Glenalbyn Campground

 

Check my birding map for specific location.

I arrived at the Glenalbyn Campground still reasonably early in the morning. It was such a dry area with baked ground, lots of ants and very dry foliage. Ironic really, as it has been closed until recently because of flooding. Initially it seemed really quiet but as I sat and listened, there were pockets of birds interacting and calling. 

The first noisy birds were a family of Dusky Woodswallow. The adults stayed up high and circled as they looked for bugs. A juvenile came lower and posed, looking straight at me.

Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus)

The dominant honeyeater was the White-plumed again, at least so I thought. There was something different about them and it only took me one close look through my lens to see they were actually Fuscous Honeyeaters. Known as being rather plain, I think they are delicate and elegant. At least I did until until I watched them scavenging on the ground!

Fuscous Honeyeater (Ptilotula fusca)

I heard another honeyeater calling and went to look. While I am learning more bird calls, I find the honeyeaters very difficult to distinguish but at least I knew it was a honeyeater. After a while chasing it through the leaves, I found a Yellow-tufted Honeyeater. What a stunning bird.

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops)

The next morning, I was up early and I discovered that very close to the campground was a small dam with lots of activity around it. The forecast was that it was going to be a very hot day so I moved the van, closed the curtains and settled down. As I was working during the day, I watched the dam. Incredibly I saw 8 species of honeyeater in this one place. Treecreepers, parrots and antechinus spent the morning drinking and sometimes bathing in the water. When it got really hot, they disappeared for a few hours. 

Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus)

Then it got interesting. First off, a Brown Goshawk came in. Right in front of me. I have bug nets fitted to the back of the van so it becomes a good hide. The birds and animals are a little wary but not enough to go elsewhere. The goshawk stood for a while, checking the place out and then had a bath. It was just magic. 

Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus)

As I was sitting reading, late in the afternoon, I saw movement in my peripheral vision. A little unnerving when something the size of this Lace Monitor wanders past you.

Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)

When the afternoon turned to evening, a large, male Swamp Wallaby came very warily down to drink. A little later young wallabies and kangaroos also came down. It was such a wonderful place.

Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)

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