A few pictures today from another rewarding early morning walk to Cape Woolamai. When the weather is right it is a place worth getting up early for! It appears that there is always something to different of the feathered kind to see and the views are exceptional!
Good-sized meal for a Chat methinks!
Australasian pipit perched on some Cape Woolamai pink granite
Australian magpie chases down a Brown falcon to provide some feedback
These shots were taken within two seconds. When checking my pictures later the magpie appears to end up with something in it's bill that is not there in the first two shots. I am assuming that the falcon is now short a couple of feathers!
A contemplative Australian magpie. I remembered later that Collingwood had just been knocked out of the AFL finals.
We surprised each other. One shot and this White-faced heron was off!
On the day of my walk in late September 2013 I took a few snippets of video:
The trail starts from the Woolamai surf beach car park and follows the beach until the cliffs commence. Hooded plover are commonly seen along this stretch (but that's another story). Steps take you to the top of the cliffs and shortly thereafter the trail splits into a circuit. Of late I have tended to take the "western" arm as this follows the ocean enabling me to keep an eye out for distant albatross. Sometimes I return this way as well. The views are spectacular. Taking the other arm will certainly add to your Woolamai day list as it passes through heathland (Superb fairy-wren, cisticola) and a good stand of banksia which is full of honeyeaters (wattlebirds and New Holland Honeyeater dominate).
Throughout the cape there is the opportunity to see raptors (Swamp harrier, Peregrine falcon, Nankeen kestrel, Black-shouldered kite and White-bellied sea eagle).
If the weather is unpleasant (either too warm or too wet and windy) do not take a young family - this is an 8km round trip!
Before your walk you may like to read the Phillip Island Nature Park's Nature Notes for Cape Woolamai.
The kids trudging, January 2011
Early morning view from the beach
I had forewarning of this burn but was relieved to find no evidence of it!
Up on the high ground
Much higher up now looking back towards the beach that was the starting point. Much rain has created fresh water pools on top of the headland.
We drove home from Wee Jasper to Melbourne last Saturday. Here are the car stoppers! The first two shots were taken on the Wee Jasper - Yass Road near the intersection with Sawyers Gully Road (locale known as Narrangullen?).
White-browed woodswallow
Australasian pipit
Nankeen night-heron lurking near the bridge over the Goodradigbee at Wee Jasper
Lunch was at Holbrook (the queue at the well-known bakery was out the door - we settled for our own sandwiches) where I was surprised to see Blue-faced honeyeater and a pair of Dollarbirds.
This Dollarbird and what I believe to be Yellow thornbill were seen when walking the Ian Geddes Bushwalk at Holbrook.
Nice January additions to this Melbourne birder's year list!
Ahh yes, did I mention that the ponds are of the sewage stabilisation type?
I was thrilled to get the opportunity to have a quick birding visit to the Alice Springs poo ponds while in Alice recently - even more thrilled to be shown around by my good friend and brother-in-law Richard. It makes quite a difference when you know which section of saltbush may be worth hanging around! A few non-bird shots to set the scene ....
Looking south towards Ilparpa Rd.
Heavitree Gap from the poo ponds. Alice Springs proper is just through there!
Black-winged stilt
I don't get to these guys a lot so enjoyed seeing them close and experimenting with some Central Australian colours!
Confused pacific black duck
Red-necked avocet
This whistling kite was probably keen to get started on it's feed because it knew it would be harassed by the local Torresian crows.
A pink-eared duck thought it all terribly amusing
Red-kneed dotterel demonstrating the knees that are its namesake
This Australasian pipit was just begging to have its photo taken!
There were many birding highlights. Some of these however were associated with photographic disappointment! I would have dearly loved these absolutely gorgeous white-winged fairy-wren to allow us a little closer (or at least jump into focus)! Just to see this very handsome bird (lifer!) was a thrill.
Similarly we had almost given up on orange chat but a few sprang into (distant) view as we wandered back towards the car.
I certainly added to my "year list" as well and just about all the birds pictured here today have not been seen on this Victorian birder's blog before! What fun! You can also check out the Eremaea list of species from the visit.
