Western NSW bird adventure - Day 4

Day 4.

Gundabooka NP, Bourke and Byrock.

I awoke at 3.30am this morning after such a ridiculous bedtime, and waited for what I hoped would be a good morning chorus. The Singing Honeyeaters started up before dawn and did not stop all morning. They even drowned out the Crested Bellbirds and they were so annoying that I was actually wishing they would shut up. Off for my next walk to see if I could find the Quail-thrushes again but it wasn’t to be. I did however find a single White-browed Treecreeper; I was a happy boy (even if my photo is of its back). Back to the car, all packed up and on the road by 9am.

Species at Gundabooka.
Mallee Ringneck, Apostlebird, White-plumed Honeyeater, Emu, White-backed Swallow, Brown Falcon, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Rufous Whistler, Crested Bellbird, Southern Whiteface, Splendid Fairy-wren, Mistletoebird, Red-capped Robin, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Mulga Parrot, Willy Wagtail, Australian Raven, Little Crow, Common Bronzewing, Singing Honeyeater, Rufous Songlark, White-browed Treecreeper, White-winged Chough, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater.

Bourke.

Only place I could find worth visiting was the river banks at the ‘Port of Bourke’. Only excitement was a steak pie and a drink from the bakery, a battle between a pair of nesting Whistling Kites and a pesky Raven.

Species at Bourke.

Common Blackbird, White-plumed Honeyeater, Australian Raven, Whistling Kite, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Eastern Great Egret, Sacred Kingfisher, Little Corella, Little Friarbird, Crested Pigeon, Rock Dove, Grey Shrike-thrush, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Magpie, Magpie Lark, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Apostlebird, Straw-necked Ibis, Black Falcon.

Byrock.

This was to be an overnight stop and for those who are ever in the area, the waterhole behind the Mulga Creek Hotel is a fantastic birding spot and an easy two day birding area. The Waterhole is on Aboriginal land but no access permits are required ;) The pub makes huge meals (don’t eat for three days prior) and though they know nothing about birds, the publican does have a list of species reported to them by travellers (Like Alan Morris). I was honoured enough to add a five new species to the list (Plumed-whistling Duck, Banded Lapwing, Diamond Dove, Brown Quail and Rufous Night Heron). At least a dozen Pink Cockatoos seen, including a nesting pair (no idea on young).

Species at Byrock.

Apostlebird, Hooded Robin, Red-capped Robin, Crested Pigeon, Pied Cormorant, Black-fronted Dotterel, Australasian Grebe, Aust, Reed Warbler, Welcome Swallow, Willy Wagtail, Restless Flycatcher, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Galah, Grey-crowned Babbler, Pink Cockatoo, Straw-necked Ibis, White-plumed Honeyeater, Mistletoebird, Spotted Bowerbird, Mallee Ringneck, Magpie, Magpie Lark, Diamond Dove, Mulga Parrot, Striped Honeyeater, Southern Whiteface, Banded Lapwing, Zebra Finch, Red-winged Parrot, Plumed Whistling duck, Inland Thornbill, Brown Quail, Peaceful Dove, Splendid Fairy-wren, Rufous Night Heron, Little Friarbird.