Belair NP and a Private site near Para Wirra Conservation Park, South Australia*r.

Back out watching the stunning Square-tailed Kites with Deb.

Australia, Day Forty.

Just before dawn and we were off to Belair.

Deb and I were out early again and soon on site in the woodlands of Belair National Park near Adelaide, today we were going to be joined by Bevin Scholz who has been watching this nest for a good few years.

Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura).

Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura).

We arrived and the ♀ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) was on site, there was no sign of the ♂ bird, we sat down and started to record the goings-on, the ♀ was still collecting the odd branch and taking it back to the nest.

Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus).

Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla).

As we watched and recorded the birds actions we also saw Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera), Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa), Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica) and a sleepy Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) which sat in a tree near to where we were sat.

Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) the ♂.

Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura).

Bevin arrived, we spent some time chatting about the Kites then I mentioned that I was also interested in Orchids, so I was pleased when he said that after had been to see someone he needed to meet he would take me and show me a few species in the park, he returned and we went off to a different area where he soon found several new species for me including Eastern Mantis (Caladenia tentaculata), Narrow-lipped Spider (Caladenia leptochilla), Purple Beard (Calochilus robertsonii) and Plum Leek (Paraprasophyllum pruinosum) and possibly Bilobed Onion Orchid (Microtis biloba) ????? Thanks Bevin.

Eastern Mantis Orchid (Caladenia tentaculata).

Narrow-lipped Spider Orchid (Caladenia leptochilla).

Plum Leek Orchid (Paraprasophyllum pruinosum).

Plum Leek Orchid (Paraprasophyllum pruinosum).

Purple Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii).

Bilobed Onion Orchid (Microtis biloba) ?????

We returned to Deb and shortly after getting back the ♂ also arrived for a brief visit before heading off again.

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).

During the rest of the morning there we also saw Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus), Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna), Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus), Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris) and Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus).

Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura).

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).

We all headed off, Deb and I made our way to the second site we were going to monitor at a Private location near the Para Wirra CP, on the way we had Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Hardhead (Aythya australis), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) and Monarch (Danaus plexippus).

Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus).

Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus).

Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus).

Once we were set up the chairs in the same place as last time and watched, it was quite a while before the ♂ returned to the nest with some prey which both parent birds fed to the three chicks in the nest.

Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae).

Buff-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza reguloides).

In the same area we saw Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus), Buff-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza reguloides), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Purple-crowned (Parvipsitta porphyrocephala) and Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna), Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor), Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus), White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata), Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos), Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida), Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum) ♀, Small White (Pieris rapae) and a Skink species that needs a name.

Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) pair and the head of one chick.

Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) pair.

On the way back to the farm we added Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa), White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), Great White Egret (Ardea alba), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Little Pied (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Great (Phalacrocorax carbo) and Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris).

Skink species.

Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum) ♀.

Deb's Mums and Eagle View, South Australia*.

A quiet day around the Farms.

Australia, Day Thirty Nine.

White-naped Honeyeaters (Melithreptus lunatus).

After the big fire we had over a Deb's Mums yesterday we went back over to rake the ashes up and check the animals and whilst there we spent some time watching a pair of White-naped Honeyeaters (Melithreptus lunatus) build their nest in one of the Birch trees.

We also saw New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) and heard the Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus).

Later back at Eagle View we saw Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Musk (Glossopsitta concinna) and Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) and European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis).

Eagle View and Deb's Mums, South Australia*.

Clearing and Burning brash and litter from the Trees.

Australia, Day Thirty Eight.

Today was mostly about getting some burning done over at Deb's Mums to get the place safe for when things warm up and the fire risk starts to rise.

Whilst there we did see a few species including Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), New Holland (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) and White-naped Honeyeater (Melithreptus lunatus), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa) and Little Raven (Corvus mellori).

Eagle View, South Australia*.

A quiet day at the farm, except for the Rally Cars!!!!!

Australia, Day Thirty Seven.

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) in the fruit garden.

Today the road was going to be closed so we got the jobs done early and then stayed in until later in the evening when Graham and Kath came over for a BBQ, a few drinks and a Bonfire so that all the stuff that had been pruned and collected from around the farm before the fire season could be burnt.

It was much bigger to start with.

Belair NP, a Private site near Para Wirra Conservation Park and Jones Road Dam, South Australia*.

Out monitoring Square-tailed Kite sites with Deb.

Australistlia, Day Thirty Six.

