Lara Wetlands

 

Check my birding map for specific location.

Lara Wetlands is just south of Barcaldine and a renowned birding location. As I turned off the main road onto the dreaded red sand track, it wasn't long before the fun started.

I spotted a bat hanging from fence wires. Not normal at this time of day so I stopped and was taking photos when I realized it was stuck. A part of its wing was tied up on a barb. I took my hat and approached it to try to help. It wasn't having that and spat and clawed at me. Aware that these big fruit bats can carry diseases, I returned to the van for a bigger weapon.

My trusty fly swat (named The Killer for obvious reasons) disconnected the torn wing with more protestations (just look at those claws!) from the bat. 

The wetlands is really just a small lake with some vegetation around the outsides. Campers and caravanners can park all round the edge of the lake. It seemed very commercial but was very well managed and as it was just after Easter, it was not too full. Most holidaymakers were parked as close to the water as possible but I went to the back end where there were reeds and vegetation between me and the water. Plus there was shade too!

In between circling the lake several times a day, I just settled down to see what would come past the back of the van. There were no flies or mosquitos during the day so it was very pleasant. 

The first things that surprised me was that there were Brown Treecreepers running around on the ground everywhere. There were between 4 and 6 at any one time close to the van. Next was that there were also Black-tailed Native Hens everywhere as well. I have been trying to get good shots of these shy birds for months and here they were just running around. 

Black-tailed Native Hen (Tribonyx ventralis)

Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus)

Every now and then, I would hear a commotion from the resident Pied Butcherbirds. They would be mobbing a Hobby as it swooped through looking for small waterbirds. Bit of a cheek really. The Pied Butcherbirds catch small critters and impale them so they can strip the flesh easier. 

Australian Hobby (Falco longinpennis)

Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis)

There were lots of herons and egrets coming and going and the Intermediate Egret and White-faced Heron would regularly wander past my van. They would flush if I moved by slowly got more used to watch me as I watched them fishing.

Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia)

White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)

Right behind the van were lots of dead trees and the Tree Martin were nesting in the cavities. I loved watching them coming and going. 

Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans)

There were lots of parrots zooming about and I was lucky enough to get close to them. They truly are spectacular.

Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus)

Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus)

As I was photographing the parrots above me, I heard the Yellow-throated Miners screaming. I looked up to see a rather large Sand Goanna approaching. Ever the professional, I got my shots before I got back in the van!

Sand Goanna (Varanus gouldii)

eBird Lists

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S133574812
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S133667648
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S133772688

Red Lizard Camping Ground

 

Check my birding map for specific location.

Just before Charleville is a small campground and it was wonderful. A large area with good amenities and the threat of Pink Cockatoo visiting. It was warm and clear and there was plenty of activity. I was immediately on a mission to photograph the Chestnut-rumped Thornbill which I had seen numerous times further south. I stayed 2 nights and must have looked a bit mad stalking these tiny creatures. But who cares?

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis)

And that is how it was for my time there. I just wandered around in circles looking for birds. Every now and then I would return to the van for a cup of tea or to do some work. The birds, however, just kept coming and they got better and better. Next up was the Striped Honeyeater only found in this area. I had seen them several times and got half decent shots but now, they were very present.

Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhyncha lanceolata)

Chasing the thornbill was so helpful. I heard some babbler and I was already on the look out for the Hall's Babbler, only found local to this part of Australia. My luck was in and I picked up a lifer!

Hall's Babbler (Pomatostomus halli)

There were lots of other honeyeaters around. Here are the highlights:

Brown-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus brevirostris)

Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens)

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis)

White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata)

At the water trough came the lovely little Double-barred Finch. I had to hover behind a tree so I didn't scare them away (crazy bird lady strikes again).

Double-barred Finch (Stizoptera bichenovii)

eBird Lists

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S133144003
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S133276118
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S133368865

Charlotte Plains Sheep Shearing Campsite

 

Check my birding map for specific location.

Across the Outback are large sheep and cattle stations and you can stay at some of them. It is a great way to spend time in the Outback and still have flushing toilets! And so, my first stop as I crossed the border into Queensland was the station at Charlotte Plains. There were 2 sites - the Sheep Shearing site and the Borehead site which has hot spring baths. I stayed at the much smaller Sheep Shearing site and was glad as it was quiet with very few people. 

The first thing I noticed was that there were Brown Treecreeper everywhere. Climbing the trees, hopping around on the ground and in the campsite. It was lovely to see this large treecreeper just pottering around.

Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus)

The amenities were a decent block and it seemed very fitting that in the shower was a large green frog, we are back in Queensland after all! It wasn't quite so funny when I turned the water on and it started to slide down the wall. Underneath it was a pinky red and it was covered in slime. It was a very quick shower!

The next morning I drove up to the other campsite early in the morning and it wasn't long before there were parrots everywhere. I spotted the Greater Bluebonnet but didn't get decent photos. As I entered the camp I saw Bourke's Parrots on the ground. These guys are only a little bigger than budgies but very handsome.

