Gluepot Reserve

 27 - 30 November 2021

We set off for Gluepot knowing we could stay up to 5 days if we wanted to, but aiming for 3 or 4. The weather had cleared and we were expecting a few warm days, with over 30 by mid-week. Shortly after the turn-off we started to see the effects of some very heavy rain over the last few days. Gluepot rarely receives much rain, but this had not been the case in the previous weeks, with over 60mm recorded. The road in traverses private property and there were a number of very large puddles which had to be negotiated carefully around. Further on there was a stretch where the road had been washed away requiring some precision driving.

There was more very large puddles once we reached Gluepot itself. We tried to drive around each one so as not to further damage the road. We stopped at Emu Hide on the way in and chatted with some fellow birders. On arrival at the visitor centre we signed in and met the ranger. After a quick chat, and after paying our modest camping fees we made our way to Babbler Campground. Each of the three campgrounds are well set up with toilets and some picnic tables. Fires are definitely not allowed on the property. We chose a spot with its own picnic table and settled in.

Late in the afternoon we made our way to Whistler Tank Hide at the suggestion of the ranger who indicated that the Regent Parrots may be found there. It was a short drive from Babbler Campground, then a 2.5km walk. Afternoon probably wasn't the best time to be there but it was a good walk anyway and allowed MIck to work out when he should be heading off in the morning.

Up at 5:00am, Mick set off for Whistler Hide while I enjoyed a quiet morning at camp. He was rewarded with lots of photos of the parrots was well as other species. He repeated the effort the following morning and was similarly rewarded. In the afternoon we took a drive around to some of the other hides - carefully avoiding the worst of the wet roads.

On our final morning we ventured across the road to the Babbler Walk (South). Not far in, Mick found a very birdy spot so he stayed there while I continued on the 2.7km walk. I had been using a hiking app on my phone and discovered that it was actually 3.3km. It was well marked and easy though. Once we were both back at camp we packed up and departed the campground.

We stopped at the visitor centre to check out and the ranger advised us that they had actually closed the reserve again the previous day as a result of the state of the road in. Although we had not experienced too much difficulty getting through they were concerned about potential visitors in 2WD vehicles. We were indeed fortunate to get in when we did.

We set off back to Waikerie and then on towards Mount Barker and another favourite birding spot.