Author: OzHorine

Big Zigzag Birding

week 023 | Towards and around Melbourne | trip list 422 – 436

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Is Pilotbird Victoria's secret?

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 436 (+14 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 81 (+0 this week: ) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 91 (+7 this week: Pink Robin, Flame Robin,
    Gang-gang Cockatoo, Beautiful Firetail, White-throated Nightjar, Little Lorikeet, Pilotbird)
  • Campsite Lifers 23 (+4 this week: Gang-gang Cockatoo, White-throated Nightjar, Little Lorikeet, Pilotbird)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 127 (+9 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 159
  • Week’s special milestones: bird 555 on my Australia’s list, clean-up Australia’s  Cockatoos

Bird(s) of the Week

Clean-up all Australia’s Cockatoos (Cacatuidae) with Gang-gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum), which is also monotype genus. Out of 22 species in the family, 14 seen in Australia:
  • Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
  • Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo
  • Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo
  • Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
  • Glossy Black-Cockatoo
  • Cockatiel
  • Palm Cockatoo
  • Gang-gang Cockatoo
  • Galah
  • Pink Cockatoo
  • Western Corella
  • Little Corella
  • Long-billed Corella
  • Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Tough one – Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella) hard to get out of the grass… patient and luck needed.
Bunyip State Park–Mortimer Picnic Ground

Flame Robin – ticked at Beauchamp Falls, photographed at Toolangi State Forest.

Pink Robin – Hopefully better photo will follow

Baillon’s Crake -not a lifer but rare and seen twice this week: at Lake Elingamite and at Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve.

Non-bird image(s)

Triangular road, Bunyip State Park near Mortimer Picnic Ground – Beautiful Firetail site

Toolangi State Forest

Toolangi State Forest

Week's Key location(s)

Great Otway National Park–Beauchamp Falls – three lifers location: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Gang-gang Cocatoo

Triangular road, Bunyip State Park near Mortimer Picnic Ground – Beautiful Firetail site

Bunyip State Park–Helipad – White-throated Nightjar & Sooty Owl site

Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve just across St. Kilda street, Elwood – Little Lorikeet site.

Toolangi State Forest–The Tanglefoot Trails – Pilotbird site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 19140 km (650 km this week)

eBird Checklists this week

1562. 21 Dec 2024 10:01 AM Toolangi State Forest–The Tanglefoot Trails
1561. 20 Dec 2024 6:37 AM Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve, Bayside
1560. 19 Dec 2024 6:31 AM Bunyip State Park–Mortimer Picnic Ground
1559.  18 Dec 2024 7:13 AM Bunyip State Park–Mortimer Picnic Ground
1558. 17 Dec 20249:00 PM Bunyip State Park–Helipad
1557. 17 Dec 20242:01 PM Bunyip State Park–Helipad
1556. 17 Dec 20246:49 AM Bunyip State Park–Mortimer Picnic Ground
1555. 16 Dec 2024 7:05 AM Great Otway National Park–Beauchamp Falls

1554. 15 Dec 2024 1:28 PM Great Otway National Park–Beauchamp Falls

1553. 15 Dec 2024 7:20 AM Lake Elingamite
1552. 14 Dec 2024 1:58 PM Lake Elingamite
1551. 14 Dec 20246:58 AM Fawthrop Lagoon
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 022 | Adelaide – SW Victoria | trip list 405 – 422

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Along the coast from South Australia to Victoria

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 422 (+17 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 81 (+0 this week: ) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 84 (+2 this week: Long-billed Corella, Olive Whistler)
  • Campsite Lifers 19 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 118 (+9 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 152
  • Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Hooded Plover (Thinornis cucullatus), VU Vulnerable. Endemic to southern Australia  sandy ocean beaches. Not a lifer, but much better distance comparing to the one seen in 2018. 

Olive Whistler, Enchanted Forest, Glenelg. Back in Victoria lifer.

Surprise lifer! Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris) was not on my target list as I have seen it in New South Wales in 2013 & 2018. But after posting today’s checklist on eBird of a random drive stop at  Tantanoola, I found that the old reports considered as non-countable exotic species, and today’s birds from South Australia are mentioned on eBird as a lifer!

