Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Arrival of a friend.

I spent most of the day getting the house sorted and doing some shopping before friend Dave Grundy arrived in the late afternoon for a couple of nights, we just set the one trap up on the terrace and then went out for something to eat.

10035 Mythimna unipuncta (White Speck).

The only moth in the trap was the 10035 Mythimna unipuncta (White Speck), not great but better than nothing.

Malaga to Home, Spain.

Getting back Home.

Looking out over the field.

Barbara, Derek and I met Andy Patterson near Plaza Mayor and we all headed up to Granada Province where they were going to drop me back and then the three of them were going to go birding on the fields and then up on Sierra Loja.

On the way up we stopped at Riofrio for some breakfast and then headed to Huétor Tajar where we made a stop on the fields to the North of the town where we saw Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) x19, Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis).

We then headed up to the house and they dropped me off which certainly made the last leg of getting home much easier, Thanks Barbara and Derek.

I opened up and was generally pleased to see the house was in pretty good order after being left for 3 month, a couple of regular cracks but nothing too bad but it was cold. I got unpacked and settled in.

Heathrow, Stansted in the UK and Back to Malaga in Spain.

Transiting through the UK back to Spain.

The plane arrived bang on time into Heathrow after a long but good flight from Singapore, up until this point it had been pleasant and stress free travelling.

The Border force people were on the ball and nice and when we reached the luggage collection area it was very quiet so we stupidly thought it would be a quick but just over 2.5 hours later the bags started to come through, ridiculous.

A view from the bus on the M25

Once I got my bag I headed for the bus station but I knew my bus time had changed and tried to get some information from the ticket desk but the girl there was not in the slightest bit helpful and said she didn't have the time to check as she had tickets to sell.

I went out to the bus arrivals area and asked one of the guys out there for some info and he was much more helpful as was the driver who turned up on the first of the Ipswich buses, he said to just get on his bus as the bus I was scheduled to travel on did not run any more.

As we travelled (Slowly) around the M25 I saw a couple of Red Kites (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) as well as Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), European Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

We arrived at Stansted and as I was early I tried to find somewhere to sit and wait for the baggage check to open but there were so few seats I ended up standing for a couple of hours and once I had checked my bag I headed for Security which was by far the worst experience of the trip by far.

The security people were testing new equipment, fair enough I would expect delays but the way two guys were instructing people was just downright rude, aggressive and at times they were just insulting when some of the passengers didn't understand, it will be the last time I use Stansted by choice.

The single bright point at Stansted.

I still had 4 hours to wait until I was boarding so I again tried to find some where to sit, not as easy as you would hope but eventually I did but unlike Singapore and Adelaide airports where almost all the seating had access to a charging point / plug the nearest point was 30meters away and wasn't working anyway!!! on the way out in September 5 of 6 power points in Heathrow were also not working.

Anyway the Ryanair flight left and arrived at Malaga pretty much on time and I was out side waiting for friends Barbara and Derek within 25 minutes of landing, they very kindly picked me up. 

I stayed with them for the night and enjoyed a good sleep after the long journey home to Spain.

BIRD OF THE TRIP.

Normally this is always difficult but not this trip.

 

Male.

During this Trip to South Australia Thanks to Deb, Ian, Renate, Graham, Greg, Sue and Dave I saw some amazing wildlife. Deb asked me what my Bird of the trip would be knowing there could only really be one choice, the amazing Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae).

Female.

It is a difficult species to see anywhere in Australia but in South Australia it is restricted to just the NW of the state and is highly nomadic.

Female.

Female.

Small part of the flock.

We were lucky to see around 35 birds in a loose breeding colony in Marble Gums trees, we also watched them feeding on fresh Mulga seed Pods.

Group.

Male.

Female.

Male.

Male.

Wildlife Species List for Australia 2023.

This is the list of the species seen during my 2023 visit or at least the ones I have Identifed. 

 

Bird List.

1. Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae),
2. Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata),
3. Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni),
4. Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae),
5. Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa),
6. Black Swan (Cygnus atratus),
7. Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides),
8. Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), 
9. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos),
10. Australian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis),
11. Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa),
12. Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)
13. Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea),
14. Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus),
15. Hardhead (Aythya australis),
16. Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis),
17. Musk Duck (Biziura lobata),
18. Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis),
19. Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), 
20. Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus),
21. Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), 
22. Feral Pigeon (Columba livia), 
23. African Collared Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea),
24. Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis),
25. Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera),
26. Brush Bronzewing (Phaps elegans),
27. Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica),
28. Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes),
29. Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera),
30. Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata),
31. Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida),
32. Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis),
33. Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis),
34. Black-eared Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx osculans),
35. Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus),
36. Pallid Cuckoo (Cacomantis pallidus),
37. Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis),
38. Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides),
39. Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus),
40. Australian Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus),
41. Lewin's Rail (Lewinia pectoralis),
42. Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis),
43. Black-tailed Nativehen (Tribonyx ventralis),
44. Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea),
45. Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa),
46. Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra),
47. Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus),
48. Baillon's Crake (Zapornia pusilla),
49. Spotless Crake (Zapornia tabuensis),
50. Brolga (Antigone rubicunda),
51. Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus),
52. Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus),
53. Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae),
54. Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris),
55. Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus),
56. Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola),
57. Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva),
58. Hooded Plover (Thinornis cucullatus),
59. Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops),
60. Banded Lapwing (Vanellus tricolor),
61. Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles),
62. Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus),
63. Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis),
64. Oriental Plover (Charadrius veredus),
65. Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii),
66. Double-banded Plover (Charadrius bicinctus),
67. Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus),
68. Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus),
69. Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis),
70. Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica),
71. Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii),
72. Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus),
    
73. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), 
74. Grey-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes),
75. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola),
76. Greenshank (Tringa nebularia),
    
77. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres),
78. Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris),
79. Red Knot (Calidris canutus),
80. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata),
81. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea),
82. Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis),
83. Sanderling (Calidris alba),
84. Little Button Quail (Turnix velox), 
85. Painted Buttonquail (Turnix varius),
86. Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella),
87. Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae),
88. Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus),
89. Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus),
90. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons),
91. Australian Fairy Tern (Sternula nereis),
92. Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica),
93. Australian Tern (Gelochelidon macrotarsa),
    
94. Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia),
95. Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida),
96. White-fronted Tern (Sterna striata),
97. Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii), 
98. Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi),
99. Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora),
100. Snowy (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea exulans), 
101. Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis),
102. Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche carteri),
103. Buller's Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri),
104. ShyAlbatross (Thalassarche cauta),
105. Salvin's Albatross (Thalassarche salvini),
106. Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris),
107. White-faced Storm-Petrel (Pelagodroma marina),
108. Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli),
109. Cape Petrel (Daption capense),
110. Great-winged Petrel (Pterodroma macroptera),
111. Grey-faced Petrel (Pterodroma gouldi),
112. White-headed Petrel (Pterodroma lessonii), 
113. White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis),
114. Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea),
     
115. Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris),
     
116. Hutton's Shearwater (Puffinus huttoni),
     
117. Fluttering Shearwater (Puffinus gavia),
118. Australian Gannet (Morus serrator),
119. Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae),
120. Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos),
121. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo),
122. Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris),
123. Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius),
124. Black-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens),
125. Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus),
126. Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), 
127. Nankeen Night-Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus), 
128. Pacific Reef-Heron (Egretta sacra), 
129. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), 
130. White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae),
131. Pacific Heron (Ardea pacifica),
132. Great White Egret (Ardea alba),
133. Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia),
134. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus),
135. Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca),
136. Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis),
137. Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia),
138. Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes),
139. Eastern Osprey (Pandion haliaetus),
140. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris),
141. Black-breasted Kite (Hamirostra melanosternon),
142. Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura),
143. Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides),
144. Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax),
145. Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans),
146. Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis),
147. Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus),
148. Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus),
149. Black Kite (Milvus migrans),
150. Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus),
151. Barn Owl (Tyto alba),
152. Southern Boobook (Ninox boobook),
153. Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus),
154. Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae),
155. Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius),
156. Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus),
157. Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus),
158. Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides),
159. Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis),
160. Brown Falcon (Falco berigora),
161. Grey Falcon (Falco hypoleucos),
162. Black Falcon (Falco subniger),
163. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), 
164. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus),
165. Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii), 
166. Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus),
167. Gang-Gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum),
     
168. Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), 
169. Major Mitchell's Cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri),
170. Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris),
171. Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea),
172. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita),
173. Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae),
174. Bourke's Parrot (Neophema bourkii),
175. Blue-winged Parrot (Neophema chrysostoma),
176. Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans),
177. Rock Parrot (Neophema petrophila),
178. Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius),
179. Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans),
180. Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius),
181. Greater Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster),
182. Naretha Blue Bonnet (Northiella narethae),
183. Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus),
184. Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius), 
185. Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus),
186. Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Parvipsitta porphyrocephala),
187. Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna),
188. Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus),
189. Western Bowerbird (Chlamydera guttata),
190. White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaea),
191. Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus),
192. Rufous Treecreeper (Climacteris rufus),
193. Grey Grasswren (Amytornis barbatus), 
194. Sandhill Grasswren (Amytornis striatus oweni),
195. Striated Grasswren (Amytornis striatus),
196. Short-tailed Grasswren (Amytornis merrotsyi),
197. Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis),
198. Thick-billed Grasswren (Amytornis modestus),
199. Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli), 
200. Eyrean Grasswren (Amytornis goyderi),
201. Southern Emuwren (Stipiturus malachurus),
202. Blue-breasted Fairywren (Malurus pulcherrimus),
203. Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis),
204. Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens),
205. Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus),
206. White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus),
207. Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris),
208. Pied Honeyeater (Certhionyx variegatus),
209. White-fronted Honeyeater (Purnella albifrons),
210. Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Caligavis chrysops),
211. Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala),
212. Yellow-throated Miner (Manorina flavigula),
213. Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis),
214. Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera),
215. Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata),
216. Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens),
217. White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata), 
218. Grey-headed Honeyeater (Ptilotula keartlandi),
219. Grey-fronted Honeyeater (Ptilotula plumula),
220. Gibber Chat (Ashbyia lovensis),
221. Crimson Chat (Epthianura tricolor),
222. Orange Chat (Epthianura aurifrons),
223. White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons),
224. Black Honeyeater (Sugomel nigrum),
225. Tawny-crowned Honeyeater (Gliciphila melanops),
226. Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta),
227. Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus),
228. New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae),
229. White-eared Honeyeater (Nesoptilotis leucotis),
230. Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis),
231. White-naped Honeyeater (Melithreptus lunatus)
232. Brown-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus brevirostris),
233. Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhyncha lanceolata),
234. Little Friarbird (Philemon citreogularis),
235. Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti),
236. Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus),
237. Red-browed Pardalote (Pardalotus rubricatus),
238. Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus), 
239. Redthroat (Pyrrholaemus brunneus), 
240. Shy Heathwren (Hylacola cauta),
241. Striated Fieldwren (Calamanthus fuliginosus),
242. Rufous Fieldwren (Calamanthus campestris), 
243. Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris),
244. White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis),
245. Spotted Scrubwren (Sericornis maculatus),
246. Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis),
247. Banded Whiteface (Aphelocephala nigricincta),
248. Chestnut-breasted Whiteface (Aphelocephala pectoralis), 
249. Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa), 
250. Yellow Thornbill (Acanthiza nana),
251. Striated Thornbill (Acanthiza lineata),
252. Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis),
253. Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla),
254. Slaty-backed Thornbill (Acanthiza robustirostris), 
255. Slender-billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei ssp iredalei),
256. Buff-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza reguloides), 
257. Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis),
258. Western Gerygone (Gerygone fusca),
259. Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis),
260. White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosus),
261. Chestnut-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps),
262. Chestnut Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma castanotum),
263. Copperback Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma clarum),
264. Cinnamon Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma cinnamomeum),
265. Nullabor Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma alisteri),
266. Ground Cuckooshrike (Coracina maxima),
267. Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae),
268. White-winged Triller (Lalage tricolor), 
269. Varied Sittella (Daphoenositta chrysoptera),
270. Chiming Wedgebill (Psophodes occidentalis),
271. Chirruping Wedgebill (Psophodes cristatus),
272. Crested Bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis),
273. Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), 
274. Olive Whistler (Pachycephala olivacea),
275. Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis),
276. Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa),
277. Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris),
278. White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus),
279. Masked Woodswallow (Artamus personatus),
280. White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus),
281. Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus),
282. Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus),
283. Little Woodswallow (Artamus minor),
284. Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus),
285. Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis),
286. Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen),
287. Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina),
288. Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor),
     
289. Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys),
290. Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa),
291. Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca),
292. Restless Flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta), 
293. White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos),
294. Torresian Crow (Corvus orru),
295. Little Crow (Corvus bennetti),
296. Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides),
297. Little Raven (Corvus mellori), 
298. Forest Raven (Corvus tasmanicus), 
299. Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii),
300. Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang),
301. Jacky-winter (Microeca fascinans),
302. Southern Scrub-Robin (Drymodes brunneopygia),
303. Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata),
304. Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis),
305. Western Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria griseogularis),
306. Australasian Bushlark (Mirafra javanica),
307. Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis),
308. Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis),
309. Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis),
310. Little Grassbird (Poodytes gramineus),
311. Brown Songlark (Cincloramphus cruralis),
312. Rufous Songlark (Cincloramphus mathewsi),
313. White-backed Swallow (Cheramoeca leucosterna),
314. Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena),
315. Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel),
316. Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans),
317. Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis),
318. Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris),
319. Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula),
320. Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum),
321. Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella),
322. Red-browed Firetail (Neochmia temporalis),
323. Painted Firetail (Emblema pictum),
324. Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata),
325. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus),
326. Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae),
327. European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis),
328. European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris),

 Mammal List.

1. Australian Swamp Rat (Rattus lutreolus),
2. Australian Water Rat (Hydromys chrysogaster),
3. Brush Tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula),
4. Camel (Camelus dromedarius),
5. Dingo (Canis dingo),
6. Hare (Lepus europaeus occidentalis),
7. Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus),
8. New Zealand Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri),
   
9. Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus),
10. Red Fox (Zorro / Vulpus vulpus),
11. Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus),
12. Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus),
    
13. Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus),
    
14. Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor),
15. Black-footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale lateralis),
16. Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus),
17. Red-necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus),
18. Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus),
    
19. Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus),
    
20. Euro / Common Wallaroo (Osphranter robustus),
    

 Reptile List.

1. Blue-tongued Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides),
   
2. Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps),
3. Central Military Dragon (Ctenophorus isolepis isolepis),
   
4. Common Garden Skink (Lampropholis guichenoti),
5. Crested Dragon (Ctenophorus cristatus),
6. Dugite Snake (Pseudonaja affinis),
   
7. Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis),
8. Gidgee Skink (Egernia stokesii),
9. Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis),
   
10. Long-nosed Dragon (Gowidon longirostris),
11. Red-barred Crevice-Dragon (Ctenophorus vadnappa),
12. Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus),
    
13. Sand Goanna (Varanus gouldii),
14. Shingleback Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa),
15. Throny Devil (Moloch horridus),

Aphibian List.

1. Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerilii),
   

 

Orchid List.

1. Eastern Mantis Orchid (Caladenia tentaculata),
2. Leopard Sun Orchid (Thelymitra benthamiana),
3. Notched Onion-Orchid (Microtis arenaria),
4. Thick-lip Spider-orchid (Caladenia tessellata),
5. Narrow-lipped Spider (Caladenia leptochilla),
6. Purple Beard (Calochilus robertsonii),
7. Plum Leek (Paraprasophyllum pruinosum),
8. Bilobed Onion Orchid (Microtis biloba),

Butterfly List.

1. Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi),
2. Caper White (Belenois aurota),
3. Common Brown (Heteronympha merope),
4. Lesser Wanderer (Danaus chrysippus),
5. Marbled Xenica (Geitoneura klugii),
   
6. Meadow Argus (Junonia villida),
7. Monarch (Danaus plexippus),
8. Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes),
   
9. Small Grass-yellow (Eurema smilax),
10. Small White (Pieris rapae),

 

Dragonfly List.

