Wednesday, February 13, 2013

BOWRA SANCTUARY - Part 1




Our next port of call was Bowra Sanctuary in western Queensland, a former cattle property just west of Cunnamulla and a place that no self respecting birder should ever miss!





We enjoyed our stay of five days there and although the pickings weren't quite as rich when we visited four years ago, it still lived up to its reputation as an outstanding birding destination.


Black-winged Stilt


There was plenty of water around from the rain events that had affected much of eastern Australia in the previous months, which was great for the wildlife, plants and the landscape as a whole.     


Black-fronted Dotterel


Black-fronted Dotterel pair mating 


With much activity around the homestead area, we didn't have to go far to see some of the action with these Native-hens strutting along within view of our campsite.


Black-tailed Native-hens



Spotted Bowerbird bower



Western Grey Kangaroos



Wild horse


The 14,000 hectare property has many kilometers of tracks to explore so packing a picnic lunch and finding a spot beside the water to watch the varied bird life was a favourite activity. 


Sawpits Creek lagoon







White-faced Heron



White-necked Heron



Brolgas


Even though we were well in to winter with night time temps in the minus, the days were sunny and warm and some of the plant life obviously found this conducive to flowering. 











Cheers & Happy Birding



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

LAKE BROADWATER & MYALL PARK




Our first stop on the resumption of our travels in mid July 2012 was Lake Broadwater, not far from Dalby in south western Queensland. One of the main reasons for our stay was to look for the Barking Owls that had been reported previously. No luck there, but plenty of other bird life around to enjoy along with sunny days and crisp nights.


Little Corellas



Australasian Darter - male



Speckled Warbler



Australian Pelican



White-winged Chough



Red-winged Parrot



Red-winged Parrot


An overnight stay at the Myall Park Botanic Gardens near Glenmorgan was worth the detour on the way to our next destination. A walk through the bushland there didn't give us a big selection of birds but the variety of plants sure made up for it. Well worth a visit if you are heading out west.

   

Flowering gum




Gordon Grevillea




Minni ritchi tree


Minni ritchi - bark on trunk



Cheers & Happy Birding