AUSTRALIA - HOLIDAY/RECCE TOUR - DAY 12 - OCT 8TH - BURRILL LAKE AND BOTANIC GARDENS

BURRILL LAKE – EUROBODALLA BOTANIC GARDENS AT BATEMAN’S BAY

 

It was another lazy day, we got up at 7:30am and left the house at 9am, it had been raining heavily during the night but had stopped by the time we set off. Grey clouds dulled the morning light as we drove into Ulladulla for our daily trip to the library to use the free internet there.

BURRILL LAKE AND BELOW ONE OF ITA INHABITANTS

 

From Ulladulla we drove south to Burrill Lake where we parked by the lakeside and scanned the water for ducks. Several Pelicans came over to us, they obviously were used to being fed but went away disappointed this time. Black Swans, 3 species of Cormorant and a single Pied Oystercatcher were either milling about on the water or loafing on a sandbar.

 

From Burrill Lake we drove some 45km further south until we came to Bateman’s Bay, the road by-passed the town and led us to our destination the Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens. We spent 3 hours there having a lovely time walking the beautiful gardens and woodlands, it was a wonderful place and very well laid out. We ate our picnic lunch near the lawns of the visitor’s centre, the sun came out and warmed us up.

Two trunks of similar age and girth!

 

The centre provided us with a map and a bird list of common species and a complete check-list of some 119 species that had been seen there since they opened. We saw about 20 species including a few new ones for our list:

 

Those in Blue are new for the list:

1.       New Holland Honeyeater  (they were everywhere and very common).
2.       Superb Fairy Wren                                       as above
3.       Eastern Yellow Robin
4.       Little Wattlebird
5.       Red Wattlebird
6.       Grey Fantantail
7.       Rufous Fantail
8.       White-naped Honeyeater
9.       Striated Thornbill
10.   Red-browed Finch
11.   Yellow-faced Honeyeater
12.   Sacred Kingfisher
13.   White-throated Treecreeper
14.   White-bellied Sea-Eagle
15.   Eastern Whipbird
16.   White-browed Scrubwren
17.   Crested Pigeon
18.   Noisy Miner
19.   Australian Raven
20.   Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike


Oh! I almost forgot to mention our evening out at RICK STEIN'S  RESTAURANT at BANNISTER'S HEAD, it was fantastic,  lovely delicious food, great service and a lovely ambiance. You can now officially call me " Bobby Thin-Wallet".

 

this is where I left most of my spending money!

AUSTRALIA - HOLIDAY/RECCE TOUR - DAY 11 - OCT 7TH - NARAWALLEE BEACH -MOLLYMOOK GOLF COURSE

We had a day off today after sleeping for 10 hours we got up at 8am and had a leisurely morning watching TV and reading our books on the terrace. After lunch we popped into Ulladulla to use the internet and later we spent some time down on the beach at Narawallee, but it was windy and we got cold so we abandoned the beach.

About 6pm I drove to Mollymook Golf Course hoping to see the Gang-gang Cockatoo, there were plenty of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos and lots of Galahs but no Gang-gangs, however my journey was not wasted as I saw my first Rail in Australia. All the photos below were taken using Dawn's new Panasonic TZ-20 camera, no need for digi-scoping anymore?

Buff-banded Rail - click on the picture to enlarge and you can just see the buff band on the chest

Magpie Larks - female on the left with white forehead

Crimson Rosella

AUSTRALIA - HOLIDAY/RECCE TOUR - DAY 10 - OCT 6TH - CONJOLA LAKE - NOWRA

CONJOLA LAKE -  SAM'S TRAIL NOWRA

I got up early and drove to the next bay along the coast where Lake Conjola sits in a large open basin, it was dull and overcast when I set out but the sun began to break through when I arrived. The clocks went forward an hour last night so daylight appeared a little later.

 

Crested Tern



 

 

Many birds were sitting out on the sand bars at the mouth of the lake, unfortunately dog walkers were up and out in force, several dogs were running wild chasing the roosting birds all over the place. Several Bar-tailed Godwits fed near a couple of huge Eastern Curlews, the two on show must have been females as their size and bill length was massive. A Whimbrel fed nearby and as I walked along the shore towards the open sea I saw lots of little peeps running on the sand. These Red-capped Plovers looked very similar to Kentish Plover but the red cap extends down onto the nape and the black neck patch is smaller. Two Hooded Plovers sat sleeping in the middle of the Red-caps.



x

the Kentish Plover look-alike, Red-capped Plover







A group of roosting Silver Gulls were joined by a dozen Crested Terns and 5 Caspian Terns all of which flew off chased by dogs. A couple of Little Terns dropped in and a single Pied Oystercatcher flew towards me and landed behind me on a sand dune.