Having the biggest beak of all birds can be an advantage, although sometimes cause a headache.. Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus).

Australasian Gannet colony at Point Danger, near Portland, VIC.

Purple-crowned Lorikeet. Happy with the photo (not with the cable 😜)

Non-bird image(s)

I was trying to photograph the only inland lighthouse in Australia, at Point Malcolm (narrow passage between Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina), but unfortunately the building is not on focus 😜

Echidna. Defiantly not a bird.

Crumpets Beach, VIC.

Week's Key location(s)

Tantanoola is a surprising key location (see Long-billed Corella above)

Enchanted Forest, Olive Whistler site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 18490 km (1050 km this week)

eBird Checklists this week

1552. 14 Dec 2024 1:58 PM Lake Elingamite
1551. 14 Dec 2024 6:58 AM Fawthrop Lagoon, Glenelg
1550. 13 Dec 2024 11:39 AM Narrawong Beach, Glenelg
1549. 13 Dec 2024 9:48 AM Enchanted Forest, Glenelg
1548. 13 Dec 2024 7:21 AM Great South West Walk, Portland, Victoria, AU (-38.382, 141.641)
1547. 13 Dec 2024 6:55 AM Great South West Walk, Portland, Victoria, AU (-38.382, 141.641)
1546. 12 Dec 2024 6:24 PM Fawthrop Lagoon, Glenelg, Victoria
1545. 12 Dec 2024 9:37 AM French Point, Grant, South Australia
1544. 12 Dec 2024 8:41 AM Pelican Point, Grant

1543. 11 Dec 2024 11:38 AM Pelican Point, Grant

1542. 11 Dec 2024 11:04 AM Cape Banks (The Carpenter)
1541. 11 Dec 2024 10:32 AM Tantanoola, Wattle Range
1540. 11 Dec 2024 7:29 AM Cape Jaffa, Kingston
1539. 10 Dec 2024 10:37 AM Coorong National Park–Salt Creek
1538. 10 Dec 20248:47 AM Lake Albert Caravan Park (Meningie)
1537. 10 Dec 2024 7:25 AM 3708 Narrung Road, Narrung, South Australia, AU (-35.53, 139.185)
1536. 10 Dec 2024 6:59 AM Alexandrina Drive3, Narrung,South Australia, AU (-35.513, 139.185)
1535. 09 Dec 2024 8:37 PM Alexandrina Drive, Narrung, South Australia, AU (-35.513, 139.185)
1534. 09 Dec 2024 8:27 AM Cox Scrub Conservation Park–East end
1533. 08 Dec 202412:17 PM Whicker Road Wetland, Port Adelaide
1532. 08 Dec 2024 10:53 AM Whites Road Wetland, Salisbury
1531. 08 Dec 202410:08 AM Dead Mans Pass Reserve, Gawler
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 021 | Murray – Sunset to Adelaide | trip list 395 – 405

Posted on

Add Your Heading Text Here

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 405 (+10 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 81 (+0 this week: ) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 82 (+3 this week: Red-lored Whistler, Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater)
  • Campsite Lifers 19 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 112 (+3 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 145
  • Week’s special milestones: Zigzag vird list over 400, 98th global Honeyeater – 50% of Meliphagidae

Bird(s) of the Week

Milestone Honeyeater. Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus) is not just a lifer. Not just clean-up genus Phylidonyris (With New Holland & White-cheeked Honeyeaters). This is my 98th global honeyeater, which means I have more the 50% of the 195 Honeyeaters in the world.
Photographed at Scott Creek Conservation Park, South Australia.

Red-lored Whistler at Murray – Sunset NP

Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans) ticked 2 weeks ago without photo. At Cox Scrub Conservation Park it was easier.

Dusky Woodswallow feeding chick

Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus) – not a lifer – but you can see the water through his nostrils!

