7/12/99 - 12/1/00 Western Australia

Western Australia 7/12/99 - 12/1/00

Itinerary     

 

7/12/99 Left work at 12.15 with Gabby Mills kindly giving us a lift to the Hickstead Bus Stop at 12.45. Bus arrived 25 minutes late arriving at Heathrow at 15.00. Left London Heathrow on time at 18.15 with Cathay Pacific costing £605 return.

 

8/12/99 Slept quite well arriving Hong Kong 14.00. Changed £20, cleared Immigration and Customs catching the new metro to downtown central Hong Kong (23 minutes) and the tube to Victoria Park arriving 15.30. Birded the park in the remaining light (1.5 hours) and then walked the City Centre back to the Central Train Station and returned to the airport. Left Hong Kong 23.50 being an hour late due to four passengers not turning up for the flight but having booked through their baggage. Their baggage was eventually found and removed.  Flew over the lights of Hong Kong. Weather pleasantly warm and calm. Highlights : Light-vented Bulbul and Masked Laughingthrush. 18 species seen including 2 new birds.

 

9/12/99 Arrived Perth Airport at 7.30a.m. being 55 minutes late. Avis had not been advised of our flight number so unfortunately no car was ready for us. This was resolved by driving a ‘returned’ car from the International Airport to the Avis depot at the Domestic Airport where we collected a Vauxhall Vectra which cost £726 for the duration of the trip. Drove straight to Wungong Gorge arriving at 9.30 birding the area of lawn opposite and around the Car Park. Failed to find the track to the orchard so drove to Bungendore Park birding the short track to the School and around the playing field. At around midday we drove to Forrestdale Lake gaining access from the south-western side which only gave distant views of the lake. We then drove to Woodman Point Caravan Park where we hired a chalet for £13. Spent the afternoon visiting North Lake, Bibra Lake (including a quick visit to the Crake site), Kogolup Lake, Thomsons Lake (where we could only gain distant views of the lake) before returning to spend dusk at the Bibra Lake Crake site. Eat after dark in a Pizza restaurant in Freemantle. Weather hot but windy. Highlights : Banded Lapwing, Red-capped Parrot and Splendid Fairy-wren. 55 species seen including 20 new birds.

 

10/12/99 Out at 5.15 driving to Monger Lake arriving shortly after dawn at 5.45. Spent a couple of hours walking the southern shore before moving on to Herdsman Lake walking the short boardwalk at the WWF information centre. Visited the Birds Australia - WA Group Office at Perry House, 71 Oceanic Drive to pick up some site information before driving to  Freemantle Harbour catching the 11.00 ferry to Rottnest Island for the rest of the day walking an 8km loop from Thomson Bay checking the Government House Lake, Pink Lake, Lake Negri, Lake Baghdad and Herschell Lake. DC then walked to the Bickley Swamp getting back to Thomson Bay at dusk. Quokka’s were seen resting in shade during the day and coming out to feed at dusk. A Dugite (venomous snake) was seen crossing a road in the late afternoon. Eat in a restaurant overlooking the harbour and caught the 21.00 ferry back to Freemantle returning to Woodman Point Caravan Park. Weather very hot and less windy. Highlights Banded Stilt, Red-necked Avocet, Red-capped Robin, and White-fronted Chat. 67 species seen including 8 new birds.

 

 

 

11/12/99 Left at 5.00 for dawn visit to the Bibra Lake Crake site. After quick success moved on at 5.45 to Forrestdale Lake where birded the boardwalk at the northern end until 7.00. Drove back to the Caravan Park checking out at 8.00 and drove south to Rockingham catching the 9.00 ferry to Penguin Island for 3 hours. Whilst on the island an Australian Sea-lion was encountered at close range and King Skinks proved common. After a quick look at the captive Little Penguins comprised of birds originally having been rejected by their mothers, left the Island on the midday ferry, driving on to Mandurah visiting the Peel Estuary. Booked a chalet for £11 in the Mandurah Caravan Park before spending the afternoon birding the  Serpentine Rivermouth and Mandurah Harbour and the evening sea-watching from nearby Halls Head. Eat after dark in a nearby fast food restaurant. Weather quite cool being overcast by midday with a few spots of rain and again quite windy. Highlights : Little Penguin, Spotless Crake and Regent Parrot. 63 species including 5 new birds.

 

12/12/99 Out at 5.00 driving the Old Bunbury and Mills roads to Lake McLarty before returning to the Caravan Park and checking out by 10.00. Due to the wind and heavy rain we decided to drive east out to Wave Rock where we slept in the car for a couple of hours until a break in the rain allowed us to walk the trail from the Wave Rock to the Hippo’s Yawn rock. Heavy rain again started so we drove back to Narrogin where eat fast food then booking a room in a Motor Inn costing £15. Weather very wet and windy. Highlight : Yellow-billed Spoonbill. 44 species including 6 new birds. 

 

13/12/99 Left Narrogin at 5.30 after a heavy shower arriving at Dryandra at 6.00 being surrounded by Western Brush Wallabys. Walked the Kawana Trail until 9.30 luckily seeing a Numbat. Then drove to the Arboretum and walked the nearby Wandoo Trail until 13.00. Booked a chalet aptly named the Mallee Hen at Dryandra for £5 and drove back to Narrogin to buy food before returning to Dryandra walking part of the Gura road until dusk. Evening driving around until 22.00 trying for nightbirds with no success but obtaining good views of Woylies and Common Brushtail Possums. Weather pleasantly warm and calm after the early shower. Highlights : Scarlet Robin, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren and Western Spinebill (DC’s 4,000th species). 43 species including 15 new birds.

 

14/12/99 From dawn drove the Gura road and then walked the Wyolie Trail, the Wandoo Trail and the Ochre Trail. Left after a late morning meal with a rat in the kitchen causing a little excitement during the meal’s preparation. Left Dryandra at midday driving to Sugarloaf Rock for the late afternoon spending dusk at the nearby roost of Long-billed Black Cockatoos. Booked a caravan at the Yallingup Caravan Park for £10. Weather hot becoming increasingly windy. Highlights : Red-tailed Tropicbird, Long-billed Black Cockatoo and Painted Button-quail. 53 species including 6 new birds.

 

15/12/99 Sunrise at Sugarloaf Rock spending a couple of hours there before a quick look at the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse area before again returning to Sugarloaf as flying Tropicbirds could be seen distantly from the Lighthouse. Returned to the Caravan Park unfortunately hitting a Western Grey Kangaroo on the way back but fortunately not damaging the car. Drove south checking Hamelin Bay and then on to Augusta for an 8 hour sea-watch from Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. Booked a caravan at Augusta Caravan Park for £10 where cooked. Weather dry but cloudy with a gale (storm ?) force SE wind. Further north ‘Cyclone John’ makes landfall in Western Australia being the strongest ever cyclone in Australia. Highlights : Albatross sp., Flesh-footed Shearwater, Red-tailed Tropicbird and Pacific Gull. 28 species including 1 new bird.

 

16/12/99 Early morning sea-watch from between Augusta and Cape Leeuwin from 5.00 to 5.30 then drove north to bird the Boranup State Forest until 10.00, a quick check of Hamelin Bay and then walked the Jewel Cave Karri Walk before returning to Augusta for a 3 hour sea-watch from 4.00 until dusk. Again cooked. Weather sunny but still very windy. Highlights : White-breasted Robin, Red-winged Fairy-wren, Spotted Pardolate and Red-eared Firetail. 38 species including 4 new birds.

 

17/12/99 Walked a track into Boranup State Forest from 5.30 to 8.00, checked Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse area 9.00 to 9.30 and then drove east to the Valley of the Giants Canopy Walkway then on to Ocean Beach just south of Denmark and on to the Kalgan River Caravan Park near Albany where we hired a chalet for £10 and eat some food we had left over from previous days. Weather sunny being less windy. Highlights

: Purple-crowned Lorikeet and Fan-tailed Cuckoo. 46 species including 2 new birds.

 

18/12/99 Little Beach Car Park from 5.00 to 5.30 at Two People’s Bay Nature Reserve before walking up the hill along the fire-breaks and then to the nearby Little Beach Gully where a close call with a Dugite proved more than a little concerning for a moment or two. Had a look along the trails behind the Information Centre until midday when drove back to the Kalgan Estuary. Sea-watched from the Gap 15.00 to 19.00. Cooked a meal. Another very windy day. Highlights : Yellow-nosed Albatross, Southern Boobook and Southern Emu-wren. 37 species including 3 new birds.

 

19/12/99 Arrived Little Beach Car Park at 5.30 and sat at the nearby Gully but with only Brenda seeing Noisy Scrub-bird quickly cross the trail much to DC’s delight ! Mid-morning walked to the Sinkers Reef areas before returning again to Little Beach. Left Two Peoples Bay late morning. Failed to find the Grassmere Reserve west of Albany so had a quick look at Lake Seppings and Eyre Park before returning to the Caravan Park walking the surrounding fields until dusk. Eat in MacDonald’s. Again very windy all day. Highlight : Square-tailed Kite. 64 species including 1 new bird.

 

20/12/99 Out at 4.15 to get to Little Beach Car Park by 5.00. Greeted by usual strong wind mixed today with heavy rain so slept in the car for a couple of hours before walking to the nearby Gully. Again started to rain so I hung around for a while before driving back to the Lower Kalgan river mudflats where weather much better in comparison. Drove to the Stirling Range NP and pitched the tent in the Retreat Caravan Park as chalets expensive. Checked out a nearby Salt Lake at Camel Lake Nature Reserve before concentrating in the mallee along the trail to the small dam behind the Ranger’s house. Eat after dark in the Bluff Knoll Café conveniently located opposite the Caravan Park. Weather improved once inland being hot and dry. Highlights : Emu and Short-billed Black Cockatoo. 57 species including 2 new birds.

 

21/12/99 Out at dawn walking the trail to the small dam behind the Ranger’s house 5.00 to 10.00 when already getting very hot. Left Stirling Range NP driving back to Albany returning to the Lower Kalgan Caravan Park then trying a 3 hour sea-watch from the Gap before returning to Little Beach Car Park for an evening visit from 17.30 until dark. Weather considerably better even at Two Peoples Bay being less windy. Again cooked. Highlights : Purple-gaped & Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters. 58 species including 2 new birds.

 

22/12/99 Out at 4.00 and down to the Little Beach Gully at last obtaining an albeit poor view of a calling male Noisy Scrub-bird. Left Little Beach at 10.00 with a huge Carpet Python seen crossing the road. Feeling tired so took it easy for a few hours before visiting Middleton Beach from 15.00 to 16.30 and on to Gap for 2 hour sea-watch from 17.00 to 19.15. Again cooked. Highlight : Noisy Scrub-bird. 41 species including 1 new.

