Gluepot Reserve

4 – 8 September 2018

We left Mildura and drove west along the Sturt Highway towards the South Australian border. There is a Quarantine Inspection Station where all vehicles are stopped and inspected. The rules for taking certain fruits, vegetables and plant materials are clear and fines apply if travellers don’t declare and surrender prohibited materials.

We stopped for a cuppa at a rest stop near Lake Cullulleraine, then for a stretch and walk by the river at Paringa. From there it was on to Waikerie where we had lunch in a very nice park by the river. We stocked up on fruit and vegetables, then took the ferry across the river for the drive to Gluepot Reserve.

Birdlife Australia Gluepot Reserve is another must do for serious bird-watchers. There are three camp grounds to choose from, five bird hides and at least a dozen walks. On the way in we stopped at the bird hide near Emu Tank, then drove to the visitor centre and paid our small camping fee for three nights, which we later extended to four, then made our way to Sittella Campground. For all but the last night, we had the campground entirely to ourselves.

Our camp at Sittella campground.

The gloves were off... for a moment at least.

View from the camp.

On our first full day, we visited the hides at Old Gluepot, Froggy Dam, and Grasswren Tank. The hides are well maintained and all have a water point with perches which kept the photographer very happy. Mick decided Emu Tank hide was his favourite and visited a number of times during our stay.

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater at the hide.

A Weebill hunts on the ground.

Gluepot Reserve is an iconic Aussie birding location and I've wanted to visit it for many years. There is a chance of seeing some very rare and endangered or at least super special species. Black-eared Miner, Scarlet-chested Parrot and Striated Grasswren are among the specialties you may be lucky enough to see here. Unfortunately I didn't have too much luck. I think I found and photographed Black-eared Miner (it could be a hybrid of Yellow-throated) but would like to have seen Regent Parrots and Major Mitchell's Cockatoos coming in to the hides as they sometimes do. There were plenty of birds to keep me busy with the camera but not the variety I'd hoped for. Mick.

Possible Black-eared Miner.

Male Splendid Fairywren.

Finally, a good shot of a Striped Honeyeater.

White-eared Honeyeater.

There were always heaps of Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters at the hides.

Showing off the plume very well.

The next day we did the 5.5km Mallee Fowl walk. Along this walk is a short detour to observe a mallee fowl mound. Unfortunately for us he wasn’t home at the time. At the end of the walk you can either return along the same track or return via the road. We decided to return via the road and were very surprised to see that we were to traverse a number of old dunes. We hadn’t noticed going up and down on the walk through the mallee but it was very evident once on the road.

Christie and our mascot mid walk.

Hardy succulents thrive in the dry sand.

A little Dragon soaks up the early morning sun.

Meadow Argus butterfly

On Friday we walked the Whistler Tank walk to John Martin Bird Hide. To the hide and back is about 5km, or you can do the full circuit that goes via the Homestead Dam, and is about 6km. This walk started through quite different looking country – black oaks being the predominant species, before opening up into more typical mallee.

 

White-browed Babbler.

Male Mulga Parrot. I never get tired of seeing these.

The only downside to our stay at Gluepot was the extremely cold overnight temperatures. My little thermometer told us it was 4° at 7am most days. Not very pleasant for a couple of North Queenslanders, but we managed. On our final morning Mick chatted with some campers who had arrived the evening before. One of them recommended a birdy spot that was on our way to our next destination. We made one last stop at Emu Tank hide and then set off for Red Banks, and Burra.