Inland to the NSW Riverland - Cobar and Leeton

Cobar

30 – 31 August 2018

The drive south takes you over the border into New South Wales, and on to Bourke, where we had a short rest stop before continuing on to Cobar. We hadn’t planned on driving as far each day, but we were managing well, so decided to make Cobar our overnight stop. As we had come to expect, the temperature dropped as night approached, and there was also a very strong wind. We opted to make and eat our dinner in the camp kitchen just across from our site – and we weren’t the only ones who did this.

The wind howled throughout the night, but we were snug and warm with our small electric fan heater. When we finally ventured out in the morning, we saw that a small branch from a nearby tree had come down just a few metres from our camper trailer. The wind continued to blow while we had breakfast, again making use of the camp kitchen. The forecast was for another windy day, so after a quick look around town, and a coffee, we headed off from Cobar with Lake Cargelligo as our planned destination.

It really made my day seeing these echidnas crossing the road. I had to stop and get some pics!

Male Mulga Parrot spotted from the car.

Leeton

31 August – 1 September 2018

We had visited Lake Cargelligo once before and had taken a cabin because the weather was so awful so we were a bit dismayed to see that the wind was still blowing hard when we arrived there on this trip. We called into the caravan park and asked about a cabin but were told they were all booked out for Show weekend. Darn! We had a lunch in the bakery then went down to the lake for a look around. From there we went out to the Sewerage Treatment Works – a known bird watching spot.

Sheep at the STP but no birds.

Curlew Sandpiper at Lake Cargelligo.

Mick chose Leeton as our next stop – a bit out of the way, but he had read about a swamp that he wanted to visit. We called ahead and booked a cabin – the wind was forecast to continue, with some rain as well. After driving through Griffith, we arrived at Leeton and settled in. As predicted the wind persisted throughout the night, and it also rained. We were glad for this bit of forward planning.

Bad weather had forced me to change some planned birding stops but I'm glad we braved the cold wind to visit Fivebough Swamp. Although it's not a photographer friendly wetland, there was a good variety of waterbirds to see. Generally, they were way too distant for good shots though. Out of the water, we heard Little Grassbird and saw Silvereye, Weebill, Variegated Fairy-wren and Double-barred Finch. This place will always be special to me for my, long awaited, first Blue-billed Duck. Mick.  

The Blue-billed Duck was my first 'lifer' of this trip.

Grey Teal, Freckled Duck Australian Shoveler and Black-winged Stilts.

Clamorous Reed Warbler.

We were able to leave the camper trailer behind while we went out to explore Fivebough Swamp. Despite the grey skies and the swamp being rather dry in parts, it was a pleasant couple of hours spent wandering around. We returned to collect the trailer and set off for Mildura.