After my success with the Ground Parrot, the weather cleared up enough for us to head out on our hike. The plan was the walk 13km south to the coast, Cox Bight. Most of this walk was through button grass, so I was optimistic of finding more Ground Parrots. Unfortunately, we only flushed one from the side of the track. I did get some brief views of a BLACK CURRAWONG, and a few Yellow-throated Honeyeaters were also around, but not much else.
The birding really picked up as soon as we got to the beach. A beachcombing Black Currawong gave fantastic views – apparently they’re notorious for not being frightened of people in the slightest. This one sure wasn’t.
A few lifers quickly followed the Currawong. FOREST RAVENS were flying around the area, and two KELP GULLS were resting on the beach, amongst some Pied Oystercatchers. The highlight of the beach was 3 little birds sitting above the high tide mark, HOODED PLOVERS! When you look at the field guides, you wouldn’t think they’re particularly well camouflaged. Down here, I learnt quite the opposite. Try and spot the plover in the second photo (you might want it on full size).
Arriving at our beach front campsite, we quickly set up the tent. No less than 20 minutes later, it started to rain… heavily. For the whole hike, the rain clouds had been blown just to the east of us (literally, there was heavy rain 1km away from us pretty much the whole time!). Another “all about timing” moment – had we still been hiking, we would have been very wet indeed.
After an hour sitting in the tent, the rain finally stopped, and I got outside to tick off PACIFIC GULL, TASMANIAN THORNBILL and TASMANIAN SCRUBWREN. Most of the afternoon was spent trying to see the Crescent Honeyeaters calling all around me. Surprisingly, I didn’t see one! There was one in a dense bush 3m in front of me at one stage, and I couldn’t see it (except a brief, untickable flash as he flew off)
The hike back to Melaleuca the next day was also relatively quiet. Heard about 4 Ground Parrots call throughout the hike (not sure why the field guides say before dawn/after dusk – I heard one at 12:30), and flushed one of them. While looking for the parrot where it had landed, I finally found a pair of STRIATED FIELDWRENS, who were reasonably cooperative with a bit of pishing.
After arriving back at the huts, there was a 30 minute gap before the rain started… and didn’t stop for 4 hours! Another case of perfect timing. At one stage when the rain lessened for a few minutes, I raced over to the bird hide. As it is enclosed, it’s the perfect place to spend rain periods – warm, dry with great views of birds, including the resident OLIVE WHISTLER.
The next morning was meant to be our last day in the south-west. I spent my morning helping with the OBP count (as I had been doing every morning and afternoon). While walking back to the hut for some breakfast, dad felt something moving in his raincoat hood. Sure enough, when he put his hand in to get it out, a Pygmy Possum jumped out and ran into a clump of button grass. Helen picked him up and we took him back to the hut, where the night before he must have got into the raincoat. As for the species, it’s either a Little PP or Eastern PP – I’m leaning towards Eastern due to the colouration…
Anyway, at about midday we were told we couldn’t fit on the flight out… and the weather was meant to be cr#p until Monday night, so we wouldn’t be able to fly out until Tuesday… We were a bit worried for a while there, we wouldn’t make it to Bruny if that was going to happen.
At 7:00, we were starting to get used to the fact we’d be there for a few more days. Suddenly, we heard the plane in the distance. A rush to pack up, and by 7:30 we were in the air. In my opinion, the south-west of Tasmania
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