Big Zigzag Birding – Page 4 – Bird Families of the World

week 055 | South to Perth | trip list 575 – 576

Posted on August, 2025August, 2025

Cape Naturaliste as key location

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 576 (+1 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 144 (+1 this week: Brown Skua)
Campsite Lifers 29 (+0 this week: )
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 200 (+1 this week), AU list now 620.
eBird AU year list: 420 (14th eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 383
Week’s special milestones: 200 new for Australia in Big Zigzag!

Bird(s) of the Week

A windy day makes ocean’s shore birding unpleasant, but I was lucky to get my first Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) after a few minutes at Bunker Bay. That does not mean that I did not spent earlier about an hour in the same conditions on the whale watch platform near Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse without success.

Pied Cormorant enjoying the sun one day earlier

Where to next? Young Pacific Gull can be RBA in so many places!

Non-bird image(s)

Bunker Bay

Cape Naturaliste

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 49850 km (this week 1100 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1936. 02 Aug 2025 2:28 PM Blackwood River at Bridge St, Boyup Brook

1935. 02 Aug 2025 12:53 PM Bridgetown

1934. 01 Aug 2025 11:55 AM Bunker Bay, Busselton

1933. 01 Aug 2025 10:26 AM Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park–Cape Naturaliste

1932. 31 Jul 2025 2:35 PM Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park–Cape Naturaliste

1931. 31 Jul 2025 10:53 AM Busselton Jetty

1930. 30 Jul 2025 10:35 AM Lake Clifton Thrombolites, Mandurah

1929. 29 Jul 2025 7:00 AM Karrinyup Waters Caravan Park

1928. 28 Jul 2025 9:44 AM Memorial Park (Boddington)

1927. 27 Jul 2025 10:01 AM Cheynes Beach Caravan Park

Big Zigzag Birding

week 054 | Cheynes Beach Caravan Park Trio | trip list 571 – 575

Posted on July, 2025July, 2025

Waiting for a sunny day to get Cheynes Beach specials.. Still without RV heating system

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 575 (+4 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+1 this week: Scrub-birds)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 143 (+3 this week: Western Bristlebird, Western Whipbird, Noisy Scrub-bird)
Campsite Lifers 29 (+1 this week: Western Bristlebird)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 199 (+3 this week)
eBird AU year list: 419 (13st eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 376
Week’s special milestones: 2 Cleaned up endemic families! The third Bristlebird and the second Scrub-bird!

Bird(s) of the Week

Western Bristlebird (Dasyornis longirostris) – the last member of the three in the endemic cleaned-up family of Dasyornithidae (Bristlebirds). Near Cheynes Beach Caravan Park.

Western Whipbird (Black-throated) Psophodes nigrogularis – my last of the 4 Australian members of Psophodidae (Whipbirds and Wedgebills). (with Eastern Whipbird, Chiming Wedgebill, Chirruping Wedgebill). The fifth family member, Papuan Whipbird, is obviously from Papua.

Ticking my first Brush Bronzewing was not easy. Although I heard it already at the car parking of Belair National Park, SA, I had to climb some hills, scan treetops and finally got the bird between some twigs, a bit far, in unfriendly position. And here, at Cheynes Beach Caravan Park, it just feeding from the grass among the RVs..

Non-bird image(s)

Near Cheynes Beach Caravan Park

Noisy Scrub-bird, was quite noisy all day long, on the scrubs along this trail, Seen only once as he crossed quickly the trail here.

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 48750 km (this week 850 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1926. 26 Jul 2025 9:59 AM Cheynes Beach Caravan Park

1925. 25 Jul 2025 9:56 AM 27 Hercules Crescent, Centennial Park, Albany

1924. 24 Jul 2025 10:44 AM Cheynes Beach Caravan Park

1923. 23 Jul 2025 3:50 PM Cheynes Beach Caravan Park

1922. 23 Jul 2025 9:12 AM Memorial Park (Boddington)

1921. 22 Jul 2025 10:42 AM Lake Gwelup Reserve, Stirling

1920. 21 Jul 2025 12:15 PM Herdsman Lake

1919. 21 Jul 2025 10:45 AM Herdsman Lake

1918. 20 Jul 2025 12:02 PM South Western Highway, Serpentine, Western Australia, AU (-32.363, 115.992)b

Big Zigzag Birding

week 053 | 365 days and counting! | trip list 563 – 571

Posted on July, 2025July, 2025

Still around Perth, trying (without success so far), to get the RV heating system fixed

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 571 (+8 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 142 (+1 this week: Western Shrike-tit)
Campsite Lifers 28 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 196 (+1 this week)
eBird AU year list: 413 (13st eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 369
Week’s special milestones: The Big Zigzag is celebrating a year! Clean up all 3 species of the endemic Shrike-tits family!

Bird(s) of the Week

Western Shrike-tit (Falcunculus leucogaster) the 3rd and last lifer of the endemic family of Falcunculidae (Shrike-tits). Seen at Collins Rd (Beverley)

Red-eared Firetail (Stagonopleura oculata) southwestern Western Australia endemic, share the genus with Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) and Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella)

Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo (Zanda baudinii), Wallis Park (Lesmurdie)

Australasian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis) gave the best views I experienced so far, at Lake Gwelup Reserve.

Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis) also from Lake Gwelup Reserve.

Non-bird image(s)

Lake Gwelup Reserve

Victoria Dam

Week's Key location(s)

Collins Rd (Beverley), Western Shrike-tit site

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 47900 km (this week 700 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1917. 19 Jul 2025 2:17 PM 89 Atkins Street, Jarrahdale, Western Australia, AU (-32.337, 116.052)

1916. 19 Jul 2025 10:27 AM Serpentine Falls

1915. 18 Jul 2025 3:13 PM Gosnells Rd East (Orange Grove)

1914. 18 Jul 2025 2:18 PM Wallis Park (Lesmurdie), Kalamunda

1913. 17 Jul 2025 10:46 AM Lake Gwelup Reserve, Stirling

1912. 16 Jul 2025 12:56 PM 21 Cedric Street, Stirling, Western Australia, AU (-31.891, 115.808)

1911. 15 Jul 2025 11:57 AM South Western Highway, Serpentine, Western Australia, AU (-32.363, 115.992)b

1910. 14 Jul 2025 12:52 PM Mason & Bird Heritage Trail, Kalamunda

1909. 14 Jul 2025 8:05 AM Collins Rd (Beverley)

1908. 13 Jul 2025 1:11 PM Victoria Dam–Access road, track and picnic area

1907. 13 Jul 2025 10:09 AM Lake Joondalup–Neil Hawkins Park

Big Zigzag Birding

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

Posted on July, 2025July, 2025

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 Birding

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

Posted on July, 2025July, 2025

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 Birding

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

Posted on June, 2025June, 2025

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

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 Birding

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

Posted on June, 2025June, 2025

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 Birding

week 048 | around Broome | trip list 541 – 545

Posted on June, 2025June, 2025

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)

, 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 Birding

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

Posted on June, 2025June, 2025

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

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 Birding

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

Posted on May, 2025May, 2025

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