 

23/12/99 Early morning rain with a thunderstorm at 5.00. Left at 6.00 still raining. Drove east to Fitzgerald River Crossing and then on east to Esperance visiting the Esplanade, Pink Lake, Stearnes Road and the Golf Course Pools booking into a chalet at Pink Lake Caravan Park for £10. Cooked in the chalet. Weather had improved by the time we reached Esperance. Highlights : Cape Barren Goose, Black-tailed Native-hen, Hooded Plover and Rock Parrot (at last !). 37 species including 5 new birds.

 

24/12/99 Arrived at Lake Monjingup at 5.30 where we found lots of flowering Banksia and a Tiger Snake laying across a trail before driving into Esperance and booking a ticket at 8.00 for the Woody Island Boat trip with Mackenzie’s Island Cruises leaving the quay at 9.00 and almost immediately encountering Bottle-nosed Dolphins and then whilst touring the offshore islands Common Dolphins, Australian Sea Lions and New Zealand Fur Seals. Landed on Woody Island from 11.00 to 12.15 before returning to Esperance. Afternoon tour of Pink Lake, the Scenic Route and the Golf Course. Cooked in the chalet. Weather warm, fine and much calmer. Highlights : Black-faced Shag, Little Wattlebird and Red-eared Firetail. 42 species including 3 new birds.

 

25/12/99 Morning visit to Cape Le Grande NP walking the coastal path from Lucky Bay. Afternoon tour of Pink Lake, Stearnes road and Golf Course. Cooked Christmas Dinner of T-bone steaks that had cost 80p each in last minute pre-Christmas reductions. Weather overcast, cool with some rain. Highlight : Pallid Cuckoo. 40 species with 1 new bird. 

 

26/12/99 Drove north to Norseman then east to Newman Rock arriving midday. Quickly drove on to Balladonia pitching the tent as the Roadhouse rooms were expensive. Drove back to Newman Rock and birded the area with little success until dark. Drove back to Balladonia in the dark eating what food we had in the Camper’s kitchen. A noisy generator did not make for a good night’s sleep. Weather very hot and calm. 18 species.

 

27/12/99 Left campsite at 4.15 birding various stops in woodland west to Newman Rock where remained until 9.30. Drove further east into the Nullarbor to Cocklebiddy and on towards the Eyre Bird Observatory with Rob meeting us half-way to drive the last leg in a 4WD vehicle. Walked the Rope Trail until dusk. Weather hot and calm. Highlights : Pink Cockatoo and Redthroat. 31 species with 2 new birds.

 

28/12/99 Walked Eyre East Track from 4.30 to 7.00. Walked out on the ‘entrance track’ until 10.00. Left the Observatory at 10.15 with Rob and Alex, driving the Nine Mile Beach looking for Waders until returning across the dunes and limestone landscape arriving back for lunch at 12.30. At mid-afternoon walked out on the ‘entrance track’ until 19.00. After dark went spotlighting with no success. Weather hot and calm. Highlights : Southern Scrub-robin and White-fronted Honeyeater. 38 species with 3 new birds.

 

29/12/99 Another 4.30 start walking the Horse Paddock Trail and then the ‘entrance track’ until seeing Chestnut Quail-thrush when returned to the Observatory. Then walked the Rope Trail and Lookout Trail until 10.00. Alex drove us the hour back to our car from where we drove west to Kalgoorlie eating in a Pizza Hut there. Weather hot and calm. Highlight: Chestnut Quail-thrush. 33 species with 2 new birds.

 

30/12/99 After a quick look around Kalgoorlie drove west to Beacon arriving late afternoon. As the Emu-proof fence was situated considerably further north from Beacon (along a gravel road) than we had expected we continued on to Dalwallinu arriving after dark. Eat a few iced buns and slept in the car being woken at 1.00 due to an argument between neighbours resulting in the playing of very loud music. Moved the car and slept near to a School. Weather hot with a few showers. Highlights : Western Corella, Budgerigar and Mulga Parrot. 22 species including 3 new birds.

 

31/12/99 Drove north from Dalwallinu to Nallan Station (just north of Cue where we eat in a Petrol Station restaurant) visiting Nallan Lake and several of the Nallan Station paddocks in the afternoon with another British birder, Barry Evans. Walked the entrance track watching the sun set on the Millenium. Booked into the cottage where the frogs living down (and frequently leaping out of !) the toilet was a new experience, the large Gould’s Monitor trying to gain access to our room at every opportunity, the House Gecko’s catching moths in our room, to say nothing of the abundant Cockroaches in the kitchen, all added to the outback atmosphere. Weather very hot and sunny and calm. Highlights : Bourke’s Parrot, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Southern Whiteface and Western Bowerbird. 52 species including 8 new birds.

 

1/1/00 Morning spent birding (and seeing the striking Red Kangaroo) Marshall’s Paddock at Nallan, then back to the Petrol Station restaurant in Cue birding a couple of areas on the outskirts of town enroute and then north to Nannine Gold Mine on the edge of Lake Annean from mid-afternoon until dusk. Weather very hot, sunny and calm. Highlights : White-winged Fairy-wren, Crimson Chat (bird of the trip and first new bird of the New Millenium) and Orange Chat. 47 species including 4 new birds.

 

2/1/00 Out at dawn walking the Nallan Station Entrance Track. Reluctantly left Nallan and drove out to Cue, walking an area of samphire bordering Lake Austin before driving on to Mt. Magnet where we eat in another Petrol Station restaurant before driving west to Geraldton Lighthouse for evening sea-watch renting a caravan at a nearby Caravan site for £12. Weather very hot though driving through some thunderstorms. Smoke from a large bush fire to the south of Geraldton darkened the sky turning the sun red. Highlights : Rufous Calamanthus and Pied Honeyeater. 53 species including 3 new birds.

 

3/1/00 Geraldton Lighthouse sea-watch from dawn. Left Geraldton early morning and  drove through Kalbarri NP and on to Red Bluff Car Park before spending the afternoon sea-watching from Jake’s Corner. Booked a caravan in a site at Kalbarri for £10 and cooked. Weather hot and sunny. Highlight : Franklin’s Gull. 28 species seen.

 

4/1/00 Jake’s Corner sea-watch from dawn, checking the Red Bluff Car Park and then Oyster Reef. Left Kalbarri driving north through a barren landscape to Carnarvon first checking the mangroves at the Small Boat Harbour and then checking the Carnarvon Sewage Farm Pools. Checked into a caravan for £9 cooking a meal. Weather very hot and sunny. Highlights : Mangrove Fantail and Dusky Gerygone. 53 species including 2 new birds.

 

5/1/00 Early morning spent birding the New Beach mangroves and samphire, before driving back to Carnarvon checking Chinamans Pool, the Small Boat Harbour, walking the Mile-long Jetty (seeing both Dugong and a large Turtle) and finally the Airfield. Again cooked. Weather very hot and sunny. Highlights : Yellow Wagtail and Slender-billed Thornbill. 60 species including 1 new bird.

 

6/1/00 Early morning spent at Miobelia Beach, then back to Carnarvon quickly checking the Small Boat Harbour. Drove south and then west to Monkey Mia checking Car Park before returning to Denham where the accomodation was much cheaper booking a chalet for £9. Visited a nearby high tide wader roost. Eat in a pub in Denham. Weather hot and sunny. Highlights : White-backed Swallow, Brown Songlark, Thick-billed Grasswren and Orange Chat. 56 species seen including 3 new.

 

7/1/00 All morning at Monkey Mia where Brenda swam with the Bottle-nosed Dolphins, Australian Pelicans and a large Turtle, before we walked the ‘bird walk’ seeing hundreds of crabs moving across a nearby beach. Returned to Denham and cooked a meal. Weather hot and sunny. Highlight : Lesser Crested Tern and Thick-billed Grasswren. 33 species seen.

 

8/1/00 At dawn again tried the Monkey Mia ‘bird walk’, quickly checking the Denham Cemetry and driving back to Kalbarri and again sea-watching with more success from Jake’s Corner returning to Kalbarri after dark for fast food and booking a caravan for £10. Weather hot and sunny with light onshore wind mid-afternoon. Highlight : Wedge-tailed Shearwater. 36 species seen including 1 new bird.

 

9/1/00 Dawn back to Jake’s Corner for another sea-watch (poor) so then walked up a nearby hill in Kalbarri NP through mallee habitat. Drove to Geraldton Lighthouse where sea-watched for 2 hours from midday before driving to Cervantes and again sea-watching for 2 hours until dark. Booked a small caravan for £7. Weather hot and sunny. Highlight : Great-winged Petrel. 29 species seen including 1 new bird.

 

10/1/00 Early morning visit to the Pinnacles Desert. Left Cervantes after a quick sea-watch (poor) and drove back to Perth visiting the Birds Australia Office before again booking a chalet for £13 at Woodman Point. Evening visit to Herdsman Lake. Weather hot and sunny. 38 species seen.

 

11/1/00 Drove to Perth Airport leaving on 12.15 flight to Hong Kong arriving 20.10.                                        

3 species seen.

 

12/1/00 Left Hong Kong after sleeping in the airport at 01.10 arriving London Heathrow at 06.25 where met by John & Doreen Cooper and driven back to Burgess Hill by 08.30. Into work and back to reality just after 09.00

 

 

Systematic List of Species :

 

Emu - Dromaius novaehollandiae novaehollandiae C

A male and 4 juveniles were seen on entering the Stirling Range NP on the 20^th, 2 adults were seen along the Scenic Route at Esperance on the 24^th, 8 were seen on the drive out to Balladonia in the Nullarbor on the 26^th including a family party drinking at Newman Rock where an adult was again seen on the 27^th, 7 were seen whilst driving from Cocklebiddy to Kalgoorlie on the 29th, 4 were seen whilst driving from Kalgoorlie to Beacon on the 30^th, 2 were seen in Marshalls Paddock on Nallan Station on the 2^nd, 2 were seen on the drive to New Beach south of Carnarvon on the 5^th, 8 were seen whilst driving from Carnarvon to Monkey Mia on the 6^th and finally 2 were seen in Kalbarri NP on the 8^th. Most sightings involved family parties consisting of a single male and a variable group of young. Although this is the sole survivor of the Family Dromaiidae HBW states that ‘in spite of the extensive persecution it has suffered, the Emu is widely distributed throughout Australia today and populations are considered fairly stable’.

 

Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus australis C

Only seen at Herdsman Lake in Perth where 2 were seen on the 10^th December and 8 (including several immatures) were seen on the 10^th January.

 

Hoary-headed Grebe - Poliocephalus poliocephalus C

On the Perth Lakes 12 were seen on Bibra Lake and 2 on Kogulup Lake on the 9^th and 4 on Monger Lake on the 10^th, 40 were seen on Lake McLarty on the 12^th and finally 25 were seen on Nallan Lake on the 31^st. Most sightings related to birds being in ‘tight’ groups.

