Birdline Australia Weekly Update

Birdline Australia Published sightings for the week ending 5 Oct 2014. Thu 2 Oct Princess Parrot, Scarlet-chested Parrot Mamungari Conservation Park Princess Parrots were found at two locations in Mamungari Conservation Park (also known as aUn-named Conservation Park) in the Great Victoria Desert. Three groups of 2-8 individuals were observed in the vicinity of the mid-point of the park along the Anne Beadell Hwy, 525 km west of Coober Pedy. Another group of eight individuals was encountered on the western edge of the park. Equally exciting, at least a dozen sightings of Scarlet-chested Parrots were made over a two-day period a very widely dispersed, from approximately 50km east of Mamungari, right through the park, and to beyond the WA border. The SCPs were seen as individuals, and groups of two to four birds only. A large proportion appeared to be immature. Additionally, although the atargeteda new Taipan species Oxyuranus temporalis has not yet been found, we did find and photograph a very unusual, large (1.8m) elapid snake genus Pseudechis in Mamungari for which identification is very perplexing. Near-black dorsally and peppered with yellow spots. It was quite elongate, with small narrow head, so could easily be mistaken for something in Pseudonaja (Brown Snakes), or even Oxyuranus. Mamungari was intended to be only a stopover on the very rough eastern stretch of the Anne Beadell Hwy (goat track!), but proved to have some of the most impressive birding habitat Iave seen during this very extensively travelled year. It is neither overly burnt nor grazed, and is an incredibly beautiful area. Next stop aThe Junctiona. John Weigel and Murray Scott John Weigel and Murray Scott