A Good Look Around : West Leichardt Station

10 – 12 September 2017

We had heard of West Leichardt Station and friends recommended it so we decided that would be our next stop. Mick was keen to search for the Kalkadoon and Carpentaria grasswrens in Mount Isa, but I wasn’t keen on staying there so West Leichardt, only 30kms out of town, seemed like a reasonable compromise.

About 30kms west of Mount Isa we turned down the road to Gunpowder and drove about 8kms to a spot where the grasswrens might be found. No luck – again, so on through Mount Isa and then to West Leichardt Station. The station is about 30 kms out of Mount Isa, along the Lake Julius Road.

This is a working cattle station and it's possible to help out or tag along if you want to. We didn't this time.

We were greeted by Michelle and shown a couple of options for camping, and we chose the shadiest. It was a very hot day, and the forecast for the following one was to be even hotter. We had a bit of a look around and Mick was delighted to see that the house dam had water in it. He visited a number of times over the two days we spent there, and also took lots of photos right at our camp where many birds visited. Late each afternoon guests, workers and station volunteers gather on the lawn for happy hour. The barbecue is fired up and guests are welcome to cook their dinner there while enjoying the company and a drink or two.

As the surrounding dams and creeks dry up, the bore water used around the homestead becomes a lifeline to wildlife.

One of a group of Grey-crowned Babblers hunting on the well watered grass.

Little Friarbird, one of several medium sized, greyish birds that were common around camp.

Gregarious and very entertaining, Apostlebirds were never far away.

A Spotted Bowerbird and Silver-crowned Friarbird face off behind our camp.

Silver-crowned Friarbird, a new bird for me.

The Spotted Bowerbird getting cranky.

We had thought to drive back into Mt Isa in the morning but the forecast was for a maximum in the mid-thirties so we decided to just stay in camp and try to stay cool. There was little chance of seeing birds about in that heat - they would be seeking a shady place too if they had any sense.

The walk to and around the house dam was quite rewarding. As well as the species below, I saw Black-breasted Buzzard, Restless Flycatcher, Crimson Chat and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Mick.