 

Australasian Grebe - Tachybaptus novaehollandiae novaehollandiae C

Seen on eleven dates at widespread locations (including the Perth Lakes, Narrogin, Albany, Esperance, Balladonia, Carnarvon) often only in small numbers with the maximum number recorded of 20 at North Lake, Perth on the 9^th December. Often encountered on the smallest of pools including cattle dams etc.

 

Little Penguin - Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae C

After a three hour search we eventually found 2 in crevices located in the caves at the north-eastern side of Penguin Island on the 11^th.

 

 

 

Albatross sp. - Diomedea sp.

During an 8 hour sea-watch from Cape Leeuwin distant Albatrosses were seen on three occasions but possibly all observations related to just a single individual. Although I suspected them / it to refer to Yellow-nosed D. chlororhynchos, all individual(s) were just too distant to be sure. 

 

Yellow-nosed Albatross - Diomedea chlororhynchos bassi C

At least 5 were seen off The Gap on the 18^th including 3 in flight together. They arrived in the late afternoon and appeared to roost on the sea between The Gap and the large offshore island being seen preening whilst sat on the water. All birds seen referred to the white-headed form D.c. bassi  which Nunn and Robertson split from chlororhynchos with the proposed English name of Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Birding World Vol. 12 No.1).

 

Great-winged Petrel - Pterodroma macroptera macroptera C

Around 250 were seen flying south off Cervantes on the 9^th although most were unfortunately distant until late on when a few birds were much closer. On such views I found it perhaps surprisingly difficult to convince myself that I was satisfactorily eliminating Flesh-footed / Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. I also suspect that around 250 birds seen moving south distantly off Jake’s Corner, Kalbarri on the 8^th to have related to this species but could not be sure. It is the form P.m. macroptera that occurs of SW Australia.

 

Shearwater sp. - Puffinus sp.

Around 5 mid-range birds seen off Hall’s Head, Mandurah on the 11^th were either Flesh-footed P. carneipes or Wedge-tailed Shearwaters P. pacificus.

 

Flesh-footed Shearwater - Puffinus carneipes C

At least 5 were seen off the Sugarloaf Rock on the 14^th, 500 were seen from Cape Leeuwin on the 15^th, 200 from a good vantage point between Augusta and Cape Leeuwin on the 16^th, 350 off The Gap on the 18^th although only 10 were seen from there on the 21^st and 50 on the 22nd. Finally 2 were seen from the Woody Island boat trip on the 24^th. Interestingly, this species was originally described by Gould, 1844, from small islands off Cape Leeuwin (HBW).

 

Wedge-tailed Shearwater - Puffinus pacificus C

Around 6 moved south, closely off Jake’s Corner, Kalbarri on the 8^th.

 

Australian Pelican - Pelecanus conspicillatus C

Seen on eighteen dates at widespread locations (including Bibra Lake, Penguin Island (small breeding colony), Mandurah, Augusta, Albany, Lake Annean, Kalbarri, Monkey Mia and Herdsman Lake) in reasonable numbers with a daily maximum of 50 recorded on the 11^th. Some individuals at both Kalbarri and Monkey Mia were ridiculously tame.

 

Australasian Gannet - Sula serrator C

A single bird was seen from the Rottnest Island ferry on the 10^th, 10 were seen off Cape Leeuwin on the 15^th, 6 were seen off The Gap on the 18^th with 4 seen from there on the 21^st and 2 on the 22^nd and finally 2 were seen off Geraldton Lighthouse on the 3^rd. Few were adults.

 

Darter - Anhinga melanogaster novaehollandiae C

At least 5 were seen at the Peel Inlet on the 11^th and 2 were seen in flight just north of Perth on the 10^th. HBW lumps the form concerned with Indian A.m. melanogaster and African A.m. rufa although states that the group is ‘often split into three species’.

 

Black-faced Cormorant (Shag) - Leucocarbo fuscescens C

A single bird was seen on the end of the jetty from where the Woody Island boat leaves Esperance and 5 were seen on the offshore rocks that were visited by the Woody Island boat on the 24^th.

 

Pied Cormorant - Phalacrocorax varius hypoleucos C

Seen on eighteen dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island, Penguin Island, Cape Leeuwin, Eyre Nine Mile Beach, Geraldton Lighthouse, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 200 recorded on the 7^th.

 

Little Pied Cormorant - Phalacrocorax melanoleucos melanoleucos C

Probably heavily under-recorded with just 2 at Monger Lake on the 10^th, 2 at Lake Seppings, Albany on the 19^th and 1 at Herdsman Lake, Perth on the 10^th being noted.

 

Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo novaehollandiae C

Only seen on four dates with 2 at North Lake, Perth on the 9^th, 2 at Lake Seppings, Albany on the 19^th, 3 at Cape Le Grande NP on the 25^th and 1 along the Eyre Nine Mile Beach on the 28^th. HBW states that the form concerned P.c. novaehollandiae ‘may be a good species’ but does not elaborate.

 

Little Black Cormorant - Phalacrocorax sulcirostris C

Only recorded on five dates with 2 at North Lake, Perth on the 9^th, 1 at Lake Seppings, Albany on the 19^th, 4 at Carnarvon Sewage Ponds on the 4^th, 80 at Chinamans Pool, Carnarvon on the 5^th and 2 at Herdsman Lake, Perth on the 10^th.

 

Red-tailed Tropicbird - Phaethon rubricauda C

Seen at Sugarloaf Rock where 2 adults were seen on the 14^th and where 4 adults and 2 nearly fledged juveniles were seen on the 15^th. Three adults together hanging in the air over the rock in the early morning light were particularly memorable.

 

Pacific Heron - Ardea pacifica C

Singles were seen at Herdsman Lake, Perth on the 10^th, Lake McLarty on the 12^th and at Cape Le Grande NP on the 25^th.

 

White-faced Heron - Ardea novaehollandiae C

Seen on fifteen dates at widespread locations (including Perth Lakes, Lake McLarty, Albany, Esperance, Eyre Nine Mile Beach, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 25 recorded on the 12^th.

 

Great Egret - Ardea alba modesta C

Seen on eight dates (including at the Perth Lakes, Mandurah, near Esperance and Carnarvon Sewage Ponds) in small numbers with a daily maximum of 10 recorded at Herdsman Lake on the 10^th December.

 

Little Egret - Ardea garzetta immaculata C

Only noted on three dates with 1 at Mandurah Peel Inlet on the 11^th, 4 at the Carnarvon Sewage Ponds on the 4^th and 2 there the next day.

 

Pacific (Eastern) Reef-Heron (Egret) - Egretta (Ardea) sacra sacra C

A dark morph bird was seen on the beach at Sugarloaf Rock on both the 14^th and 15^th and another dark morph bird was seen on the beach at Jake’s Corner, Kalbarri on both the 3^rd and 4^th.

 

Striated Heron - Ardeola striatus rogersi C

At least 4 were seen at Miaboolia Beach, Carnarvon on the 6^th.

 

Rufous Night Heron - Nycticorax caledonicus hilli C

An adult was seen at the Bibra Lake Crake site on the 9^th and 11^th and an adult was seen at Herdsman Lake on the 10^th December where 15 adults were seen during the evening of the 10^th January.

 

Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus C

A group of 3 were seen at a small pool adjacent to the ford crossing the Gascoyne River from Carnarvon towards Miaboolia Beach on the 6^th.

 

Australian White Ibis - Threskiornis molucca molucca C

Up to 10 a day were recorded at the Perth Lakes on four dates with 5 at Lake McLarty on the 12^th and 5 were also seen whilst driving on the 14^th.

 

Straw-necked Ibis - Threskiornis spinicollis C

Seen on ten dates at widespread locations (including Bibra Lake, Lake McLarty, Busselton, Albany and Esperance) and often in large flocks with a daily maximum of 500 recorded on the 14^th.

 

Yellow-billed Spoonbill - Platalea flavipes C

Only seen on four dates with 3 seen whilst driving the Old Bunbury and Mills Roads near Lake McLarty on the 12^th, singles seen roadside on the 17^th and the 21^st and finally 6 flying around during the evening at Herdsman Lake, Perth on the 10^th.

 

Black Swan - Cygnus atratus C

Seen on nine dates at widespread locations (including the Perth Lakes, Ocean Beach, Denmark, Lake Seppings, Albany, Esperance, Nallan Lake and Lake Annean) in fair numbers with a maximum of 50 recorded at Bibra Lake, Perth.

 

 

 

Cape Barren Goose - Cereopsis novaehollandiae C

Only seen in the Esperance area with an estimated 25 seen in the paddocks along Stearnes Road and 10 at the Esperance Golf Course on the 23^rd and 25th and 15 on the islands visited enroute to Woody Island on the 24^th. This isolated western population of the Recherche Archipelago is thought to number 1,000 birds (HBW).

 

Australian Shelduck - Tadorna tadornoides C

Seen on nine dates at widespread locations (including the Perth Lakes, Lake McLarty, Augusta, Esperance and Nallan Lake) often in good numbers with a daily maximum of 500 recorded on the 9^th December.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific Black Duck - Anas superciliosa rogersi C

Seen on sixteen dates at widespread locations (including the Perth Lakes, Lake McLarty, Albany, Esperance and Carnarvon) in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 200 recorded on the 9^th December.

 

 

 

 

 

Grey Teal - Anas (gibberifrons) gracilis C

Seen on eleven dates at widespread locations (including the Perth Lakes, Augusta, Balladonia, Nallan Lake and Carnarvon) in small numbers with a daily maximum of 50 recorded at Forrestdale Lake on the 11^th. Often seen on the smallest roadside pools.

 

Chestnut Teal - Anas castanea C

Only seen on lakes adjacent to Esperance Golf Course where 8 were seen on the 23^rd, 2 on the 24^th and 25 on the 25^th. A family party was seen at this site.

 

Australasian Shoveller - Anas rhynchotis rhynchotis C

Only seen on three dates with 3 seen at North Lake and 5 at Bibra Lake on the 9^th, 10 at Monger Lake on the 10^th and 6 at Lake McLarty on the 12^th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pink-eared Duck - Malacorhynchus membranaceus C

Only seen on three dates with 50 seen at Kogolup Lake, Perth on the 9^th, 8 at Monger Lake, Perth on the 10^th and 1 on a roadside pool on the 8^th.

 

White-eyed Duck (Hardhead) - Aythya australis C

Only seen on two dates at the Perth Lakes with 25 seen on the 9^th December and 2 the following day.

 

Maned Duck - Chenonetta jubata C

Seen on thirteen dates at widespread locations (including Perth Airport, Herdsman Lake, Narrogin, Augusta and Albany) with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 14^th. Often seen on roadside cattle dams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue-billed Duck - Oxyura australis C

Only seen on three dates with 2 on North Lake, Perth and 15 on Bibra Lake on the 9^th, 10 on Monger Lake on the 10^th and 1 on Lake Seppings, Albany on the 19^th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Musk Duck - Biziura lobata C

Seen on six dates with 25 seen on Bibra Lake on the 9^th, 20 at Monger Lake on the 10^th, 3 at Lake Seppings, Albany on the 19^th, singles in the Esperance area on the 23^rd and 24^th and 1 at Herdsman Lake on the 10^th.

