Category: Big Zigzag Birding

Big Zigzag Birding

week 065 | Adelaide to SE SA | trip list 587 – 588

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Ardrossan - Gawler - Adelaide - Tintinara - Naracoorte

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 588  (+1 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 149 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 205 (+1 this week), AU list now 630.
eBird AU year list: 444
eBird days of checklist streak: 453
Week’s special milestones:  eBird days of checklist streak over 450.

Bird(s) of the Week

Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata), the first monotype bird family (on taxonomy) at the south-west edge of it’s range. Bool Lagoon Game Reserve (and some Black Swans)

Gray Teals (with one Pacific Black Duck). Same lagoon. 

A few Swamp Harriers are around all day long. 

Non-bird image(s)

Bool Lagune Game Reserve (No Aussie Bittern)

Eastern Australian Snakeneck Turtle

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 61400 km (this week 800 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2051. 11 Oct 2025 7:58 AM Hacks Lagoon Conservation Reserve, Naracoorte and Lucindale
2050. 10 Oct 2025 8:11 AM Bool Lagoon Game Reserve–Little Bool Lagoon
2049. 09 Oct 2025 1:06 PM Bool Lagoon Game Reserve
2048. 08 Oct 2025 3:15 PM Lake Indawarra (Tintinara)
2047. 07 Oct 2025 12:36 PM Adelaide Zoo
2046. 07 Oct 2025 11:36 AM  Bonython Park, Adelaide
2045. 06 Oct 2025 9:46 AM Dead Mans Pass Reserve, Gawler
2044. 05 Oct 2025 1:57 PM Third-Creek Trail, Thompson Beach
2043. 05 Oct 2025 11:50 AM Ardrossan
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 064 | Flinders to Yorke Peninsula | trip list 586 – 587

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Lyndhurst (Ochre Pitts) - Port Augusta - Wallaroo - Innes NP

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 587  (+1 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 149 (+1 this week: Thick-billed Grasswren)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 205 (+1 this week), AU list now 629.
eBird AU year list: 443
eBird days of checklist streak: 446
Week’s special milestones:  Grasswren #11, Travelled over 60000 km.

Bird(s) of the Week

Not long ago, White-bellied Whipbird (photographed at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula SA this week) was a different species from Black-throated Whipbird  (photograped in July at WA). Now both lumped to Western Whipbird.

Western Whipbird (Black-throated) Cheynes Beach Caravan Park, WA.

Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula SA

Brown Falcon

Non-bird image(s)

Ochre Pits, Thick-billed Grasswren site (on the dune at the opposite side).

Western Whipbird (White-bellied) Habitat. Innes NP.

Yorke Peninsula amazing coastline. 

Week's Key location(s)

Ochre Pits near Lyndhurst, Thick-billed Grasswren site.

Western Whipbird (White-bellied) site at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 60600 km (this week 1100 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2042. 04 Oct 2025 10:02 AM Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula
2041. 03 Oct 2025 1:00 PM Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula
2040. 03 Oct 20259:17 AM Beegoodye Wells Road, Minlaton, South Australia, AU (-34.833, 137.459), Yorke Peninsula
2039. 02 Oct 2025 5:04 PM Minlaton Bird Hide, Yorke Peninsula
2038. 01 Oct 2025 12:08 PM Wallaroo Sewage Treatment Works, Copper Coast
2037. 01 Oct 2025 11:29 AM Wallaroo Foreshore, Copper Coast
2036. 30 Sep 2025 2:36 PM Port Pirie
2035. 29 Sep 2025 8:00 AM Lyndhurst
2034. 28 Sep 2025 5:42 PM Ochure Pits
2033. 28 Sep 2025 6:55 AM Lyndhurst airstrip
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Big Zigzag Birding

week 063 | Half Way Across Australia | trip list 586 – 586

Posted on

Mt Ive - Kimba - Gawler Ranges - Lake Gilles - Lyndhurst

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 586  (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 148 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 204 (+0 this week), AU list now 628.
eBird AU year list: 442
eBird days of checklist streak: 439
Week’s special milestones: None

Bird(s) of the Week

Brown Falcon

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater

Non-bird image(s)

