Perth and Tasmania - March 2017 (1 Viewer)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

The plan for this trip was to spend 2 weeks in Perth, using that as a base for exploring the area, followed by 2 weeks in Tasmania where we traveled around spending a night or two in different locations. In hindsight Tasmania was perfect but it would have been much more interesting to travel further in Western Australia.

Have to clarify that this wasn’t a birding trip but of course I managed to squeeze some birding/photography in every day usually in the early mornings or late afternoons.

2nd March 2017
We arrived early in Perth via our flight from Singapore. After checking into our hotel I couldn’t resist nipping out for a quick introduction to Perth birding. The park closest to us was Sir James Mitchell Park which turned out to be great with a wide variety of the more common Western Australian birds including Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Pacific Black Duck, White-eyed Duck, Musk Duck and Blue-billed Duck. Pied Oystercatchers, Long-billed Corella, Australian Reed-Warbler and Red-tailed Black Cockatoos were a bonus.

Ebird checklists (useful to see exact locations):
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34905945
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34909508

Photos
1. Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
2. Australian Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus australis)
3. Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)
4. Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
5. Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

Some more photos from 2 March 2017.

1. Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)
2. Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
3. Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
4. Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)
5. Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

3 March 2017
On this morning I decided to walk the other way from my hotel around Mill Point and across the bridge to John Oldham Park. Highlights included Rufous Night Heron and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34923837

Following that I headed up the steps to Kings Park. Pushed for time I didn’t get to spend much time in there on this morning. Highlights included my first Western Spinebill and White-cheeked Honeyeater.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34923880

In the afternoon I headed back to Sir James Mitchell Park where I had similar birds to the day before but added Yellow-billed Spoonbill and a Cockatiel (likely an escapee at this location).

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34928196

Photos
1. Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)
2. Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
3. Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa)
4. Rufous (Nankeen) Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus)
5. Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

4 March 2017
Upon researching this trip, there were many recommendations for Herdsman Lake so I was keen to try it out. I concentrated on the South side of the lake which seemed to be productive for all the anticipated species. On this first trip here my highlights included my first Grey Teal, Glossy Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Buff-banded Rail, Laughing Kookaburra and Black-faced Cuckooshrike.

I spent a bit of time waiting for the Buff-banded Rail as it was a lifer and a real skulker. In hindsight I needn’t have bothered as these Rails are very tame at Penguin Island which I visited later.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34942475

Photos
1. Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
2. Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)
3. Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
4. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
5. Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

5 March 2017
I visited Herdsman Lake in the morning and late afternoon and saw very similar birds to the previous day. My highlight on this day was seeing 46 of the endangered Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos flying past as well as my first Splendid Fairywren and Little Grassbird.

Ebird checklists:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34966736
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34972468

Photos
1. Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
2. Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris)
3. Need help on the ID
4. Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens)
5. Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

6 March 2017
On this day I had booked a trip to Rottnest Island for the family and of course my ulterior motive was to see and photograph a Quokka which is apparently the “happiest animal in the world”. They turned out to be pretty easy to see and I managed to photograph one before boarding the tour bus for a tour of the island. I had no time to explore the island to look for other birds but saw a few from the bus.

Bridled Terns seemed common and whilst watching them an Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea) was cruising the shallows.

The ferry journey back to Perth gave me my first Australian Fairy Tern which I had failed to pick up on the island. A Wedge-tailed Shearwater was an added bonus.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34999093

Photo
1. Quokka (Setonix brachyurus)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

7 March 2017
An early morning trip to Kings Park in Perth was very disappointing with not much being seen or posing for photos. A solitary Common Bronzewing was the only bird of note.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35014712

A local photographer tipped me off that there was some wild Koalas at Yanchep National Park which he said were introduced there 20 years earlier. As Koalas are not native to Western Australia I had my doubts but decided to have a family day out there just to check it out.

The Koalas were there but they are in an enclosure and are fed by Keepers every day so not in any sense of the word “wild”.

My family enjoyed the Koalas and I enjoyed picking up a number of species that had so far eluded me including Wedge-tailed Eagle, Whistling Kite, Masked Lapwing (not common in this part of WA), Australian Hobby and Variegated Fairywren.

Western Grey Kangaroos were common at Yanchep.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35019627

Photos
1. Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)
2. Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)
3. Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

8 March 2017
This area of Western Australia holds a number of endemic species of duck and 2 that were still missing from my list were Pink-eared Duck and Freckled Duck. A local birder tipped me off that if the ducks were not at Herdsman Lake I should instead try Lake Monger.

This proved to be a good call as I picked up both of those ducks. Unfortunately the Freckled Duck was too far for any usable photos but the Pink-eared were a bit more obliging. Altogether I had 9 species of duck at this location and most posed for photos. Yellow-billed Spoonbills were also more cooperative at this location.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35034201

Photos:
1. Musk Duck (Biziura lobata)
2. Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)
3. Australasian Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis)
4. Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)
5. Maned Duck (Chenonetta jubata)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

Some more photos from 8 March 2017:

1. Female Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis)
2. Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
3. Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes)
4. Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes)
5. Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

9 March 2017
Early morning I was back at Herdsman Lake trying for and dipping on a Freckled Duck that had been reported. Nothing different there this morning but at least a Little Grassbird was more obliging.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35053017

Later that morning we drove to Rockingham where we took the short ferry ride to Penguin Island. Penguin island is very close to the mainland but still the ferry ride produced Bottlenose Dolphins, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Eastern Osprey.

The islands themselves were full of Australian Pelicans and Pied Cormorants in their full breeding plumage and on the beach several Australian Sea Lions were enjoying the sunshine. Buff-banded Rails were extremely tame on this island as they were used to eating scraps from the tourists. The biggest problem photographing them was trying to get away from them as they run straight up to you looking for a handout.

