On the road again - Inverell and Barraba

Inverell

6 – 9 November

On our way from Girraween National Park and the markets at Wallangara, we stopped for a cuppa in a park in Tenterfield and then realised that the contact Mick was hoping to go birdwatching with lived in Inverell not Glen Innes as he had first thought. Oh well, on to Inverell it was. We stopped at a nice rest area by a river at Swan Vale (I think). There was a toilet and picnic tables so suited us well. We made our way on the Inverell and settled into a caravan park.

Lots of birdlife around this park. Musk Lorikeet.

Australian Wood Duck in the campground

We ventured into town for some supplies and settled down for another very cold night. Mick had to be up early to meet Ian and it was a bit of a shock to the system to get out of bed in 8 degrees. Mick went out to photograph birds while I did some housekeeping and then ventured into town for a look around. After a good morning out, Mick returned before lunch and then we went back into town for a look at the op-shops using a list and map we had picked up at the Visitor Information Centre. After drinks at Ian’s we settled in for another cold night.

Fuscous Honeyeater

Mick and Ian went out again in the morning while I pottered around the camp. We spent the rest of the day doing some chores and having the local caravan repairer look at the problem we were having with the main zip on the canvas. During the evening a big storm rolled in, with thunder and lightening. We were glad to be able to retreat to the shelter and comfort of the camp kitchen during the worst of it.

About six fox cubs trotted toward Ian's car as it pulled up. We were unable to work out why these very secretive animals would behave in such a way. As they got closer, I moved to adjust my camera settings and they fled at top speed!

Fortunately the rain did not persist through the night so with clear skies the canvas was dry by the time we packed up to leave. We had intended to go out to Kwiambal National Park, but with more storms forecast we decided to move on to Barraba where Mick had read there are a number of bird trails.

Barraba

9 – 10 November 2016

We had a coffee before leaving Inverell and heading for Barraba. It wasn’t a very long drive so we arrived around lunch time. After setting up the camper trailer and having lunch we drove the short distance into town for a look around and to get some information about the bird trails – and to visit the couple of op-shops. There is no official visitor information centre in Barraba, but a sign outside the coffee shop indicates tourist information is available there so that’s where we started. They had a few brochures but nothing on the bird trails although the Tamworth booklet mentioned them and that information was available at the bakery or greengrocer, so over the road we went. The lady in the bakery said she was all out of the bird trails brochure so she checked next door with the greengrocer and he didn’t have any either. She rang the shire office and located some so we drove up there to collect one. It really shouldn’t be that hard.

A storm had been building and it started to rain so we spent some time in the camp kitchen before deciding to go to the local Bowling Club for dinner. What a bargain it was - $15 all you could eat Chinese and seafood buffet. The food was good and plentiful, and this Wednesday special was very popular.

We packed up in the morning with the canvas still damp and headed off in search of the possible location of the Turquoise Parrot. That’s when the trouble started.