 

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus cristatus C

Pairs were seen at Oyster Reef, Kalbarri and the Mile long jetty at Carnarvon on the 4^th with the pair at Carnarvon seen again on the 5^th and 1 again seen at Oyster Reef, Kalbarri on the 9^th.

 

Australian Black-shouldered Kite - Elanus axillaris C

Seen on sixteen dates at widespread locations (including Woodman Point, Perth, Albany, Esperance, Beacon, Dalwallinu and Carnarvon) with a daily maximum of 6 on the 30^th hunting in the Beacon area late evening.

 

Brahminy Kite - Milvus indus girrenera C

Just a single adult seen at the small boat harbour mangroves, Carnarvon on the 4^th.

 

Whistling Kite - Milvus sphenurus C

Seen on ten dates at widespread locations (including Thomsons Lake, Perth, Esperance, Cue and Carnarvon) in small numbers with a daily maximum of 4 recorded on the 6^th.

 

Square-tailed Kite - Lophoictinia isura C

Just a single individual seen just north of Albany on the 19^th. This species is considered as Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that ‘there are no overall population estimates although it has always been considered uncommon and, because of a low recruitment rate, recovery is slow from any losses, such as those which result from habitat destruction, the depletion of food through forestry and pastoralism, illegal egg-collecting and shooting’.

 

Accipiter sp.

Unidentified Accipiters were seen on the 9^th, 29^th and 8^th being either Brown Goshawks or Collared Sparrowhawks.

 

Brown Goshawk - Accipiter fasciatus C

Singles were seen behind the Rangers House in the Stirling Range NP on the 21^st, roadside on the 6^th and 1 at Herdsman Lake during the evening of the 10^th.

 

Collared Sparrowhawk - Accipiter cirrocephalus cirrocephalus C

Singles were seen at Dryandra on the 13^th, Albany on the 22^nd, Nallan Station on the 31^st and Carnarvon on the 5^th.

 

White-bellied Sea-Eagle - Haliaeetus leucogaster C

A pair with one carrying nesting material were seen at Two Peoples Bay near Little Beach on the 19^th with 1 seen again there on the 22^nd and 6 were seen along the Esperance scenic route and on the Woody Island Boat trip on the 24^th with a pair being thrown fish from the boat.

 

Wedge-tailed Eagle - Aquila audax audax C

Seen on eight dates at widespread locations (including Dryandra, Kalgan River, Albany, roadside in the Nullarbor, Mount Magnet area and the Overlander Roadhouse area) with a daily maximum of 8 recorded on the 2^nd.

 

Little Eagle - Hieraaetus morphnoides morphnoides C

Singles were seen between Mandurah and Pinjarra on the 11^th, at the Ranger’s House in the Stirling Range NP on the 20^th and near Kalbarri on the 3^rd.

 

Spotted Harrier - Circus assimilis C

Just a single adult near the Lower Kalgan River on the 19^th.

 

Swamp Harrier - Circus approximans C

Seen on ten dates in small numbers between the 9^th and the 25^th (including at the Perth Lakes, Lake McLarty, Augusta, Albany and Esperance) but not again, with a daily maximum of 4 recorded on the 21st.

 

Peregrine - Falco peregrinus C

A single adult was at Nallan Lake on the 31^st.

 

Australian Hobby - Falco longipennis longipennis C

A single bird flew alongside the car for several minutes at a speed of 65km/h near Beacon on the 30^th (perhaps possibly hoping the car would flush small birds from the roadside scrub ?), 2 were seen in courtship display near Cervantes and 1 was seen hunting at dusk at Herdsman Lake on the 10^th.

 

Brown Falcon - Falco berigora occidentalis C

Seen on eight dates between the 20^th and the 4^th (including at the Stirling Range NP, the Nullarbor, Beacon and Nallan Station) in small numbers with a daily maximum of 4 recorded on the 1st.

 

Australian Kestrel - Falco cenchroides cenchroides C

Seen on twenty-four dates between the 9^th December and the 6^th January in small numbers with a daily maximum of 8 recorded on the 5^th.

 

Peafowl - Pavo cristatus

Brenda saw a single bird and a few others were heard after dark on Rottnest Island on the 10^th.

 

Common Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus C

Two males were seen on Rottnest Island on the 10^th.

 

Button-quail sp. - Turnix sp.

A single individual was flushed from the Kawana Trail at Dryandra on the 13^th.

 

Painted Button-quail - Turnix varia varia C

A group of 3 were seen along the Ochre Trail at Dryandra on the 14^th. Once they settled into their platelets some fine views were obtained.

 

Buff-banded Rail - Gallirallus philippensis mellori C

On Penguin Island 2 were seen, one of which performed brilliantly.

 

 

 

Spotless Crake - Porzana tabuensis tabuensis C

A superb individual was taped into view at the Bibra Lake Crake site shortly after dawn on the 11^th.

 

Black-tailed Native-hen - Gallinula ventralis C

Only seen at the Esperance Golf Club where up to 6 were seen on three dates along the edges of pools along the entrance road.

 

Dusky Moorhen - Gallinula tenebrosa tenebrosa C

A single bird was seen at Bibra Lake Crake site on the 9^th with 4 there on the 11^th, 10 were seen on Monger Lake on the 10^th and 6 were seen at Eyre Park, Albany on the 19^th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purple Swamphen - Porphyrio porphyrio bellus C

A single bird was seen at the Bibra Lake Crake site on the 9^th and 11^th, 2 were seen at Monger Lake on the 10^th, 3 at Lake McLarty on the 12^th, 1 seen near Esperance on the 25^th and finally 2 were seen at Herdsman Lake on the 10^th January.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra australis C

Seen on nine dates at widespread locations (including the Perth Lakes, Albany, Esperance and the Carnarvon Sewage Ponds) in small numbers with a daily maximum of 50 recorded on the 9^th and 10^th December.

 

Pied Oystercatcher - Haematopus longirostris C

Seen on eleven dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island, Penguin Island, Augusta, Lower Kalgan River, Eyre Nine Mile Beach and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 20 recorded on the 7^th.

 

Sooty Oystercatcher - Haematopus fuliginosus fuliginosus C

Seen on eight dates at widespread locations (including Augusta, Albany, Esperance, Eyre Nine Mile Beach and Oyster Reef, Kalbarri) with a daily maximum of 20 on the 28^th.

 

Banded Lapwing - Vanellus tricolor C

A good start to the trip was provided by two pairs each with a single chick along the roadside greens on leaving Perth Airport on the 9^th, 26 were seen on Carnarvon airfield on the 5^th with 1 seen on the drive from Denham to Monkey Mia on both the 7^th and 8^th and 3 at Cervantes sports pitch on the 10^th.

 

 

      

Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola C

Seen on eleven dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island, Peel Inlet, Kalgan River, Kalbarri, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 6 recorded on the 11^th.

 

Pacific Golden Plover - Pluvialis fulva C

A single individual was present at the high tide wader roost at the Small Boat Harbour at Carnarvon on the 4^th and 5^th.

 

Hooded Plover - Thinornis cucullatus (Charadrius rubricollis) C

Seen at the Salt Works at the northern end of Pink Lake, Esperance where 41 were counted on the 23^rd, 40 on the 24^th and 5 on the 25^th. This species is considered Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that the ‘population is thought to be at least 5,000 individuals’ but ‘has a contracting range on the coast and around salt-lakes in southern Western Australia’ however they do go on to say that ‘the small population in Western Australia is probably secure’.

 

Mongolian (Lesser) Sandplover - Charadrius mongolus C

Up to 4 were seen at the Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour on the 4^th and 5th and 6 were seen at Denham on the 6^th.

 

Greater Sand Plover - Charadrius leschenaultii leschenaultii C

At least 4 were seen on Rottnest Island on the 10^th, 6 were seen at Denham on the 6^th and 1 was seen on a roadside lake near Cervantes on the 9^th.

 

Red-capped Plover - Charadrius ruficapillus C

Seen on fourteen dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island, Mandurah, Ocean Beach, Denmark, Pink Lake, Esperance, Eyre Nine Mile Beach, Nallan Lake, Lake Annean, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 50 recorded at Lake Annean on the 1^st.

 

 

 

Black-fronted Plover - Elseyornis melanops C

A confiding pair were seen at Monger Lake on the 10^th, 2 were seen at Carnarvon Sewage Ponds on the 4^th and 12 were seen at Chinamans Pool, Carnarvon on the 5^th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White-headed Stilt - Himantopus leucocephalus C

Seen on seven dates at widespread locations (including the Perth Lakes, Albany, Nallan Lake and Miaboolia Beach, Carnarvon) with a daily maximum of 1,000 recorded at Forrestdale Lake on the 11^th December.

 

Banded Stilt - Cladorhynchus leucocephalus C

An estimated 2,000 were seen on the Rottnest Island lakes on the 10^th, 12 were seen at Forrestdale Lake on the 11^th and 1 was present on Nallan Lake on the 31^st.

 

 

 

 

Red-necked Avocet - Recurvirostra novaehollandiae C

A total of 9 were located on the Rottnest Island lakes on the 10^th, 95 were counted at Forrestdale Lake on the 11^th and 2 were present on Nallan Lake on the 31^st.

 

Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres interpres C

Seen on ten dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island, the Peel Inlet, the Lower Kalgan River, Geraldton Lighthouse, Kalbarri, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) in small numbers with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 10^th.

 

Far Eastern Curlew - Numenius madagascariensis C

Singles were seen at Cape Leeuwin on the 15^th (and heard again there on the 17^th) and at Miaboolia Beach, Carnarvon on the 6^th. This species is considered as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).

 

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus variegatus C

A single bird was seen at Mandurah on the 11^th and up to 4 were seen on three dates in the Carnarvon area.

 

Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola C

At least 2 were seen on Nallan Lake on the 31^st and up to 12 were seen on two dates in the Carnarvon area.

 

Grey-tailed Tattler - Tringa brevipes C

Seen on ten dates at widespread locations (including the Peel Inlet, the Kalgan Estuary, Geraldton Lighthouse and the Carnarvon areas) with a daily maximum of 80 recorded on both the 4^th and 5^th at the Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour high tide roost.

 

 

 

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos C

Seen on six dates (including at Augusta, Albany and Carnarvon) in small numbers with a daily maximum of 6 recorded on the 5^th.

 

Greenshank - Tringa nebularia C

Seen on twelve dates at widespread locations (including the Peel Inlet, the Lower Kalgan river, Eyre Nine Mile Beach, Nallan Lake, Carnarvon areas and Monkey Mia) in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 15 recorded on the 11^th.

