I saw a beautiful sight while driving along the river on the way home to South West Rocks. Two very large birds were standing together in a paddock. They were in a similar place to the Black Necked Storks I saw there in the Spring, but they were grey, with red on the sides of their heads. I discovered they were Brolgas and are supposedly quite rare in this part of the country.
I'm most interested to learn where you saw these Brolgas, 12. Not being well-travelled I don't know where the river or South West Rocks are. Can you enlighten me?
South West Rocks is down the NSW coast about half way between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. We were travelling home from Kempsey that day, driving down the Old Pacific Highway, past a swampy area of farmland that is fairly dry at the moment. I spotted the brolgas and was impressed that they looked nearly as big as emus and a similar shape to Jabairu. But they were a beautiful grey colour with red on their faces. I've included a map with two arrows showing the possible places, as far as I remember.
Thanks so much, 12. That looks like a most interesting area with potential for great habitat.
Good spotting, 12. I have see them a number of times around South West Rocks and was very pleased one day when they danced. There are a number of interesting birds around the swampy land there.
Sue
It's "L2" - I should get a better name for the forums. This area is amazing for birdlife. So many varieties - sea birds, other water or swamp birds, bush birds, birds of prey. It has everything.
Thanks for giving me the old 12, L2. Yes, something like Sue would be quicker to type.
All better now. Not easier to type but at least, easier to work out :).
Good one!