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris), Great-winged Petrel (Pterodroma macroptera), White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis), White-headed Petrel (Pterodroma lessonii) the 3rd Lifer and Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea).

Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta).

We returned to port and as usual I felt instantly better, so annoying as I am not usually sick on boats but can't get used to this one.

Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche carteri).

Anyway around Port Mac we picked up Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) and Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata).

White-headed Petrel (Pterodroma lessonii).

White-headed Petrel (Pterodroma lessonii) and Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta).

Later we went back to the Pub for some food and back to the accommodation.

Eagle View, Murry River at Wellington, Along the Coorong, Parnka Point, Martin's Wash Pool, Robe Area, Lake McIntyre at Millicent and Port Macdonnell, South Australia.

Off again, this time to the South East for a Double header Pelagic, or it was for some.

Australia, Day Sixty Four.

Ebird List for Fox Lake.

Australian Pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus) along the Coorong.

Deb and I headed off south East for a few days, two of which were to be spent out at sea looking for Pelagic species, before we left we got a few bits of packing done and whilst doing this we saw Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa) and Small White (Pieris rapae).

Loo Wall decorations at Wellington.

We set off for the Murry Crossing at Wellington, on the way we recorded Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus), Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) and Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus).

Martin's Wash Pool.

We arrived in Wellington where we used the Loo's, I am always impressed with how clean, stocked and unvandalized the toilets in Australia are but the outside walls of some including this one nicely decorated as well.

Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii).

We went down to the ferry which crosses the Murry, there are several of these ferries and all are free to use 24 hours of the day, as we crossed we saw Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae), Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) and Australian Emperor (Anax papuensis).

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Once we were over the river we checked an area of shallow scrapes seeing good numbers of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (Calidris acuminata) and smaller numbers of Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus), Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus), Black-tailed Nativehen (Tribonyx ventralis), Great White Egret (Ardea alba), White-faced Heron, Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Australian Pelican, Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa) and Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis).

Caper White (Belenois aurota).

We continued on South along the edge of the Coorong calling in at Parnka Point, along the edge and at the point we saw more Sharpies, Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Pied and Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus), Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae), Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Grey and Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea), Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides), Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens), Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius), Hoary-headed (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) and Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), Great White Egret (Ardea alba), Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi), Caper White (Belenois aurota) and Shingleback Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa).

Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris).

After we left the point we continued on down to Martin's Wash Pool stopping on the roadside just once finding Monarch (Danaus plexippus) and Greenshank (Tringa nebularia).

The Wash Pools were very quiet and we only added Brown Songlark (Cincloramphus cruralis) and Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) before moving on to Fox pool near Robe, from the hide there new species were Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea), Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis), White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis) and Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis).

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) x2 and Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii).

We popped just down the road to the beach and had a walk there but only picked up Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor) for the day list so we drove across to the Pub Lake and found many more Latham's Snipe, 2x Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Australian Crake, Dusky Moorhen, Little Egret, Masked Lapwing, Grey and Chestnut Teal, Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa) and European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis).

Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) and Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii).

Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii).

Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii).

We started off south again and after getting a call from Dave and Sue Harper who organizing the Pelagic we decided to call in at Lake Mcintyre which was also there next calling point, we arrived and found them watching Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa), Hardhead (Aythya australis), Musk Duck (Biziura lobata), Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops), Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia), Nankeen Night-Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) all of which were new for the day list. 

Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia).

Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) and Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa).

Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa), Hardhead (Aythya australis) and Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa).

After spending a while there chatting we all headed for Port Mac and to the accommodation, later we went for a meal in the Victoria Hotel / Pub.

Eagle View, South Australia.

Back at the Farm for a day after one trip ends and before another begins and an unexpected trip to the coast, it hectic!!!!

Australia, Day Sixty Three.

Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus) and Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius).

I woke at 06:00 ish after a really good nights sleep to the usual sound of the Australian Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) calling from in the Eucaliptus trees down in the valley.

Black-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens).

These were soon followed by my daily companion the Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) who was singing from the fruit plot and then the other regulars like Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Red (Anthochaera carunculata) and Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus) and Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes).

Black-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens).

Deb headed off to her Moms whilst Ian and I headed South to the Coast at Wirrina to go out on the boat fishing, on the way there we saw Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris), Small White (Pieris rapae) and Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus).

Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius).

We reached the Ramp and launched the boat for a few hours fishing, during this time we picked up Pied (Phalacrocorax varius) and Black-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens), Silver (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) and Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus), Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) and a single Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator).

Blue Devil.

Fish wise we caught 4 nice King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctatus) which were the only ones kept for the pot, we also caught a couple of Southern Bluespot Flatheads, a Blue Devil and others which were all released but not sure what they were.

The South Coast.

On the drive back I only added White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), once back at the farm we cleaned up the kit and then settled down and enjoyed the catch of the day later, YUM.

Lake Gilles Conservation Park, Iron Knob, Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, Bald Hill Beach and Eagle View, South Australia.

Travelling back South but hoping for the 7th Grasswren species of the trip on the way.

Australia, Day Sixty Two.

Ebird List for Bald Hill Beach.

Blue-breasted Fairywren (Malurus pulcherrimus) male.

After a really good nights sleep in a cracking spot we were up early and out photographing birds around the camp site and along the track out to the highway, species included a nice flock of Blue-breasted Fairywrens (Malurus pulcherrimus), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor), Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus), Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides), Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius ssp zonarius) Port Lincoln type, Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera), Copperback Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma clarum), Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Jacky-winter (Microeca fascinans) and Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis).

Blue-breasted Fairywren (Malurus pulcherrimus) male.

Blue-breasted Fairywren (Malurus pulcherrimus) male.

Blue-breasted Fairywren (Malurus pulcherrimus) male.

We reached the Highway and started to make our way out towards Iron Knob, on the way we saw Emu, Common Bronzewing, Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Brown Falcon (Falco berigora), Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) and Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus).

Blue-breasted Fairywren (Malurus pulcherrimus) female.

We arrived at Iron Knob, a town built up around a huge Iron ore mine and checked out and area of scrub on the Whyalla road but even though we walked a good area we didn't see or even hear anything from the elusive Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis).

A street sign in Iron Knob.

At this first spot we did record White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus), Rufous Fieldwren (Calamanthus campestris), Little Button Quail (Turnix velox), Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) and Australian Raven.

Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis) habitat with the mine spoil in the back ground.

We moved a short way along the road and checked out another area and as we walked the scrub a small bird popped out from one of the small tussocks and I instantly realized it was a Grasswren and alerted Deb and Ian.

Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis).

Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis).

Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis).

Over the next 20 minutes or so we saw the bird a few more times in a small patch of bushes and manages to get some photo's which were not great but as it's a Grasswren they are the best I am ever likely to get, HAPPY as that means I am on 7 out of 8 possible Grasswren species in SA.

One of the very nice entrance markers at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden.

Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata).

Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) immature.

Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens).

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes).

Male Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum).

We returned to the car and continued on our way to Port Augusta where we had lunch at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, here we saw Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum), Crested Pigeon, Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosus), Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus), Small Grass-yellow (Eurema smilax), Small (Pieris rapae) and Caper White (Belenois aurota).

Red Knot (Calidris canutus).

Red Knot (Calidris canutus), Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) and Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae).

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Red Knot (Calidris canutus),  Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) and Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae).

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica).

We again continued on South adding Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) and just passed Port Wakefield we turned off and had a quick look in at Bald Hill Beach where we hoped to find the single Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva), on the drive in we saw White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons), Brown Songlark (Cincloramphus cruralis) and Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae).

Australian Fairy Tern (Sternula nereis).

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia).

We parked and the Deb and I went for a walk along the beach where we saw Australian Fairy (Sternula nereis), Whiskered (Chlidonias hybrida), Great Crested (Thalasseus bergii) and Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Silver (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) and Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus), Little Pied (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Little Black (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) and Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius), Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Red Knot (Calidris canutus), Grey (Pluvialis squatarola) and Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus) but there was no sign of the bird we wanted so we turned around and seconds later a small flock of about 6 Grey Plovers flew in over the dunes along with the single wanted Pacific.

Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva).

Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva).

We returned to the patiently waiting Ian and we continued on back to Eagle View after another superb trip picking up Australian (Threskiornis molucca) and Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) and Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) on the way.

Also seen from the car as we travelled South.