Non-bird image(s)

Cox Scrub Conservation Park

Scott Creek Conservation Park

Murray – Sunset National Park

Week's Key location(s)

Red-lored Whistler location – Murray-Sunset National Park–around Millewa South Bore Track at Pheenys Track

Ettrick Conservation Park, Purple-gaped Honeyeater location

Cox Scrub Conservation Park, Elegant Parrot site.

 Scott Creek Conservation Park, Crescent Honeyeater site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 17440 km (990 km this week)

eBird Checklists this week

1530. 07 Dec 2024 10:23 AM Bald Hill Beach, Wakefield
1529. 07 Dec 2024 8:03 AM St Kilda
1528. 06 Dec 2024 11:19 AM Scott Creek Conservation Park, Adelaide Hills
1527. 06 Dec 2024 8:46 AM Woorabinda Bushland Reserve, Adelaide Hills
1526. 05 Dec 2024 10:01 AM Barker Inlet North–bird hide, Port Adelaide Enfield
1525. 04 Dec 2024 8:37 AM Cox Scrub Conservation Park

1524. 03 Dec 2024 12:07 PM Cox Scrub Conservation Park

1523. 03 Dec 2024 7:24 AM Ettrick Conservation Park
1522. 02 Dec 2024 5:37 PM Glenburr Road, Burdett, South Australia, AU (-34.967, 139.374)
1521. 02 Dec 2024 12:57 PM Ettrick Conservation Park
1520. 01 Dec 2024 7:20 AM Murray-Sunset National Park–Millewa South Bore Track at Pheenys Track, Victoria
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 020 | Gluepot to Hattah – Kulkyne | trip list 391 – 395

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West Victoria Mallee (and both, only "Mallee" named birds, as lifers!)

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 395 (+4 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 81 (+0 this week: ) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 79 (+4 this week: Chestnut Quail-thrush, Mallee Emu wren, Pink Cockatoo, Malleefowl)
  • Campsite Lifers 19 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 109 (+4 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 138
  • Week’s special milestones: Clean-up genus Stipiturus (Emuwren), Clean-up Megapods of Australia

Bird(s) of the Week​

A warm Victorian welcome with Chestnut Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma castanotum) at Hattah – Kulkyne National Park

Pink Cockatoo (aka Major Mitchel Cockatoo) seems like an easy lifer in the right time and location. I spent a few hour in Ouyen with not much activity, but late afternoon they become the nosiest birds around 

Malleefowl, the mound-builder or the Megapod of the Mallee, not easy to spot. On the right places, they seen feeding on roadsides, dangerous for them, may useful for spotting it. Thanks for Michal from Explore The Mallee from his help!

Mallee Emuwren – ticked at Hattah – Kulkyne National Park, photographed better a few days later at Murray – Sunset National Park

Non-bird image(s)

Crossing from South Australia to Victoria

Mallee landscape at Hattah – Kulkyne NP

Sunset near Ouyen, Pink Cockatoo time

Week's Key location(s)

Hattah-Kulkyne NP was the site for the first to lifers: Chestnut Quail-thrush & Mallee Emuwren. Striped Grasswren was seen as well. I spent most of the time on Nowingi trail.

On the 2 evenings I was in Ouyen, Pink Cockatoos seen west and north to Blackburn Park. During the day could not find them. 

Seems that the best way to see Malleefowl is when the feed on roadsides as Hopetoun Walpeup Rd. May a better option is to contact 

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 16450 km (this week 990 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1519. 30 Nov 2024 10:13 AM Murrayville
1518. 30 Nov 2024 8:41 AM Salt pans west of Ouyen on Mallee Hwy
1517. 29 Nov 2024 6:15 PM Hopetoun Walpeup Rd at -35.30639, 142.17528

1516. 29 Nov 2024 8:49 AM Hopetoun Walpeup Rd at -35.30639, 142.17528

1515. 28 Nov 2024 6:56 PM Ouyen
1514. 28 Nov 2024 6:27 AM Hattah-Kulkyne National Park–Nowingi Track at Konardin Track

1513. 27 Nov 2024 8:54 AM Hattah-Kulkyne National Park–Nowingi Track at Konardin Track

