http://www.forrealbrokenhill.com
http://www.activebrokenhill.org.au
Mad Max country isn't just the desert. It is alive and it is abundant. Not long before it is fully explored, my bird list has increased its numbers quickly.
All the creeks are dry. The river beds and surviving trees become refuges for the bird life here. Almost every tree and its hollows possible have some sort of nest for someone. Wild goats are the problem for the country. They make landscape barer if the numbers are not controlled. Emus are often seen. You can spot them easier than seeing kangaroos. Cattle and sheep are there but won't be as many as you see in south per square kilometer.
Seeing regional birds is worth the trip. White-backed Swallows are here, as well as White-winged Fairy-wrens. Chirruping Wedgebills are common birds in the area. We started taking it for granted. But we still admire its crested feather pointing to the air every time we see them. They are the battlers. We admire all the birds living in the desert. They are colourful and splendid.
http://www.activebrokenhill.org.au
Mad Max country isn't just the desert. It is alive and it is abundant. Not long before it is fully explored, my bird list has increased its numbers quickly.
All the creeks are dry. The river beds and surviving trees become refuges for the bird life here. Almost every tree and its hollows possible have some sort of nest for someone. Wild goats are the problem for the country. They make landscape barer if the numbers are not controlled. Emus are often seen. You can spot them easier than seeing kangaroos. Cattle and sheep are there but won't be as many as you see in south per square kilometer.
Seeing regional birds is worth the trip. White-backed Swallows are here, as well as White-winged Fairy-wrens. Chirruping Wedgebills are common birds in the area. We started taking it for granted. But we still admire its crested feather pointing to the air every time we see them. They are the battlers. We admire all the birds living in the desert. They are colourful and splendid.
Revisiting Broken Hill after a year, bring out all the fond memories. On Queen's birthday, we got up early to start 8 hours long journal back to Echuca. Here they are Major Mitchell's Cockatoos appeared at the same place every time we pass this spot. In the past we generally saw 5 of them maximum. Today we spotted two groups. One group had 7 in total. The second group had 5. The landscape looks healthier. There are more shrubs and look greener than the year when we were at Broken Hill.
Major Mitchell's Cockatoo
Locals say they were in hundreds in old days. I am talking about Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos. Now when we saw those beautiful birds, their numbers have been down to 30-50 in the group. On 13 March 2016 we finally made our way to Wilcannia located in north western New South Wales. It was the third largest inland port in the country during the great river boat era of the mid-19th century. Along the Darling River behind Wilcannia Community Hospital, here they are happily to drink water in this hot day. We stood there watching them for a long time. What beautiful birds they are. I noticed this one has a different tail feather.
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, male, Wilcannia
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, female
Central Bearded Dragon, the Living Desert 12.03.16
Out of over hundred photos, this one perfectly fitted into my lens with a beautiful Broken Hill earth colour as background. This little creature was so friendly, it literally run towards me for the photo shoots. Some of photos could only fit its head into the screen. I had to take my eyes away from the camera screen just in case it would run into me. one time it was a metre away, I had to stop the urge to pick it up and keep it as my pet. Of course some of photos were taken with manual focus without cropping.
New dragon lizard,Ctenophorus mirrityana, from Mutawintji NP 29.11.15. For more pictures, go to Fauna page
Our neighbour has a rooster, hens, a Corella and two hundreds of House Sparrows hiding under grape vines. Guess what, this young Collared Sparrowhawk became my regular guest. Let me finish the story, the rooster never calls on time. It sometimes calls at 3am, sometimes in the middle of day or sometimes never calls... so I have to put my alarm on each day.
Collared Sparrowhawk, young
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Brown Goshawk - juvenile Mutawintji NP 28.11.15
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater 28.11.15
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater is a common bird around far west of NSW. Their curiosity always brings them close to camera. Beautiful blue eyes, pink lips and yellow cheek line, does it look familiar with human concept?
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Juvenile, Mutawintji NP 28.11.15
Cinnamon Quail-thrush - the Living Desert 06.12.15
On the way to Mutarwintji NP last weekend, it was about nine km away from the Park, we saw a bird with rufous back and white bar at the end of long and fan-shaped tail flashed across the road in front of our car. I did not know what it was. I knew it was not the bird I know. Jim said it was one of the quail-thrushes. As it quickly disappeared into bush, we couldn't identify the bird.
It was a very hot weekend this week about 41 degrees each day. We decided to go to the Living Desert for a walk in the early morning before it gets too hot. We didn't expect to see any fancy bird in this hot weather. Here it was, the Cinnamon Quail-thrush appeared in the exact same way as last week in front of our car as we drove off to go home. My initial reaction was it was a Rufous Fantail. But it was not right country. Then my memory came back to me. It was the exact shape and colour I saw last week on the way to Mutarwintji NP. We were luck this time. It stopped in the shade once it crossed the road. I can't be happier even it stayed in the shade. What do you expect in this 40 degree weather.
