Hello again
Subsequent to my previous post, just returned to Alice Springs after spending a week searching for Princess Parrots with Geoff Jones and Don Hadden in the area between Mereenie Oil and Gas Field and Mt Liebig, Northern Territory.
Great news.
We have located many hundreds, of Princess Parrots at various locations. From the observations so far, most birds are concentrated mainly within 4 or 5 areas however it is likely to be many more because our searching was somewhat restricted by difficult access. It is likely that there are many hundreds, probably thousands of birds spread over a much greater area than we could cover.
When we return to Price SA next week I will post a complete report including coordinates and details of all our sightings. For those interested to have a look, two reasonably accessible areas offer high probability of locating birds if visited over a period of at least a day or two. Remember the hot weather will arrive soon and the current ideal conditions will almost certainly deteriorate quickly
Please note; The following information refers to Map datum WGS 84. Coordinates are in Deg, min, sec. Time is Australian Central Standard
The first location is the most south eastern population we encountered. First birds only approx. 17 km from the Meereenie Loop road at 23 56 04S, 131 22 28 E More than 100 birds scattered at various locations adjacent to and off the track for about 15 km traversing west to 23 59 01S, 131 14 08E. Approximately 65 km from Kings Canyon Resort. The birds can be found dispersed singly, in pairs and in small flocks of up to 20 frequenting open tall forest areas of Desert Oak and Eucalyptus (Bloodwood?). Many are found while feeding between dawn to about 11.00 and again from about 1500 until dusk At these times birds usually flush from the ground and fly about calling loudly often circling and settling again in nearby desert oaks.
The other location offering reasonable access is approximately 60 km south west of Mt Liebig and 23 km WSW of Browns bore. Birds were scattered in pairs and flocks up to 20 birds encountered along about 7 km of track from 23 39 22S, 131 03 48E to 23 41 46S, 131 00 46E.
Although we experienced cold conditions, now is the seasonal transition and very hot weather can be expected soon. These areas are extremely remote so proceed with caution and with full safety preparation. Arrange transit permits and be equipped with 1:250,000 topo maps.
Please report your sightings on birding-aus. When this exciting and remarkable natural event concludes, I hope to compile the sightings and post a full report on birding-aus with full acknowledgments of course.
The country is in great condition and birding is excellent at present. Pat and I found Geoff Jones and Don Hadden to be great company. They are professionals and took hundreds of pics. More than once I watched Princess Parrots nearly landing on their cameras and I cant wait to see the results of their photographic extravaganza. On my next posting, I will provide links to their web sites. We also want to thank Llane and Don Hadden for their generous hospitality when we returned to Mt Liebig on Wednesday evening.
If you intend to visit, please contact Don Hadden at Mt Liebig. You will find his email address above.
Regards and good birding
Ian and Pat May St Helens, Tasmania (currently at Kurnoth bore west of Alice Springs) 0428337956
Comments
One response to “Princess Parrots near Mt Winter, Northern Territory Update 1”
WOW! Thanks Ian for posting such an inspiring and exciting report! I just wish i could get out there!! Obviously impossible to tell, but any guesses on how long they may stay around for? Cheers Dave Stowe
PS – also very much looking forward to seeing Geoff and Don’s photos! Knowing how good those guys are, they should really be a treat! Although i doubt they took “hundreds” of photos……I’d be guessing thousands 🙂
Hello again
Subsequent to my previous post, just returned to Alice Springs after spending a week searching for Princess Parrots with Geoff Jones and Don Hadden in the area between Mereenie Oil and Gas Field and Mt Liebig, Northern Territory.
Great news. We have located many hundreds, of Princess Parrots at various locations. From the observations so far, most birds are concentrated mainly within 4 or 5 areas however it is likely to be many more because our searching was somewhat restricted by difficult access. It is likely that there are many hundreds, probably thousands of birds spread over a much greater area than we could cover.
When we return to Price SA next week I will post a complete report including coordinates and details of all our sightings. For those interested to have a look, two reasonably accessible areas offer high probability of locating birds if visited over a period of at least a day or two. Remember the hot weather will arrive soon and the current ideal conditions will almost certainly deteriorate quickly
Please note; The following information refers to Map datum WGS 84. Coordinates are in Deg, min, sec. Time is Australian Central Standard
The first location is the most south eastern population we encountered. First birds only approx. 17 km from the Meereenie Loop road at 23 56 04S, 131 22 28 E More than 100 birds scattered at various locations adjacent to and off the track for about 15 km traversing west to 23 59 01S, 131 14 08E. Approximately 65 km from Kings Canyon Resort. The birds can be found dispersed singly, in pairs and in small flocks of up to 20 frequenting open tall forest areas of Desert Oak and Eucalyptus (Bloodwood?). Many are found while feeding between dawn to about 11.00 and again from about 1500 until dusk At these times birds usually flush from the ground and fly about calling loudly often circling and settling again in nearby desert oaks.
The other location offering reasonable access is approximately 60 km south west of Mt Liebig and 23 km WSW of Browns bore. Birds were scattered in pairs and flocks up to 20 birds encountered along about 7 km of track from 23 39 22S, 131 03 48E to 23 41 46S, 131 00 46E.
Although we experienced cold conditions, now is the seasonal transition and very hot weather can be expected soon. These areas are extremely remote so proceed with caution and with full safety preparation. Arrange transit permits and be equipped with 1:250,000 topo maps. Please report your sightings on birding-aus. When this exciting and remarkable natural event concludes, I hope to compile the sightings and post a full report on birding-aus with full acknowledgments of course.
The country is in great condition and birding is excellent at present. Pat and I found Geoff Jones and Don Hadden to be great company. They are professionals and took hundreds of pics. More than once I watched Princess Parrots nearly landing on their cameras and I cant wait to see the results of their photographic extravaganza. On my next posting, I will provide links to their web sites. We also want to thank Llane and Don Hadden for their generous hospitality when we returned to Mt Liebig on Wednesday evening.
If you intend to visit, please contact Don Hadden at Mt Liebig. You will find his email address above.
Regards and good birding
Ian and Pat May St Helens, Tasmania (currently at Kurnoth bore west of Alice Springs) 0428337956
Ian wrote:
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