 



Hooded Plover - a little beauty



Other birds around lake included Little Pied and Great Cormorants, White-faced Herons, Little Egret and Australasian Pelicans.

 I met a volunteer warden who showed me Pied Oystercatchers sitting on eggs, he was there checking the number of eggs in a fenced off area, he was expecting the birds to have chicks any day now.

Pied Oystercatcher on the nest

 

 

 



two eggs of the Pied Oystercatcher



 

On my way back to the house I added Cattle Egret to my list and I saw another Nankeen Kestrel, ten new species were added this morning, not a bad list and I think a second visit is called for.

 

1.       PIED OYSTERCATCHER
2.       EASTERN CURLEW
3.       WHIMBREL
4.       BAR-TAILED GODWIT
5.       LITTLE EGRET
6.       WHITE FACED HERON
7.       CRESTED TERN
8.       CASPIAN TERN
9.       LITTLE TERN
10.   HOODED PLOVER
11.   MASKED LAPWING
12.   RED-CAPPED PLOVER
13.   SILVER GULL
14.   GREAT CORMORANT
15.   LITTLE PIED CORMORANT
16.   CATTLE EGRET

For the afternoon Dawn and I drove up the coast some 50km to Nowra where we had read about a nice riverside walk. It was another hot and sunny day, we took a picnic, sun protection cream and our hats. We eventually found the non-signposted walk after some messing about and it was superb, very scenic and lots of birds.

Square-tailed Kite

 

Kookaburras called out the loudest amongst all the other species,  we quickly found Superb Fairy Wren, Crimson Rosella, Sacred Kingfisher, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail and a Black-faced Monarch was a nice find.

Golden Whistler

 

We crossed the river on a suspended walkway and sat on the grass in an open grass meadow to eat our picnic. A Magpie came to us and took food from my hand, then two Satin Bowerbirds flew into a bush close by and more Fairy Wrens flitted about. A raptor glided through the trees and circled above us, Dawn took these pictures which enabled us to ID the bird as yet another Square-tailed Kite.

Yellow Thornbull

 

As we continued our walk we found a Red-browed Finch building a domed nest of grass and we tracked down a tiny Yellow Thornbill from its call. Back along the river we found an Eastern Yellow Robin and a little later a Hooded Robin sang above us, then we found another Rockwarbler which flew into the crevice of a rock carrying food or nesting material. We made it back to the car at 2:30pm and before driving back we stopped off in the tourist info office to use the internet.

 

 

 

 

Eastern Yellow Robin

We made a short diversion to the southern side of Jervis Bay to recce a beach for tomorrow we passed many areas where the endangered Eastern Bristlebird is found but we never saw one, we did find a super beach at Hyams.

Lastly we saw a Grey Goshawk (grey morph) fly up and perch in front of the car.

New birds this afternoon:

 
1.       RUFOUS WHISTLER
2.       BLACK-FACED MONARCH
3.       YELLOW THORNBILL
4.       SATIN BOWERBIRD
5.       GREY GOSHAWK
6.       HOODED ROBIN

Our Australian list total now stands at 130 species at least 120 of these are lifers!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUSTRALIA - HOLIDAY/RECCE TOUR - DAY 9 - OCT 5TH - PIGEON HOUSE MOUNTAIN

 

 

PIGEON HOUSE MOUNTAIN

 In our infinite wisdom we decided to climb Pigeon Mountain – named by Captain Cook in 1770 because it does really look like a “pigeon coop with a rounded roof”. However to get to top you have an 800 meter steep climb. Also to get to the start of the climb you have to drive 20Km over dirt tracks steep in places and well rutted, fine if you have a 4*4 but not in a saloon hire car. Lucky for us we saw a small flock of Glossy-black Cockatoos along the way and not much else.

 

Glossy Black-Cockatoo - you can just make out a brown head and yellow neck patch

 

Glossy Black-Cockatoo showing the extent of res in the tail 

 

The walk begins steeply through a forest, after a kilometre it gets steeper and you have to scramble over boulders before you reach a plateau. Along this flat walk there are many flowering shrubs and a few more birds.

Blossom on the plateau

Then there is another 1km steep climb through more forest before you reach the final dozen set of metal ladders which take you to the top. Lucky for me I had my binoculars with me because I was able to stop and gasp for breath whilst pretending to bird watch. Whilst doing this I found a Brown Treecreeper, Brown Thornbill, Crimson Rosella and a Grey Shrike-Thrush (harmonica).

one of the 12 sets of steps at the top of Pigeon Mountain

 But the best was yet to come, we finally reaches the foot of the metal ladders, we climbed 3 sets then they got very steep and one set has no handles, this freaked Dawn our and she went back down to the lower steps to wait for me. I continued to the top had marvellous views for miles around and just as I was about to climb back down I saw a little birdie flit amongst the rocks. I knew what it was straight away, the endemic to NSW, ROCKWARBLER. Not only did I see it well but I got off a few shots with Dawn’s new camera, ha! Fantastic, a bird I really wanted to see and well worth 2 hours of steep climbing to see.

