Monday, January 23, 2023

Little Desert - Red Gums Track

 


Check my birding map for specific location.

The Red Gums Track is a loop starting at the southern side of the Kiata Campground. It is always a very good thing when campsites have such walks as it means I can explore the outback in relative safety. I was away before the sun came up and this is always my favourite time of day. It is not too hot, the flies are still asleep and the birds are active. 

I really liked this track and was quite amazed at how different it was, yet so close to the campground. The first interesting bird I found was the Hooded Robin. An adult male was feeding a youngster. The adult was too quick for me but the juvenile obviously had other things on its mind as it sat quite still for me.

Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata)

Next up was a Restless Flycatcher. I had been hearing them a lot but only caught glimpses. I was trying to photograph another robin when the flycatcher just flew in and settled before me. 

Restless Flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta)

In the same area honeyeaters, robins, swallows, martins and doves all flew about. It was just such a lovely space. I stood and just waited. My reward was a Diamond Firetail landing right in front of me. What a spectacular bird.

Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata)

It was quickly replaced by a Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo.

Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis)


Round the corner, back in a more wooded area I was tracking some doves when I heard a kerfuffle in the bushes next to me. Must be babbler. There is a reason why they are called babblers! This juvenile jumped around on a log in front of me. I had to wait a while for it to come into the sun.

White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosus)


Before arriving here, I really did think the Jacky Winter robin was a rather plain, dull bird. Unlike the unfriendly parrots, which I have not managed to photograph, these little birds seem to be ready to pose for me at every turn.

Jacky Winter (Microeca fascinans)

4 hours of birding before breakfast. Fantastic!

eBird List

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