We climbed 3 times to Mount Ive summit (and twice to Mount Scott). No Short-tailed Grasswren, 

Echidna, Mt. Ive

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 59500 km (this week 1150 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2032. 27 Sep 2025 2:44 PM Lyndhurst airstrip
2031. 26 Sep 2025 10:03 AM Lake Gilles Conservation Park
2030. 25 Sep 2025 5:33 PM Roora Walking Trail, Kimba
2029. 24 Sep 2025 12:24 PM Gawler Ranges National Park–Organ Pipes
2028. 23 Sep 2025 4:44 PM Roora Walking Trail, Kimba
2027. 22 Sep 2025 2:31 PM Unnamed Road, Yardea, South Australia, AU (-32.123, 135.896)
2026. 22 Sep 2025 10:38 AM Mt Ive Station–Homestead and Campground
2025. 21 Sep 2025 3:17 PM Mt Ive Station–Homestead and Campground
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Big Zigzag Birding

week 062 | Two blue faced welcoming SA | trip list 582 – 586

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SA Nullarbor - Ceduna - Eyre Peninsula - Port Lincoln - Kimba - Mount Ive

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 586  (+4 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 148 (+3 this week: Naretha Bluebonnet, Nullarbor Quail-thrush, Scarlet-chested Parrot)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+1 this week: Naretha Bluebonnet)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 204 (+3 this week), AU list now 628.
eBird AU year list: 441
eBird days of checklist streak: 432
Week’s special milestones: Quail-thrush #6

Bird(s) of the Week

Scarlet-chested Parrot (Neophema splendida) Definatly splendid, and a lifer with blue face!

Naretha Bluebonnet (Northiella narethae), and a lifer with blue face!

Rufous Fieldwren (Calamanthus campestris) near Nullarbor Roadhouse, SA. Member of Acanthizidae (Gerygones, Thornbills, Scrubwrens, and Allies)

Non-bird image(s)

Week's Key location(s)

Koonalda Homestead, Naretha Bluebonnet site.

Nullarbor Roadhouse, Nullarbor Quail-thrush site

Yumbarra Conservation Park, Scarlet-chested Parrot site

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 58350 km (this 8 days week 1650 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2024. 20 Sep 2025 2:01 PM Mt Ive Summit Walk
2023. 20 Sep 2025 10:07 AM Roora Walking Trail (Kimba)
2022. 19 Sep 2025 3:23 PM Bluff Road, Caralue, South Australia, AU (-33.276, 136.175), Kimba
2021. 19 Sep 2025 1:20 PM 292 Bratten Road, Tumby Bay, South Australia, AU (-34.37, 136.077), Tumby Bay
2020. 19 Sep 2025 8:09 AM Billy Lights Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, Port Lincoln
2019. 18 Sep 2025 9:57 AM Unnamed Road, Coulta, South Australia, AU (-34.326, 135.358), Lower Eyre Peninsula
2018. 18 Sep 2025 8:58 AM Kiana Road, Mount Hope, South Australia, AU (-34.114, 135.361), Lower Eyre Peninsula
2017. 17 Sep 2025 1:47 PM Murphys Haystacks, Streaky Bay
2016. 17 Sep 2025 9:47 AM Yumbarra Conservation Park–rockholes, Ceduna
2015. 16 Sep 2025 9:28 AM Lake Macdonnell
2014. 16 Sep 2025 8:53 AM Eyre Highway, Penong, South Australia, AU (-31.862, 132.866), Unincorporated SA
2013. 15 Sep 2025 8:00 AM Caves Rd Tank at -31.44593, 130.88605, Unincorporated
2012. 14 Sep 2025 6:04 PM Murrawijinie Caves
2011. 14 Sep 2025 12:36 PM Nullarbor Roadhouse
2010. 14 Sep 2025 6:56 AM Koonalda Homestead

2009. 13 Sep 202510:45 AM Koonalda Homestead

8 days, extra day to split WA – SA)

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Big Zigzag Birding

week 061 | Farewell WA via Nullarbor | trip list 581 – 582

Posted on

Esperance - Cape La Grande - Norseman - WA Nullarbor

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 582  (+1 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 145 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 29 (+0 this week: )
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 201 (+0 this week), AU list now 625.
eBird AU year list: 434
eBird days of checklist streak: 424
Week’s special milestones: 2000 eBird checklists, 55555 km travelled

Bird(s) of the Week

Gilbert’s Whistler

Pink Cockatoo – last new WA bird from beach near Eucla close to SA border.

