Author: OzHorine

Big Zigzag Birding

week 052 | Kalbarri & Pinnacle Desert | trip list 561 – 563

Posted on

Slowly back to Perth, heating system needs fixing..

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 563  (+2 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 141 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 28 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 195 (+0 this week)
eBird AU year list: 403 (14st  eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 362
Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Western Fieldwren – Kalbarri National Park–Natural Rock

White-backed Swallow (Cheramoeca leucosterna) monotype genus – digging nesting caves in the sandy pinnacles – Pinnacle Desert National Park

Redthroat – common in many of Kalbarri NP trails  

Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, Neergabby

Non-bird image(s)

Great Humpback Whales views from Eagle Gorge Lookout, Kalbarri.

Pinnacle Desert

White-back Swallow nesting holes, Pinnacle Desert.

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 47200 km (this week 1000 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1906. 12 Jul 2025 1:21 PM Dooling Road, Neergabby, Western Australia, AU (-31.328, 115.676)
1905. 12 Jul 2025 9:56 AM Thirsty Point waterfront/park (Cervantes)
1904. 11 Jul 2025 3:25 PM Nambung National Park
1903. 11 Jul 2025 2:02 PM Three Bays Walkway (Green Head)
1902. 10 Jul 2025 9:43 AM Wittecarra Creek
1901. 09 Jul 2025 12:25 PM Kalbarri National Park–Hawks Head
1900. 09 Jul 2025 10:44 AM Meanarra Lookout Road, Kalbarri, Western Australia, AU (-27.698, 114.217)
1899. 09 Jul 2025 10:18 AM Kalbarri
1898. 08 Jul 2025 10:26 AM Kalbarri National Park–West Loop
1897. 07 Jul 2025 12:37 PM Kalbarri
1896. 06 Jul 2025 11:23 AM Kalbarri National Park–Natural Rock
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 051 | Gingin to Perth | trip list 554 – 561

Posted on

Mainly common SW WA birds

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 561  (+7 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 141 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 28 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 195 (+0 this week)
eBird AU year list: 400 (14st  eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 355
Week’s special milestones: 555th trip bird, 400th year bird.

Bird(s) of the Week

Rufous Treecreeper (Climacteris rufus) from Flinn road, The Lakes, WA

Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus), Port Gregory Rd Causeway

Great to hear the wakeup calls of Chiming Wedgebill (Psophodes occidentalis) this one from Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station.

White-cheeked Honeyeater, Turquoise Way Walk, Jurien Bay

Non-bird image(s)

Port Denison (Dongara) beach

Port Gregory’s Banded Stilts photography.

Week's Key location(s)

No success here so far with Western Shrike-tit, but some good birding anyhow

Hutt Lagoon, the famous Pink Lake, great place for hundreds of Banded Stilts 

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 46200 km (this week 1700 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1895. 05 Jul 2025 3:52 PM Port Gregory Rd Causeway
1894. 05 Jul 2025 9:04 AM Turquoise Way Walk, Jurien Bay
1893. 04 Jul 2025 2:06 PM McCormick Street, Seabird, Gingin
1892. 03 Jul 2025 9:41 AM Lake Leschenaultia, Mundaring
1891. 02 Jul 2025 2:41 PM 380 Allen Road, Mundaring, Western Australia, AU (-31.954, 116.176)
1890. 02 Jul 2025 9:36 AM Flynn Rd at Goods Rd, Gorrie
1889. 01 Jul 2025 12:20 PM Gingin Township
1888. 30 Jun 2025 5:27 PM Western Flora Caravan Park, Irwin
1887. 30 Jun 2025 12:26 PM 35 Moorings Loop, Sunset Beach, Western Australia, AU (-28.717, 114.626)
1886. 30 Jun 2025 9:01 AM Galena Bridge Rest Area, Northampton
1885. 29 Jun 2025 1:26 PM Hamelin Pool Road, Hamelin Pool, Western Australia, AU (-26.445, 114.181)
1884. 29 Jun 2025 12:09 PM Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 050 | Cape Range – Shark Bay | trip list 548 – 554 

Posted on

Where the desert meets the ocean

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 554  (+6 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 141 (+1 this week: Copperback Quail-thrush)
Campsite Lifers 28 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 195 (+2 this week)
eBird AU year list: 392 (16st  eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 348
Week’s special milestones: 5th Quail-thrush, 44444 km travelled. 