I glimpsed a Little Penguin under the boardwalk but never got any opportunities for a photo. Bridled Terns were currently nesting and often returning with food to the nest.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35057670

Photos
1. Australian Pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
2. Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea)
3. Australian Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius)
4. Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis)
5. White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

Some more photos from 9 March 2017:

1. Greater Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)
2. Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus)
3. Australian Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius)
4. Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
5. Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

Such a shy skulking species....

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

10 March 2017
Over this one month trip, today was the only day that I hired a Guide. Searching through the internet, Peter Taylor was highly recommended and at short notice we arranged a trip. Up until now I had been concentrating on the water birds and therefore our plan on this day was to target bush birds more inland from where I had been looking.

First stop was Victoria Dam which is a short (maybe 30 minute) drive from Perth. In this new habitat the lifers came thick and fast. Western Rosella, Red-capped Parrot, Gilbert’s Honeyeater, White-browed Scrubwren, Western Thornbill, Inland Thornbill, Varied Sittella, Western Whistler and White-breasted Robin were all new to me.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35148863

It was difficult to leave this place but we headed to another well known local birding hotspot, Collins Road. Again the change in habitat brought a new influx of species including Rainbow Bee-eater, Rufous Treecreeper, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, White-browed Babbler, Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Currawong, Grey Shrikethrush and Restless Flycatcher.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35148856

Traveling to the next location we had Crested Pigeon and a calling but unseen Stubble Quail. I was asking Peter what are the chances of getting an Emu around here and he confirmed that he had seen them in this location before. I constantly scanned the fields and was eventually rewarded with an Emu! We stopped the car and I began taking photos although the Emu was on another side of a fence. I changed location to get a better angle for photos and noticed a sign that said “Emu World”…..great my most wanted bird turned out to be somebody’s pet!

After that huge disappointment we headed to the next location, Northam. As predicted by Peter, Western Corellas were quickly found and whilst photographing them a male Mistletoebird showed up. Spotted Harrier and Australian Kestrel were seen soon after we left this location.

Ebird checklists:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35148851
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35148848

Overall a great day with many lifers. A big thanks to Peter who knows all the birds and where to find them. I can totally recommend him for day trips or longer in this area. You can check out his website here:
http://www.birdingsw.com.au/

Photos:
1. Varied Sittella (Daphoenositta chrysoptera)
2. Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
3. Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)
4. Western Corella (Cacatua pastinator)
5. Rufous Treecreeper (Climacteris rufus)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

11 March 2017
Hoping for Avocets, Stilts or Freckled Duck I headed to Bibra Lake. Unfortunately none of those were present and although there were plenty of birds they were pretty much the same birds that I had found at Herdsman Lake and Lake Monger .

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35093997

Photos:
1. Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)
2. Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens)

Dave 2x · Apr 26, 2017

12 March 2017
Today it rained heavily. I made a quick visit to Kings Park in the late afternoon but nothing much was showing apart from a Western Gerygone.

Photos:
1. Western Gerygone (Gerygone fusca)
2. South Perth - the small sandy beach in the foreground usually held Greater Crested and Caspian Terns.

Dave 2x · Apr 27, 2017

13 March 2017
Another trip to Kings Park which had so far never failed to disappoint. Today was a different day with all my remaining photographic targets showing up within a 30 minute spell.

First up was a group of approximately 10 White-cheeked Honeyeaters and whilst trying to photograph them a lifer Rufous Whistler also appeared. At the same time I was hearing the calls of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos which I quickly managed to find. These were closely followed by a Brown Honeyeater which for once sat still for a few seconds allowing me a photo. Finally a productive morning at Kings Park.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35143645

Photos:
1. Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris)
2. Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen)
3. White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris niger)
4. Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta)
5. Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii)

Dave 2x · Apr 27, 2017

In the afternoon I returned to Sir James Mitchell Park. Nothing new on this visit. Each trip there is always enjoyable as you can get low down to the water for shots unlike the other Perth lakes that I had visited.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35148908

Photos:
1. Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata)
2. Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
3. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
4. Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)
5. Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis)

Dave 2x · Apr 27, 2017

A few more shots from 13 March 2017:

1. Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
2. Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)
3. Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae)
4. Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
5. Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena)

Dave 2x · Apr 27, 2017

14 March 2017
I returned to Victoria Dam and en-route was lucky enough to spot a large group of Red-necked Avocets and also lucky enough to just miss a suicidal Western Grey Kangaroo. Victoria Dam had some familiar birds and one that was new for this trip, a Sacred Kingfisher.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35165714

Photos:
1. Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris)
2. Red-capped Parrot (Purpureicephalus spurius)
3. Western Rosella (Platycercus icterotis)
4. Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)
5. Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)

Dave 2x · Apr 27, 2017

After hearing about my Emu disappointment on the 10 March, the Mrs felt sorry for me and agreed that we should head up to Nambung National Park. This National Park is a few hours drive North of Perth and according to Ebird at least, should give me a better chance of finding an Emu. About half way there, just past the turnoff to Yanchep National Park, I spotted a group of 4 Emus and thankfully this time no signs for “Emu World”.

As we now didn’t need to go any further North we went back to Yanchep National Park for a second visit. This visit was much more productive than the first and produced Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Pied Stilt, Masked Lapwing, at least 100 Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, Australian Ringneck and Scarlet Robin.

Ebird checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35169515

Photos:
1. Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens)
2. Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius)
3. Carnaby's Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris)
4. Pied Stilt (White-headed) (Himantopus leucocephalus)
5. Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Perth and Tasmania - March 2017 (1 Viewer)

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread