Archive for September, 2007

Birdcage Rest Area, east of Hay NSW

2007 New South Wales Trip report #8

Birdcage Rest Area, east of Hay:

We passed through South Hay without stopping. Hay is a large rural centre serving a vast tract of farming land on both sides of the Murrumbidgee River which flows through the town. About sixty kilometres further on, we stopped at the interestingly named Birdcage Rest Area. I didn’t see a birdcage, but I did see plenty of wild uncaged birds, which is great.

This shady parking bay right off the main road is a delightful spot. For the first time on this trip we saw some Apostlebirds, those rather ugly, bossy, noisy birds that are so common in this part of Australia. A family of White-winged Choughs was busy feeding three young in their mud-nest in a nearby gum tree. A Willie Wagtail flitted around nearby and a flock of Galahs flew past and landed noisily in a nearby tree. I heard several Striated Pardalotes calling from the canopy of the large tree above us.

While we ate our picnic lunch I heard several Laughing Kookaburras nearby. These are always nice to hear as they typify the Australian bush. I also heard a Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike calling nearby.

Yellow Rosella

Just as we finished eating several Yellow Rosellas landed on the grass near the car. I managed to get several great photos of one of them. I had last seen this species a few weeks ago in Loxton where I was not able to get a good shot. Patience is what is needed in the art of nature photography. It will be rewarded.

2007 New South Wales trip report #6

Balranald to Hay

The road from Balranald to Hay traverses some very flat country called the Hay Plains. Irrigation channels carry water from the river to farms many kilometres away. As we left Balranald we saw a family of White Winged Choughs feeding on the roadside. Galahs in small flocks flew across the road as we travelled along and Australian Magpies were seen every fifty metres or so for the first part of this section.

I soon added Emu to the list with three birds strutting along the fence line. I little further on we saw a lone adult male in charge of about six or seven half grown but still stripy-feathered young.

A short distance on I came to a quick stop – after checking for following traffic. Two magnificent Major Mitchell Cockatoos had flown in front of us and landed on the opposite side of the road – and in full sunlight, their yellow and red crests glowing in the morning sun. “Get the camera!” I demanded, but then disaster. A car coming from the other direction scared the two birds away. A lost opportunity. [sigh] The photo below of two Major Mitchell Cockatoos was taken by my son in the Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney.

Major Mitchell Cockatoo

The rest of the journey to Hay was highlighted by numerous raptors (birds of prey). We saw quite a few Wedge-tail Eagles soaring overhead, several of them quite close to the ground. I saw a single Little Eagle sitting on the ground being harassed by an Australian Magpie. Black Kites also seemed abundant as were the Nankeen Kestrels and Black Shouldered Kites.

We stopped briefly so that my wife could take some flower photos and while waiting for her I heard a Skylark, an introduced species from Europe. I was also amazed to see so many House Sparrows along this stretch; they were a long way from human habitation, their usual behaviour. At least two Richard’s Pipits flew across the road in front of the car as we travelled along.

2007 New South Wales trip report #5

Balranald

We stayed the night in a small but comfortable cabin in the Balranald Caravan Park. We thought we wouldn’t get much sleep because a transport truck seemed to pass the park every minute or two. Surprisingly we both slept well but woke early because we were cold. If it wasn’t a frost it was very close to it. After breakfast a bitterly cold wind started blowing, but the sunny, cloudless morning promised a good day.

Murrumbidgee River, Balranald, NSW

The small town of Balranald is situated on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. It flows into the Murray River nearby. I didn’t have much of a chance to seek out birds around the town and along the river. A small flock of Galahs cavorted around the park and along the river. Some Sulphur-crested Cockatoos made their raucous calls echo through the tall River Red Gums along the banks of the river.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Near our cabin I heard a call that sounded like a rosella parrot. I only caught a glimpse as it flew off; I am guessing that it was probably a Yellow Rosella. They are quite common along these river systems. A few Red Wattlebirds and a small flock of Noisy Miners (honeyeaters) were feeding in the trees in the caravan park. I checked out the river for water birds; a single Little Pied Cormorant was resting on a log on the river bank.

In and around the town I saw some Welcome Swallows, Australian Magpies, Rock Doves and House Sparrows.After buying a few supplies from the local store we headed off towards Hay.

 2007 New South Wales Trip report #4

Tooleybuc to Balranald

We crossed the River Murray at Tooleybuc and into New South Wales. The bridge here is old and narrow with a very restricted load bearing capacity. It is also a single lane bridge so one has to watch for oncoming traffic. Fortunately it was not busy when we crossed and I didn’t have to stop for other vehicles.

The road to the next town of Balranald took us through some of the flood plains of the Murray River and a smaller tributary called the River Wakoo. From memory this river is more of an anabranch of the Murray rather than a tributary.

Crested Pigeon

Birds seen along this stretch of road included more Galahs, Crested Pigeons, Australian Magpies and ravens. I also recorded several Willie Wagtails and Blue Bonnet Parrots, their red flanks showing clearly in the setting sun. At one point I was delighted to see a single Major Mitchell Cockatoo flying near the road, but I didn’t get a very good look at it. Birding at 100kph is a little hazardous.

A short distance on I slowed down to check out a Black-shouldered Kite, hoping that it would turn out to be a Letter-winged Kite. They are very similar except for the underwing patterns. The Letter-wing is far rarer – and I have yet to see one. This individual didn’t change that situation. [sigh]

Closer to the small town of Balranald (population 1200) and our destination for the day, we were disturbed to see a dead kangaroo on one side of the road and a dead Wedge-tail Eagle on the other. Kangaroos are a common road kill and the magnificent Wedge-tail Eagles, our largest bird of prey, commonly come down to the roadside to eat the carcass. This unfortunate bird didn’t fly away quickly enough and paid the ultimate price for trying to survive.

It was a sad finish to an otherwise good day’s travel with some good bird sightings.