Bird(s) of the Week

Copperback Quail-thrush, male

Copperback Quail-thrush, female

Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis) although seen in Whyalla Conservation Park, South Australia a few months ago, not photographed at that time. Now, at Monkey Mia (Shark Bay, WA), was easier to spot, but took almost 2 hours until photographed. 

Someone did not count red and yellow as colors 😉 ? Banded Lapwing (Vanellus tricolor). North West Coastal Hwy at Edaggee Rest Stop, WA (where is was great to hear again Chiming Wedgebills)

Non-bird image(s)

Francois Peron National Park

Francois Peron National Park

Dolphin at Monkey Mia. Great place to stay!

Cape Range

Week's Key location(s)

Copperback Quail-thrush site, on Shark Bay road.

Western Grasswren site, Monkey Mia, next to the resort.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 44500 km (this week 1650 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1882. 28 Jun 2025 11:37 AM Francois Peron National Park–Skipjack Point, Shark Bay
1881. 28 Jun 2025 10:59 AM Unnamed Road, Francois Peron National Park, Western Australia, AU (-25.6, 113.468)
1880. 27 Jun 2025 9:43 AM Monkey Mia, Shark Bay
1879. 26 Jun 2025 5:09 PM Eagle Bluff, Shark Bay
1878. 26 Jun 2025 2:51 PM Shark Bay Road, Nanga, Western Australia, AU (-26.328, 113.926)
1877. 26 Jun 2025 9:26 AM North West Coastal Hwy at Edaggee Rest Stop, Carnarvon
1876. 25 Jun 2025 5:37 PM North West Coastal Hwy at Edaggee Rest Stop, Carnarvon
1875. 25 Jun 2025 3:57 PM Carnarvon Harbour Rd at -24.90296, 113.64942
1874. 24 Jun 2025 4:22 PM Coral Bay, Carnarvon
1873. 24 Jun 2025 9:30 AM Cape Range National Park–Badjirrijirri Walk
1872. 23 Jun 2025 2:49 PM Jurabi Turtle Centre, North West Cape, Western Australia, AU (-21.806, 114.101), Exmouth
1871. 23 Jun 2025 9:02 AM North West Coastal Hwy at Yannarie River
1870. 22 Jun 2025 11:00 AM Beasley River Rest Area (Nanutarra-Munjina Rd)
1869. 22 Jun 2025 7:00 AM Nanutarra Road, Nanutarra, Quails Rest Area, Western Australia, AU (-22.982, 117.257)
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 049 | Karijini NP – Pilbara | trip list 545 – 548

Posted on

Red Sands - highlights near Newman & Capricorn

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 548  (+3 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 140 (+2 this week: Pilbara Grasswren, Western Quail-thrush)
Campsite Lifers 28 (+1 this week: Western Quail-thrush)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 193 (+2 this week)
eBird AU year list: 382 (21st  eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 341
Week’s special milestones: 10th Grasswren, 4th Quail-thrush

Bird(s) of the Week

Pilbara Grasswren, Radio Hill, Newman WA

Western Quail-thrush, near Capricorn, WA

Non-bird image(s)

Rothschild’s Rock-Wallabi, Radio Hill, Newman WA.

Karinji NP

Radio Hill Newman’s lookout, spinifex habitat of Pilbara Grasswren

Western Quail-thrush habitat near Capricorn

Week's Key location(s)

Radio Hill Newman’s lookout is the site for Pilbara Grasswren (and Rothschild’s Rock-Wallabi at sunset).

