Coober Pedy across to Witchelina, South Australia*r.

Crossing from the Centre of the North towards the start of the North East.

Australia, Day Twenty One.

Ebird List for William Hutchinson Memorial.

Ebird List for Oodnadatta Track. 

 

Opal Mines on the way out of Coober Pedy.

Unfortunately today we were to say goodbye to Graham as he had to head off back south, we were heading off east to start the second part of the Adventure up in the North of the State.

Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens).

Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps).

After getting stocked up and fuel we headed off in our different directions after an amazing trip out into the Bush to the West of the State and now the three of us were going back out into the bush but in the East of the State, today we were crossing from the Stuart Highway at Coober to the Outback Highway at Marree and then slightly South and then back West to a camp ground at Witchelina Station.

Chestnut-breasted Whiteface (Aphelocephala pectoralis).

Chestnut-breasted Whiteface (Aphelocephala pectoralis).

Around Coober we started the days list with Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Feral (Columba livia) and Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Little Crow (Corvus bennetti), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) in town and Little Grassbird (Poodytes gramineus), Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops), Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens) and Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) along the sewage treatment stream.

Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis).

Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis).

We left town and went South towards the Hutchinson Monument where we drove a couple of the track and to our surprise we quite quickly found a couple of the very smart Chestnut-breasted Whiteface (Aphelocephala pectoralis), the rarest and most difficult to see of the three Whitefaces.

Near Coober.

Orange Chat (Epthianura aurifrons) female.

In the same area we also saw Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Brown Falcon (Falco berigora), Little Crow, Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis), Crimson Chat (Epthianura tricolor), Zebra Finch and Budgies(Melopsittacus undulatus).

Rufous Fieldwren (Calamanthus campestris).

Rufous Fieldwren (Calamanthus campestris).

We returned to Coober and then took the William Creek Road towards our Lunch stop at William Creek, on the way we picked up a fast moving Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) which was gone far too quickly for us to get any decent photo's unfortunately.

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Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) and Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus).

As we drove we added Orange Chat (Epthianura aurifrons), Black (Milvus migrans) and Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus) and a single Rufous Fieldwren (Calamanthus campestris) which I had failed to get a picture of on my last trip, so I was pleased this bird showed much better. 

Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis).

Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis) chick.

Further along the road we made a stop at a creek which had some pools of water still in it, here we picked up Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus), Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae), Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus), Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops), Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis) and a new species of Reptile that still needs a name.

The inhospitable lands around Blanche Cup.

Blanche Cup.

After Lunch, we continued on East along the Oodnadatta Track but turned off to have a look at Blanche Cup Mound Pool at Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs and then continued on towards Marree, on the way we saw White-backed Swallow (Cheramoeca leucosterna), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis) one adult and a chick, White-winged Triller (Lalage tricolor) and Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel). 

My room for the night at Whitchelina.

We reach Marree and then dropped south to Farina and the back on to the tracks to our camping ground at Witchelina Station, on the way and at the Station we saw Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) and on dusk a Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus) which flew passed a couple of times and called several times.

Umuwa to Coober Pedy, South Australia*wf.

Heading back further East but along the NT Border.

Australia, Day Twenty.

Ebird List for Umuwa APY Lands 1.

Ebird List for Umuwa APY Lands 2.

Ebird List for Stuart Highway.

 

Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta).

We started the day by refuelling and sorting the Tire pressures out on the Toyota's but whilst we were doing the Graham heard a calling Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta) which was an SA lifer for me so Deb and I were off and soon had it in our sights but typically as we had both rushed off to look for it, we hadn't taken our camera's and it showed brilliantly.

Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta).

Banded Whiteface (Aphelocephala nigricincta).

Banded Whiteface (Aphelocephala nigricincta).

Just down the road we made another stop in an area of Mulga where we picked up Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Budgies (Melopsittacus undulatus), Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Spiny-cheeked (Acanthagenys rufogularis), White-plumed (Ptilotula penicillata) and another Brown Honeyeater this one was not as showy, unfortunately.

Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus).

Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus).

Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus).

We started to make our way up towards the NT Border but made several stops in areas of Mulga and Spinifex adding Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus), Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis), Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens), Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens), Chiming Wedgebill (Psophodes occidentalis), Crimson Chat (Epthianura tricolor) and at least 3x very smart Banded Whiteface (Aphelocephala nigricincta).

Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus).

We stopped in a nice looking spot in a creek where Deb got the Kettle on, I managed to get some nice shots of a Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus) and we also saw Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Yellow-throated Miner (Manorina flavigula) before we moved on to a stunning area of Red Rocks which was great as we had the best views of the trip of a pair of Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli), one of my favorite species in the area.

