Franklin Harbour
This weekend is a long weekend in Australia, so we went up to Whyalla to spend it with family. On the Sunday I went out for the day to explore the area around Franklin Harbour and Cowell in the North-East Eyre Peninsular.
Not far out of Whyalla, I spotted a bird on a Km post by the side of the road. As soon as I stopped, it hopped onto the bonnet (hood) of my car and tried to eat the dead insects. It was a juvenile Grey Butcherbird.
Next stop was at a small quarry, where I had noticed a few birds flying down to a small pool. I couldn't get close enough for any shots, but in the bushes were a White-eared Honeyeater and Singing Honeyeater.
Further down the road, there was a large black lump in the middle of the road. I slowed down and saw it was a dead bird. It think it is a Southern Giant Petrel, which would have been "beach-wrecked" that night as it was very fresh.
We are currently enjoying a mouse plague in South Australia, so there are plenty of raptors around. Most common were Australian Kestrel and Australian Black-shouldered Kite. Whilst watching the kestrel and kites I heard a few twitterings behind me, and saw a group of White-fronted Chats enjoying a bath in a puddle in the road.
Eyre Peninsular is mainly an agricultural area, and there are many sheep farms. This is a typical Australian breed, the Merino, bred mainly for its wool.
When I eventually got to Franklin Harbour, it was very quiet with just a few Pied Cormorants feeding in the channel. Last birds before heading home were a pair of Sacred Kingfishers.
Next stop was at a small quarry, where I had noticed a few birds flying down to a small pool. I couldn't get close enough for any shots, but in the bushes were a White-eared Honeyeater and Singing Honeyeater.
Further down the road, there was a large black lump in the middle of the road. I slowed down and saw it was a dead bird. It think it is a Southern Giant Petrel, which would have been "beach-wrecked" that night as it was very fresh.
We are currently enjoying a mouse plague in South Australia, so there are plenty of raptors around. Most common were Australian Kestrel and Australian Black-shouldered Kite. Whilst watching the kestrel and kites I heard a few twitterings behind me, and saw a group of White-fronted Chats enjoying a bath in a puddle in the road.
Eyre Peninsular is mainly an agricultural area, and there are many sheep farms. This is a typical Australian breed, the Merino, bred mainly for its wool.
When I eventually got to Franklin Harbour, it was very quiet with just a few Pied Cormorants feeding in the channel. Last birds before heading home were a pair of Sacred Kingfishers.
Wonderful collection of bird and photos. I enjoyed your post. The group of white fronted chat in the puddle is a great capture. They are cute birds. You had a great birdie day.
ReplyDeleteSuperb collection Tony,sad about the Giant Petrel.
ReplyDeleteJohn.
Beautiful Colection of images Tony, My Favourite has to be the Black Shouldered Kite and the Butcherbird.
ReplyDeleteI want that sheep and the birds are all lovely...too bad about the one that died though~
ReplyDeleteVery rich pickings for the day Tony. I have never had the chance on that stretch of road to stop and look. There is always pressure to get to somewhere else.So nice to know there are kingfishers there as I have only seen them in Q'land before. The chats and white-eared honeyeather were treats too.
ReplyDelete