It was a very hot weekend this week about 41 degrees each day. We decided to go to the Living Desert for a walk in the early morning before it gets too hot. We didn't expect to see any fancy bird in this hot weather. Here it was, the Cinnamon Quail-thrush appeared in the exact same way as last week in front of our car as we drove off to go home. My initial reaction was it was a Rufous Fantail. But it was not right country. Then my memory came back to me. It was the exact shape and colour I saw last week on the way to Mutarwintji NP. We were luck this time. It stopped in the shade once it crossed the road. I can't be happier even it stayed in the shade. What do you expect in this 40 degree weather.
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike -juvenile
Australian Reed-Warbler
White-browed Woodswallow - juvenile
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - 120 counted at Copi Hollow 22.11.15
Common Sandpiper with Australian Shelduck, Menindee 22.11.15
Emu - my close friend
Pied Butcherbird
Red-backed Kingfisher with its prey - Ctenotus regius, Eastern Desert Ctenotus
Australian Pratincole 14.11.15
Laughing Kookaburra
Apostlebird
Red-kneed Dotterel - young
Australian White Ibis
White-necked Heron
Little Egret
Eastern Great Egret
Little Black Cormorant
Pied Cormorant
Australian White Ibis
Whistling Kite - a true fisherman
Red-kneed Dotterel
Yellow-billed Spoonbill, left, Royal Spoonbill, right.
It is a perfect month for camping and birding in September. Camped at Menindee near the water, we felt like living on the other side of the world. all water birds were busy with their feed. A pair of Royal and Yellow-billed Spoonbills have accompanied each other every time we saw them. By comparison, Yellow-billed Spoonbill looks a slight larger than the Royal.
Royal Spoonbills
I guess it was the same non-breeding or female Royal Spoonbill previously with Yellowed-billed Spoonbill flew in and gave the one with the breeding plumage a few chase. In vein, it was totally neglected. Shortly after it flew away to join with a Australian White Ibis and a Eastern Great Egret.
Great Egret, left. Australian Ibis, Centre. Royal Spoonbill, right
Bare pink skin follows line of the wing bones, becomes scarlet in breeding season. This Australian White Ibis is ready for breed.
Rufous Songlark
Australian White Ibis
When the full moon presents in September 2015, signs of Spring are everywhere.... It is wonderful to see one of two chicks of Wedge-tailed Eagle has grown into juvenile. Sadly the other one did not survive from the storm in August.
Wedge-tailed Eagle - chicks
Most of bird books and apps say that Brown Quail prefers damp, rank vegetation. Generally they are not in Broken Hill area. One book mentions that after a good dose of rain, they do come to the region. We have seen Brown Quails in conveys of 10-20 in Living Desert since Jan 2015. The photo was taken on 2 August 2015. So I am very pleased with the photo of a Brown Quail taken at the Living Desert. The permanent water pond is definitely contributing to their stay.
Brown Quail
Black-breasted Buzzard appeared outside Mutawintji NP, July 2015.
Black-breasted Buzzard
Mistletoebird - male
Mistletoe is the common name for most obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. These plants attach and penetrate the branches of a tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they absorb water and nutrients from the host plant.
Mistletoebird is a species of flowerpecker native to most of Australia, and also to the eastern Maluku Islands of Indonesia. It is famous to eat Mistletoe fruit and flower. It is also famous for its beautiful feathers.
Mistletoebird is a species of flowerpecker native to most of Australia, and also to the eastern Maluku Islands of Indonesia. It is famous to eat Mistletoe fruit and flower. It is also famous for its beautiful feathers.
Raining season came with Winter in BH. Heavy fog with 100% humidity turned the dry and sunny semi arid area into picturesque scene in the middle of June. It can be cold in the morning and night. but in the mid day the temperature can reach its 20s. Birds are generally quite in winter. It makes harder to spot a bird. Despite all these, here are some lovely photos to be displayed. Striped Honeyeater became a familiar bird of mine now. It is fairly big in size among the Honeyeater family. White-plumed Honeyeater behaves aggressively towards Striped Honeyeater. The cool and calm attitude of Striped Honeyeater impresses me the most.
White-winged Fairy-wren - male
The combination of white and blue on birds are not commonly found. Here are the White-winged Fairy-wren. The blue is spectacular on male.
Variegated Fairy-wren - male
Most widespread chestnut-shouldered fairy-wren; previously four species, now combined as single species with five subspecies. Within such a wide range, habitat is extremely varied. Non-breeding males, females and young birds are brownish grey.
Mulga Parrot - male
Striped Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
Blue Bonnet
White-faced Heron
Zebra Finches
Zebra Finches are common in the area, often seen in a group. They can be found in most areas of Australia. The striking pattern on male finches make them adorable to watch. We found a pair built their nest between traffic sign boards.The above picture is perfect to show three angles of the bird. They are two males with orange facial pattern and one female in above photo. Another good example of how nature can create such beautiful creatures.
Crested Bellbird
Crested Bellbird appeared in the Living Desert in April. This is the second time for me to see it in Australia. The other time was a brief encounter at Gluepot Reserve.
The Bird allowed me to watch it for an extensive period as long as I kept a safe distance which it could tolerate. I am grateful for its patience. Bellbirds make a soft song which is enjoyable to listen.
The Bird allowed me to watch it for an extensive period as long as I kept a safe distance which it could tolerate. I am grateful for its patience. Bellbirds make a soft song which is enjoyable to listen.
Mutawintji National Park is 120km Northeast of Broken Hill. After a couple of visits, we decided to go back often when the weather permits. It can not be too hot or too wet as there is a 60-70km dirt road which could hold you up for a few days or weeks if it rains while you are in the park. There is a good caravan camping ground with a good ablution block and a free Barbecue. At the end of track 6 it has a big water pool. But you need to walk about 6km to get to the end and back. Birds are active at the camping ground due to water holes in the dry creeks. There are also water holes on the track from the day visit area. Chrisom Chat, Yellow Chat, Zebra Finch, Black-faced Wood-swallow, Brown Song-lark, White-winged Fair-wren, Budgerigar can be found here. Crows, Australian Ravens and Wadge-tailed Eagles are at road kills. We have seen around 50 Emus in a group. There are the largest number we have seen for years. The fauna in the park represents its varieties. I took Ground Shield Bug, Butterflies and Dragonflies are near the water holes.
Sand Goanna, Varanus gouldii, on the track in the Mutawintji National Park. It is the biggest Goanna that I have seen and friendly one too. It allowed me to take a few photos with different settings. It was a challenge to get DOF correct to make sure it is in focus from head to tail.
Sand Goanna
Goats are the problem in some part of the land. At least we think so. They eat vegetation which can not grow fast enough to meet their daily intakes. The country looks bare due to lack of sufficient rainfall. The goats are beautiful in their own right. If it is managed properly, it should add interest to the unique landscape.
Leucistic White-winged Fairy-wren was photographed on Australian Day at the Living Desert, Broken Hill.
Central Bearded Dragon, the Living Desert, Broken Hill
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Weekly birding became a regular activity for us. Plenty of areas to search for something new, there are six directions not four. We don't have to go too far to get out of town. Last week's highlight was the sighting on Orange Chat. Along with Crimson chat and White-fronted Chat, 3 out of 4 Australia chats we have seen so far in Broken Hill area. Yellow Chat can be seen further north mainly in Queensland, NT and North of WA.
Southern Whiteface, leucopsis, are common deep into the bush. By trying to avoid Australian deadly snakes, we stick with dry river beds as much as we can. If we want to see the bush birds, we have to walk into the bush. (Yes, I have seen two snakes in the month. They are fast and deadly. Gaiters are on all the time while bushwalking! Shingles are ok). Variegated Fairy-wren, White-winged Fairy-Wren are often seen. Redthroat is a beautiful bird. If you are lucky, they might turn up in front of you. The next attempt is to find Splendid Fairy-wren, melanotus. We need to pay attention to non-breading or eclipse males whose body is like female wren but has various amounts of blue, on wings, this more extensive on older males, says in Morcombe's description. Maybe that is why we haven't seen one yet.
Mulga Parrots, Blue Bonnets, Red-rumped Parrots and Mallee Ringnecks have been added onto our bird list for the region. Little Corella and Gala are often seen on the River Gum or Mallee Gum in the dry river.
Without mentioning Yellow-throated Miners, it would miss something as they are common birds in the region.
Southern Whiteface, leucopsis, are common deep into the bush. By trying to avoid Australian deadly snakes, we stick with dry river beds as much as we can. If we want to see the bush birds, we have to walk into the bush. (Yes, I have seen two snakes in the month. They are fast and deadly. Gaiters are on all the time while bushwalking! Shingles are ok). Variegated Fairy-wren, White-winged Fairy-Wren are often seen. Redthroat is a beautiful bird. If you are lucky, they might turn up in front of you. The next attempt is to find Splendid Fairy-wren, melanotus. We need to pay attention to non-breading or eclipse males whose body is like female wren but has various amounts of blue, on wings, this more extensive on older males, says in Morcombe's description. Maybe that is why we haven't seen one yet.