 

Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus C

At the Lower Kalgan River 1 was seen on the 18^th and 2 there on the 20^th, and at the high tide wader roost at the Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour 2 were seen on the 4^th and 5^th with 1 seen on the 6^th.

 

Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica menzbieri C

An estimated 15 were seen at the Peel Inlet on the 11^th and at Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour high tide roost up to 400 were seen over three dates and a roost of around 100 birds were seen at Denham on the 6^th with 25 nearby at Monkey Mia the next day. Slightly disappointed that no Asian Dowitchers could be found amongst them.

 

Red Knot - Calidris canutus C

Just a single bird seen being at the Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour high tide wader roost on the 4^th.

 

Great Knot - Calidris tenuirostris C

A party of 6 were seen at the Peel Inlet on the 11^th, 1 was seen at the Lower Kalgan River on the 20^th, up to 20 were seen on three dates at the Carnarvon high tide wader roost and around 25 were seen at a high tide roost near Denham on the 6^th with 1 nearby at Monkey Mia the following day.

 

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Calidris acuminata C

A single individual was seen on Rottnest Island on the 10^th, and up to 10 were seen at the Lower Kalgan River on the 19^th and 20^th.

 

 

 

Red-necked Stint - Calidris ruficollis C

Seen on twelve dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island, the Lower Kalgan River, Pink Lake Salt Works, Geraldton, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 500 seen on Rottnest Island on the 10^th. At least 3 and possibly 4 birds at Rottnest were flagged on their right legs with an orange flag attached to the tarsus and a yellow flag attached to the tibia - unfortunately the flags attached to the tarsus were clearly causing at least two of the birds some discomfort as salt was calcifying in a ball above and below the flag causing the birds to limp perhaps suggesting an infection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curlew Sandpiper - Calidris ferruginea C

Seen on eight dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island, the Lower Kalgan River, Pink Lake, Esperance, Carnarvon areas and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 10^th.

 

 

 

 

Sanderling - Calidris alba C

A single bird was seen on Rottnest Island on the 10^th, 8 were seen at Geraldton on the 3^rd and around 50 were seen on Miaboolia Beach, Carnarvon on the 6^th.

 

Arctic Skua - Stercorarius parasiticus C

A single individual was seen in the channel between the mainland and Penguin Island on the 11^th with 2 seen off Cape Leeuwin on the 15^th and 2 flying slightly inland over the west end of Augusta on the 16^th.

 

Silver Gull - Larus novaehollandiae C

One of the most abundant and widespread of species encountered being recorded on twenty-six dates. However from the 26^th to the 1^st it was only seen on the 28^th when 50 were seen along the Eyre Nine Mile Beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific Gull - Larus pacificus georgii C

Seen on seventeen dates at widespread locations (including Augusta, Two Peoples Bay, Albany, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 15 recorded on the 4^th. This species is considered as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).

 

Franklin’s Gull - Larus pipixcan C

The big surprise of the trip was an adult winter plumaged bird that flew south close past us along the shore at the Red Bluff Car Park just south of Kalbarri on the 3^rd. The following morning we relocated it at 5.30am roosting with other Gulls and Terns at Oyster Reef at Kalbarri where it was still present at 9.30am when we left the area. However when we returned to Kalbarri on the 8^th and 9^th we failed to find it again.

 

Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybrida fluviatilis C

A flock of around 25 were present on Nallan Lake on both the 31^st and 1^st.

 

White-winged Black Tern - Chlidonias leucoptera C

A single individual was seen on Nallan Lake on the 31^st  and a flock of around 100 seemingly consisting of all winter-plumaged adults were seen at the Carnarvon Mile- long Jetty on the 5^th.

 

Caspian Tern - Sterna caspia C

Seen on fourteen dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island (where I was repeatedly dive-bombed - quite an experience !), Mandurah, Augusta, Albany, Esperance, Kalbarri, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 10^th December and the 7^th January.

 

Gull-billed Tern - Sterna nilotica macrotarsa C

Only seen on the drive out to Miaboolia Beach, Carnarvon with 12 seen on the 6^th.

 

Common Tern - Sterna hirundo longipennis C

A single individual was seen at the Mandurah feeding at the river mouth on the 11^th and around 12 were seen on sandbars viewed from the Carnarvon Mile-long Jetty on the 5^th.

 

Roseate Tern - Sterna dougallii gracilis C

A single adult in summer plumage complete with pink flush although apparently lacking its tail streamers was seen from the Carnarvon Mile-long Jetty on the 5^th.

 

Bridled Tern - Sterna anaethetus anaethetus C

Around 10 were seen at Rottnest Island on the 10^th, 500 were estimated at the breeding colony on Penguin Island on the 11^th , 100 were seen off Cape Leeuwin on the 15^th, 20 were seen just south of Hamelin Bay on the 16^th, 6 were seen off Geraldton Lighthouse on the 3^rd, around 15 were seen off Jake’s Corner, Kalbarri on the 8th and 12 were seen off Geraldton Lighthouse on the 9^th.

 

 

 

 

 

Fairy Tern - Sterna nereis horni C

Seen on nine dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island, Mandurah river mouth (breeding colony), Ocean Beach, Denmark, Geraldton Lighthouse, Denham, Monkey Mia and Cervantes in small numbers with a daily maximum of 90 recorded on the 11^th. This species is considered Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that ‘the Australian population has been estimated at 2,000 pairs’. HBW states that ‘formerly common in Western Australia, where flocks up to 15,000 birds recorded, but population greatly reduced’.

 

Crested Tern - Sterna bergii gwendolenae C

Seen on nineteen dates at widespread locations including virtually all coastal locations visited with a daily maximum of 200 recorded on the 10^th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesser Crested Tern - Sterna bengalensis torresii C

A loose flock of 20 were present on the sandbars at Monkey Mia on the 7^th.

 

Feral Pigeon - Columba livia

A nestling was found in a cave at Penguin Island on the 11^th, otherwise small numbers seen at Albany, Esperance, Geraldton and Carnarvon.

 

Spotted Turtle Dove - Streptopelia chinensis C

A pair were seen near Bibra Lake on the 9^th and 1 was seen on Rottnest Island on the 10^th.

 

Laughing Turtle-Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis C

Seen on nine dates at widespread locations (including Perth, Rottnest Island, Esperance, Geraldton, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 15 recorded on the 3^rd.

 

Diamond Dove - Geopelia cuneata C

On the drive out to New Beach just south of Carnarvon 4 were seen on the 5^th and 1 was seen at the Stromatolites south of Denham on the 8^th.

 

Common Bronzewing - Phaps chalcoptera C

Seen on ten dates between the 11^th and 26^th (including Mandurah, Dryandra, Albany, Esperance and Newman Rock) with a daily maximum of 12 recorded on the 26^th.

 

 

 

 

 

Brush Bronzewing - Phaps elegans occidentalis C

Singles were seen at Dryandra on the 13^th and Two Peoples Bay on the 20^th and 21^st and up to 6 were recorded on three dates drinking at the water baths provided at the Eyre Bird Observatory.

 

Crested Pigeon - Geophaps lophotes whitlocki C

Proved to be common being seen on fifteen dates at widespread locations (including Perth, Albany, Esperance, Nallan Station, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia) with a daily maximum of 100 recorded drinking at the dam along the Monkey Mia bird walk on the 8^th.

 

Black-Cockatoo sp. - Calyptorhynchus sp.

Distant Black Cockatoos were recorded as follows : 3 on the 9^th, 5 on the 11^th, 3 on the 12^th, 5 on the 17^th and finally 2 on the 1^st.

 

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo - Calyptorhynchus banksii naso C

Just 6 were positively identified all being roadside encounters between Dryandra and Busselton on the 14^th.

 

White-tailed Black-Cockatoo sp. - Calyptorhynchus latirostris / baudinii

I found these two species extremely difficult and those left best unidentified were recorded as follows : 60 on the 14^th, 1 on the 18^th, 100 on the 19^th and 20 on the 22^nd.

 

Short-(Slender-)billed Black-Cockatoo - Calyptorhynchus latirostris C

I only felt comfortable with the identification of birds seen in the Stirling Range NP where 8 were seen drinking at close quarters at dusk from the dam next to the Café opposite the Caravan Park on the 20^th and presumably 6 of the same birds were seen nearby the next day. The bill looked perhaps ‘squashed’ in comparison to Long-billed and noticeably three toned in colour whereas the Long-billeds looked more uniform. The surrounding mallee habitat also favours Short-billed ! Not easy ! . This species is considered Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that ‘since 1977 there has been a decline that is likely to continue for some decades’.

 

Long-billed (White-tailed) Black-Cockatoo - Calyptorhynchus baudinii C

Around 40 were seen at this species known roost just inland from Sugarloaf Rock where superb views were obtained on the 14^th with 15 seen there the following morning and 10 were seen in the Karri forests behind the Jewel Caves on the 16^th.  This species is considered Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that ‘its presumed that longevity may be masking insufficient recruitment’.

 

Galah - Cacatua roseicapillus roseicapillus C

Proved to be common being seen on fifteen dates at widespread locations (including Perth, Rottnest Island, Narrogin, Albany, Kalbarri and Carnarvon) with a daily maximum of 500 recorded on the 12^th.

 

Little / Western Corella sp. - Cacatua sp.

Birds seen briefly or poorly included 1 which was seen in flight near Mandurah on the 11^th, 2 which were seen briefly in flight on the drive out to Wave Rock on the 12^th, and an impressive 500 which were seen leaving their roost at Dalwallinu on the 31^st. I am fairly confident the birds at Dalwallinu were Little Corellas.

 

Little Corella - Cacatua sanguinea westralensis C

Around Perth 300 birds of captive origin were seen at Monger Lake on the 10^th with a few seen at the nearby Herdsman Lake. At Carnarvon up to 500 ‘natural birds’ were seen daily on three dates. It is also worth noting here that some captive origin Long-billed Corella’s Cacatua tenuirostris are also present at Lake Monger (not seen) as well as occasionally the odd captive origin Western Corella (not seen).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Corella - Cacatua pastinator C

Around 50 were seen along the railway lines near Beacon on the 30^th. These long- billed birds showed a hint of a pink suffusion to the upper breast and a bulging blue eye-ring below the eye. This species is considered as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).

 

Pink Cockatoo - Cacatua leadbeateri C

Up to around 25 were seen on our three days at Eyre Bird Observatory where they come to drink both in the morning and evening providing some fine views. This species is considered as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).

 

Rainbow Lorikeet - Trichoglossus haematodus C

Only seen at the Perth Lakes where 2 were seen at Bibra Lake on the 9^th, 25 at Monger Lake and Herdsman Lake on the 10^th December and 8 at Herdsman Lake on the 10^th January. Introduced to Western Australia.

