Hi
I will be leaving from SA to Emerald, Winton and then back down via (probably) Dev roads and dirt as much as possible.
I've done the trip before but not had time to stop and look around.
Does anyone have some suggested spots for me to look at?
I tend to go for smaller birds like Wren's but Parrots and things are also of interest.
Just returned to Sydney from Karumba via Cloncurry, Longreach, Charleville, Bourke and Mudgee.We stayed mostly to sealed roads. Perhaps this info will be some help.
Cloncurry: Chinamans Reservoir is a great place to visit (no camping) with plenty of water and an incredible variety of birdlife (3 types of HEs drinking from same dead branch: Grey-headed, White-plumed & Rufous-throated), Rainbow Bee Eaters, Flycatchers, Diamond Doves, wrens, finches, Pipits, waterbirds, BoPs; the Tourist Info centre in town has a little grassed area with Varied Lorrikeets and the Cloncurry Ringneck along with Spotted Bwoerbird and finches.
Longreach: Lily Lagoon (camping) worth a visit (see my pics on BiB).
Charleville least successful area for bird life as it is very dry but try the river area as I saw a Nankeen Night Heron and Striated Pardalote there amongst others; the only Major Mitchells were seen just out of Charleville. Of course you should research Bowra if up that way. I certainly will be trying to get there some time.
Wyandra: at the rest stop were Splendid Wrens, finches,Thornbills
North Bourke: Kidman's Camp area was great with White-winged and Variegated Fairywrens in the fields outside the airport fence, numerous parrots including Mallee Ringneck and Cockatiels;
Trangie rest stop by the river had Cockatiels nesting, Rosella, Red Rumps and others. Of course, numerous BoPs and Bustards along the road with some very close Harriers out of Nyngan (while I drove of course so no pics!).
Sue
and in western NSW I would suggest Lake Cargelligo, Rankins Springs and a State Forest west of Rankins Springs on the Griffith road
check previous threads here for the bird lists
Peter
Thanks
I was thinking I might try Diamantina National Park too?
Kidman's Camp looks very interesting. I could use that as the first stop maybe. The plan was to drive straight though to Emerald and work my way back but this would mean missing it as I would come back via dirt. Noccundra warry warry road like last time.