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)
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)
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)
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