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.
'Enjoyed several encounters with raptors at Phillip Island at the weekend. I was driving along a gravel backroad and went past this car-stopper. The Brown falcon hung around briefly while I cricked my neck trying to photograph it out the car window having stopped 20 metres further on.
Brown falcon, Phillip Island
Sprung!
Ready for take-off! Brown falcon, Pyramid Rock Rd, Phillip Island, 7th April 2013
I'm glad I stopped! I was also looking foward to checking out photos taken of a fast moving but silhouetted falcon seen at Swan Lake .....
Peregrine falcon (immature), Swan Lake, Phillip Island
We arrived at Windjana Gorge one late afternoon in August. These Black kite appeared as sentinels in the setting sun - probably just hanging and keeping an eye out for scraps ... or maybe .... guarding something perhaps?!
Not really, but the kids did enjoy pointing out these little treasures rustling in the scrub next morning!
Brown quail, Windjana Gorge, 14 August 2012
The quail were seen adjacent to the camping area which is outside the actual gorge. We walked the gorge for about 2 hours (out and back) but it deserves much more time. I was torn to have to turn around as each bend in the gorge seemed to promise more interesting sights and varied habitat.
Little bronze-cuckoo amongst the trees lining the gorge. Lifer!
Below are Yellow-tinted honeyeater, a White-gaped honeyeater feeding and White-winged triller.
Brown falcon looking down on me
People may be aware that Windjana Gorge is probably best known for a different form of wildlife. This Black-fronted dotterel appears to be tip-toeing past such a beast!
These Freshwater crocodile are everywhere. They are harmless to humans unless disturbed.
We've covered birds and reptiles - bats represent the mammals today. Fishing is prohibited in the Gorge and barramundi can be seen swimming!
Views within Windjana Gorge and one from the camping area "amenity" looking back at the cliff walls of the gorge entrance.
I would expect that spending a few days here would be very productive from the birding point of view! Here's the Eremaea list from our little visit.
We spent a few hours in Wyndham principally to visit the Croc Farm. In the heat of the day the only striking birding experiences were of the omnipresent Brown falcons on poles and electricity wires, black & whistling kites scavenging and other birds that knew when it was feeding time for the crocodiles.
A wild flock of Helmeted guinea fowl caught my attention. It left the footy ground, crossed the highway and disappeared into the scrub.
Black kites frequenting the Wyndham crocs footy oval. This is looking south west with a few young boabs and the Kimberley's Cockburn range in the background.
This White-bellied sea eagle appeared at feeding time at the croc farm (didn't have the right camera I'm afraid - this from a compact Canon ISUS - just imagine wotif!)
Wyndham croc farm
Wyndham (above & below). Old township views.
View south from Wyndham's impressive Five Rivers Lookout
