Category: Western Australia

Big Zigzag Birding

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

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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)
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 060 | Heading East | trip list 579 – 581

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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)
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

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

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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)
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Big Zigzag Birding

week 058 | Wildflowers Trails | trip list 578 – 578

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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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Big Zigzag Birding

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

Posted on

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
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Big Zigzag Birding

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

Posted on

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
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Big Zigzag Birding

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

Posted on

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 Index
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
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