Ormiston Gorge

Check my birding map for specific location.

What a gem of a place this campground is. Set in the stunning Ormiston Gorge and Waterhole, it is a private campsite with facilities and even a kiosk/cafe. I was laid low with a heavy cold so didn't go too far along any of the tracks but just staying with my van or walking around the social areas was rewarding enough. 

The short walk to the waterhole saw lots of Yellow-throated Miner, Pied Butcherbirds, Zebra Finches and Port Lincoln Ringnecks. Up to 3 Whistling Kites circled the area and I did see a Collared Sparrowhawk flyover. At the waterhole at dawn and dusk were 5 Pacific Heron and a couple of Australasian Grebes. 

Port Lincoln Ringneck Parrot (Barnardius zonarius zonarius)

Pacific or White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica)

Behind the campsite was a steep hill and each morning the Spinifex Pigeons would come running down in through the bush and then dart under the vehicles, all the while making their delicious coo-ing call. They are so attractive and entertaining and to see them so close was wonderful. 

Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera)

I regularly heard a Horsfield's Cuckoo calling. It wasn't listed on eBird so I had to chase it around a bit until I scrabbled up the hill and managed to photograph it. This was the first of my 2022 trip and I was even more pleased to be able to identify it by the call alone. I have been trying to learn the bird calls this year and it has been challenging to say the least.  

Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo (Chrysoccyx basalis)  

At the back of my van was a very small patch of open dirt before the scrub and everyday I got different visitors. The first day was the Hooded Robin as they hunted amongst the small trees. They looked at little unkempt, in moult I think. I have seen these robins in several places but have yet to hear them calling. Weird. 

Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata)

Next day was a succession of doves and pigeons. Diamond and Peaceful Doves wandered past and a Spinifex Pigeon sat helpfully on a split log for me. 

The third day a Western Bowerbird sat in a nearby tree and I waited with baited breath. I had still to get a shot of one out in the open. They are usually shy of people so I stayed very still in the back of the van until it decided to explore the ground around me, including sitting on the log and showing its pink crest. Magic. 

Western Bowerbird (Chlamydera guttata)

Near the visitor's centre there were flowering trees which attracted the honeyeaters. Brown and White-plumed Honeyeater were most common but at times there were numbers of Spiny-cheeked and the occasional Singing. I loved watching the Spiny-cheeked in particular as they interacted.

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufigularis)

eBird Lists

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S117832862

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S117832852

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S117832844