1512. 26 Nov 2024 7:41 PM Kings Billabong Nature Walk, Nichols Point, Victoria, AU (-34.217, 142.227)

1511. 25 Nov 2024 9:25 AM Waikerie River Front Walk

1510. 24 Nov 2024 10:26 AM Gluepot Reserve
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 019 | Adelaide to Gluepot | trip list 376 – 391

Posted on

Via the Wheat Belt and Wineries to the Mallee

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count:391 (+15 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 81 (+0 this week: ) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 75 (+5 this week: Mulga Parrot, White-browed Treecreeper, Regent Parrot, Striated Grasswren, Black-eared Miner)
  • Campsite Lifers 19 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 105 (+6 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 131
  • Week’s special milestones: Grasswren #7, eBird’s 1500th checklist, 3500 species photographed, clean-up Australasian Treecreepers, Zigzag travelled over 15000 km

Bird(s) of the Week​

Regent Parrot at one of Gluepot Reserve drinking points (Don and Chris Lill Bird Hide )

Mulga Parrot on similar situation

Striated Grasswren at Mallee trail

Black-eared Miner, Gluepot Reserve.

Clean-up Australasian Treecreepers (Climacteridae) with White-browed Treecreeper. The family contain 6 Australian endemics plus 1 papuan.

When you need to leave your vehical at the repairman, you better do than in a walking distance from wetlands…
Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea), Barker Inlet Wetlands, South Australia

Happy hour at the bird hide

Non-bird image(s)

Barker Inlet Wetlands

Mallee landscape at Gluepot Reserve

Gluepot lifers by location

Week's Key location(s)

Two lovely morning with 50 species at Barker Inlet Wetlands while fixing my RV 

Great birding opportunities in Gluepot Reserve. Including 4 active bird hides, a few waling trails, and campsite facilities. 

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 15460 km (this week 720 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1509. 23 Nov 2024 11:54 AM Gluepot Reserve
1508. 23 Nov 2024 7:00 AM Gluepot Reserve
1507. 22 Nov 2024 11:57 AM Gluepot Reserve–Froggy Dam and Tank Bird Hide
1506. 22 Nov 2024 8:42 AM Gluepot Reserve–Mallee Trail
1505. 22 Nov 2024 6:59 AM Gluepot Reserve–Don and Chris Lill Bird Hide
1504. 21 Nov 2024 8:23 AM Gluepot Reserve
1503. 20 Nov 2024 3:07 PM Brookfield Conservation Park

1502. 20 Nov 2024 8:29 AM Ty Road, Alma, South Australia, AU (-34.275, 138.64), Wakefield

1501. 19 Nov 2024 9:23 AM Barker Inlet Wetlands, Port Adelaide Enfield
1500. 18 Nov 2024 8:45 AM Barker Inlet Wetlands Port Adelaide Enfield
1499. 17 Nov 2024 7:42 AM Lenger Reserve
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 018 | Adelaide vicinity | trip list 362 – 376

Posted on

'Cause the desert had turned to sea...** (and elegant lifers, and mighty Murray River)

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 376 (+14 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 81 (+1 this week: Finches, Euphonias, and Allies) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 70 (+3 this week: Slender-billed Thornbill, Elegant Parrot, Brush Bronzewing)
  • Campsite Lifers 19 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 99 (+3 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 124
  • Week’s special milestones: cleanup genus Phaps (Bronzewing), passed 525 in my Australian list

Bird(s) of the Week​

Lovely lifer and cleanup genus Phaps! Brush Bronzewing (Phaps elegans) was a dream bird and one of the two elegant lifers (with Elegant Parrot) this week. Belair National Park

Week’s first lifer: Slender-billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei), Port Gawler, SA

Musk Duck from Barossa Reservoir, Whispering Wall

Master of nest camouflage, Varied Sittela  

Non-bird image(s)

Port Gawler, Slender-billed Thornbill habitat.

Belair National Park

Lenger Reserve

Murray River at Mannum.