 

The endemic to NSW -    Rockwarbler

 You can guess what we did for the rest of the day, after getting home at 2pm eating a late lunch, yes we just flaked out.


some views from the top

 

Bird sightings from the terrace during the afternoon included good views of a Square-tailed Kite that flew over at least 3 times.

Just booked a table a Rick Stein’s restaurant nearby, ouch that’s going to hurt my deep pockets!

 

 

 

 

AUSTRALIA - HOLIDAY/RECCE TOUR - DAY 8 - OCT 4TH - WALK TO BANNISTER'S POINT AND MOLLYMOOK

BANNISTER’S POINT – MOLLYMOOK BEACH – MILTON – PORTER’S GAP VIEWING PLATFORM

 I went out early at 6am and walked down to the Narrawallee beach, surprisingly, there were many people already out with a dozen surfers out in the water and many walkers, joggers and even people on the beach.

Walking towards a headland called Bannister’s Point the pathway wound its way through a woodland so I spent some time there. Many lorikeets, rosellas and wattlebirds (both Little and Red) were flitting about but I also saw Grey Fantail, Spotted Pardalote and my first Shining Bronze Cuckoo and on the rocks below the path I saw Sooty Oystercatchers for the first time.

Red Wattlebird - you can't see the red wattle but the yellow belly is diagnostic

 

Back at the house we ate breakfast on the terrace and saw the beautiful Eastern Spinebill feeding on the bottle-brush flowers.

 

Mollymook Beach from Bannister's Point

After breakfast we took a walk together all the way out to Bannister’s Point (where Rick Stein has a restaurant in a fantastic position overlooking the sea), we sat at a picnic table enjoying the sun at the point when a huge shadow went over us, the bird that cast the shadow was a White-bellied Sea Eagle, a 2^nd year bird, what a great sighting that was.

 From there we walked round to the beach at Mollymook and took a route through the village back and arriving home in time for lunch.

 At 2pm we set off for the short drive into Ulladulla to use the internet and then we drove to Milton, a famous small town with some history, unfortunately it was late in the afternoon and everywhere was closed for the day. So we decided to drive inland to visit a viewing point up in the hills, we took a small track that led us some 10km through open pasture and into a forest on the edge of the Morton National Park. We walked the last 400 meters to the viewing platform because the road was quite bad. The view was smashing but the air was a little misty.

impressive sandstone rock formation at Porter's Gap

On the way back we stopped to look at some Common Bronzewings and a few other species, we saw a few birds which would have been new species for the list but they flew off before I could get an ID on them. It got dark as we drove back with a beautiful setting sun behind us.

 

Common Bronzewing

 

AUSTRALIA - HOLIDAY/RECCE TOUR - DAY 7 - OCT 3rd - CANBERRA to MOLLYMOOK

CANBERRA TO MOLLYMOOK

We travelled due east from Canberra leaving around 9am and hitting the coast at Bateman’s Bay around 11am. From there we followed the coastline northward until we reached Mollymook which was about 50km very close to Ulladulla, the roads were busy with spring holiday-makers, it is spring half term here until 6^th October.

two view of Narrawarra cove

Despite driving through some pristine countryside and National Park forests our sightings were few and far between. But most disturbing was the number of road-kills, we must have passed over 20 dead kangaroos some of them were huge and often left in the middle of the road, others ‘bodies’ were of Wombats and Possums!

We did see many of the common bird species and a pair of King Parrots were new for us. Our destination was the holiday home of Andrew and Jane’s, it sits on the hillside overlooking the bay of Narrawallee and it is gorgeous. A huge split-level home with 5 bedrooms and open plan living areas, from the wrap-around terrace we could see over lush gardens to the sea, I think I’m going to like it here!

Bottle Brush tree in flower in the garden

Within minutes we saw Rainbow Lorikeets, Crimson Rosellas, Red Wattlebirds and an Eastern Spinetail – what a lovely bird that one is. We immediately put out seeds for lorikeets and within minutes we had visitors.

Rainbow Lorikeets taken from the terrace

After settling in we sat on the terrace in the afternoon sunlight before going off shopping, it was dark when we got back.

AUSTRALIA - HOLIDAY/RECCE TOUR - DAY 6 - OCT 2ND - WAGGA WAGGA TO CANBERRA

Today we left Wagga Wagga and drove to Canberra so my birding was limited to an early morning walk around Lake Albert. I went in a different direction than yesterday and stumbled upon some reed-fringed pools and wooded areas. It was a another beautiful morning bright sunshine and the cold wind had gone, perfect for birding.