Large Rock Marbles balanced on the slopes.

In this area we also saw Little Woodswallow (Artamus minor) and Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica) before we again moved on and crossed over into NT, along this road before we reached the Stuart Highway we saw Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis), Crested Bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis), Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis) and as we headed south towards Marla and the Coober Pedy we found White-backed Swallow (Cheramoeca leucosterna), Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) and Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus).

Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli).

Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli).

Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli).

Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli).

As we headed South we stopped at two flooded Borrow Pits adding Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel), Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops), Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus), Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius) and a hunting Black Falcon (Falco subniger).

Calandrinia balonesis.

Calandrinia balonesis.

We arrived at Coober Pedy quite late so sorted the kit out and then headed to the Outback Bar and Grill for some food and a few beers after being in a totally dry area for a couple of weeks they went down far too well.

Spinifex (Triodia scariosa).

Rosy Dock (Rumex vericarius).

Daisy Bush Species ??????????

The North West of South Australia*.

The Outback.

Australia, Day Nineteen.

 

Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla).

Today we were heading back to Umuwa after the first part of a fantastic trip out bush, Umuwa was not far so we spent most of the day birding at spots around that area, before we left the camp site we started the list with Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Little Crow (Corvus bennetti), Western Gerygone (Gerygone fusca), Budgies (Melopsittacus undulatus), Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis), Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis), Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum), Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) and Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis).

Cockatiel's (Nymphicus hollandicus) coming into some water.

Cockatiel's (Nymphicus hollandicus) coming into some water.

Budgies (Melopsittacus undulatus) also coming to the water.

Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) and Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla).

Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla).

Galah's (Eolophus roseicapilla).

As we headed towards Umuwa we made stops at a couple of spots adding White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus), Chiming Wedgebill (Psophodes occidentalis), White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosus), Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus) and at a leaking water trough there were very good numbers of Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata), Budgie's and Cockatiel's as well as smaller numbers of Galah's and a Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea).

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) ♂.

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) ♂.

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) ♂.

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) ♂.

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) ♂.

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) ♂.

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) ♂.

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) ♀.

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) eclipse ♂.

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) ♀.

Further on we stopped at a couple of Creeks where we picked up some nice species including Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis), White-plumed (Ptilotula penicillata), Singing (Gavicalis virescens) and White-fronted Honeyeater (Purnella albifrons), Rufous Songlark (Cincloramphus mathewsi), Brown (Falco berigora) and Black Falcon (Falco subniger) first of the trip, Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius), Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) x3, Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Yellow-throated Miner (Manorina flavigula), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Chirruping Wedgebill (Psophodes cristatus), Purple-backed (Malurus assimilis) and Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens), Little Buttonquail (Turnix velox) and Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis).

Burnt out tree but amazingly it's still alive.

Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis).

Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Our last stop of the day was at a water Bore where the only new species for the day before we headed into Umuwa were a Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica) and Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca).

Black Falcon (Falco subniger).

Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius).

Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata) ♂.

The North West of South Australia*.

The Outback.

Australia, Day Eighteen.

 

Sunrise.

Today was another day of birding in the top end of the State, before we left the camp site we had a walk finding Spiny-cheeked (Acanthagenys rufogularis), White-fronted (Purnella albifrons) and Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens), Budgies (Melopsittacus undulatus), Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Crested Bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis), Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius), Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis), Crimson Chat (Epthianura tricolor), Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus), White-winged Triller (Lalage tricolor), Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and Little Button Quail (Turnix velox).

Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) and Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos).

Poached Egg Daisy (Polycalymma stuartii).

We headed out and spent the morning along the border tracks seeing Crested Bellbird, Budgies, Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera), Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius), Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae), Torresian Crow (Corvus orru), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Western Bowerbird (Chlamydera guttata) and Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris).

Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis).

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes).

Around lunchtime, we reached a Town and as usual we visited the S**T Ponds where we saw our second Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) in as many days as well as 51x Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Australasian (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) x2 and Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) x7, Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops) x2.

White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata).

Desert Poplar (Codonocarpus cotinifolius).

We moved on and headed to a spot I had visited before with Deb last year when we planned to camp for the night, on the way we saw Yellow-throated Miner (Manorina flavigula), White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Hooded (Melanodryas cucullata) and Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii) and Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis).

Hope the roads quiet!!!!

Around the camp we had Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) and Deb found the nest up in a tree near the road, Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata), Little Crow (Corvus bennetti), Yellow-rumped (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) and Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis), Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens), Masked Woodswallow (Artamus personatus) and after dark a calling Australian Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus).