Going to Gluepot in mid winter has many advantages. The main one being that you are almost guaranteed to not see another visitor for your entire visit. The cool fresh weather also means no flies.
I spent 2 days birding at Gluepot this weekend and enjoyed great views of many mallee birds. Chestnut Quail-thrush were calling on Eric Straight at first light and one seemed oblivious to my approach until it heard my camera trying to focus in the poor light.
Mulga Parrots were common as were Red-capped Robin, Hooded Robin, Gilbert’s Whistler, Crested Bellbird, Southern Scrub-robin, Jacky Winter, Southern Whiteface and Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Brown Treecreeper, Weebill and Pardelotes.
Crested Bellbird
The grinding scissor call of a Restless Flycatcher caught my attention with it's behaviour interesting. It was feeding at a Spiders web. While following it I flushed a Spotted Nightjar.
LUNCH....But for which one?
Plenty of Honeyeaters were feeding at Kangaroo Dam which had me running in circles for a while and I flushed a Brown Quail.
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White-fronted Honeyeater
Cheeky White-browed Babblers were prevalent and there were also a group of timid Chestnut-crowned Babblers at the Old Gluepot Dams.
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Chestnut-crowned Babbler
White-browed Babbler
At Homestead Dam a couple of Australasian Grebe had the dam to themselves.
3 big flocks of miners were seen. One flock on track 1 had at least 28 individuals including a mixture of Yellow-throated, Hybrids and Black-eared. Along with another flock on track 8.
Yellow-throated Miner
The most unusual sighting of the weekend would have to be the White-faced Heron I had standing in the middle of Track 8! This is the first time I have ever seen one at Gluepot!
If you are planning a trip to Gluepot in winter just remember to keep an eye on the predicted rain forecast and ring the rangers before you head there to check on the track conditions so you don't get stuck! It isn't called Gluepot for nothing. Also pack warm bedding as Gluepot if a gas fire only zone so no campfires!!! FREEZING overnight!
A short stop at the river in Waikerie on the way home is always worth a look. Plenty of Grebes, Egrets, Cormorants were enjoying the sunshine...
Lunch is served...