Farewell WA with two typical “Westerns”: Spinebill & Wattlebird

Non-bird image(s)

Week's Key location(s)

Newman’s Rock, Dundas, Gilbert’s Whistler site

Pink Cockatoo site

The tiny Australian Central Western Standard Time (ACWST) helps reduce “jetlag” between WA and SA

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 56700 km (this 6 days week 1500 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2008. 12 Sep 2025 2:21 PM Unnamed Road, Eucla, Western Australia, AU (-31.736, 128.854)
2007. 12 Sep 2025 10:09 AM Cocklebiddy
2006. 12 Sep 2025 8:42 AM Caiguna, Western Australia, AU (-32.249, 125.543)
2005. 11 Sep 2025 1:00 PM Baxter Rest Stop
2004. 11 Sep 2025 7:39 AM Newman Rock, Dundas
2003. 10 Sep 2025 12:42 PM Newman Rock, Dundas
2002. 09 Sep 2025 9:30 PM Gateway Caravan Park (Norseman)
2001. 09 Sep 2025 12:33 PM Lake Monjingup, Esperance
2000. 08 Sep 2025 9:04 AM Cape Le Grand National Park–Lucky Bay
1999. 07 Sep 2025 12:27 PM Blue Haven (Esperance)
1998. 07 Sep 2025 12:27 PM Esperance Beachfront
 
(just 6 days, so split WA – SA)
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Big Zigzag Birding

week 060 | Heading East | trip list 579 – 581

Posted on

Denmark - William Bay NP - Stirling Range NP - Albany - Porongurup NP - Corackerup NR

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 581  (+2 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 145 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 29 (+0 this week: )
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 201 (+0 this week), AU list now 625.
eBird AU year list: 433
eBird days of checklist streak: 418
Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Blue-breasted Fairywren (Malurus pulcherrimus), Corackerup Nature Reserve

Shy Heathwren (Hylacola cauta), Corackerup Nature Reserve

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata), seen briefly at Corackerup Nature Reserve. Photo from November 2024, Victoria.

Scarlet Robin, Stirling Range

Non-bird image(s)

Stirling Range

Tiliqua rugosa, most commonly known as the shingleback skink, shingleback lizard, or bobtail lizard

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 55200 km (this week 1300 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1997. 06 Sep 2025 2:31 PM Fitzgerald Road, Fitzgerald, Western Australia, AU (-33.748, 119.458), Ravensthorpe
1996. 05 Sep 2025 9:02 AM Corackerup Nature Reserve
1995. 04 Sep 2025 3:56 PM Corackerup Nature Reserve
1994. 04 Sep 2025 10:42 AM Porongurup National Park–Walitj Meil Walk Trail
1993. 04 Sep 2025 8:55 AM Wildflower Walk (Cranbrook)
1992. 03 Sep 2025 12:51 PM Stirling Range National Park–Mt Hassell walking track
1991. 03 Sep 2025 9:51 AM Stirling Range National Park–Bluff Knoll
1990. 02 Sep 2025 12:02 PM Stirling Range National Park–Toolbrunup Peak Walking Track
1989. 02 Sep 2025 9:53 AM East Bay Camping Ground, Albany
1988. 01 Sep 2025 8:42 AM William Bay National Park–Elephant Cove, Denmark
1987. 31 Aug 2025 4:30 PM Denmark (township)
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Big Zigzag Birding

week 059 | Down to where two oceans meet | trip list 578 – 579

Posted on

Morawa - Koolanooka Springs - Perenjori - Wubin - Wongan Hills - Northam - York - Jarrahdale - Cape Leeuwin - Bridgeton

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 579  (+1 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 145 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 29 (+0 this week: )
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 201 (+0 this week), AU list now 625.
eBird AU year list: 429
eBird days of checklist streak: 411
Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Rock Parrot (Neophema petrophila), was the last to be described on the Australian endemic genus Neophema, with Scarlet-chested Parrot (N. splendida) by Gould, J, 1841. The 4 other species described earlier:
– The rare Orange-bellied Parrot (N.chrysogaster) was first – Latham, J, 1790.
– Turquoise Parrot (N. pulchella) – Shaw, G, 1792
– Blue-winged Parrot (N. chrysostoma) – Kuhl, H, 1820
– Elegant Parrot (N. elegans) – Gould, J, 1837

Photographed at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

Southern Emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus), Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

Crimson Chat (Epthianura tricolor)

Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) monotype genus, Bridgton. 

