A Splendid result
2007 New South Wales trip report #13
A little further on in the Round Hill Nature Reserve we came to another narrow track, this one leading back towards the area we had stopped for lunch. We drove through the thick scrub, disturbing a Common Bronzewing Pigeon as we went along. We heard a few parrots and another Grey Butcherbird calling.
After about a kilometre or so of driving a little more than walking pace, I asked my wife if she had seen enough of this part of the park. We agreed that there seemed to be nothing new or interesting here, so I found a spot to turn around. It turned out that I saw our tyres tracks from where we had turned around about an hour earlier. We had come full circle! Now we know that track goes all the way through that part of the park.
Just before reaching the main road again we found a likely place to stop for afternoon tea. I retrieved the folding picnic chairs from the back of the car and we sat there enjoying the bushland and birds around us. We had almost finished when we both heard a familiar sound. Wrens!
I grabbed the camera and headed off in the direction of the call. I spent the next half hour dancing around a small patch of bushes trying to get a good view of the wrens. One of the problems was to get between the birds and the afternoon sun. I wanted the sun at my back for the best chance of a good photo. Within a few minutes, I knew I had a male and several female Splendid Wrens in the bushes near me.
Splendid Wren (male)
Eventually, the colourful male showed himself in the sunlight long enough for me to get off a few shots. They aren’t brilliant, but at least I have finally captured this elusive but stunningly beautiful bird.
Splendid Wren (male)
It was a fitting end to a wonderful day of birding. I had added 28 species to my trip list, which now stands at 82.
On the journey back to our cabin we saw our first kangaroos for the trip. Previously we had seen many dead roos on the side of the road; these were alive.
Update: this article was updated on May 30th 2019.
Hi Trevor,
Great shots of the wren! Sadly the Splendid Wren is one species I’m yet to see! I’ve been through a fair bit of likely looking habitat when on the mainland, but so far, nothing. We only get the Superbs here in Tassie. A beautiful bird, too, but still dreaming of the Splendid!
They are certainly “splendid” birds. I also love the White-winged Wren but the male eluded my eyes on this latest trip.
If ever you are in the Murray Bridge area I could almost guarantee a sighting of the male Splendid at Lowan Conservation Park – about a 40 minute drive from home.
[…] in New South Wales I managed to get some reasonable photos of this beautiful species. Check out “A Splendid Result” Sunday November 19th, 2006 | Categories: Wrens; Great Birding Moments » Leave a comment […]
Hi Trevor, I’m with John, I have yet to see a Splendid. I am a bit of a wren fan and would love to see one of these little chaps one day.
The same offer applies to you Tricia. Any time you are in Murray Bridge I can take to see one – almost guarantee a sighting. It’s an offer too good to pass up – the colour is amazing.
[…] UPDATE: on my recent holiday in New South Wales I managed to get some reasonable photos of this beautiful species. Check out “A Splendid Result” […]