1. Australian Emperor (Anax papuensis),
2. Black-headed Skimmer (Crocothemis nigrifrons),
3. Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum),
4. Blue-spotted Hawker (Adversaeschna brevistyla),
5. Common Glider (Tramea loewii),
6. Red and Blue Damsel (Xanthagrion erythroneurum),
7. Rosy Skimmer (Orthetrum migratum),
8. Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes),
   
9. Slender Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina),
10. Tau Emerald (Hemicordulia tau),
    

Eagle View, Adelaide Airport and starting the trip Home, South Australia and Singapore.

Starting to make my way Home 😞😞😞

Australia, Day Ninety.

Deb, Ian and I were up early as I need to be at the airport by 06.30, I said goodbye to Ian, who unfortunately had a very difficult day ahead of him and Deb and I made our way to the Airport but not before we search for a calling Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys).

Before we left we also saw Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis) and Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera).

On the way to the Airport we added Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala), Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) and fittingly my last bird in Australia was another Willie-wagtail the bird I saw every single day of my trip and the last one as well.

My Flight for Singapore took of on time and was as pleasant as a 7 hour flight can be, I had a 9 hour layover in Singapore where I saw House Crows (Corvus splendens), Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) and a Swallow species.

At just before midnight I caught the longer 13.5 hour flight to Heathrow which thankfully was totally uneventful.

Laratinga Wetlands and Eagle View, South Australia.

My last days birding with Deb in Australia.

Australia, Day Eighty Nine.

Ebird List for Laratinga.

Not looking Promising down towards the Coast.

We started the day around the farm with Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) and Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus).

The sign on the Car Park at Laratinga.

Before we went to Laratinga we checked the woods / Scrub up the hill from the farm looking for the Bassian Thrush (Zoothera lunulata) but unfortunately it again remained elusive, we did see Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla), Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Parvipsitta porphyrocephala), Galah, Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Common Brown (Heteronympha merope) and a most unexpected Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor).

Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus).

Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus).

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea).

We again admitted defeat with the Thrush and headed for Laratinga picking up Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Australian (Threskiornis molucca) and Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa), Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), Hardhead (Aythya australis), Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) and Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus).

Baillon's Crake (Zapornia pusilla).

Baillon's Crake (Zapornia pusilla).

Baillon's Crake (Zapornia pusilla).

Baillon's Crake (Zapornia pusilla).

Baillon's Crake (Zapornia pusilla).

We arrived at Laratinga and we were pleased to find the young lady with her coffee wagon was there so we started with Coffee and a Bacon and Egg Roll and we were quickly joined by a very friendly Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus).

White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) during a shower.

Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus).

Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus).

Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa) and Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata).

Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata).

Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa).

Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa).

After we finished the coffee we headed into the reserve and wandered around the many paths and pools, main / new species for the day were Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa), Australian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis), Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea), Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus), Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis), Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis), an immature Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis), Australian (Porzana fluminea), Spotless (Zapornia tabuensis) and Baillon's Crake (Zapornia pusilla), Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae), Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos), White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) and Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) were all seen on on around the water.

White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) immature.

In the reeds and around the margins we added Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) and Little Grassbird (Poodytes gramineus).

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus).

Black Swans (Cygnus atratus).

Grey Teal (Anas gracilis).

Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), Hardhead (Aythya australis) and Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus).

Pink-eared Ducks (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) and Grey Teal (Anas gracilis).

Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus).

Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus).

In the trees and scrub we were hoping for the Crested/Eastern Shrike-tit (Falcunculus frontatus) which remained as elusive as the Thrush earlier but we did managed to find Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus), White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata), Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna), Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus) and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).

Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa), Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) and Grey Teal (Anas gracilis).

Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea).

Australian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis) female.

Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis).

Hardhead (Aythya australis) and Terrapin Species.

Hardhead (Aythya australis) and Terrapin Species.

Australian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis) male.

Australian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis) Pair.

Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) x2, Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) x2 and Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) x2.

Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa) and Grey Teal (Anas gracilis).

We drove back to the Farm and whilst I was packing and cleaning I saw Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus), Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa) and Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris).

My last evening at the Farm.