Non-bird image(s)

Wreath, near Wubin

Wongan Hills nature reserve

Wongan Hills

That’s the year! That’s the Falcon! York Motor Museum

Delphine at Augusta coast

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 53900 km (this week 1250 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1986. 30 Aug 2025 3:58 PM Bridgetown
1985. 30 Aug 2025 9:59 AM Augusta Beach
1984. 29 Aug 2025 3:50 PM Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
1983. 29 Aug 2025 9:58 AM Serpentine Dam, Serpentine-Jarrahdale
1982. 28 Aug 2025 10:26 AM Spencers Brook-York Road, Wilberforce, Western Australia, AU (-31.771, 116.704)
1981. 27 Aug 2025 3:55 PM Northam
1980. 27 Aug 2025 9:52 AM Wongan Hills Nature Reserve
1979. 26 Aug 2025 9:42 AM Christmas Rock Walk (Wongan Hills)
1978. 25 Aug 2025 1:46 PM Wongan Hills Caravan Park
1977. 25 Aug 2025 10:12 AM Miamoon, Western Australia, AU (-30.151, 116.477), Dalwallinu
1976. 24 Aug 2025 10:28 AM Judge Road, Koolanooka, Western Australia, AU (-29.23, 116.182), Morawa
1975. 24 Aug 2025 9:05 AM Unnamed Road, Koolanooka, Western Australia, AU (-29.186, 116.239)
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 058 | Wildflowers Trails | trip list 578 – 578

Posted on

Spring is in the Air

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 578  (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 145 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 29 (+0 this week: )
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 201 (+ this week), AU list now 625.
eBird AU year list: 428
eBird days of checklist streak: 404
Week’s special milestones: over 400 eBird days of checklist streak.

Bird(s) of the Week

Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis). Out of 33 members of Maluridae (Grasswrens, Fairywrens, and Emu-wrens), 28 endemic to Australia: 14 Grasswrens (genus Amytornis), 3 Emu-wrens (genus Stipiturus) and 11 Fairywrens (genus Malurus).  5 other Fairywrens are in New Guinea (Genus Malurus, Sipodotus, Clytomyias  & Chenorhamphus), following AviList 2025 taxonomy, as updated already in www.BirdFamiliesOfTheWorld. com. 

Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii) common all around.

Rufous Songlark (Cincloramphus mathewsi) singing everywhere. 

Non-bird image(s)

Wildflowers from Mullewa Northern Loop

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 52650 km (this week 700 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1974. 23 Aug 2025 10:37 AM White Road, Merkanooka, Western Australia, AU (-29.135, 115.863), Morawa
1973. 22 Aug 2025 3:11 PM Barwick Road, Perenjori, Western Australia, AU (-29.467, 116.21)
1972. 22 Aug 2025 2:50 PM Carnamah-Perenjori Road, Perenjori, Western Australia, AU (-29.452, 116.24) Pond
1971. 22 Aug 2025 9:34 AM 4171 Mingenew-Mullewa Road, Wongoondy, Western Australia, AU (-28.888, 115.515)
1970. 21 Aug 2025 11:16 AM Williamson Road, Tenindewa, Western Australia, AU (-28.481, 115.223), Mullewa
1969. 21 Aug 2025 8:45 AM Mullewa-DeGrey Stock Route–The Waterfalls
1968. 20 Aug 2025 8:49 AM Mullewa-DeGrey Stock Route–The Waterfalls
1967. 19 Aug 2025 5:31 PM Mullewa-DeGrey Stock Route–The Waterfalls
1966. 19 Aug 2025 3:26 PM Mullewa
1965. 19 Aug 2025 1:04 PM Eradu Nature Reserve, Geraldton-Greenough
1964. 18 Aug 2025 2:08 PM Geraldton
1963. 17 Aug 2025 9:14 AM Nabawa Valley Tavern
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 057 | around Geraldton | trip list 578 – 578