Ebird List for Belair National Park.

Ebird List for Jones Rd Dam, Hahndorf (restricted access).

 

♀ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) with a twig for the nest (Belair).

Deb and I were up and out well before dawn so that we could be at our first monitoring site in the Belair National Park, we were on site complete with chairs and kit by 07.05 and watched the pair of Square-tailed Kites (Lophoictinia isura) interacting around the nest with the ♀ flying short distances and collecting twigs several times.

♀ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) original pair (Belair).

This carried on until 10 something when both birds took off and were joined for a moment by two more Kites which was completely unexpected, the one bird of the unknown pair disappeared quickly, we were then amazed to see the ♂ and ♀ from the nest return along with a second ♀ bird.

♂ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) original pair (Belair).

There was no aggression from the nest owners so we can only assume that this extra ♀ was one of the young birds from at least two years earlier as the nest failed in 2022.

♂ and ♀ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) original pair (Belair).

We continued watching, all 3 birds disappeared for a short while but a short while later the original ♀ returned but up until around 11.30 when we left there was no sign of the ♂ returning.

♂ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) original pair (Belair).

Other species seen during the monitoring period included Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Long-billed (Cacatua tenuirostris) and Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Crimson (Platycercus elegans) and Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius), Rainbow (Trichoglossus moluccanus) and Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Parvipsitta porphyrocephala), Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera), Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris), Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa), Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala), Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor), Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus), Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus).

♂ and ♀ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) (Para Wirra).

We moved on to our second location which was on a private property with access kindly granted by the owners for the study to be carried out, on the way we called in at a bakery for some lunch and added Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Crescent (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus) and New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) and Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) on the way to Para Wirra area.

♂ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) (Para Wirra).

Once we were on site we again got the chairs set up and waited, the ♀ was sitting on eggs at this site, we watched as she turned them several times.

♂ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) (Para Wirra).

Just after we arrived the ♂ returned with a very small bird and the ♀ ate it, he didn't show up again for nearly 3 hours when he came in with a larger bird which they both feed on, the ♂ then sat in a small tree quite close to us between us and the nest and preened for the next 20 minute before heading back out hunting.

♂ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) (Para Wirra).

We left at around 16:30 and on the way out met the owners of the property and had a nice chat about the birds with them, whilst on site we also recorded Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), good numbers of Striated Pardalote and a single Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus), Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus), Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida), Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum), Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris), Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos), Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna), White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), Rufous (Pachycephala rufiventris) and Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa), Buff-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza reguloides) and many of the species seen at the other site.

♂ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) (Para Wirra).

On the way back to the farm we made a brief stop at a large dam on Jones Road near Hahndorf where we added Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Hardhead (Aythya australis), Blue-billed (Oxyura australis) and Musk Duck (Biziura lobata) and Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos).

♂ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) (Para Wirra).

Thanks to everyone involved in this project for agreeing to me accompanying Deb and to Deb for asking in the first place, such a privilege to see these stunning birds so well.  

♂ Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) (Para Wirra).

Eagle View, Mount Barker, Strathalbyn and back to Eagle View, South Australia*.

A day around the farm with a run around the shops in between.

Australia, Day Thirty Five.

Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus).

I was up and about quite early and saw the regulars from the cottage which were Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus), Rainbow Trichoglossus moluccanus) and Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), both Little (Anthochaera chrysoptera) and Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata).

Blue-tongued Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides).

Later Ian and I went for a drive across to Mount Barker where Ian wanted some new work togs and a few other bits, we went via the recycling Centre near Hahndorf and then later down to Strathalbyn as they also need a new battery for the fridge / freezer set up in the car.

Blue-tongued Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides).

During the drive round I saw Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis), Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) and as we were coming back across country from Strath we saw a Blue-tongued Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides) in the road and a second dead one which had already been run over, unfortunately. 

Well I thought it was Funny!!!!

So Ian stopped got out and moved it but I took a couple of shots of it on my phone before he walked up the back and released it well away from the road.

Back at the farm I found a can of something called "Start Ya Bastard" which made me chuckle, later we went over to a neighbours farm and moved some cattle around for him as he was away and whilst doing this we had nice views of several Elegant Parrots (Neophema elegans).

Eagle View and Bald Hill Road, South Australia*.

Around the farm and nearby.

Australia, Day Thirty Four.

Eastern Mantis Orchid (Caladenia tentaculata).

