First stop was Clinton Conservation Park. There were 9 Caspian Terns here, along with a lone Crested Tern, some Little Black Cormorants and about 150 Red-necked Avocets on the pool. A great start!
As I headed further south, a lone Little Egret was feeding close to a bridge and Welcome Swallows were busy collecting mud for their nests.
In Edithburgh, there were some Galahs feeding amongst bright yellow flowers, and nearby some Silver Gulls doing the same. (Or is this a new species - Yellow-breasted Gull???)
The southern coast is very rugged and ideal for wind farms as it faces the prevailing wind.
As it warmed up lots of Shingleback Lizards started moving, and the Kestrels were about, alternating between soaring and perching.
Innes is stunning at the moment - full of amazing red Cockies Tongue (Templetonia retusa ), Emu's with stripey chicks, and Kangaroos. This Western Grey Kangaroo had this season's joey in the pouch, and last season's still tagging along behind.
One interesting spot is Ethel Beach near Cape Spencer where the wreck of the iron barque Ethel can still be seen on the beach. It ran aground in 1904.
The birdwatching is great here, with a good population of Malleefowl and the easternmost population of Western Whipbird (unfortunately I saw neither of these on this trip). I found this pair of Sooty Oystercatcher with a nest at Cable Bay. The park is overrun with Silvereyes at the moment, as well as White-browed Scrubwrens.
One bird I haven't seen in ages is Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, and a pair were very happy to pose for a few photos, as was this inquisitive Striated Pardalote.
On the way back, another stop at Clinton produced first one, then eventually 9 Great Egrets roosting in a small mangrove tree.
The last couple of pics were from a visit to Murray Mouth yesterday. Pied Oystercatcher and Red-capped Plover - tagged on here as there is not enough for a post in its own right.
Great birding day, Tony. Nice to have you out and about again.
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