Posted on

Mullewa - Geraldton - Galena - Kalbarri - Nabawa

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 578  (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 145 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 29 (+0 this week: )
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 201 (+ this week), AU list now 625.
eBird AU year list: 428
eBird days of checklist streak: 397
Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides)

Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcites basalis)

White-plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata)

Rufous Fieldwren (Calamanthus campestris)

Non-bird image(s)

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 51950 km (this week 700 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1961. 16 Aug 2025 4:15 PM Northampton Kalbarri, Sandy
1960. 16 Aug 2025 2:03 PM Kalbarri National Park–Bigurda Trail
1959. 16 Aug 2025 1:15 PM Kalbarri National Park–Red Bluff
1958. 16 Aug 2025 9:13 AM Meanarra Lookout Road, Kalbarri, Western Australia, AU (-27.698, 114.217)
1957. 15 Aug 2025 1:11 PM Kalbarri National Park–Z Bend
1956. 15 Aug 2025 12:10 PM Kalbarri National Park–Hawks Head
1955. 14 Aug 2025 11:30 AM Nabawa Valley Tavern, Chapman Valley
1954. 13 Aug 2025 9:14 AM Galena Bridge North Side
1953. 12 Aug 2025 10:04 AM Galena Bridge North Side
1952. 11 Aug 2025 3:18 PM Galena Bridge North Side
1951. 10 Aug 2025 2:35 PM 141 Marine Terrace, Geraldton, Western Australia, AU (-28.774, 114.609)
1950. 10 Aug 2025 9:20 AM Mullewa-DeGrey Stock Route–The Waterfalls
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Big Zigzag Birding

week 056 | Northward to Wildflowers Country via Canola Belt | trip list 576 – 578

Posted on

Although RV heating system is now up and running, we prefer the natural heat, so, heading north again!

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 578  (+2 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 145 (+1 this week: Slaty-backed Thornbill)
Campsite Lifers 29 (+0 this week: )
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 201 (+1 this week), AU list now 625.
eBird AU year list: 425 (15th  eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 390
Week’s special milestones: Travelled 50K km!

Bird(s) of the Week

Mulga Parrot. Mount Gibson road

Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens)

Western Corella, Mordalup Nature Reserve

Western Yellow Robin

Non-bird image(s)

Canola fields forever.

Week's Key location(s)

LocationGeraldton Mount Magnet Road, Daggar Hills, Western Australia, AU (-28.162, 117.665), Slaty-backed Thornbill site
 

Mordalup Nature Reserve, Western Corella site

Mount Gibson road, Mulga Parrot site

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 51250 km (this week 1400 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1949. 09 Aug 2025 4:29 PM Mullewa-DeGrey Stock Route–The Waterfalls
1948. 09 Aug 2025 10:27 AM Geraldton Mount Magnet Road, Daggar Hills, Western Australia, AU (-28.162, 117.665)
1947. 08 Aug 2025 9:40 AM Old Sand Quarry on Mt Gibson Rd at -29.640183, 117.154307
1946. 07 Aug 2025 10:35 AM  Wildflower Walk (Wongan Hills)
1945. 07 Aug 2025 9:16 AM Gabby Qoi Qoi Lookout, Goomalling
1944. 06 Aug 2025 11:04 AM Beekeeper Rd (Flynn), York
1943. 06 Aug 2025 8:40 AM Lions Picnic Park (Brookton)
1942. 05 Aug 2025 9:29 AM 11 Aberdeen Street, Katanning, Western Australia, AU (-33.69, 117.553)
1941. 04 Aug 2025 10:51 PM 11 Aberdeen Street, Katanning, Western Australia, AU (-33.69, 117.553)
1940. 04 Aug 2025 9:59 AM 11 Aberdeen Street, Katanning, Western Australia, AU (-33.69, 117.553)
1939. 03 Aug 2025 2:00 PM Tom South Lake, Cranbrook
1938. 03 Aug 2025 11:31 AM Mordalup Nature Reserve
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