AUSTRALIA: WESTERN AUSTRALIA, Dryandra to Perth

Dryandra Woodland

Oct 7:  Today marked our last full day in Western Australia, the country’s largest geographical state, but home to just 10% of it’s inhabitants, most of whom reside in the southwest corner of the state, in or near the state capital of Perth, on the coast.  We had spent the night in Narrogin, and awoke early to head to the Dryandra Woodlands for morning birding.  We soon located a Rufous Treecreeper and had scope views of a Horsfield Bronzed Cuckoo. Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters were the most numerous honeyeaters in the woodlands There was great excitement when a Western Shrike Tit appeared unexpectedly in front of us. This striking yellow bird with black and white head, was gone in a flash, but we had all seen it.  We added two new robin species to our list, a female Red-capped Robin, and a Jacky Winter, a rather dull-looking, but moderately common bird.  Scarlet Robins were also seen.

With 200km to go to get to Perth, we continued on our way, making one stop at Wungong Dam in the early afternoon. Avian activity was light, except for a Little Eagle gliding over the forest canopy and Splendid Fairywrens in the roadside scrub.

Arriving in Perth, we visited Kings Park and Botanical Gardens, set on a bluff overlooking the city and Swan River. At 1000 acres, it is the largest inner-city park in the world, and much enjoyed by hundreds of urban residents and visitors. We strolled through the botanical gardens and grassy parkland, dotted with stately shade trees, enjoying this lovely day. The lively sounds of Red Wattlebirds, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Rainbow Lorikeets added to the natural hum of this peaceful park.

After checking into our hotel, Barry went to return our van and trailer, while most of the group opted to relax for the remainder of the afternoon.  Joy, Anna Marie and I wandered across the road from the hotel to check out the lake. We found a nice assortment of waterfowl, including Black Swan, Australasian Grebe, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Hardhead, Australian Wood Duck and Australian Shelduck as well as Australasian Darter. Amongst the cattails we found an Australian Reed Warbler on a nest.  Brown Honeyeaters were ubiquitous and we had excellent looks at a Singing Honeyeater.

We enjoyed our last dinner in Western Australia, and eagerly anticipated the next and final leg of our Australian tour, exploring the island state of Tasmania.
all photos © adrian binns