Not far from Great Northern Highway, south to Capricorn, Western Quail-thrush site

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 42850 km (this week 1250 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1868. 21 Jun 2025 5:00 PM Beasley River Rest Area (Nanutarra-Munjina Rd)
1867. 21 Jun 2025 10:16 AM Karijini National Park–Hamersley Gorge
1866. 20 Jun 2025 1:17 PM Great Northern Hwy at Mt Robinson Rest Area, East Pilbara
1865. 20 Jun 2025 6:29 AM Great Northern Highway, Capricorn, Western Australia, AU (-23.516, 119.769)
1864. 19 Jun 2025 11:11 AM Great Northern Highway, Capricorn, Western Australia, AU (-23.516, 119.769)
1863. 18 Jun 2025 4:31 PM Radio Hill (Newman)
1862. 18 Jun 2025 9:00 AM Karijini National Park–Knox Gorge
1861. 17 Jun 2025 11:31 AM Karijini National Park–Joffre Gorge
1860. 17 Jun 2025 10:39 AM Karijini National Park–Knox Gorge
1859. 17 Jun 2025 9:30 AM Mt Bruce Car Park
1858. 16 Jun 2025 4:11 PM Karijini National Park–Weano Gorge
1857. 16 Jun 2025 11:58 AM Kalamina Gorge
1856. 16 Jun 20257:30 AM Albert Tognolini Lookout, Ashburton
1855. 15 Jun 2025 4:43 PM Albert Tognolini Lookout, Ashburton
1854. 15 Jun 2025 7:57 AM Port Hedland Racecourse and Greater Sportsground
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 048 | around Broome | trip list 541 – 545

Posted on

The Shorebird (and Mozzy!) Capital of Australia

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 545  (+4 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 138 (+1 this week: Dusky Gerygone)
Campsite Lifers 27 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 191 (+3 this week)
eBird AU year list: 375 (21st  eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 334
Week’s special milestones: None 

Bird(s) of the Week

Dusky Gerygone, ticked on Streeter’s Jetty Broom, photographed on Crab Creek mangroves, near Broom Bird Observatory. 

White-breasted Whistler, another mangrove specialist seen much easier in WA vs. NT. From Streeter’s Jetty Broom.

Some of the thousands Pied Stilt near Broome Bird Observatory. 

Non-bird image(s)

IMG-20250611-WA0009

, Streeter’s Jetty Broom, just next to cafes and shopping center, seems much birdyer in high tide: Dusky Gerygone ticked, and better views compare to NT on Mangrove Golden & White-breasted Whistlers. 

Mudskipper at low tide mangroves. Near BBO.

Week's Key location(s)

Dusky Gerygone site, close to Broome’s cafes and shops

Crab Creek near BBO

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 41600 km (this week 1000 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1853. 14 Jun 2025 11:36 AM South Hedland Wastewater Treatment Plant
1852. 14 Jun 2025 8:56 AM De Grey River (Great Northern Hwy)
1851. 13 Jun 2025 5:30 PM De Grey River (Great Northern Hwy)
1850. 12 Jun 2025 12:06 PM Streeters Jetty (Broome)
1849. 11 Jun 2025 11:01 AM Streeters Jetty (Broome)
1848. 11 Jun 2025 5:53 AM Crab Creek Mangroves (Roebuck Bay)
1847. 10 Jun 2025 7:08 AM Broome Bird Observatory–Viewing Platform
1846. 09 Jun 2025 8:42 AM Streeters Jetty (Broome)
1845. 08 Jun 2025 5:11 PM Broome’s Gateway Caravan Park
1844. 08 Jun 2025 12:07 PM Streeters Jetty (Broome)
1843. 08 Jun 2025 9:35 AM James Price Point
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 047 | Kimberley – Broome | trip list 539 – 541

Posted on

Great Northern Highway to Broome

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 541  (+2 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 137 (+1 this week: Mangrove Fantail)
Campsite Lifers 27 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 188 (+1 this week)
eBird AU year list: 368 (21st  eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 327
Week’s special milestones: Earth’s circumference travelled so far – over 40000 km! 

Bird(s) of the Week

Mangrove Fantail – seems an easy WA bird – not as in NT. Lifer from the mangroves near Derby Jetty.  

