Author: John Weigel

Although I’ve shrunk away from initial 100% confidence, I’m still about 80% sure that I heard a Carpentarian Grasswren at the reserve Friday morning (20 June). I just couldn’t convert to a sighting in the limited time I had available. As expected, Carabirini Reserve, being a Northern Territory conservation resource, is presently comprised of a ‘mosaic’ of newly burnt patches, recently burnt patches (with perhaps one to two years old spinifex), and fairly recently burnt patches comprising precious limited expanses of undergrowth that look to me to be maybe five years post-‘cool burn’. The Barrawulla walkway passes through a section of perhaps a couple of hundred metres of this relatively mature habitat, adjacent to the magnificent sandstone domes, perhaps a km before the (currently unsuitable) stretch mentioned in Dolby and Clarke. It’s a beautiful section of the park with a concentration of birds predominated by very active and cheeky Sandstone Shrike-thrushes. I mention this uncertain Grasswren record because I think it is worth a look by any birders that may find themselves in that area prior to the next wave of NT-style environmental management. I don’t believe there have been confirmed northern sightings of Carpentarian Grasswrens for a few years at least, and who knows, perhaps if a sighting can be confirmed, an argument for genuine protection can be mounted. John Weigel _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Thanks for the responses. I gave the traditional locations of Norlangie Rock and Bolwari Visitor Centre a re-try this morning and came up trumps. Thanks again for suggestions which I’ll save for next time! The fruities could be heard a bit after sunrise from the gully to the east of bush walk uphill, about a half klick from car park. The partridge was on Kakadu hwy roadside verge 200m sth of Bolwari turnoff. John Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Hi folks, Just a net cast for any recent (fortnight at most) for Banded Fruit-doves and/or Partridge Pigeon, as traditional sites aren’t working for me. Gorge fig trees don’t seem to be in fruit – so not sure if the Banded fruties go somewhere else? If you have recent info for either these two birds, please email me PDQ – I’m itching to leave the Top End, but cannot believe how much trouble these two are giving me! jweigel@reptilepark.com.au John Weigel _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Having previously participated in George Swann’s late-October Ashmore Reef birding trip, I’m very excited about the prospect of the upcoming 20-27 October trip. As usual, George, Rohan Clarke and Mike Carter will be on board to combine roles of guiding and collecting data for Rohan’s fascinating research projects. George tells me that at this stage, a whopping five spaces need filling before the trip becomes viable. This is a selfish plea for anyone who hasn’t (or has!) had the incredible experience of exploring the massive seabird colonies on East Island, Ashmore – or West Island, Lacerpede Islands (imagine 30,000 Roseate Terns in one compacted roost), or participated in the ultimate vagrant hunt on West Island Ashmore, or seen the pelagic specialties of Australia’s slice of the Indian Ocean to help make this trip possible – and dramatically enhance my ‘Big Year’ opportunities. I guarantee you’ll be glad you did; it is a life-changing experience. You can find out more about the trip from George’s website at http://kimberleybirdwatching.com.au. For more specific information about the October trip, email George at info@kimberleybirdwatching.com.au . Best wishes, John Weigel _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

If anyone is working on an approach to the stakeholders related to the site and wouldn’t mind an additional person, please let me know ( jweigel@reptilepark.com.au ) – would be happy to assist and participate. John Weigel To: birding-aus@birding-aus.org Subject: Grey-headed Lapwing in central desert region of SA From: “Bob & Penne Carr” <pennbob.carr@gmail.com> Hi, Has anyone checked the bird’s right leg? *Bob & Penne Carr* *Woombah* _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org John Weigel AM Australian Reptile Park PO 737 Gosford NSW 2250 (02) 4340 1022 jweigel@reptilepark.com.au www.reptilepark.com.au www.devilark.com.au _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Tania. It was there at 2pm yesterday (Monday) in sparse tussocks at waters edge just to the right of your first access after the gate you duck under. Good luck! John Weigel John Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

My long-suffering maltreated Swarovski EL binoculars were bumped out of column when dropped a while back. I contacted the Sydney agent, who asked that I send them in for a look. From there they were shipped to Austria for repairs. Four weeks later, the binocs were returned, without bill, in immaculate condition. Apart from being in perfect realignment, the heavily worn green exterior (DEET repellent eats that stuff up) had been replaced, the indentation on front ‘brow’ gone, and there is as-new fluidity in the focus wheel action. I love those guys. The Pizzey and Knight field guide app for Australian birds is wonderful! Sure, ‘Mark 1’ will attract plenty of suggestions for improvements for future updates (I have a couple), but then, most innovative processes work that way – and part of the process is that innovators in the digital communications age soon learn about the value of having thick skin. Nevertheless, this app is already a fantastic tool – and really fun to use – you’d be a mug to not give it a try. A nifty prospective last-minute Chrissy present? Merry Christmas tomorrow everyone. John W

Hi Jenny, I had a similar experience yesterday late avo at Somersby industrial area on homeward drive. A group of 20+ Needletails (maybe a lot more…) were working a tree-lined paddock, rocketing along just a few metres above ground along a narrow fly-way, then zooming upwards and around to some obscured, maybe distant point for another return run. Cursing the timing of having no binocs nor camera in the car, I nevertheless parked and walked over to the action, getting ‘in and amongst ’em’, and enjoyed ten minutes in awe at the speed and freakish control they maintained, like some sort of futuristic prototype jet-fighters. Occasionally close enough for an impressive ‘whoosh’. Wow. Jenny – re your other recent post, the fireflies are peaking in the vicinity of Forest of Tranquility – which is adjacent to my place. But don’t expect too much, they are a far cry from the ‘lightening bugs’ that characterise US summer evenings for nature-loving kids of all ages. These are very small, in low density, and not really that luminescent. John Weigel =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ===============================

Well done Paul. If anyone formulates a revisit plan please let me know – ill be there! Otherwise will try on 16th/17th this month if anyone is interested – but that will depend on the currently unknown access factors. John Weigel. jweigel@reptilepark.com.au http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/birding-aus/2013-10/msg00105.html John Sent from my iPhone =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ===============================

Hi folks, Whilst I’m very excited about the fast-approaching 20 – 28 October Ashmore Reef trip with George Swan, Rohan Clarke and Mike Carter, there are two recent cancellations that need to be filled. I was on last year’s Ashmore Reef trip – which was quite simply incredible. Visiting the remote islands of Ashmore and Lacepedes off the northwest coast was as close to a David Attenborough-like exploration of unspoilt nature as is possible. The trip report at found here: http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/archives/html/birding-aus/2012-11/msg000 38.html gives only a tantalising glimpse of the magic we experienced, from 10’s of thousands of Roseate Terns roosting in a scrum surrounded by equal numbers of Noddies and Boobies, to seabird rarities like Swinhoes and Matsudaira’s Storm-petrels, to daily searches for vagrants on West Island, Ashmore. The diversity of cetaceans seen at close quarters was worthy of the cost, and the camaraderie and regularity of high-fives was great. It looks like two cancellations can be a godsend to the right person(s)/couple. If you’ve never done this trip, can afford it, and are able to ship out on 20th October, you’d be nuts not to go for it. Contact George at info@kimberleybirdwatching.com.au . John Weigel =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ===============================