262) Gluepot again

Musk Lorikeet

Gluepot Reserve in SA is becoming a favorite place. The camping is good, the birds (and birdhides) are excellent and its somewhat convenient (5 hrs) from Adelaide. So I took a few days and went back before I was due in Adelaide at the Australian conference.

White-fronted Honeyeater

One of my sought species was the White-fronted Honeyeater.While widespread in OZ they are an interior species so we don't see them near the coast. We found a few, including juveniles along a brilliant walk  and found them skittish and hard to photograph.

Black-eared/Yellow-throated Miner Hybrid (maybe....)

For some reason I took photos of what we assumed were Noisy Miners (common and pest-like). Only after returning to Sydney did we look closely and notice this photo was not quite right.

After some heated debate among the intelligentsia of the bird-world on a "bird-ID" site we now think this is a Black Eared Miner/Yellow Throated Miner hybrid. This is only significant because BEMs are endangered and  live only in this area. Part of their species decline is inter-breeding.

Variegated Fairywren (M)

It was high season for Fairy Wrens. They were active and calling and great fun to follow around.

One of the great campsites in Glue Pot. After Day one I was the only person there - its was HOT! As a note, the area is named after the consistency of the soil in the area after any significant rain. Visitors w/out true 4x4s watch the clouds!

Apostlebirds

While I was there I heard that the Apostle Birds (one of our favorite social species) were back. Not for the season but back to the area. They had not been seen for some years (?) but were again in residence. They offered much amusement at the water troughs at the birdhides.

A Common Bronzewing showing lovely colors.

Brown-headed Honeyeaters

Brown headed Honeyeaters at the hide. They were in great abundance and given the December heat (30C+) were easy to find at water.

























A Red Wattlebird showing off his namesake red wattles!

Grey Currawong

A new bird for me - the Grey (or Clinking) Currowong. These are S  and W species and so they were a good spot for me.