Red-browed Pardalote (Pardalotus rubricatus), ticked in October at Queensland outback (Boulia), seen again in NT, and photographed for the first time near Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia

Non-bird image(s)

Bungle Bungle helicopter flight view

James Price Point

James Price Point

Derby Jetty

Week's Key location(s)

Derby Jetty, Mangrove Fantail site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 40600 km (this week 1300 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1842. 07 Jun 2025 4:13 PM James Price Point

1841. 06 Jun 2025 1:45 PM Entrance Point and Port (Broome)

1840. 06 Jun 2025 10:07 AM Town Beach (Broome)
1839. 05 Jun 2025 9:08 AM Derby Jetty
1838. 04 Jun 2025 1:10 PM Derby Jetty
1837. 04 Jun 2025 11:54 AM Joon Joo Botanical Trail (Derby)
1836. 03 Jun 2025 6:31 PM Ellendale Rest Area, Great Northern Hwy (restricted access)
1835. 03 Jun 2025 12:56 PM Geikie Gorge National Park, Derby-West Kimberley
1834. 03 Jun 2025 12:07 PM Yurabi Road, Saint George Ranges, Western Australia, AU (-18.181, 125.598)
1833. 03 Jun 2025 6:52 AM Mary Pool Road, Mueller Mary Pool Rest Area, Ranges, Western Australia, AU (-18.727, 126.871)
1832. 02 Jun 2025 9:49 AM Warmun Roadhouse
1831. 01 Jun 2025 8:08 AM Spring Creek Rest Area
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 046 | Kimberley, WA | trip list 539 – 539 

Posted on

some common birds around El Questro and Bungle Bungle

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 539  (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 136 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 27 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 187 (+0this week)
eBird AU year list: 363 (22nd eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 320
Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Red-collared Lorikeet.

Blue-faced Honeyeater

Silver-crowned Friarbird

Non-bird image(s)

not a bird

Week's Key location(s)

Bow River as in the song by Cold Chisel. Cool birding as well

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 39300 km (this week 1000 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1830. 31 May 2025 4:33 PM Spring Creek Rest Area
1829. 31 May 2025 7:12 AM Bow River at -16.79468, 128.2798, Wyndham-East Kimberley
1828. 30 May 2025 2:34 PM Bow River at -16.79468, 128.2798, Wyndham-East Kimberley
1827. 30 May 2025 8:53 AM Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, Mabel Downs Station
1826. 29 May 2025 8:00 AM Bow River at -16.79468, 128.2798, Wyndham-East Kimberley
1825. 28 May 2025 10:28 AM Emma Gorge, Wyndham-East Kimberley
1824. 28 May 2025 8:03 AM El Questro Station–Zebedee Springs
1823. 27 May 2025 10:14 AM El Questro Station
1822. 26 May 2025 12:37 PM Pentecost River crossing (Gibb River Rd)
1821. 25 May 2025 11:22 AM King River Road, Wyndham, Western Australia, AU (-15.555, 128.148)
1820. 25 May 2025 8:22 AM Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve–Marglu Billabong
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 045 | Crossing Northern Territory – Western Australia border | trip list 534 – 539

Posted on

Farewell NT while collecting lifers along Victoria Highway heading WA

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 539  (+5 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 136 (+4 this week: Star Finch, Purple-crowned Fairywren, Buff-sided Robin, White-quilled Rock-Pigeon)
Campsite Lifers 27 (+1 this week: White-quilled Rock-Pigeon)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 187 (+5 this week)
eBird AU year list: 360 (20th eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 313
Week’s special milestones: 20th eBirder in Australia by species, 2025

Bird(s) of the Week

Star Finch, ticked next to Noel Buntine Memorial, at Victoria Hwy/Buntine Hwy junction. Photographed better in Lions Park, near Kununurra, WA.

Purple-crowned Fairywren from Victoria River Crossing–boat ramp

Buff-sided Robin from Timber Creek Caravan Park

White-quilled Rock-Pigeon from Keep River National Park–Gurrandalng Rock Walk 

Non-bird image(s)

Victoria River Crossing–boat ramp – Purple-crowned Fairywren site

Timber Creek Caravan Park – Buff-sided Robin site

Keep River National Park–Gurrandalng Rock Walk – White-quilled Rock-Pigeon site.

