Hi All,
I just got back last week from a trip out to SW QLD, where I spent a few days chasing the specialties in the area. With Bowra closed due to rain and surveys I had to try and find the birds in some of their old haunts, and managed pretty well.
We spent a fair bit of time around ‘Eulo’ Bore and areas east of there looking for the mulga birds. I found Hall’s Babblers 7.5km east of the bore, White-browed Treecreeper along the powerline 14.8km east of the bore, and after checking the old ridgeline 3.5km east of the bore for Chestnut-breasted Quail-Thrush without success, found one on the low rise 5km east of the bore on the northern side of the road. The bore itself was quite productive with several Bourke’s Parrots including adults feeding young, plenty of Budgerigars and a Chirruping Wedgebill. Bourke’s Parrots were also seen along the road to Cunnamulla a couple of times. Perhaps the biggest surprise in this area though was a Holy Cross or Crucifix Frog hopping across the highway in broad daylight – an incredible animal.
Continuing west of Eulo to Lake Bindegolly there were plenty of birds, with the lake very full. Surprisingly there were absolutely no ducks on any of the water I could see, with just a few Wood Ducks around the edge. There were plenty of other water birds though, with both spoonbills, Darters on nests plus others. There were also both Orange and Crimson Chats, and a White-fronted Honeyeater was another good one here among the usuals. Lots of Budgies and Zebra Finches as well.
Other incidental sightings were an Australian Bustard flying over near Cunnamulla, Spotted Bowerbird outside the pub in Eulo, and Plum-headed Finch near Cunnamulla. I also had brief views of what I think was Pied Honeyeater about 50km east of Cunnamulla, after hearing an unusual mournful piping note. It wasn’t the Pied Honeyeater call I am used to, but I caught brief glimpses of the bird and am fairly sure that’s what it was. If anyone wants more info, drop me an email.
Regards and good birding!
Nick LesebergTropical Birdingwww.tropicalbirding.com
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