Check my birding map for specific location.
There have been a few campsites on my 2022 that have really stood out. Balgal Beach in Queensland, Kimba in South Australia and now Cosy Corner in Western Australia. Situated right on the beach, it is beautifully laid out with private bays that are limited in number. It is only 30km west of Albany and free to stay. Bonus that there are lots of birds around. I arrived during a period of heavy rain so only started to explore on my second day. There is a small lane leading east, parallel to the shore and I started there. I could hear magpies, silvereye, fairywren and fantails in the low lying bushes and further away trees. Then I came across a group of 28 Ringneck Parrots feeding. I followed them for a while and marvelled at how beautiful they are. Often overlooked as they are common, I think they are stunning birds and was happy to photograph them for as long as they would tolerate me.
I made my way back to the campsite and saw a Western Rosella. I have had brief sightings before but this was my first good look. The red of their head was so bright that it overshadowed the rest of the bird. I followed it around the toilet block (oh the glamour), getting a few funny looks from campers.
Next I walked along the entrance road for a while and could hear emu-wren. As I waited for them to possibly pop up, I was surprised to find a male Splendid Fairywren sitting on top of a bush just looking around. Where the rosella is vivid red, this guy is several shades of vivid blue. Fantastic.
The Southern Emu-wren put in an appearance further along and I had to tear myself away from the fairywren. I didn't think my shots were going to be that good of the emu-wren. It is so small that you have to get really close to get a good shot. I was surprised that they were not bad.
In the bushes behind my van I regularly heard more fairywren and I sat waiting frequently to glimpse them as they bounced around the edge of the vegetation. I could then jump out the back of the van and try to shoot them. Where the Splendid Fairywren is curious and not shy at all, the Red-winged Fairywren keeps in the gloom and I don't seem to see them as easily. This was my best shot after perching for hours in the back of my van.
eBird Lists
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S121353259
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S121280532
No comments:
Post a Comment