Birding around Coober Pedy, South Australia.

Bird Tracks around the out back town amounst the Opel Mines.

Australia, Day Seven.

 

Little Crow (Corvus bennetti) sat on top of the monument.

Deb and I headed out south of the town to the Hutchinson Monument area where we were hoping to find the uncommon Chestnut-breasted Whiteface (Aphelocephala pectoralis), on the way down we picked up Little Crow (Corvus bennetti), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) and after we parked and started to walk around the site we picked up Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) x30+, Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens) x6, Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) x15, a single Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) which will be called Budies from now on and a band of 20+ White-winged Fairywrens (Malurus leucopterus) including a stunning male which unfortunately stayed distant.

Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis) female.

Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis) female.

We circled around to some more distant break away (areas of collapsed banks), on the way we had another group of Fairywrens but this time they were Purple-backed (Malurus assimilis) along with Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) and then we came across a group of three of the target Chestnut-breasted Whitefaces which performed nicely for us but kept their distance.

Chestnut-breasted Whiteface (Aphelocephala pectoralis).

Chestnut-breasted Whiteface (Aphelocephala pectoralis).

We watched these very smart birds before walking back towards the vehicle adding a Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) before heading to another spot a little further back up the road where we again walked around a similar looking area finding lots more Budgies x70+, Zebra Finches x 20, Little Crow x2, Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus ) x3, White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata) x2, Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) x2, White-winged Triller (Lalage tricolor) x1, Brown Songlark (Cincloramphus cruralis) x2 and Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus) x6.

Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens).

We returned to Coober Pedy for a coffee and then went for a drive and walk along the out flow from the sewage works where we added several new species including adult and immature Spotted Harriers (Circus assimilis) which we watched pass food in mid air.

Little Crow (Corvus bennetti).

Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus).

Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca).

Closer to the water we found Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) x2, Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) x2, Crested Pigeon x2, Little Grassbird (Poodytes gramineus) x6, Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) x2, Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops) x5 and at least 3 Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) immature.

Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) immature.

Black Kite (Milvus migrans).

We went up to a small seating area and raised view point seeing Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) and behind us a Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) or Bin Chicken as Deb calls them.

Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops).

Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops).

Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles).

Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea).

Next we headed out on a road from the town searching for the difficult to find Gibber Chat (Ashbyia lovensis) and difficult it was but we eventually had a bird fly up off the roadside.

Gibber Chat (Ashbyia lovensis).

Gibber Chat (Ashbyia lovensis).

Even when we had found the bird it was difficult to keep on the the stony habitat where it just disappeared even though it was bright yellow on the breast and always stayed distant.

Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus).

White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata).

Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea).

In this area we also had views of Rufous Fieldwren (Calamanthus campestris) x3, more Budgies x15, Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla) and my first Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus).

Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea).

Our last stop was back at the sewage works stream where we say all the same species but also added Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) x2 and Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) x5.

Driving North to Coober Pedy, South Australia.

A long drive North for Deb with some good birding on the way.

Australia, Day Six.

 

Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) male.

After dropping Molly and Maddie the dogs off at Deb's Mom's we started the long drive north to Coober Pedy way up in the top end of South Australia, as we went to and around Adelaide we saw my first Spotted Doves (Spilopelia chinensis) which were plentiful all the way through the suburbs along with Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) and Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula).

Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides).

Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides).

To the North of the city I saw three Hardhead (Aythya australis) ducks on a small flooded area and as we drove towards Ball Hill beach we add Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), 30+ Sulphur-crested Cockatoo's (Cacatua galerita), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) and Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae).

Pied Cormorants (Phalacrocorax varius), Great Crested Terns (Thalasseus bergii) and Silver Gulls (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae).

Just before our lunch stop at Port Wakefield bakery we stopped off at Bald Hill Beach, on the drive into the site we had a very smart pair of  Nankeen Kestrels (Falco cenchroides), a Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) and Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens).

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia).

Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii).

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) and Fairy Tern (Sternula nereis).

Once we were on the beach the species just kept coming, we had soon added Great Crested  (Thalasseus bergii) x50+, Caspian (Hydroprogne caspia) x15 and Fairy Terns (Sternula nereis) x3, Grey (Pluvialis squatarola) x1, Red-capped (Charadrius ruficapillus) x25 and Double-banded Plover (Charadrius bicinctus) x9, Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) x12, Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) x11, Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) x2, Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia), Great White (Ardea alba) and Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus) and a calling but unseen Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae).

Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia), Great White (Ardea alba) and Little Egret (Egretta garzetta).

