Croydon

Check my birding map for specific location.

Croydon is a little place with no more than a roadhouse to refuel at. Or so I thought. I had done my research all along this route and that was what I found about Croydon. Must have had a brain fade because it is a thriving little town, full of history, interest and birds. I stayed overnight at the rodeo grounds and my first stop was the cemetery swamp, just down the road. Not put off by the name, I found just a small patch of water but packed with birds and wallabies. The joy of living in a van is that it doubles as a mobile hide. There is a bird hide at the swamp but it was in the wrong place for my photography purposes and you can't make a cup of tea in it!

I parked close to the water's edge and waited. I spent an hour or so there that afternoon and went back at first light. A police patrol came circling around at one point and I smiled and raised my cup at him and he obviously decided I was no danger. That's a relief. As with any body of water in the Outback, the birds come down to drink and first off were the Diamond Doves. It is only when you see these gorgeous little doves next to other birds that you realise how small they are, little bigger than a finch. When alarmed, they all flew into a nearby tree where their small size was to their benefit. They were closely followed by their bigger cousins, the Bar-shouldered Dove. Next up, making a lot of noise were the Galah. I love these cockatoos with their exotic plumage and gregarious nature. They are delightful to be around. 

Diamond Dove (geopelia cuneata)

Bar-shouldered Dove (geopelia humeralis)

Galah (eolophus roseicapilla)

To my total delight Cockatiel also flew in. A family of 4 wheeling and crying around the water. I have only ever seen Cockatiel in cages in the UK as domestic pets and these birds were a different class. They were darker, larger and their colours were vivid and starltling. A realy joy to see them.

Cockatiel (nymphicus hollandicus)

As I was leaving, the Rainbow Bee-eaters finally showed up (I find they are generally late risers) and sat right in front of the van. I inched forward and watched them in their morning call.

Rainbow Bee-eater (merops ornatus)

The township itself seemed to have been overtaken by a thousand Galah. They flew all around and took over the trees en masse. I had seen very big flocks of Galah on the open road but it was quite something to see in a town. 

There was a walk to some nearby ponds that I foolishly took in the heat of the afternoon. It was quite beautiful (even if one of the pools was toxic) and there was promise for the morning but I knew I wouldn't go back as it was a bit eerie and I generally avoid places that make me feel uncomfortable. The highlight was a watching a Mistletoebird swallow a berry that was almost as big as it!

Mistletoebird (dicaeum hirundinaceum)