Week's Key location(s)

2 lifers location near Port Gawler: Elegant Parrot & Slender-billed Thornbill

Barossa Reservoir–Whispering Wall was the surprising site of the week. I stopped there after failing to find Brush Bronzewing at Para Wirra Conservation Park, just due curiosity – and found a lovely place to pass the day with interesting attraction (the whispering wall), some birding at the reservoir, and nice picnic area.

Belair National Park, Brush Bronzewing site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 14740 km (this week 900 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1498. 16 Nov 2024 7:32 AM Lenger Reserve
1497. 15 Nov 2024 9:19 AM Reedy Creek Swamp, Mid Murray

1496. 14 Nov 2024 7:53 AM Belair National Park

1495. 13 Nov 2024 5:01 PM Barossa Reservoir–Whispering Wall
1494. 13 Nov 2024 9:30 AM Rocky Creek Road, Mount Crawford, South Australia, AU (-34.757, 138.948)

1493. 12 Nov 2024 1:57 PM Barossa Reservoir–Whispering Wall

1492. 12 Nov 2024 10:24 AM Para Wirra Lake
1491. 12 Nov 2024 7:02 AM Sandy Creek Conservation Park
1490. 11 Nov 2024 7:34 AM Port Gawler Road, Port Gawler, South Australia, AU (-34.662, 138.447)
1489. 10 Nov 2024 9:55 AM Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. Port Augusta
1488. 10 Nov 2024 8:23 AM Port Augusta, South Australia, AU (-32.488, 137.764)

** “Cause the desert had turned to sea” from  A Horse With No Name (America)

Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 017 | The Outback Hwy – Flinders Ranges Way | trip list 345 – 362

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Completing 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

1487. 09 Nov 2024 7:45 AM Whyalla Conservation Park
1486. 09 Nov 2024 6:52 AM Black Point, Port Bonython, South Australia, AU (-32.979, 137.714)

1485. 08 Nov 2024 10:39 AM Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, Port Augusta

1484. 07 Nov 2024 2:05 PM Kanyaka Station Ruins, Flinders Ranges
1483. 07 Nov 2024 7:52 AM Flinders Ranges Way, Gum Creek Station, South Australia, AU (-31.189, 138.672)
1482. 06 Nov 2024 5:54 PM Blinman
1481. 06 Nov 2024 10:42 AM Blinman Pools Walk
1480. 06 Nov 20246:17 AM Old Beltana Road, Puttapa, South Australia, AU (-30.675, 138.404)
1479. 05 Nov 2024 6:11 PM Old Beltana Road, Puttapa, South Australia, AU (-30.675, 138.404)
1478. 05 Nov 2024 7:04 AM Leigh Creek Coal Retention Dam
1477. 04 Nov 2024 6:38 AM Farina
1476. 03 Nov 2024 6:49 AM Farina
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 016 | from Birdsville to Birdsville Track | trip list 331 – 345

Posted on

Crossing South Australia's Desert

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 345 (+14 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 80 (+0 this week: Larks) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 64 (+5 this week: Eyrean Grasswren, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Chirruping Wedgebill, Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Rufous Fieldwren)
  • Campsite Lifers: 17 (+2 this week: Chirruping Wedgebill,  Rufous Fieldwren)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 93 (+5 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 110
  • Week’s special milestones: 5th Grasswren, Clean-up Pseudo-Babblers, Leave Queensland after 15 weeks to South Australia

Bird(s) of the Week

Eyrean Grasswren from the dune east to Birdsville

Cinnamon Quail-thrush from the dune east to Birdsville. Seen again later this week at SA, Kalamurina Road.

First lifer for South Australia – Chirruping Wedgebill

Rufous Fieldwren, near my free camp at Marree.

Non-bird image(s)

About 25 km south of Birdsville starts Birdsville Track and the border to South Australia

Little Corellas

Sunset at Marree free campsite

Week's Key location(s)

The Simpson Desert edge dunes, east to Birdsville, supplied 2 lifers: Eyrean Grasswren & Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Just before leaving Queensland.

Mungerannie hotel – essential stop on Birdsville Track – nice birding (early morning before it’s too hot).