On the drive out of the site we saw White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) and White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons) before having a coffee and a Cornish Pasty for lunch.

Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus) male.

Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus) female.

Double-banded Plover (Charadrius bicinctus).

Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis).

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) and Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica).

We continued North picking up Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) and Black Kite (Milvus migrans) and at our next rest stop we picked up Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus), Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and a blue butterfly species which I still need to name but is possibly Southern Purple Azure (Ogyris genoveva).

Deb at Bald Hill Beach.

A Cornish Pasty ????? It tasted good.

Further north we made a brief stop at a flooded area which heald a few nice species including the stunning Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops), Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus), Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus), Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) and Black-tailed Nativehen (Tribonyx ventralis).

Butterfly species, possibly Southern Purple Azure (Ogyris genoveva).

On the way North.

Between this flood and Coober Pedy we had 4x Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) and in town we added Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) which were roosting in a tree in the car park of the place we went to eat after unpacking the 4x4.

Eagles View, South Australia.

Getting ready for the first big adventure .

Australia, Day Five.

 

Looking Southish from Deb and Ian's.

Today was a sorting out day, getting things ready for our big adventure to the bush and the weather was a tad dodgy so I got a bit done on the Computer but whilst I was sat in the cottage I had the camera ready for anything that appeared near the door.

Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans).

Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera).

Several species came in for a picture or were seen out of the windows including Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Little (Anthochaera chrysoptera) and Red Wattlebirds (Anthochaera carunculata) and Superb Fairywrens (Malurus cyaneus).

New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae).

New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae).

Later Deb and I went to Renate's (Deb's Mom's) and moved a few bits around for the animals and there I saw my first Little Pied Cormorants (Microcarbo melanoleucos) when three flew in to the Dam near the house.

Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus).

Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus).

I also saw Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata) and Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa) before we returned to Deb's.

Off Port Macdonnell and on the way back to Deb's, South Australia.

What a way to spend World Albatross Day.

Australia, Day Four.

 

A nippy start to the morning.

 

Dawn at the Port.

Sue, Dave, Deb and Myself made our way down to the Port from the accommodation and met up with the rest of the group who were also going out on the Pelagic.

Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta).

Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta).

Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta).

We loaded up and left the port but not before starting the day list off with a couple of lifers for me, Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) and Black-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens) along with good numbers of Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae).

Buller's Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri).

Buller's Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri).

As we headed out further we picked up Australian Gannet (Morus serrator), a single Hutton's Shearwater (Puffinus huttoni) and then a moment I had waited for, for a long time, the sighting of my first Albatross which was a Shy (Thalassarche cauta) and was followed by an immature Buller's Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri).

Not sure which way to point the camera.

Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos).

Further out we reached the shelf and started to set out the berley bag and straight away more Albatross's came into the wake, most were Shy but once we started the chumming they were joined by adult Buller's and an adult Yellow-nosed (Thalassarche chlororhynchos).

Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur).

Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur).

Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur).

We continued to drift for some time and more species came in including Wilson's Storm (Oceanites oceanicus) and Grey-backed Storm-(Garrodia nereis) and Great-winged Petrels (Pterodroma macroptera), Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur), Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli), Northern Royal (Diomedea sanfordi) and Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris).

Grey-backed Storm-Petrel (Garrodia nereis).

Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus).

Later again I was over the moon when the shout went out for a Cape Petrel (Daption capense), the bird hung around the boat for some time and was later joined by a second bird.

Cape Petrel (Daption capense).

Cape Petrel (Daption capense).

The final species that I managed to add was a very confiding Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) which happily took food from the hand of the Aiden the deckie.

Great-winged Petrel (Pterodroma macroptera).

We cruised on for a way to catch up with a trawler which had lager numbers of Albatross following it, both Campbell (Thalassarche impavida) and New Zealand Wandering Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni) were seen briefly but I missed both.

Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli).

Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli).

Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli).

After a while we headed back to port but unfortunately I tried to relocate for return and slipped, cutting my head above my one eye, we reached port and said goodbye to everyone after a brilliant day of birds but less so with the camera.

Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) immature.

Deb took me to the local hospital where they patched up my eye and then she drove us back to Eagles View, on the way we had great views of a smart looking Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto delicatula) which I got some nice photo's of but after making a big cockup I lost them and quite a few from the Pelagic.

Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi).

Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi).

We also saw a single Southern Boobook (Ninox boobook) before getting back quite late. 

Thanks to Sue and David for organising the trip and allowing a Brit onboard and to all the others for a great day and of course thanks to Deb for getting me down there.