Bowra Bird Sanctuary - near Cunnamulla

25 - 29 April 

Birders focus on a beautiful Major Mitchell's Cockatoo as it contemplates a drink in the lagoon.

Bowra had been on Mick's "must do" list for some time, so it was an easy choice for a few days' camping. The property is only a few kilometres outside Cunnamulla (which was completely closed for Anzac Day). On arrival the caretakers provided maps and tips about the best birding spots. Roads loop all around the property so there would be lots for Mick to do. We selected a camp spot by the lagoon where there was lots of bird activity. Most visitors are birders so there was lots of information shared.

Chestnut-crowned Babbler close to camp.

A Red-kneed Dotterel only metres from our camp by the lagoon.

The facilities are basic but adequate and our camp spot by the lagoon was perfect. There are a number of other accommodation options including a cottage and rooms in the old shearers' quarters. A cold wind was blowing when we set up camp, but it died down overnight. 

We spent our time each day driving the many tracks in search of birds to photograph. In the evening, a "bird call" is held where visitors nominate the species (and numbers) they have identified during the day. Mick attended a couple of these get-togethers.

Blue Bonnets

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo

Mulga Parrots were seen regularly though not in great numbers.

Galah

On Monday we headed into Cunnamulla to stock up on supplies, refill the gas bottle and get cash. Cunnamulla isn't well serviced by banks and the ATM at the supermarket wasn't working (and they wouldn't do cash-out) but the lovely lady at the tyre centre (where we had the gas bottle refilled) directed us to the pub with an ATM. We decided on lunch "in town" so went to the Boulders Coffee Shop. Nice food, good, friendly service. 

Painted Honeyeater in the distance, a lifer for me.

Bowra is such a lovely and peaceful spot we decided to spend an extra day, making it four nights in total. Even though I'm not a bird watcher, I found it easy to enjoy the surrounds - and catch up on some reading.

Formerly a sheep station, Bowra is now an Australian Wildlife Conservancy property that allows members of the public to visit and stay for a reasonable fee. Ongoing work is being carried out to control or eradicate the many pest species that have become established here. We commonly saw feral cats, goats and pigs as well as evidence of cattle on our drives around the place. There are also lots of native animals.

An Echidna has a rest before resuming its quest for ants.

The birds I most wanted to see and hopefully photograph at Bowra were the Bourke's Parrot, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush and Hall's Babbler. Well... that didn't go well at all and I dipped on all of them. There were eighteen other birders visiting at the same time as us and most of them did manage to see two of these species. The Quail-thrush was staying completely hidden to the best of my knowledge. I'll just have to go back again.

Little Woodswallow.

Black-faced Woodswallow.

White-browed Woodswallow.

Striped Honeyeater

Southern Whiteface. Seen in a mixed flock of Thornbills.

On the positive side, there were plenty of birds and animals to see and appreciate in a very rugged, harsh and beautiful part of the country. Kangaroos and Emus roam the property in large numbers and it is essential to be vigilant while driving as they can burst from cover and shoot across the track without warning.

We sat by the cottage dam on a couple of afternoons in the hope of seeing Bourke's Parrots come in to drink. Lots of Spotted Bowerbirds, Galahs, Emus, Cockatoos and White-plumed Honeyeaters did come in but no Bourke's. What a great way to spend a couple of hours though, watching cautious animals and birds coming in to drink in the golden afternoon light, especially with a beer or two to settle the day's dust.

We saw hundreds of Emus on the property.

A Red Kangaroo bathed in the last light of the day.

A Spotted Bowerbird hears the camera clicking while about to bathe.

Most of our short stay was spent driving the network of roads through different vegetation types looking for bird movement. Once birds were spotted I would get out and investigate while Christie read her book. The rest of the time there was usually something to watch back at our camp on the edge of the lagoon, like Yellow-billed Spoonbills or passing raptors, a Glossy Ibis flew in one day.

Christie reading while I hunt Babblers.

Yellow-billed Spoonbill

Black-fronted Plover

A Zebra Finch is plucked and devoured by a Brown Goshawk in a tree beside the lagoon.

Thornbills were often encountered in country with low/medium scrub. For years I have put off trying to identify these tiny brown birds but decided to have a serious go this time. There are about five possible on the property. I've found the camera is a wonderful aid to identifying these difficult species. That's if you can get a decent shot of course.  My arms were often aching and weak from attempting to follow the perpetual motion of these tiny targets with my heavy gear but I came away with a few shots and IDs for the effort. Mick.

Red-capped Robins were encountered on most excursions.

Jacky Winter. There's no shortage of these at Bowra.

Hooded Robin

Common Bronzewing

Inland Thornbill

Yellow Thornbill

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill.

We finally set off on Wednesday morning headed for Charleville, but we did stop at the Boulders Coffee Shop to do some online work (gold coin donation to charity) and have a coffee. Great coffee and fast internet. Fabulous!