 

 

 

 

Purple-crowned Lorikeet - Glossopsitta porphyrocephala C

First seen during the drive from Augusta to Albany with a small flock being seen from the canopy walkway at the Valley of the Giants with a total of 12 eventually being seen on the 17^th, then seen virtually daily at Two Peoples Bay with 6 on the 18^th, 20 on the 19^th, 30 on the 20^th, 15 on the 21^st, 12 were seen when driving east from Albany on the 23^rd and finally 2 were seen at Newman Rock in the Nullarbor on the 29^th. HBW states that there has been ‘a substantial chronic decline in numbers documented in SW Australia’.

 

Regent Parrot - Polytelis anthopeplus anthopeplus C

A party of around 15 were seen in trees adjacent to the Peel Inlet on the 11^th, 12 were seen on the drive along Old Bunbury and Mills Roads to Lake McLarty on the 12^th, 2 were seen at the Stirling Range Caravan Park on the 21^st and 2 were seen when driving east from Albany on the 23^rd.

 

 

 

 

 

Cockatiel - Leptolophus hollandicus C

A party of 50 were seen near Beacon on the 30^th and 15 were seen on Nallan Station on the 1^st.

 

Budgerigar - Melopsittacus undulatus C

A flock of 35 were seen just west of Beacon on the 30^th, 6 were seen when driving north from Dalwallinu on the 31^st, a flock of 50 were seen between Nallan Station and Lake Annean on the 1^st and 15 were seen at Nallan Station on the 2^nd.

 

Red-capped Parrot - Purpureicephalus spurius C

This delightful Parrot was seen on nine dates between the 9^th and the 23rd (including at Perth, Mandurah, Old Bunbury Road, Lower Kalgan River, the drive out to the Stirling Range NP and finally driving east from Albany) with a daily maximum of 15 recorded on the 20^th.

 

 

 

 

 

Western Rosella - Platycercus icterotis C

Only seen on six dates with 2 at Dryandra on the 14^th, 4 in the Boranup Forest on the 16^th and 5 there the following day, up to 8 around the Lower Kalgan Caravan Park on the 19^th and 20^th and finally 5 seen on the drive out to the Stirling Range NP on the 21^st.

 

Port Lincoln Ringneck - Barnardius zonarius semitorquatus / zonarius C

Seen on sixteen dates at widespread locations (including race semitorquatus) Perth, Mandurah, the drive inland to Wave Rock, Dryandra, Augusta, the Lower Kalgan River, Beacon and Nallan Station (race zonarius)) often proving very common along the roadsides with a daily maximum of 200 recorded on the 12^th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mulga Parrot - Psephotus varius C

At least 12 were seen roadside just west of Beacon on the 30^th, 7 were seen roadside just north of Dalwallinu on the 31^st, 10 were seen on Nallan Station on the 1^st and 2 were seen along the entrance track at Nallan Station on the 2^nd.

 

Bourke’s Parrot - Neophema bourkii C

A pair seen at dusk along the entrance track at Nallan Station proved to be my last new species for 1999 on the 31^st and 4 were seen in the vicinity of a well on Nallan Station on the 1^st January.

 

Elegant Parrot - Neophema elegans C

A single individual was seen along the Ochre Trail at Dryandra on the 14^th, around 20 frequented the entrance track at the Lower Kalgan River Caravan Park and were seen on the 19^th and 20^th, around 15 were seen roadside on the drive out to the Stirling Rangs NP on the 21^st and 3 were seen at the Caravan Park in the Stirling Range and finally 2 were seen on Middleton Beach, Albany on the 22^nd supposedly being a site for Rock Parrot !

 

Rock Parrot - Neophema petrophila C

After much searching we finally scored at the esplanade at Esperance where 3 were seen at the western end near the entrance to the Port on the 23^rd and at least 1 was feeding along the jetty from where the Woody Island boat leaves on the 24^th.

 

Pallid Cuckoo - Cuculus pallidus C

A single juvenile was sat on a fence being fed by Dusky Woodswallows at the eastern end of Stearnes Road, Esperance on the 25^th. Superb.

Fan-tailed Cuckoo - Cuculus flabelliformis flabelliformis C

A single juvenile was taped into view in the Boranup Forest on the 17^th.

 

Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo - Chrysococcyx basalis C

A juvenile was seen along the Kawana Trail at Dryandra on the 13^th and an adult was seen in the Boranup Forest on the 17^th.

 

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo - Chrysococcyx lucidus lucidus C

A single juvenile was taped into view at Lake Monjingup Reserve, Esperance on the 24^th.

 

Southern Boobook - Ninox boobook C

A single bird was heard at Dryandra on the 13^th and an adult with 2 recently fledged young were found behind the Two Peoples Bay Information Centre being seen on the 18^th and 19^th.

 

Laughing Kookaburra - Dacelo novaeguineae C

Seen on nine dates (and heard on another) between the 11^th and 21^st (including at Mandurah, Dryandra, Boranup Forest and Albany) with a daily maximum of 8 recorded on the 17^th.

 

Red-backed Kingfisher - Todirhamphus pyrrhopygia C

A single bird was seen on wires at Cue on the 31^st with 5 seen on wires at the southern edge of town on the 2^nd and 2 were seen on wires in Carnarvon on the 4^th.

 

Sacred Kingfisher - Todirhampus sanctus sanctus C

Seen on nine dates in ones and twos at widespread locations (including Thomsons Lake, Rottnest Island, Dryandra, Stirling Range, Esperance and Kalbarri).

 

Rainbow Bee-eater - Merops ornatus C

Seen on seven dates at widespread locations (including Perth, Dryandra, Carnarvon and Kalbarri) with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 4^th.

 

Noisy Scrub-bird - Atrichornis clamosus C

Having heard a male in a gully near the Little Beach Car Park at Two Peoples Bay on the 18^th, 19^th, 21^st and having obtained a brief untickable glimpse of a female racing across the trail on the 19^th I was relieved to obtain an albeit poor brief view of a singing male on the 22^nd. Another male was also heard from near Little Beach on the 21^st. This species is considered Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that ‘in 1993 the population of singing males was estimated at 400 individuals but the species remains vulnerable to a single large wildfire’.

 

White-backed Swallow - Cheramoeca leucosternus C

A party of 6 were seen sat along the fence and in flight along the gravel road leading to Miaboolia Beach from Carnarvon on the 6^th. Superb.

 

Welcome Swallow - Hirundo neoxena carteri C

Seen on thirty dates at virtually all locations visited in good numbers with an estimated daily maximum of 350 recorded at a large roost near Geraldton Lighthouse on the 2^nd.

 

Tree Martin - Hirundo nigricans neglecta C

Overlooked as I only infrequently paid any attention to pale-rumped Martins seen but positively identified in the Stirling Range where up to 25 were seen on the 20^th and 21^st.

 

Fairy Martin - Hirundo ariel C

Just 10 positively identified near Lake McLarty on the 12^th. As for the previous species widely overlooked no doubt.

 

Australian Richard’s Pipit - Anthus novaeseelandiae C

Seen on twenty-three dates proving common and widespread at virtually all locations visited with a daily maximum of 25 on the 5^th.

 

 

        

 

 

Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava simillina C

A single male of the form  ‘simillina’ was seen at the western edge of Chinamans Pool, Carnarvon on the 5^th.

 

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike - Coracina novaehollandiae C

Seen on twenty-three dates being seen in small numbers at virtually all sites visited with a daily maximum of 10 recorded on the 5^th.

 

Southern Scrub-robin - Drymodes brunneopygia pallidus C

Brenda saw 1 at the Stirling Range Caravan Park (much to DC’s frustration as he was out early taping for the species in the surrounding mallee !), 1 was seen at the end of the East track at Eyre Bird Observatory on the 28^th, 3 were seen along the entrance track to the White Wells Station on the 31^st and 1 was seen on the bird walk at Monkey Mia on both the 7^th and 8^th.

 

Scarlet Robin - Petroica multicolor campbelli C

A single male was watched feeding a juvenile at Dryandra on the 13^th and surprisingly proved to be the only encounter with the species.

 

Red-capped Robin - Petroica goodenovii C

A single male of the Rottnest Island form was seen on the island on the 10^th and up to 6 daily were seen on three dates at Nallan Station.

 

Hooded Robin - Melanodryas cucullata C

Only seen on Nallan Station where up to 6 were seen on three dates.

 

White-breasted Robin - Eopsaltria georgiana C

Only seen at the Boranup Forest just north of Augusta where 8 were seen on the 16^th and 4 the next day.

 

Western Yellow Robin - Eopsaltria griseogularis C

At least 3 were seen along the Ochre Trail at Dryandra on the 14^th and 6 were seen along the East track at Eyre Bird Observatory on the 28^th.

 

Jacky Winter - Microeca leucophaea assimilis C

A single individual was seen at Dryandra on the 14^th and at Eyre Bird Observatory 4 were seen on the 28^th and 2 the following day.

 

Golden Whistler - Pachycephala pectoralis occidentalis C

Around 5 were seen at Dryandra on the 13^th, 2 were seen in the Boranup Forest on both the 16^th and 17^th, 1 was seen on the 19^th, 2 were seen on Woody Island on the 24^th and finally a female was seen along the East track at Eyre on the 28^th.

 

Rufous Whistler - Pachycephala rufiventris C

Two were seen in the trees bordering Forrestdale Lake on the 11^th and up to 2 were seen on three dates at Nallan Station.

 

Grey Shrike-thrush - Colluricincla harmonica C

Seen on eleven dates in ones and twos at widespread locations (including Dryandra, Boranup Forest, Stirling Range NP, Fitzgerald River Crossing, Eyre Bird Observatory and Nallan Station (different race)).

 

Crested Bellbird - Oreoica gutturalis gutturalis C

A single bird was seen along the Wandoo trail at Dryandra on the 13^th and up to 6 were seen daily on three dates at Nallan Station.

 

Restless Flycatcher - Myiagra inquieta westralensis C

A pair were seen at Dryandra on the 14^th and a juvenile was seen at the eastern end of Stearnes road on the 25^th.

 

Grey Fantail - Rhipidura fuliginosa preissi C

Seen on twelve dates between the 9^th and 22^nd when it proved common at all sites visited but surprisingly was not seen again. A daily maximum of 10 was recorded on the 16^th.

 

Mangrove Fantail - Rhipidura phasiana C

Singles were seen in mangroves at the Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour on the 4^th, New Beach on the 5^th and Miaboolia Beach on the 6^th.

 

Willie Wagtail - Rhipidura leucophrys picata C

Seen on twenty-six dates being noted at virtually every site visited with a daily maximum of 15 recorded on the 20^th.

 

(Western Whipbird - Psophodes nigrogularis)

A single individual was heard in song distantly after tape playback at the Fitzgerald River Crossing on the 23^rd.