Unofficial free camp near Marree, where I’ve got a morning lifer (Rufous Fieldwren) just birding around the camp

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 13110 km (this week 850 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1475. 02 Nov 2024 5:43 PM Old Beltana Road, Puttapa, South Australia, AU (-30.675, 138.404)
1474. 02 Nov 2024 6:36 AM Farina
1473.01 Nov 2024 6:44 AM Birdsville Track, Marree Station, South Australia, AU (-29.63, 138.09)
1472. 31 Oct 2024 1:26 PM Dulkaninna Station – Homestead and Wetland, Unincorporated SA
1471. 31 Oct 2024 12:26 PM Birdsville Track, Etadunna, South Australia, AU (-28.871, 138.494)
1470. 31 Oct 2024 10:38 AM Birdsville Track at -28.32670, 138.67021
1469. 31 Oct 2024 6:16 AM Mungerannie
1468. 30 Oct 2024 6:45 AM Kalamurina Road, Muloorina, South Australia, AU (-27.969, 138.608)
1467. 29 Oct 2024 6:30 AM Mungerannie Hotel
1466. 28 Oct 2024 2:40 PM Birdsville Track Wetland at -27.20862, 138.77202, South Australia
1465. 28 Oct 2024 6:23 AM Diamantina River Old Crossing (Birdsville)
1464. 27 Oct 2024 6:13 AM Birdsville Developmental Road, Birdsville, Queensland, AU (-25.87, 139.464)
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 015 | Heading to Birdsville’s Birds! | trip list 316 – 331

Posted on

Great to hit the road again! Heading south via the three B's (Boulia - Bedourie - Birdsville)

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 331 (+15 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 80 (+1 this week: Larks) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 59 (+4 this week: Yellow Chat, Crimson Chat, Gray Grasswren, Gibberbird)
  • Campsite Lifers: 15 (+1 this week: Gray Grasswren)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 88 (+4 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 103
  • Week’s special milestones: over 100 days of checklist strike, Grasswren 4th, Canon EF 400 f4 DO IS USM out – RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM in!

Bird(s) of the Week

Yellow Chat at Lake Machatti, which can be called Lake Chatties 🙂

Crimson Chat at Lake Machatti

Orange Chat at Lake Machatti

Wedge-tailed Eagles are always stars while roadside birding 

Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella), monotype species in its genus, with its long legs, seems to be the linking chain between Coursers and Pratincoles. Obviously member of Pratincoles and Coursers (Glareolidae)
Photographed on Boulia – Bedourie road, QLD.

Non-bird image(s)

First sunrise after hitting the road again. I did not notice the billabong next to free camp as I arrived after dusk. There is even a White-necked Heron on this photo…

Lignum habitat of Gray Grasswren, near Cuttaburra Water Hole Camping Area

Week's Key location(s)

Tow new “chatties” at Lake Machttie

Cuttaburra Water Hole Camping Area

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 12260 km (this week 740 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1463. 26 Oct 2024 12:34 PM Waddy Acacia, Eyre Developmental Rd, Qld
1462. 26 Oct 2024 11:48 AM Eyre Developmental Road, Birdsville, Queensland, AU (-25.408, 139.472)
1461. 26 Oct 2024 10:43 AM Eyre Developmental Road, Birdsville, Queensland, AU (-25.237, 139.563)
1460. 26 Oct 2024 6:11 AM Cuttaburra Crossing, Eyre Developmental Rd
1459. 25 Oct 2024 5:40 PM Cuttaburra Crossing, Eyre Developmental Rd
1458.25 Oct 2024 6:49 AM Lake Machattie, Diamantina
1457. 24 Oct 2024 5:40 PM Eyre Developmental Road, Bedourie, Queensland, AU (-24.572, 139.56)
1456. 24 Oct 2024 9:21 AM Boulia Bedourie Road, Bedourie, Queensland, AU (-23.759, 139.613)
1455. 24 Oct 2024 7:35 AM Boulia Bedourie Road, Boulia, Queensland, AU (-22.989, 139.84)
1454. 24 Oct 2024 7:12 AM Boulia Bedourie Road, Amaroo, Queensland, AU (-23.226, 139.716)
1453. 24 Oct 2024 6:34 AM Boulia Bedourie Road, Boulia, Queensland, AU (-22.989, 139.84)
1452. 23 Oct 2024 6:19 PM Racecourse Road, Boulia, Queensland, AU (-22.89, 139.938)
1451. 23 Oct 2024 6:25 AM Boulia Mount Isa Highway, Waverley, Queensland, AU (-20.943, 139.425)
1450. 22 Oct 2024 6:29 AM Lake Moondarra–south of Clearwater Lagoon, Mount Isa
1449. 22 Oct 2024 6:15 AM 20 Lanskey Road, Lanskey, Queensland, AU (-20.69, 139.5), Mount Isa
1448. 21 Oct 2024 6:08 AM George McCoy Park, Mount Isa
1447. 20 Oct 2024 6:06 AM Pamela Street Water Tanks, Mt Isa
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 014 | Ditto at Mt. Isa | trip list 308 – 316

