Brookfield Conservation Park Mallee Birding

Getting out into the mallee is always one of my favourite pass times. So, when a friend suggested we head north this weekend to Brookfield Conservation Park how could I refuse?


Being less than 2 hours from Adelaide - 125km to be exact, it really is a convenient place to visit. You can pick up food and drinks in Truro - the Servo is open very early - before you continue onto Brookfield, approx 36km further north (about 25 minutes).


Brookfield is a major area of mallee vegetation within the Murray-Darling Basin, north of Goyders Line and provides crucial habitat for the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat. You will see wombat burrows throughout the park as you venture around the 2 main nature trails. I was very happy to see one this evening as it emerged from its burrow.


The nature drives start at the Shearing shed. Travel about 4km to the picnic area where you can follow the well signposted 3 Habitat Walk before continuing on. Further along the track the road splits - you can do the Mallee Track or the Bluebush Track. Both are worth exploring.


Other fauna species at Brookfield include Fat-tailed Dunnart, Red and Western Grey Kangaroo, Common Dunnart, Echidna, as well as various bat species.

Over 100 bird species have been seen here including Malleefowl, Redthroat, Gilbert's Whistler, Australian Owlet Nightjar,  Grey Currawong, Grey Butcherbird, White-winged Chough, Splendid Fairywren, Southern Whiteface, Mulga Parrot, Bluebonnet, Mallee Ringneck, Chestnut-crowned and White-browed Babbler, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Australian Raven, Red-capped Robin, Hooded Robin, Crested Bellbird, Spotted Pardalote, Weebill, Grey Shrike-thrush, Rufous & Golden Whistler, White-eared Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked & Singing Honeyeater, Mistletoebird, Pallid Cuckoo, Black-eared Cuckoo & Emu.


Please note there is NO camping allowed here but day visiting is allowed. There is a picnic area  provided with toilet and some well sign-posted walks leading off from the picnic area. The 3 Habitats walk is excellent and you might be lucky enough to see a Wombat or Chestnut Quail-thrush!

Here are a few photos from this weekend.

Female Mulga Parrot

 

Hooded Robin

 

 

Redthroat

Golden Whistler

 

                                                            White-eared Honeyeater

 

 

 

 

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill

 

 

 

Galah - Male & Female

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Kangaroo Joey

 

 

Red Kangaroo - female