 

Chiming Wedgebill - Psophodes occidentalis C

Around 8 were seen at Nallan Station on the 1^st, 4 were seen at Denham Cemetry on the 6^th and 10 were seen at Monkey Mia birdwalk on the 8^th.

 

Chestnut Quail-thrush - Cinclosoma castanotum morgani C

A pair were located along the entrance track at Eyre Bird Observatory on the 29^th. Brilliant.

 

Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush - Cinclosoma castaneothorax marginatum C

Superb pairs were seen at Nallan Station on both the 31^st and 1^st. Also brilliant.

 

Grey-crowned Babbler - Pomatostomus temporalis nigrescens C

Around 10 were seen at Nallan Station on the 1^st.

 

White-browed Babbler - Pomatostomus superciliosus C

Up to 15 were seen daily on three dates at Nallan Station and up to 8 were seen roadside in the general area of the Overlander Roadhouse on three dates.

 

Australia Reed-warbler - Acrocephalus australis gouldi C

A single bird was seen with a couple of others heard in Eyre Park, Albany on the 19^th.

 

Little Grassbird - Megalurus gramineus gramineus C

A single individual was taped into view along the boardwalk at Herdsman Lake on the 10^th December.

 

Brown Songlark - Cinclorhamphus cruralis C

An immature male was seen performing its song flight and also seen on the ground near the Monkey Mia World Heritage Site ‘wall’ just west of the Overlander Roadhouse on the 6^th.

 

Splendid Fairy-wren - Malurus splendens splendens C

Seen on ten dates at widespread locations (including Wungong Dam, Forrestdale Lake, Augusta, Lower Kalgan River and Nallan Station) with a daily maximum of 10 recorded on both the 9^th and the 31^st. Stunning.

 

 

Variegated Fairy-wren - Malurus lamberti C

Around 8 were seen at Miaboolia Beach, Carnarvon on the 6^th and up to 10 were recorded at the Monkey Mia birdwalk on both the 7^th and 8^th.

 

Blue-breasted Fairy-wren - Malurus pulcherrimus C

Around 5 were seen at Dryandra on the 13^th  and up to 8 were seen daily on three dates at Eyre Bird Observatory. An early highlight of the trip.

 

Red-winged Fairy-wren - Malurus elegans C

Another stunning species with 10 seen in the Boranup Forest on the 16^th and 12 there the next day and at Two Peoples Bay 4 seen on the 18^th, 2 on the 19^th and 4 on the 20^th with the trail behind the information centre proving a reliable spot.

 

White-winged Fairy-wren - Malurus leucopterus leuconotus C

Just a km or so west of Cue 5 were seen on the 1^st and 2 the following day, 5 were seen near the Nannine Gold Mining Operation on the edge of Lake Annean on the 1^st, in the Carnarvon areas 6 were seen on the 5^th and 4 the following day and 6 were seen along the entrance track to the Pinnacles Desert on the 10^th.

 

Southern Emu-wren - Stipiturus malachurus C

A superb party of 4 were seen along the Heritage Trail at Two Peoples Bay on the 18^th.

 

Thick-billed Grasswren - Amytornis textilis textilis C

Seen in the Monkey Mia Car Park on three dates where birds would take insects of the front of parked vehicles and even hop up into the engine compartments of parked cars ! Also seen at the Monkey Mia Birdwalk and the Denham Cemetry and along the road leading south from Denham with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 8^th. Amazing. This species is considered Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that ‘in Western Australia nominate textilis once ranged across much of the southern interior, but relict populations are now known only from Shark Bay, where it is common but patchy’.

 

White-browed Scrubwren - Sericornis frontalis maculatus C

Seen on seventeen dates at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island, Dryandra, Augusta, Albany, Eyre Bird Observatory and Monkey Mia with a daily maximum of 20 recorded on the 28^th.

 

Redthroat - Sericornis brunneus C

A male was taped in to view at Newman Rock on the 27^th, 3 were seen along the entrance track to White Wells Station on the 31^st with 1 seen on Nallan Station on the 1^st and 2 the next day.

 

Rufous Calamanthus - Sericornis campestris C

Singles were seen in samphire at Lake Austin on the 2^nd and at New Beach on the 5^th and a much darker individual was seen along the entrance track to the Pinnacles Desert on the 10^th. The darker individual relates to the form which is proposed split, Western Fieldwren, in the Directory of Australian birds (Passerines) by R.Schodde and I. Mason (1999).

 

Weebill - Smicrornis brevirostris C

At Dryandra 6 were seen on the 13^th and 8 the next day, 1 was seen at the Fitzgerald River Crossing on the 23^rd, 2 seen at Newman Rock on the 26^th and 27^th and 2 were seen at Eyre on the 28^th and 29^th.

 

Dusky Gerygone - Gerygone tenebrosa C

Singles were seen in mangroves at the Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour on the 4^th, New Beach on the 5^th and Miaboolia Beach on the 6^th.

 

Western Gerygone - Gerygone fusca C

Singles were seen at Forrestdale Lake on the 9^th, Rottnest Island on the 10^th and in the Boranup Forest on the 16^th and 17^th.

 

Inland Thornbill - Acanthiza apicalis C

Seen on seventeen dates at widespread locations (including Wave Rock, Dryandra, Cape Naturaliste, Boranup Forest, Albany, Eyre, Nallan Station and Kalbarri) with a daily maximum of 10 recorded on both the 13^th and 28^th.

 

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill - Acanthiza uropygialis C

Only seen at Nallan Station where 3 were seen on the 31^st, 2 on the 1^st and 4 on the 2^nd.

 

Slaty-backed Thornbill - Acanthiza robustirostris C

Just 6 were seen along the Nallan Station entrance track on the 2^nd.

 

Western Thornbill - Acanthiza inornata masteri C

Only seen on two dates with 2 at Dryandra on the 13^th and 8 behind the Stirling Range Rangers House on the 21^st.

 

Slender-billed Thornbill - Acanthiza iredalei iredalei C

After failing to locate any in the samphire near Cue I finally found a singing male in samphire at New Beach just south of Carnarvon on the 5^th. This species is considered Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that it ‘has suffered from habitat degradation, fire, reclamation of saltflats, and clearance for agriculture’.

 

Yellow-rumped Thornbill - Acanthiza chrysorrhoa C

Seen on eight dates at widespread locations (including Wungong Dam, Dryandra, Lower Kalgan river, Stearnes road, Esperance and Nallan Station) with a daily maximum of 10 recorded on the 9^th and 13^th.

 

 

 

Southern Whiteface - Aphelocephala leucopsis castaneiventris C

Only seen on Nallan Station where 5 were seen on the 31^st, 8 on the 1^st and 2 on the 2^nd.

 

Varied Sittella - Daphoenositta chrysoptera C

A party of 4 were seen along the Wyolie Trail at Dryandra on the 14^th.

 

Rufous Treecreeper - Climacteris rufa C

Seen readily at the Wandoo Trail at Dryandra with 4 seen on the 13^th and 6 seen on the 14^th and 2 were seen in the Stirling Range Caravan Park on the 20^th.

 

Red Wattlebird - Anthochaera carunculata C

Seen on sixteen dates at widespread locations (including Perth, Dryandra, Albany, Esperance and Eyre) between the 9^th and 29^th but not again with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 12^th.

 

Little Wattlebird - Anthochaera lunulata C

Only seen in the Esperance area on three dates and always in groves of flowering Banksia flowers with a daily maximum of 80 seen at Lake Monjingup on the 24^th. This form represents Western Wattlebird which is proposed as distinct from Little Wattlebird (Eastern form) in the Directory of Australian birds (Passerines) by R.Schodde and I. Mason (1999).

 

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater - Acanthagenys rufogularis rufogularis C

Seen on nine dates at widespread locations (including Wave Rock, Eyre Bird Observatory, Nallan Station, Kalbarri and Monkey Mia) in small numbers with a daily maximum of 4 recorded on the 31^st.

 

Yellow-throated Miner - Manorina flavigula C

Seen on twelve dates at widespread locations (including Wave Rock, Stirling Range NP, Esperance, the Nullarbor, Beacon and Nallan Station) often proving very common with a daily maximum of 100 recorded on the 24^th. Also fond of flowering Banksia.

 

Singing Honeyeater - Lichenostomus virescens virescens / insularis C

Seen daily from the 9^th to the 14^th (including the Rottnest Island form) and from the 27^th to the 9^th often proving very common with a daily maximum of 40 recorded on the 8^th at Monkey Mia.

 

White-eared Honeyeater - Lichenostomus leucotis novaenorciae C

Singles were seen at Wave Rock on the 12^th, along the Kawana Trail at Dryandra on the 13^th, and at Eyre on the 27^th where 4 were seen the following day.

 

Purple-gaped Honeyeater - Lichenostomus cratitius cratitius C

At least 4 were seen in the mallee behind the Ranger’s House at the Stirling Range NP on the 21^st and 8 were seen along the East track at Eyre on the 28^th.

 

Yellow-plumed Honeyeater - Lichenostomus ornatus C

At Dryandra they proved common along the Wandoo trail where 6 were seen on the 13^th and 10 the next day, at the Stirling Range NP Caravan Park 6 were seen on the 20^th and 2 the next day and 6 were seen at Newman Rock on the 27^th.

 

White-plumed Honeyeater - Lichenostomus penicillatus C

At Nallan Station they could be found around the homestead with up to 4 seen on three days there and at Carnarvon they were present in the town itself with 6 seen on the 4^th and 1 on the 6^th.

 

Brown-headed Honeyeater - Melithreptus brevirostris augustus C

At Dryandra 4 were seen on the 13^th and 2 the following day and along the entrance track to Eyre 4 were seen on the 28^th.

 

White-naped Honeyeater - Melithreptus lunatus chloropsis C

At Dryandra 4 were seen on the 13^th and 2 the following day, at Boranup Forest 4 were seen on the 16^th and 2 on the 17^th with singles seen in the Albany areas on the 19^th and 21^st.

 

Brown Honeyeater - Lichmera indistincta indistincta C

Seen on eleven dates at widespread locations (including Herdsman Lake, Rottnest Island, Dryandra, Albany, Esperance and Eyre) in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 10 recorded on the 10^th.

 

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater - Phylidonyris melanops melanops C

Surprisingly only 2 seen and both in the Stirling Range NP with 1 behind the Rangers House and another during a roadside stop, both being seen on the 21^st.

 

New Holland Honeyeater - Phylidonyris novaehollandiae longirostris C

Seen every day but one between the 13^th and the 29^th often proving very common with a daily maximum of 100 recorded around Esperance on the 24^th.

 

White-cheeked Honeyeater - Phylidonyris nigra gouldii C

A pair were seen at Narrogin on the 13^th, seen on three dates near the Little Beach Car Park at Two Peoples Bay and finally 1 was seen in Kalbarri NP on the 9^th.

 

White-fronted Honeyeater - Phylidonyris albifrons C

A single bird was seen along the East track at Eyre and 2 were seen at the western end of the Nine Mile Beach there on the 28^th.