Posted on

Still waiting for the RV to be fixed - George McCoy Park has never been birded so much. Cuckoos' week litraly

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 316 (+8 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 79 (+1 this week: Owlet-nightjars) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 55 (+2 this week: Spotted Nightjar, Latham’s Snipe)
  • Campsite Lifers: 14 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 84 (+3 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 96
  • Week’s special milestones: lifer 4545 counts? 

Bird(s) of the Week

Dripping water from the first tank at the famous Pamela Street site, attracts among many other birds also dozens of painted firetails.

Pheasant Coucal was one of the surprises at George McCoy Park, Mount Isa, and one of the 4 Cuckoos’ week sepcies.

Non-bird image(s)

View east from Mount Isa Outlook. The first water tank at town’s edge seen among the spinifex hills, the Kalkadoon Grasswren habitat.

Leichhardt River, George McCoy Park section ,Mount Isa. Birding under the is ideal on rainy days.

Week's Key location(s)

Ditto for George McCoy Park, Mt. Isa. Numbers climbed a bit:  Mt. Isa Lookout on the map as well. And about the cuckoos: Not lifers, but 4 species seen this week, and 2 of then been added to Big Zigzag list: Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Pacific Koel and Pheasant Coucal.

One more ditto here for Pamela street water tanks.

Moondarra Lake is just 15 km from Mt. Isa, and quite birdy area.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 11420 km (this week 0 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1446. 19 Oct 2024 6:14 PM Mount Isa Lookout
1445. 19 Oct 2024 6:16 AM George McCoy Park, Mount Isa
1444. 18 Oct 2024 6:07 PM Pamela Street Water Tanks, Mt Isa
1443. 18 Oct 2024 1:34 PM Barramundi Way, Mount Isa AU-QLD -20.58749, 139.57056
1442. 18 Oct 2024 1:08 PM Barramundi Way, Mount Isa AU-QLD -20.59251, 139.55879
1441. 18 Oct 2024 12:28 PM Barramundi Way, Mount Isa AU-QLD -20.59594, 139.55325
1440. 18 Oct 2024 11:47 AM Barramundi Way, Mount Isa AU-QLD -20.60096, 139.55290
1439. 18 Oct 2024 11:10 AM 4825, Mount Isa AU-QLD -20.61249, 139.54599
1438. 18 Oct 2024 6:11 AM Pamela Street Water Tanks, Mt Isa
1437. 17 Oct 2024 6:40 PM Mount Isa Lookout
1436. 17 Oct 2024 6:01 AM George McCoy Park, Mount Isa
1435. 16 Oct 2024 6:11 PM Mount Isa Lookout
1434. 16 Oct 2024 6:07 AM Pamela Street Water Tanks, Mt Isa
1433. 15 Oct 2024 5:43 PM Pamela Street Water Tanks, Mt Isa
1432. 15 Oct 2024 6:07 AM George McCoy Park, Mount Isa
1431. 14 Oct 2024 6:25 AM George McCoy Park, Mount Isa
1430. 13 Oct 2024 6:56 AM George McCoy Park, Mount Isa
Big Zigzag Index