Bourke's Parrot (Neophema bourkii)

I wandered through the campsite and out the other side. Hot spring baths seemed out of place to me in the heat of the Outback! I found, or rather heard, a group of Apostlebirds squabbling over some water. It is great that I am now back in range of them

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea)

On the way back to the Sheep Shearer campsite, I was startled to see a pair of Brolga just wandering along the road. I still can't get used to sights like this.

Brolga (Antigone rubicunda)

The next morning I returned to the Borehead site to try to get the bluebonnets and just before the entrance to the site, I heard their distinctive call. Success!

Greater Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster)

On the other site of the camp again, I found some Mallee Ringneck. This was the last of the Ringneck species that I needed and it was good to see them.

Mallee Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius barnardi)

I was now on my way out of the station and heading back to Cunnamulla but I wasn't finished yet. A Rufous Songlark sat nicely for me. Interesting that I hadn't heard their distinctive call but had seen a couple of them.

Rufous Songlark (Cincloramphus mathewsi)

I had to go through a closed gate on my exit and as I pulled up, I was startled to see a Brown Falcon with some prey just the other side. I sat quietly and watched. It was throwing something around and digging at it with its beak. I realised it was a rock. I think this was a young bird practising. It was quite incredible to watch.

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

eBird Lists

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S132818171
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S132895278
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S133094639

Gundabooka National Park

 

Check my birding map for specific location.

Moving north again from Cobar, I took a detour west into the Gundabooka National Park. My first stop was the Dry Tank Campground and I drove about 25km on red dirt track to get there. I knew the van was going to pay for that. The inside was probably worst with the dust visible in the air when I arrived. Sigh, a lot of cleaning. But never mind, the place was really interesting with dry mallee plants and gums. But it was dry, dry dry and very few birds. It was very hot too.

After a quick walk around, I retreated to the van which didn't help much. However, I was soon visited by a male Red-capped Robin. Struggling to get my camera up, the bird was very helpful and came closer. It was just stunning as it sat and sang for me.

Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii)

Late in the afternoon, I decided to drive north through the park to another campsite which was by the River Darling. It was an even longer drive along the red track and after dodging several kangaroo and now also being covered in red dust, I arrived. It was quite arduous but so worth it.

The campsite was in a clearing and there were only a couple of other campers there. A short walk through gorgeous gum trees led to a bank overlooking the river. It was stunning and although the light was failing, there were still plenty of birds about. 

Throughout the area wheeled and screamed the Ringnecks. These are the Mallee subspecies and I was thrilled to photograph them as that makes all 4 of the distinct subspecies I have photographed.

Mallee Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius barnardi)

Also around were the Mulga Parrots, my first sightings since last year. These guys were feeding on the ground and were tolerant of my presence so I got really close which was wonderful as I got to see how really beautiful they are.

Male Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius)

I saw 4 species of woodswallow in the area, with 3 of them cuddled up together. The White-browed and Little are not seen very often so it was great to get them.

Little Woodswallow (Artamus minor)

Masked Woodswallow (Artamus personatus)

White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus)

White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus)

On my way out of the park I saw something on the track and as I slowed down, I realised it was a huge lizard. I didn't think I had seen this one before as it had a bright yellow tail. Here is a head shot and full body. Just look at how long the body and tail are!

Sand Goanna (Varanus gouldii)

eBird Lists

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S132565565
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S132566388
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S132652226
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S132722265

Cobar Old Reservoir & Newey Reserve

 

Check my birding map for specific location.

I am now really heading into the Outback on my way to the Queensland border. My next stop was the old mining town of Cobar. On the way there, I stopped at a rest area on the main road. If these places have a water tank then the chances are there will be birds. Success, this had one and I pulled up right opposite and had a cup of tea while I waited. The common Magpie Lark and Crested Pigeon were the only takers but soon I heard a familiar rasp. It was a bowerbird, must be the spotted species in this area. Soon, one came down with a mouth full of grasshopper and was then joined by another 3. Magic.

Spotted Bowerbird (Chlamydera maculata)

Buoyed by bowerbirds, I headed to Cobar. There were a couple of free camping spots in town but I headed to the Old Reservoir campsite on the edge of town. It was a fantastic space with loads of room for all the caravans around the lake. There was plenty of activity on the lake too, with a group of Little Pied Cormorants fishing. It was quite a frenzy and I soon saw what they were catching - yabbies, a sort of local crayfish (I think).

Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)

Also around the lake were the ever shy Black-tailed Native Hens and Pink-eared Ducks.

Black-tailed Native Hen (Tribonyx ventralis)

Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)

Early the next morning I went back into town to visit the Newey Reserve. Set around another lake, it was stunning and the whole area was buzzing. My best sightings were of a new bird, the Striped Honeyeater and some juvenile Plum-headed Finches.

Plum-headed Finch (Aidemosyne modesta)

Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhyncha lanceolata)

eBird Lists

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S132343257

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S132349541

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S132428216