Ivanhoe Crossing, Western Australia

Week's Key location(s)

Star Finch site

Victoria River Crossing–boat ramp – Purple-crowned Fairywren site

Timber Creek Caravan Park – Buff-sided Robin site

Keep River National Park–Gurrandalng Rock Walk – White-quilled Rock-Pigeon site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 38300 km (this week 1000 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1818. 24 May 2025 8:40 AM Lake Argyle Village
1817. 23 May 2025 12:15 PM Lake Argyle, Ord River Picnic Area
1816. 22 May 2025 8:47 AM Lions Park, Diversion Dam, Kununurra, Western Australia
1815. 21 May 2025 12:32 PM Keep River Access, Baines, Northern Territory, AU (-15.922, 129.057)
1814. 21 May 2025 10:36 AM Keep River National Park
1813. 21 May 2025 10:08 AM Gurrandalng, Baines, Northern Territory, AU (-15.878, 129.056)
1812. 20 May 2025 1:27 PM Keep River National Park–Gurrandalng Camp Ground
1811. 19 May 2025 12:55 PM Timber Creek Caravan Park
1810. 19 May 2025 10:08 AM Victoria River Crossing–boat ramp
1809. 19 May 2025 8:25 AM Victoria Highway, Delamere, Northern Territory, AU (-15.603, 131.181)
1808. 18 May 2025 1:44 PM Victoria Hwy at Buntine Hwy
1807. 18 May 2025 8:58 AM Edith Falls Rd at -14.18405, 132.03819
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 044 | Top End Relaxing | trip list 534 – 534

Posted on

Mainly resting in lovely family property near Coolalinga, and leaving Top End

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 534  (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 132 (+0 this week, excluding 7 lifers in Singapore)
Campsite Lifers 26 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 182 (+0 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 306
Week’s special milestones: over 300 eBird days of checklist streak!

Bird(s) of the Week

Rainbow Pitta, the star of the campsite yard.

Family of 4 Forest Kingfishers is here as well

Non-bird image(s)

 Camping in lovely family property near Coolalinga

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 37300 km (this week 500 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1806. 17 May 2025 5:31 PM Pine Creek Water Gardens
1805. 17 May 2025 4:13 PM Stuart Highway, Robin Falls, Northern Territory, AU (-13.283, 131.173)
1804. 17 May 2025 3:01 PM Riverside Park Adelaide River, Coomalie
1803. 17 May 2025 2:09 PM Pell Airstrip at -13.13889, 131.10694

1802. 16 May 2025 12:22 PM Coolalinga Caravan Park

1801. 15 May 2025 5:03 PM East Point–far end, Darwin
1800. 14 May 2025 9:29 AM Coolalinga Caravan Park
1799. 13 May 2025 1:44 PM Coolalinga Caravan Park
1798. 12 May 2025 11:26 AM Charles Darwin National Park
1797. 11 May 2025 1:52 PM Coolalinga Caravan Park
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 043 | mainly Darwin’s Mangroves 2 | trip list 529 – 534

Posted on

Around Darwin, mainly Buffalo Creek

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 534  (+5 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 132 (+1 this week: Chestnut Rail, excluding 7 lifers in Singapore)
Campsite Lifers 26 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 182 (+2 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 299
Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Chestnut Rail (Gallirallus castaneoventris), heard only last week a few times on Buffalo Creek, near Darwin NT, and on the same place, again this week. So a boat trip with Christopher Spooner makes the difference! These rails ignore the boat, and this might be the best way to see them.

Little Kingfisher from Buffalo Creek boat trip.

Great-billed Heron from Buffalo Creek boat trip.

Terek Sandpiper. new for my Aussie list, from a low tide walk along Buffalo Creek.

Non-bird image(s)

Buffalo Creek, always at low tide. Upstream with a boat to get photos of Chestnut Rail, Little Kingfisher and many other birds. Walk downstream , or stay near the boat ramp to hear Chestnut Rail and see many other birds,

Tons of tiny crabs parades. 

Week's Key location(s)

Buffalo Creek boat trip, mainly for Chestnut Rail

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 36800 km (this week 250 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1796. 10 May 2025 12:13 PM Coolalinga Caravan Park
1795. 09 May 2025 10:18 AM Coolalinga Caravan Park
1794. 08 May 2025 10:00 AM East Point Reserve–White Rocks, Darwin
1793. 08 May 2025 7:54 AM Buffalo Creek
1792. 07 May 2025 8:29 AM Buffalo Creek Point
1791. 06 May 2025 5:01 PM 3760 Stuart Highway, Acacia Hills Campground
1790. 06 May 2025 2:42 AM Longwood Ave., Leanyer Darwin
 
** 5 days only due short visit to Singapore
Big Zigzag Index