Saturday, December 26, 2009

Goolwa and the Coorong National Park

I took a couple of hours out today, and drove down to Goolwa which sits at the northern end of the Coorong National Park. On the way, I always call in to Old Noarlunga, a small village on the Onkaparinga River. At a little park here there is a roost of Rufous Night-herons. (Herons are my favourite bird family). They roost in some old pines, but when I arrived today the place had been invaded by a noisy flock of Little Corellas. They were all over the park, all over the pines, and I couldn't see any Night-herons. After a good hard search I eventually found two, high up in separate pines. No good for photos, but just as I was leaving another flew in, and settled fairly low down enabling me to get a some photos. They really are stunning with their long white plumes. Back on the road to Goolwa I spotted a bird that I didn't recognise on the verge. I did a quick u-turn and drove past again. The ID still did not click, and the bird flew up as I passed. So, another u-turn and I pulled up opposite. Luckily it was on a roadside bush. It was a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, and I managed to get half a dozen quick shots before it flew off. I drove straight through Goolwa to the national park as the tide was falling and the birds would get too far away for photos. There were a good selection of waders (shorebirds) but only Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Red-necked Stints were within range. There is a barrage across the River Murray here to keep fresh water levels up and sea water out and from here there were a few terns fishing, including Crested and Caspian. I caught a lucky shot of a Crested Tern shaking itself after diving for a fish, and also saw Caspian Terns hovering, which I hadn't noticed before. On the way back into Goolwa I stopped at a bird hide - I don't usually stop here the pans are usually dried out, but there was water there today. A quick look showed more Sharpies, and an Australian Spotted Crake - not a great shot, but the best I could get through the vegetation. Back at the car, this young Magpie was waiting for any crumbs I might drop.

13 comments:

  1. Fun blog, I'll be back! LOVE LOVE LOVE the banner shot~! Wow! It's great to see nature blogs that have totally different "stuff" than what I would ever see here in Maine. Thanks for that. robins-chaos.blogspot.com

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  2. Hi robin. thanks for looking in. Yess, it's a whole different ball game down here. look forward to hearing from you again, cheers, tony

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  3. Great post Tony with some superb shots, I agree those Night Herons are beautiful. Happy New Year to you and yours.

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  4. Thanks Monty. I hope that you and those close to you have a very safe and prosperous new year.

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  5. The night heron is lovely, Tony. I had never noticed the green feathers at the front of the eyes before. Happy New Year. Looking forward to another year of posts from you.

    cheers,
    Wilma

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  6. Thanks wilma, I look forward to reading more of your posts as well. Have a great 2010.

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  7. Lovely Images Tony,great looking Night Heron shots.
    Hope you have a great Birding 2010.
    Happy New Year.
    John.

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  8. Thanks John, Same to you. I look forward to reading more of your birding exploits in Cornwall.

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  9. Hi Tony - you've some great pictures here and on your website which I will visit for longer. Bet you don't miss the British winters though ;)

    The shots of the tern are stunning.

    It would seem we have the same photographic equipment to an extent. Happy New Year to you.

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  10. Hi Tricia, thanks for popping by. Actually I really do miss winter birding. There is nothing here to compare to the flocks of winter geese in Scotland or winter waders at Snettisham. Happy and safe 2010 to you and those close to you.

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  11. Hi Tony - have to agree about the wintering birds...Not been birding in Scotland but Norfolk is a favourite winter birding site.....

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  12. Tony, thanks for visiting my blog. I put a link to your blog on mine. Nice photos of some pretty exotic birds to me.

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  13. Hi Tucker. Thanks for that. Your local birds are just as exotic to me. happy birding!!

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