 

Western Spinebill - Acanthorhynchus superciliosus C

It proved to be DC’s 4,000th species being seen at Dryandra with 5 on the 13^th and 2 on the 14^th, up to 4 were seen on five dates at Two Peoples Bay and 8 were seen at Lake Monjingup, Esperance on the 24^th and 2 were seen in the Esperance area the next day.

 

Pied Honeyeater - Certhionyx variegatus C

A single female was seen along the entrance track at Nallan Station on the 2^nd.

 

Crimson Chat - Ephthianura tricolor C

A stunning male was seen briefly on Nallan Station on the 1^st being my first new bird of the New Millenium (and my most wanted bird for the trip) and another much more co-operative and equally stunning male was seen with a flock of Orange Chats near the Nannine Gold Mining Operation on the edge of Lake Annean later the same day. For a short time both male Crimson and Orange Chats shared the same field of view - a memorable start to the year. I think this species just edged the next for my favourite bird of the trip.

 

Orange Chat - Ephthianura aurifrons C

A flock of 15 including around 5 adult males were found near the Nannine Gold Mining Operation  on the edge of Lake Annean on the 1^st and 2 males were seen near the Monkey Mia World Heritage Site ‘wall’ just west of the Overlander Roadhouse on the 6^th. Brilliant.

 

White-fronted Chat - Ephthianura albifrons albifrons C

At least 10 were seen on Rottnest Island on the 10^th and 5 were seen near Hamelin Bay on the 16^th.

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mistletoebird - Dicaeum hirundinaceum hirundinaceum C

Just a single bird seen in the mangroves at Miaboolia Beach, Carnarvon on the 6^th.

 

Spotted Pardalote - Pardalotus punctatus C

At Boranup Forest 2 were seen on the 16^th and at Woody Island 1 was seen drinking at the campsite on the 24^th.

 

Yellow-rumped Pardalote - Pardalotus p.  xanthopygus C

Seen at Eyre with 10 noted on the 28^th and 8 the following day. This form is often treated as being conspecific with Pardalotus punctatus.

 

Striated Pardalote - Pardalotus striatus C

Seen on seven dates at widespread locations (including Bungendore, Dryandra, Stirling Range NP and Eyre) in small numbers with a daily maximum of 10 recorded on the 13^th.

 

Yellow White-eye - Zosterops lutea balstoni C

Only seen in the mangroves in the Carnarvon area with 10 at the Small Boat Harbour on the 4^th, 6 at New Beach on the 5^th and 6 at Miaboolia Beach on the 6^th.

 

Silvereye - Zosterops lateralis gouldi C

Seen on twenty-one dates (although not from the 30^th to the 6^th) at widespread locations (including Rottnest Island) in good numbers with a daily maximum of 20 recorded on the 8^th.

 

Red-eared Firetail - Emblema oculata C

A single was seen in Boranup Forest on the 16^th and 2 of the isolated eastern form were seen drinking at the campsite on Woody Island on the 24^th. This species is considered as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).

 

Zebra Finch - Taeniopygia castanotis C

Seen every day but one from the 31^st to the 8^th and in range it proved common with a daily maximum of 500 recorded at Nallan Station on the 1^st.

 

Western Bowerbird - Chlamydera guttata C

Only seen at Nallan Station where they could often be seen in the date palms at the homestead or tending their nearby bower with 4 seen on the 31^st, 2 on the 1^st and 2 on the 2^nd.

 

Australian Magpie-lark - Grallina cyanoleuca C

Seen on twenty-eight dates in good numbers at virtually every location visited with a daily maximum of 30 recorded on the 12^th.

 

White-breasted Woodswallow - Artamus leucorhynchus leucopygialis C

Around 6 were seen at Miaboolia Beach, Carnarvon on the 6^th.

 

Black-faced Woodswallow - Artamus cinereus cinereus C

Seen on nine dates at widespread locations (including Lake McLarty area, the Nullarbor, Beacon, Nallan Station, Kalbarri and the Pinnacles Desert) with a daily maximum of 40 recorded on both the 12^th and 1^st.

 

Dusky Woodswallow - Artamus cyanopterus perthi C

First seen along the Wandoo Trail at Dryandra where 1 was seen on the 13^th and 4 on the 14^th, 1 was seen in the Boranup Forest on the 16^th, 2 were seen roadside on the 20^th and 4 were seen along Stearnes road, Esperance where they fed a Pallid Cuckoo on the 25^th.

 

Grey Butcherbird - Cracticus torquatus C

Along the Old Bunbury Road 3 were seen on the 12^th and then seen every day but one from the 20^th to the 2^nd in small numbers with a daily maximum of 6 seen on the 27^th.

 

Pied Butcherbird - Cracticus nigrogularis C

Singles were seen at Nallan Station on both the 1^st and 2^nd and at Carnarvon on the 5^th.

 

Australian Magpie - Gymnorhina tibicen C

Seen on twenty-five dates at widespread locations and often very common although not seen at Eyre and not noted from the 5^th to the 9^th. A daily maximum of 50 was seen on the 12^th.

 

 

 

Grey Currawong - Strepera versicolor plumbea C

Seen on twelve dates from the 12^th to the 29^th in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 12 seen in the Stirling Range NP on the 20^th.

 

Australian Raven - Corvus coronoides C

Seen every day apart from during the 5^th to the 8^th. Good numbers were recorded with a daily maximum of 100 being seen on the 12^th.

 

Little Crow - Corvus bennetti C

Surprisingly just 4 being identified just south of Kalgoorlie feeding on a roadside Emu corpse on the 29^th. At long last I could stop looking at Ravens !

 

Torresian Crow - Corvus orru ceciliae C

Good numbers were seen on the 2^nd and then daily from the 4^th to the 8^th with a daily maximum of 50 recorded at Carnarvon on the 5^th. Apparently at least some of these sightings almost certainly referred to Little Crow Corvus bennetti.

 

 

References used in the Report (in addition to those already cited):

 

Collar, N.J., Crosby, M.J. and Stattersfield, A.J. (1994) Birds to Watch 2, The World List of Threatened Birds. Cambridge: Birdlife International.

 

del Hoyo, J., Elliott,A. and Sargatal, J., eds. Volumes 1 - 5 (1992-1999) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Lynx Ediciones.

 

Rohan Clarke’s summary of proposed splits and lumpings contained within the Directory of Australian birds (Passerines) by R. Schodde and I. Mason (1999). Birding Aus 1999.

 

Gantlett et al. Birding World Magazine. Volumes 1 - 12. (1998 - 1999).

 

Systematic List of Species seen in Hong Kong on 8/12/99 following An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Region (1996):

 

405. Asian Koel - Eudynamis scolopacea chinensis C

A pair were seen in Victoria Park.

 

650. Oriental Turtle Dove - Streptopelia orientalis agricola C

Two together were seen in Victoria Park.

 

652. Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis chinensis C

Around 15 were seen in Victoria Park.

 

970. Black Kite - Milvus migrans lineatus C

An estimated 50 were seen circling over Victoria Park.

 

1089. Egret sp. - Egretta sp.

Two were seen from the metro.

 

1103. Chinese Pond-Heron - Ardeola bacchus C

A single individual was seen in Victoria Park.

 

1319. Black-billed Magpie - Pica pica C

A loose group of 3 were seen in Victoria Park.

 

1336. Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchus C

Around 5 were seen around the docks viewed from the passing train.

 

1522. Eurasian Blackbird - Turdus merula C

A single individual was seen in Victoria Park.

 

1559. Asian Brown Flycatcher - Muscicapa dauurica C

A single individual was seen in Victoria Park.

 

1644. Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis prosthopellus C

Around 6 were seen in Victoria Park.

 

1717. Black-collared Starling - Sturnus nigricollis C

Around 25 were seen in Victoria Park.

 

1726. Crested Myna - Acridotheres cristatellus cristatellus C

Around 50 were seen in Victoria Park.

 

1778. Great Tit - Parus major C

A single individual was seen in Victoria Park.

 

1831. Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus jocosus C

Around 4 were seen in Victoria Park.

 

1833. Light-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus sinensis C

Around 8 were seen in Victoria Park.

 

2063. Masked Laughingthrush - Garrulax perspicillatus C

At least 9 were seen in Victoria Park typically in small groups.

 

2419. Eurasian Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus C

An estimated 200 were seen in Victoria Park.

 

2429. White/Black-backed Wagtail - Motacilla alba/lugens C

A single individual was seen in Victoria Park. Not specifically identified.

 

 

As would be expected for Australia there are plenty of books, reports and even an excellent website available, comprehensively covering the premier birding sites in Western Australia. In preparation for our trip we planned our itinerary using the following references :

 

Where to Find Birds in Australia. Bransbury J, 1987. Century Hutchinson.

 

Trip Report for Western Australia Jan / Feb 1999. Roger & Liz Charlwood, 1999. Privately published.

 

Trip Report for Western Australia 26/1/96 - 23/2/96. John & Doreen Cooper, 1996. Privately published.

 

Trip Report for Perth 1/3/97 - 23/3/97. Houlem, 1997. Privately published.

 

Birding WA ( http://www.iinet.net.au/~foconnor ). Frank O’Connor, updated constantly.

 

Trip Report for Western Australia 12/8/97 - 2/9/97. Teet Sirotkin, 1997. Privately published.

 

The Complete Guide to Finding the Birds of Australia. Thomas R. & Thomas S., 1996. Frogmouth Publications.

 

Where to Watch Birds in Australasia& Oceania. Wheatley N., 1998. Helm.

 

Fieldguide, Tapes & Map

 

Throughout the trip we referred to the Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Simpson & Day 4^th ed., 1994. Christopher Helm. A series of tapes A Field Guide to Australian Birdsong by Rex Buckingham and Len Jackson is available from Wildsounds, some of which were purchased prior to our trip. A ‘Large Western Australia’ Map by QPA (Quality Publishing Australia) was purchased from a petrol station near Pinjarra and was to prove essential throughout the trip.

 

Acknowledgements

 

Our thanks go to John & Doreen Cooper who provided us with much pre-trip advice on all aspects of  our trip including birding sites, accommodation etc., Roger & Liz Charlwood who provided us with a few useful tips and a copy of their trip report, Ed Hagen for detailed advice for birding at Two Peoples Bay, Frank O’Connor for detailed correspondence on finding many difficult-to-see species in Western Australia, Phil Hansbro for kindly sending me a copy of his tape recordings, Rob Stogdale & Alex Bisgrove for our time spent with them at Eyre Bird Observatory, Barry Evans for his considerable help and company at Nallan Station, Dr. & Mrs. Robin Hull for pointing us in the direction of the Ochre Trail at Dryandra and finally to Allan Burbidge for sharing his knowledge on the distribution and status of some of the species recorded during the trip and for commenting on the first draft of this report.