I have just returned from guiding 14 day off track walk in Mitchell falls area for a tour company. We saw black grasswren on three occasions, the first in the middle of the day within a couple of minutes of leaving the campground. Good views. This was not far from the spot for birders or little mertens falls. The other sightings were in between the lower falls and western gorge.
At Sureveyors pool heard a barking owl calling at approx 9.30 in morning, located the bird which had something in its talons like a powerful owl. The something appeared to be a small rock wallaby. It was difficult to say but the animal in talons had a black fluffy tail.
We saw many small rock wallabies some tiny(which I am having trouble identifying, they move fast) and a couple of larger ones without the black bushy curled up tail which I am thinking are Nabarleks
I have walked a lot in the Kimberley in the last two years but this was the first time I had seen sightings of Pied Imperial Pigeon and Spangled Drongos. Kimberley Honeyeater was common and what a wild and interesting call. Another bird of interest for me was Pacific Baza. Shining Flycatcher was common and Buff Sided Robin was seen on a couple of occasions. Northern Rosella was more common than other places. Finches were scarce. A biological survey done in the ’70’s reported flocks of 200 Gouldians. We saw none and not many other finches either-one Crimson and a few double barred. Saw long tailed on drive back to Kununurra.
Flushed King Quail, Brown Quail and a quail i couldn’t identify from one creek.
There was evidence of breeding. Two Bar Shouldered Doves fledged but still with pin feathers around the head. Northern Fantail just fledged, attended by adult bird. Sandstone Shrike Thrush carrying nesting material and Fairy Martins building and continued to build in rock overhand I was sleeping under for three nights!
Gary ===============================
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