Outback odyssey

Having had a couple of days in Malaysia, it was time to head to Australia for the next 3 and a half weeks to go on a road trip into the edge of the outback and ending up on the Queensland coast for some whale watching before returning to Sydney. Arriving at Sydney Airport after a very bumpy flight, we made our way up to Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains where Toni’s Dad lives.

After a few days getting over any remaining jetlag, and doing some wildlife watching locally, we loaded the car and set off on the road trip, our first stop being the Pilligas, then Brewarrina and finally after 3 days, our (well, my) main destination, Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary.

The drive wasn’t without its wildlife highlights, the best being a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles feeding on one of the many roadkill Kangaroos that litter the outback roads that flew up as we approached and then circled overhead when we pulled up.

 Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Wedge-tailed Eagle

21st July

Having completely misjudged the distance and the condition of some of the outback roads, plus getting sidetracked by my first Red Kangaroos, a pair of Brolgas, some Australian Bustards and Brown Falcons by the road, we finally got to Cunnamulla just after dark.

Red Kangaroo

Brolga

Brown Falcon

Australian Bustard

Arriving in Cunnamulla, we were surprised how quiet it was and not much appeared open, even though it was only just after 6pm and having little food with us, wanted to find something to eat, but it was only when we happened upon a cafe that was still open did we realise it was because it was Sunday night that everything else was closed. Thankfully the cafe also sold fish and chips, so with food in hand, we drove the short journey to Bowra, only to be told that we were a day early, I had booked us in for the night of the 22^nd! Thankfully they were very understanding and as there was only one other couple in the Shearer’s Quarters, there was plenty of room for us for an extra night stay.

22nd July

Having arrived at Bowra in the dark, we had no idea what habitat we had driven through, and we awoke to a cacophony of noise and ventured out of the quarters. In the early morning light, there were lots of birds around the immediate area, mostly White-browed Woodswallows and Brown Treecreepers feeding on the ground while a nearly pool had 4 White-headed Stilts and a couple of Black-fronted Dotterel.

White-browed Woodswallow

One bird that I really wanted to see on this outback leg of the trip was Splendid Fairywren. I have always had a passion for Fairywrens, and Splendid are probably the best looking of the lot, and thankfully we were told of a nesting pair in a gravel pit. As we drove the tracks around the reserve, there were birds everywhere, mostly Woodswallows but also Crimson Chats, Crested Bellbird, White-winged Trillers and even a couple of Budgerigars!

male Crimson Chat

Once we arrived at the gravel pits, we soon saw the Splendid Fairywrens, the males quite stunning being a dazzling electric blue, but photographing them was remarkably tricky as they moved back and forth to feed young in an out of sight nest, and didn’t always follow a set route to allow for preparation and staking out a particular perch.

male Splendid Fairywren

As we arrived back at the Shearer’s Quarters, 2 Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos were feeding on some fruit, and having only earlier seen them briefly in flight, it was nice to see this local specialty too.

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo

After a lunchtime wander down to Cunnamulla to do some food shopping, I went for a wander round Bowra alone in the evening, which was much quieter, but still produced very photogenic Red-capped Robin and a Banded Lapwing.

Banded Lapwing

Red-capped Robin

23rd July

Awake early again, we had another drive around the reserve, which was much quieter than yesterday but before we left, we paid another visit to the fairywrens. After a fair wait, the male showed much better than yesterday and I was much happier with the photos I managed to get of him.

male Splendid Fairywren

We were told of a pair of White-winged Fairywrens along the entrance track that we had completely failed to find yesterday, but taking our time, we found the rolls of wire we had been told to look out for and sure enough, flicking around on top of it was a stunning male.

male White-winged Fairywren

Having thought Splendid Fairywrens were the best looking, having sat and photographed male White-winged Fairywren, I am now not sure which I prefer, but safe to say, they are both stunning and what a great way to finish a visit to this superb reserve.