Birdline Western Australia Weekly Update

Birdline Western Australia Published sightings for the week ending 12 Oct 2014. Wed 8 Oct Black Bittern Cocos Keeling Islands , West Island Spotted on the road to the swimming beach by Liz Znidersic. Had time to drive back to town for a camera. See in same spot with head up roosting later in the afternoon. Liz Znidersic Tue 7 Oct Broad-billed Sandpiper Cocos Keeling Island One Broad-billed Sandpiper amongst a small group of waders. A first for Cocos. Geof Christie Sat 4 Oct Striated Grasswren (race oweni) Neale Junction Nature Reserve Proposed elevated species Sandhill Grasswren A. oweni (Christides et al 2013) photographed 36km north of the junction. this completes an ‘Amytornis Odyssey this calendar year, during which time I have been lucky enough to photograph all 18 ssp proposed in the above-mentioned Christides review of the genus. Although fresh Grasswren tracks were in great abundance in the ‘good patch’ of spinifex habitat 10-14km south of the Junction, I failed to hear a peep there, despite several extended (four-hour) searches. After a highly successful trip through South Australia along the Anne Beadell Hwy, it was disappointing to find evidence of extensive burning in recent years throughout most of the accessible aspects of the reserve. No Princess Parrots nor Scarlet-chested Parrots were encountered, contrasting an apparent abundance of both species on the SA side of border. I would recommend anyone intending to visit Neale Junction to consider the drive from the east, which at present, at least, is in terrific shape, and with more complex vegetation accompanying both Mallee and Mulga woodlands, and seemingly, a much higher incidence of birds and reptiles. It needs to be kept in mind however, that the eastern approach is much much rougher, and requires additional permits. John Weigel Broad-billed Sandpiper Cocos Keeling Islands , South Island One Broad-billed Sandpiper with a small group of waders. Geof Christie Saunders Tern Cocos Keeling Islands,SouthIsland sand flats. There are now 7 Saunders Terns roosting on the same sand bar as previous years. More should arrive and stay until March. There is now 10 differant species of migrating waders on Cocos. Geof Christie Fri 3 Oct Black Falcon Farm Dam approx 2km North of Minilya Bridge Roadhouse Travelling south to Carnarvon from Exmouth and noticed a lot of bird activity around dam just off NW Coastal Highway. Stopped to investigate and found 30+ Budgerigars, 20+ Cockatiels, 30+ Diamond Dove, 2 Whistling Kites and 1000+ Zebra Finch at the dam drinking. Whilst observing this a new raptor flew and and all the birds were immediately agitated. Watched bird and photographed and saw that bird was a Black Falcon. Ross Jones