WILLIE WAGTAIL - yes that's its real name and he does wag his tail
 from side to side, unlike the misnamed wagtails of Europe that 'pump' their tails up and down

I saw most of the species from yesterday's list but added a handful of new ones. The lorikeets, parrots, cockatoos and galahs were buzzing about noisily as before and the group of Pelicans roosted in the same spot. I saw a Willie Wagtail close up for the first time and got these pictures (above).



Dawn had to stick her 'oar in' and produce this lovely picture of the Pelicans

A mixed group of swallows and martins had roosted in the reeds and were now preening before flying off to feed on the wing all day, with the usual Welcome Swallows were both Fairy Martins and a single Tree Martin.

Welcome Swallows with Fairy Martins

Tree Martin with Fairy Martin (right)

Then I saw a small group of waders ahead of me on a sandy bank, they looked and acted just like Ringed or Kentish Plovers but the Australians for some reason call them Dotterels.

Black-fronted Dotterel

As the sun rose it got warmer and the light was superb I couldn't resist taking pictures of any bird that posed for me.

Galah

female Superb Fairy Wren

The male Superb Fairy Wren is stunning but would not sit still enough for me to digi-scope him.



Australian Reed Warbler 

The Australian Reed Warblers look a bit more like Hippolais warblers than Acrocephalus, there were dozens of them mulling about.

We left Andrew and Jane at 10am and said goodbye to Wagga Wagga and their beautiful home. Our journey to Canberra was leisurely we took our time and made a few stops for coffee and lunch. At the lunch stop we saw our first 'real' Kingfisher on a wire above a roadside brook. Dawn photographed and we identified it as a common species, the Sacred Kingfisher, lovely, the first is always the best.

the Rabbits over here are enormous and their feet are huge,
I don't know how they clamber into their burrows (Dawn)

We arrived in the centre of Canberra late afternoon, we had booked a room in the University Hotel which is slap bang in the centre of t;he University Campus. After settling in for a while we set off for a walk to the Canberra Museum. It was a pleasant walk along the lake shore but we had limited time at the Museum.

a very large Kingfisher the Kookaburra (Dawn)

Dinner was taken in one of the University restaurants (more like a canteen) but the food was good and much cheaper than in town.

 

 

AUSTRALIA - HOLIDAY/RECCE TOUR - DAY 5 - OCT 1ST - WAGGA WAGGA AREA

LAKE ALBERT - VARIOUS PLACES AROUND WAGGA WAGGA - MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER WALK - BOTANIC GARDENS

I was as up early and raring to go, it was a beautiful morning clear blue sky and sunny but a very chilly wind from the north kept the temperature down to around 10C. At 6am I was on the lake shore watching all kinds of parrots, lorikeets, cockatoos and galahs. A beautiful White-necked Heron sat high on a dead tree but it flew off before my camera was ready! Lots of Pelicans milled about on the water or sat loafing on logs. I saw a few new species in the shape of Green Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot and a tiny, almost tailless Striated Pardalote.

 



Andrew and Jane's house and their view from the terrace

 

 

The trees were full of Noisy Miners, Galahs, Cockatoos and Rainbow Lorikeets, as well as Australian Magpies and Red Wattlebirds. A Little Friarbird was nice to see and several Great Cormorants sat up in the dead trees. On the water I listed Pacific Black Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal, Eurasian Coot, Dusky Moorhen and a couple of Black Swans. A small flock of Whiskered Terns came in and began feeding over the water this was a nice surprise.

Rainbow Lorikeet

After a lovely breakfast we set off for a tour of the area, Andy and Jane are now retired but had farmed in the area for 20 years or more. They knew the roads and trails all around the town. We spent a couple of hours visiting  several sites where we might see the Superb Parrot but never saw one. It was quite windy and birds were hard to find, an unidentified falcon flew over and a Spotted Harrier quartered a field, we had good views of White-winged Chough and Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike.
 

Red-rumped Parrot

 In the centre of Wagga I walked along the bank of the Murrambidgee River and saw a few birds, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes were common as were Red Wattlebirds and I saw several Australian Reed Warblers. We had lunch in Licorice and Chocolate Factory, how amazing and unique was that, good food and some chocolate for a take-away.
 

Eastern Rosella

Late in the afternoon Dawn and I drove into town to visit the botanic gardens, it wasn't up to much just a glorified children's play area but there were lots of bird activity. I logged a couple of new Honeyeaters, a Blue-faced Honeyeater squabbled with a Red Wattlebird whilst a Kookaburra looked on and several Plain-naped Honeyeaters fed in the trees above them.

We ended the day going out for a meal at a local 'pub', well not a pub really just room with tables that serves alcohol and junk food. However we had a lovely evening with our friends.