Just an update for anyone currently traveling to Central Australia or planning a trip in the future. The rain has continued this week and we are experiencing a bizarre relapse into winter weather with the maximum temperature today just barely managing 13 degrees. We’ve even had flood warnings here in Alice.
The Mereenie Loop is closed, as are the roads to Docker River, Kintore, Yuendumu, and pretty much every road except the sealed highways.
If you’re traveling I suggest you keep abreast of road closures and conditions here: http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/
I haven’t had any confirmed reports of Princess Parrots moving out into public areas yet, but I have some unconfirmed reports that some were seen near roads in the vicinity of King’s Canyon. The Scarlet-chested Parrots have not been reported from the Docker River road since the report by James and Alexander Watson which is now about two weeks ago, however, the road has been closed for much of this time. I hope to get out there and check later next week.
So the country is looking great and still has a lot of improvement yet to come once we get a bit of sun. It’s worth a trip at the moment just for the carpet of wildflowers which seems to grow in intensity and extent with each passing day. Local historian Dick Kimber has even suggested on the front page of the local rag this week that there isn’t a white person alive who would’ve seen the deserts in the condition they are in now. Exciting times, but I can strongly recommend a trip up here once the warmer weather has hit as this is when it looks like things will really kick up a gear.
Chris Watson Alice Springs ===============================
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Just returned from 9 days around Alice and Uluru. Yes the roads are a problem at the moment!! However, we saw four of our target species – Rufous-crowned Emu-Wren (Santa Teresa road site 32 km from airport roundabout – road v. muddy), Dusky Grasswren (Mt Gillen), Chiming Wedgebill (19 km N of Erldunda) and Banded Whiteface (21 km N of Erldunda). Did a lot of searching around Kings Canyon on Tuesday & Weds for PPs but not a sniff. Also checked other likely sites with Desert Oaks etc but still nothing. We also did not get Grey Honeyeater despite two sdays around Kunoth Bore and the Hamilton Downs Road. Could not get down the Docker R road for the SBPs!! Thanks to all that we emailed previously for help with sites. Steve & Tessa Blaber