Nullarbor Weekend

I've been wanting to get across the Nullarbor to tick the Nullarbor Quail-thrush ever since it was officially split by IOC. I just did not feel like driving for 3000 km in a weekend... So after talking to a friend who mentioned the idea of flying as far as Ceduna I immediately booked a return flight!

Saturday I checked in with REX airlines and was horrified to discover they WEIGH all hand luggage and are very strict. I had 9kg (camera, 2 lenses, laptop, ipad, binoculars, and iphone. They forced me to put some of these valuable and fragile items in my check-in luggage! Needless to say I was furious and anxious for the 90 min flight wondering if my treasures would survive unscathed...  thankfully they did.

I hired a car through Budget and collected it at the airport and drove straight to the Nullarbor Roadhouse. From Ceduna it is only 300km and an easy run.

 

 

 

 

Dingo

It took exactly 5 minutes to find the Quail-thrush but 4 hours to manage a photo. They are quite elusive and camera shy.

Nullarbor Quail-thrush

After my mission was complete I visited the Head of the Bight and got some excellent views of the Southern Right Whales with their calves and also of the glorious scenery. A stunning location and I did not mind paying the $18 entry fee as I was lucky enough to find a Common  Scaly-foot (legless lizard). These little beasties are very shy and will scurry off as soon as they know you are near.

Singing Honeyeater

 

Common Scaly-foot

 

 

 

Head of the Bight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southern Right Whale

 

 

 

I met a friendly couple who were on their way to WA and they invited me to join them for dinner. It was nice to have some company for a little while, people are friendly on roadtrips.The Nullarbor Roadhouse is fun, but very expensive and the room had a foul odour. With no flyscreens I was unable to open the window as the flies were terrible. However the staff are friendly and it is an experience not to be missed.

Australian Raven

 

 

White-winged Triller

 

 

 

 

Rufous Fieldwren

 

 

 

Nullarbor Quail-thrush

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome Swallow

 

Nullarbor Roadhouse

 

A quick visit to Fowler's Bay on the way back to Ceduna resulted in some nice waders in the Samphire and a Nullarbor Bearded Dragon.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

 

Curlew Sandpiper

 

Sharpie...

Banded Stilt

 

Nullarbor Bearded Dragon

Nullarbor Sunrise

 

Australian Wildlife Secrets

When I'm not out birding to continue my life goal to see and photograph every bird in Australia I occasionally write articles for Australian publications.

I have 2 articles in the current edition of Australian Wildlife Secrets, a great magazine which you'll find in all good newsagents.

Check it out!!

Jervis Bay, NSW

After researching where to go to find the endangered Eastern Bristlebird and highly elusive Eastern Ground Parrot I decided to head to Jervis Bay, NSW.

After a rather uncomfortable flight where I was seated next to a very large man (with significant hygiene issues) who took up his seat and most of mine, I was VERY relieved to land in Sydney. A quick drive to Jervis Bay and I headed straight into the national park. I was edgy and needed to find these birds.

Although endangered it did not take long to locate the Bristlebird. This cute little featherball lived up to my expectations.  They really are gorgeous with adorable little personalities.

Eastern Bristlebird

On the way to the park I had noticed a nice area of dense low heath so I headed back there to search for the Ground Parrot. I'd been advised to wait to near sundown to listen for their call. I was early so thought I'd sit in the car for a while. Well, within 3 minutes of arriving I looked out in time to see a Ground Parrot flying low over the heath, its bright green body and remarkably long tail unmistakable as it glided low for about 4 seconds before dropping back into the heath. Stunning!

Then they started calling. What a wonderful sound...

Ground Parrot habitat

I stayed and searched and managed to locate another pair who flew off into the sunset. I was eaten alive by mozzies as I was serenaded by a dusk chorus of Ground Parrots calling.

It was a successful day and I was very satisfied.



Jervis Bay is renowned for its clear blue waters and squeaky white sand. It really is a living postcard and worth a visit. Vincentia and Huskisson are lovely little beachside towns and there are ample places to eat and get decent coffee.

 

 

 

 

 

The national Parks in this area have great birding and they are well signposted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are plenty of other activities to keep you amused once you've finished birding too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seals rounding up dinner!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some fishermen built this house 100m up in a cliff and lived there for a while climbing down on ladders to go fishing each day!