week 017 | The Outback Hwy – Flinders Ranges Way | trip list 345 – 362
Posted onCompleting the desert crossing
In an Eggshell:
- Big Zigzag bird species count: 362 (+17 this week)
- Big Zigzag bird families count: 80 (+0 this week)
- Big Zigzag Lifers: 67 (+3 this week: Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Western Grasswren)
- Campsite Lifers 19 (+2 this week: Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill)
- Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 96 (+3 this week)
- eBird days of checklist streak: 117
- Week’s special milestones: 6th Grasswren (Western), trip list over 350
Bird(s) of the Week
Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) master of camouflage, Farina.
Campsite Lifer – Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis)
A new category has been added to the weekly post’s “In an Eggshell:” – Campsite Lifer.
It is great fun to start your morning with a lifer, before starting your engine. As far as possible, I am trying to find campsite in nature environment, preferably free of charge, and start my day with birding as I wake up. Sometimes it is a few hours walk, but if I did not drive from the night camp – I’ll consider a new bird seen on that round as a Campsite Lifer.
Who comes to drink?
One of the benefits of RV birding, is the ability in certain condition, to position your motorhome in a great birding spot, such as this unexpected drinking point, just at the camping site in Parina, SA.
You can watch from your bed window or from your kitchen, make your meals and even work on your laptop, and still see what’s going on. In such hot day in the desert, this is a very busy spot. Hundreds of Zebra finches, dozens of Honeyeaters (Spiny-cheeked, Singing, White-plumed, White-fronted, Pied, Crimson & Orange chats) Woodswallows (White-breasted and Black-faced), Crested Pigeons, Diamond Doves, Budgerigars, Galah s, Little Corellas, Willie-wagtails, House Sparrows, Brown Quail, Chirruping Wedgebill, Rufous Songlark and.. Emu!
Not a lifer, but first Redthroat (Pyrrholaemus brunneus)
for the Big Zigzag at Flinders Rangers.
Pied & Great Cormorants, Australian Pelican, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Australian Darter at Leigh Creek Coal Retention Dam.
Non-bird image(s)
Sundown creek free campsite south of Leigh Creek
View from Sundown creek
Flinders Ranges Way
Whyalla consevation park – Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis myall) habitat.
Week's Key location(s)
Farina, an abandoned town established in 1878, serves now as historical site and a great birding place. A lot of walking options, on a birding trail and many other trails. Although I failed to find here the Thick-billed Grasswren, I was able to tick Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, and had a great find with the drinking spot.
Leigh Creek Coal Retention Dam was also a nice site and it’s great to get coffee and light food on near by Copley Bush Bakery & Cafe (closing usually around noon).
Sundown Creek free camp -Old Beltana Road, Puttapa – Campsite Lifer location – Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
Whyalla consevation park – Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis myall) site
Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 13840 km (this week 730 km)
eBird Checklists this week
1485. 08 Nov 2024 10:39 AM Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, Port Augusta