Mulga Parrots, Blue Bonnets, Red-rumped Parrots and Mallee Ringnecks have been added onto our bird list for the region. Little Corella and Gala are often seen on the River Gum or Mallee Gum in the dry river.
Without mentioning Yellow-throated Miners, it would miss something as they are common birds in the region.
Intellectual achievements are the result of thought consecrated to the search for knowledge, or for the beautiful and true in life and nature.
Why the birds are thriving on the nutrient-poor soils in Australia, in Tim Low's book, Where Song Began, explicitly explained it all.
The Temperature is soaring in December in Broken Hill. It did not stop us to have an early start for the day. Frequently we saw dead Kangaroos, Emus, Goats, Foxes, Shingles, Lizards on the road. Generally they would be cleaned up by Raptors, Crows and Ravens within a day or two. The fighting for the land between Humans and animals are reality and it is harsh. The environment remains its balance by the harsh reality.
Instead of Red wattlebird in Victoria, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater became a common bird here. Singing Honeyeater is not only associated with coastal areas. They adapt in the dry climates rather well. So far two of four types of Babblers, White-browed Babblers and Chestnut-crowned Babblers, have been added to our bird list. Grey-crowned Babblers may be seen if we explore further south, or east of BH. If we want to see Hall's Babblers, we may have to go northeast from here.
To see five Apostlebirds and a Orange Chat were the highlight of the day. As the result of intention to chase a flock of White-winged Trillers, in vein, a Orange Chat came to the nearby tree from the middle of nowhere, We were delighted to see Orange Chat. It actually stayed with us for well over 5 minutes and let us go close to him until there was a mate call to draw him away.
Why the birds are thriving on the nutrient-poor soils in Australia, in Tim Low's book, Where Song Began, explicitly explained it all.
The Temperature is soaring in December in Broken Hill. It did not stop us to have an early start for the day. Frequently we saw dead Kangaroos, Emus, Goats, Foxes, Shingles, Lizards on the road. Generally they would be cleaned up by Raptors, Crows and Ravens within a day or two. The fighting for the land between Humans and animals are reality and it is harsh. The environment remains its balance by the harsh reality.
Instead of Red wattlebird in Victoria, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater became a common bird here. Singing Honeyeater is not only associated with coastal areas. They adapt in the dry climates rather well. So far two of four types of Babblers, White-browed Babblers and Chestnut-crowned Babblers, have been added to our bird list. Grey-crowned Babblers may be seen if we explore further south, or east of BH. If we want to see Hall's Babblers, we may have to go northeast from here.
To see five Apostlebirds and a Orange Chat were the highlight of the day. As the result of intention to chase a flock of White-winged Trillers, in vein, a Orange Chat came to the nearby tree from the middle of nowhere, We were delighted to see Orange Chat. It actually stayed with us for well over 5 minutes and let us go close to him until there was a mate call to draw him away.
Colourful Rainbow Bee-eater is a delightful bird to watch. It can be found in most areas of Australia, open airspace in and over woodland, open forest, semi-arid scrub, grassland, clearings in heavier forest, farmland. Their catching insects skill is superb.
Food source can be on the trees, it can be on the ground. To know what birds eat will let us understand how the world coexists.
Vibrant colour on Chrimson Chat brings excitement in the area. We just love to see them again and again.
We saw Southern Whiteface often on the trips. They are rather plain birds. The highlight of their character written on their face. I thought it is a sad face with a white band going through their forehead and extending to the side of their neck. A little white eyebrow starts half way to the end of white eye. We often see them in group foraging on the rocky ground. They land on the trees when disturbed. Again go down to the ground when not threatened and leave one on the tree to watch out for dangers.
it was worth the trip to White-fronted Honeyeater. The long hooked beak sets them apart from other Honeyeaters. Part of their diet is fruit besides nectar and insect.
Long weekend in NSW gave us extra day to do the bird search in the area. The temperate has already reached 34 Celcius today and will be 36 tomorrow. It was 40 degrees inside the Camper. House hunting needs to be speeded up before the temperature is getting to 45 degrees. We got so many options to search for the bird spots. Today we decided to drive toward Menindee Lake. But we did not get to far from town, the Crimson Chat was spotted feeding young. The bird is so beautiful.
Wedge-tailed Eagle, fox and crow were on the same scene.
Young Zebra Finch looks different from their parents. Who doesn't ?
Those galahs do not see other species as often as their cousins do down south. They try to be big too. Their colours are redder than their cousins.
It is pretty amusing, isn't it? We just about called it a day, here is the Rufous Fieldwren. It definitely made our day. Another bird species added to the list.
I cannot leave the site without mentioning the Red-capped Robin. I felt the red on this Red-capped Robin is more intensive than any other Red-capped I have seen.