I was having a day around the farm whilst Deb went out again to a restricted site doing some more surveys, around the farm and down on the fields with Ian when we checked the Cattle we recorded Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa), Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Red-browed Firetail (Neochmia temporalis), European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis), Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) and Small White (Pieris rapae).

Eastern Mantis Orchid (Caladenia tentaculata).

Later Ian dropped me at the top of the hill along Bald Hill Road and I did some birding / Orchid hunting on the way back, bird wise I didn't get much as it was quite wind but found Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Striated Thornbill (Acanthiza lineata), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans) and Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus).

Notched Onion-Orchid (Microtis arenaria).

Notched Onion-Orchid (Microtis arenaria).

Notched Onion-Orchid (Microtis arenaria).

Orchid wise I had two species, both of which were new to me, the first was the very smart Eastern Mantis Orchid (Caladenia tentaculata) which is a very nice looking spider and the other was a less showy Notched Onion-Orchid (Microtis arenaria).

Red and Blue Damsel (Xanthagrion erythroneurum).

I also had a few Dragons but the only one I managed a shot of was the Red and Blue Damsel (Xanthagrion erythroneurum) a new species for me.

Common Flat-pea (Platylobium obtusangulum).

Back at the farm the Tree Martins (Petrochelidon nigricans) came in for the eggshells as usual, I also saw 3x Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus), Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) and White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae).

Eagle View, Newland Head CP and Victor Harbor, South Australia*wf.

More Survey work with Deb.

Australia, Day Thirty Three.

Ebird List for Newland Head Conservation Park.

Our Survey area for today.

We were out early and heading South again but this time we went off to the SW to Newland Head Conservation Park to the West of Victor Harbour, on the way we saw Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis), Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata). 

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus).

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus).

Little Raven (Corvus mellori).

In the Newland Head we did four routes looking for the elusive Chestnut-rumped Heathwren (Hylacola pyrrhopygia) but we didn't find any at any of the sites, we did see Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica), Little Pied (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Great (Phalacrocorax carbo) and Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris), Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla), Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis), European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans), Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera), Brown Songlark (Cincloramphus cruralis), Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa), Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus), Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang), Horsfield's (Chrysococcyx basalis) and Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Masked (Artamus personatus) and White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus) and Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus).

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis).

We headed back towards the farm but detoured along the coast at Victor Harbour where we checked the Beaches and Rocks finding Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Silver (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) and Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus). 

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Wetland near Finniss (Private Site), South Australia*.

Out with Deb on a Survey.

Australia, Day Thirty Two.

Ebird List for Finniss.

 

Dawn on Site.

We were back to the early starts as we had to be at the site for first light, the area was an excellent bit of marshy wetland with open water, the main species we were looking for was the beautiful Southern Emuwren (Stipiturus malachurus).

Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) in the mist.

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) into the Sun.

We arrived, parked and put on our Wellies, waterproof leggings and then set-off on what turned out to be a more tiring walk than I had expected through the swampy grassland and areas of Reeds and Sedges, as well as quite a few Southern Emuwrens we saw Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), a single Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis) which Deb was surprised to see in this habitat, a lifer for me.

Southern Emuwren (Stipiturus malachurus) ♂.

Southern Emuwren (Stipiturus malachurus) ♂.

We crossed into different areas of the swamp and kept adding new species including Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), Little Pied (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Little Black (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) and Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Red-browed Firetail (Neochmia temporalis), Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis), Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis), Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis), Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Australian (Threskiornis molucca) and Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) and Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca).

Southern Emuwren (Stipiturus malachurus) ♂.

Southern Emuwren (Stipiturus malachurus) ♂.

We also saw a good number of Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Australian Swamp Rat (Rattus lutreolus) and Small White (Pieris rapae).

Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus).

Back at the farm I added European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa), Musk (Glossopsitta concinna) and Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) and Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus).

Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus).

 

Eagle View, South Australia*.

A days sorting kit after the trip and chilling.

Australia, Day Thirty One.

New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae).

I woke late after a long day yesterday, we emptied the remaining stuff out of the Hilux and put it away, whilst doing this I saw Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Rainbow Trichoglossus moluccanus) and Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna), Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), both Little (Anthochaera chrysoptera) and Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata).

Deb and I popped over to hear Mums where I only added New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae).

Later in the day Ian and I went over to the far fields to check on the Cattle, out there we saw Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa), Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis), White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus) which was a lifer, Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) and a few Western Grey Kangaroo's (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus).

Back up at the farm during the afternoon I added a Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) and Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes).