Abby's Big Year 2022

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sue818
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Wow, Abby, what stunning pictures and birds... love the Regent Parrot and the Rufous Fieldwren but so many of the others as well. Two of those would be lifers for me as the Regent Parrot and the Gilbert's Whistler still elude me. Congrats on hitting 200 with a beautiful shot of the Flame Robin. I'm eager to see what comes next.

AbbyGrace
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Thanks Sue. Hope you are having a nice time away.

After Mildura, we went to Wyperfeld National Park for two nights.

208. Mulga Parrot

209. Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo

210. Major Mitchell's Cockatoo - Icing on the cake for this trip, thought we might be lucky to see them in winter.

And a couple of replacement shots.

Singing Honeyeater (39)

Southern Whiteface (21)

Red-capped Robin (63) had a few close to our camping spot which was neat!

AbbyGrace
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On our way home, we stopped into Crusoe Reservoir which is near Bendigo. I had got some information on finding a Owlet Nightjar.

It wasn't out sunning itself when we saw, hunkered down, which I don't blame it, it was a very chilly day.

211. Australian Owlet-nightjar (Lifer) - hopefully this is enough to ID it.

dwatsonbb
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That Mulga parrot is stunning. Fantastic photo. Also love the Major Mithchells.

I reckon I can see enough of the Nightjar, wouldn't be much else of that colouring in a hollow?
 
Some nice additional/upgrades as well. Lovel shot of the Red-cap.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dannyka6
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Wow Abby, some brilliant photos! You are definitely queen of the Blue-bonnets, and you absolutely got the best White-winged Fairywren shots :) Love that kissing Blue-bonnet shot. And your Regent shot is very cool!

Thanks for being an amazing tour guide for our Northern Victoria trip, happy to take a trip under your guidance any time :) 

AbbyGrace
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I miss one from our trip, just was waiting on ABID on facebook for Identification. 

212. Little Crow - going on the white at the base of its throat  (Lifer)

Then today I went for a walk along Maribyrnong River, and found a couple of birds to add to the list for this year.

213. European Greenfinch (no factsheet)

214. Crested Shrike-tit (it was across the river from me, bit of an EBC shot)

And I love how this shot came out.

Another prey animal looking for food.

sue818
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What a great trip! Love that Red-capped Robin giving quite a stare. Looking forward to more, Abby. You will love Darwin and the NT.

dwatsonbb
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Some more great photos, even you EBC shots are good. Tha Nankeen Kestrel shot is awsome.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dannyka6
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Great shots there Abby, glad you got the Crested Shrike-Tit :) That Kestrel is beautiful, love how they hover. But the Little Crow!! Awesome! So cool that you got it! Where was that?

karentwemlow
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Just catching up on all your latest pics now Abby, so many gorgeous birds and fantastic photos. Well spotted with the Owlet-Nightjar, I hear them at my place and am always looking in hollows but no luck for me yet.

AbbyGrace
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Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

Just a couple to add this week. 

Managed to find the Satin Bowerbird that Tom saw earlier in the year at Beaconsfield. 

215. Satin Bowerbird

 And going through my list there is a couple of common birds that I have overlooked to add yet.

216. Eurasian Coot

Also, I'm just adding a couple of updated or extra photos that I'm happy with from this past week.

While I was waiting to pick my son up from school, found a friendly Golden Whistler. (159)

On another walk, saw this White-browed Scrubwren singing which was neat. (153)

And then at Koo Wee Rup (Sybella Ave ebird) saw about 6 Hardheads which are always cool to see. (40)

michaelrt71_1
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Love the golden whistler, such a confiding bird to pose in the light. Impressive amount of birds you convinced to perch perfectly on old tree branches - especially the singing honeyeater. Although it looks like you did not have the red-capped robin's permission for a photo.

dwatsonbb
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Yes the Golden Whistler is stunning, the others are all good to.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

AbbyGrace
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Thanks Michael and Dale.

Today we went for a drive down to Cape Schanck, walked out to the point, no whales unfortunately but 3 birds to the list. 1 lifer, and 1 lifer in Australia. 

217. Kelp Gulls - Australian Lifer. Have seen these in New Zealand.

218. Australasian Gannet

219. Black-browed Albatross (Lifer) EBC shot.

And just a couple of shots from my phone of the scenery today.

sue818
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Great shots of the Golden Whistler and the Hardhead and then Cape Schanck for a little icing on the cake. Wonderful to see the Albatross.

Contact me (when I'm home again) if you need any tips for the Darwin trip.

dwatsonbb
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Agree with Sue some great shots there, must have been good to see the albatross from shore. You have done well with the flight photos. Also love the scenery.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

TommyGee
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Congrats on smashing through the 200 mark Abby! So many great shots of some absolutely beautiful birds.

Really glad you got the Terek Sandpipers at last... and that upgrade photo is stunning.

AbbyGrace
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Thanks guys. I'm amazed that I have seen over 200 different birds this year. This will most likely be my last post until we go to Darwin next Friday :D (I'm a tad excited! First time in NT for my hubby and I and our son. Going to try to make the fine line between birding and cool adventures for a 6yr old boy.)

Anyway just a couple of birds to add to list.

220. Peregrine Falcon - great to see it back again. (well a pair is back, I'm yet to see them both of them)

221. Eastern Whipbird - now this shot made my day. Tricky ... birds to see at the best of times.

222. European Goldfinch - not a great shot - hopefully I can get a better one in the next couple of months.

223. Spotted Dove - can't believe that I haven't added this one already.. 

224. Common Sandpiper - Lifer! - Saw this today at Powlett River, which is on the way to Wonthaggi. And it was a beautiful day, I also saw some whales, but didn't have my camera with me when I saw them.

View of Powlett River Mouth

Also some Spitfire grubs I think.

sue818
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Another great set of birds, Abby. Love that landscape shot but not very keen on Spitfires as they really burn! 

michaelrt71_1
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Nicely done with the whipbird! And a rather regal looking peregrine. Good luck in Darwin.

dwatsonbb
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Great work, some lovely birds. Agree that Whipbird and Peregrene are awsome.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

AbbyGrace
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Thanks everyone. One more post before I leave on a jetplane. 

So I saw a couple of posts about a Channel-billed Cuckoo about 20mins away from home, so I thought why not try this year, I remembered that there were posts last year in the same area, so researched on ebird, and am thankful for the notes that were left. Was rather difficult to find in the Moreton Bay Fig, have been back to try to get a better shot, but unfortunately not at this stage.

225. Channel-billed Cuckoo (Lifer) 

sue818
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Well done on getting a lifer! They are big loud birds but I have not heard any in Sydney yet... of course, it's still raining!

Alex Rogers
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Well done on the Whipbird, they are so tricky! Love the Peregrine - such awesome birds. And I also found a Common Sandpiper last week - a lifer for me too - maybe they are becoming more common? ;-)

Good luck in Darwin, such a fun place to go birding :-) Looking forward to seeing your shots. 

karentwemlow
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Great pics Abby, I have never been able to get a clear shot of a Whipbird, well done!. Have fun in Darwin, it was our first time (with hubby and 7yo son) in June and we all absolutely loved it. The boys loved the electric scooters, and the Aqua Park in the waterfront precinct, while I wandered around with my camera, so many new birds to spot. The ski club around past Mindil Beach is a nice spot for a meal and to watch the sunset. Look forward to seeing your photos.

dwatsonbb
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Hope you enjoy your trip. That CBC is an imposing looking bird, would love to see one one day. Thanks for sharing.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
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Correction, the Channel-billed Cuckoos have been calling and flying over the house all morning. Spring is here at last. Enjoy NT.

AbbyGrace
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Thanks everyone. I'm back from my holiday. Little overwhelmed with all the photos :) We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Would go back in a heartbeat, even though people were telling us its just got hot. (We were expecting it to be hot and humid, and it was) Katherine got to 41 I think. I haven't calculated yet how many lifers I saw, but i'm guessing at least 50. One thing we noticed there was a lot of Black Kites and Whistling Kites. Didn't spy an Australian Magpie while we were there too. So many new sounds and sights.

First couple of days we had an airbnb around the corner from the Darwin Botancial Gardens, which I recommend visiting, nice cafe too.  

226. Bar-shouldered Dove (Lifer)  (These and Peaceful Doves were plenty to see everywhere)

227. Helmeted Friarbird (Lifer) - no factsheet

228. Forest Kingfisher - what a stunning bird. I was buzzing to see a pair on my first outing!

229. Green Oriole (Lifer) no fact sheet 

I quite enjoyed having a little backyard to have breakfast in and watch birds flying here and there. 

230. White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike (Lifer) - no fact sheet

And seeing little insects in the garden. 

I was very excited while sitting there to see a Crimson Finch land on the fence. (I will probably put up another one later, since they were a fairly common finch up there.)

231. Crimson Finch (Lifer)

232. Brown Honeyeater (Lifer) 

233. Bar-breasted Honeyeater - (Lifer) No Fact Sheet

234. Rufous-banded Honeyeater (Lifer) - No fact sheet

235. White-throated Honeyeater (Lifer) - no fact sheet

I think I will leave it there for tonight.

sue818
sue818's picture

Well done, Abby... nothing like changing state to get lifers! Some great shots but if I had to choose then Bar-breasted Honeyeater and the Forest Kingfisher would be my favourites. Sounds like a wonderful place to stay as the Darwin Botanical Gardens are magical. The NT is a great place but it does get hot and humid in the build-up so I would not choose to visit from late October on.

I understand how overwhelming the photo processing can seem... I'm still finishing from my trip. However, I am looking forward to plenty more. Trust that the family had a wonderful time.

AbbyGrace
AbbyGrace's picture

Thanks Sue. Family really enjoyed their time in NT. One year we will would like to do the trip up the middle with the caravan. 

236. Bush Stone-curlew - Lifer - these birds crack me up.

237. Double-barred Finch - Lifer - These are pretty Finches, quite common around Darwin.

238. Australasian Figbird - Lifer - Another bird that we saw frequently. (Male and Female are quite different)

239. Leaden Flycatcher

240. Varied Lorikeet - Lifer - no fact sheet - This was something my son wanted to see.

dwatsonbb
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Oh wow Abby, what a wonderful set of birds. The Kingfisher would be my favourite, but it's hard to choose. Looking forward to more or your adventures.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

AbbyGrace
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Thanks Dale. 

Still going through the photos from the first 3 days. 

241. Varied Triller - Lifer

 Went down to the beach at Lee Point. Was nice to see a few shore birds there and it was fun looking at the rock pools there.

242. Great Knot - Lifer

243. Sanderling - Lifer

244. Greater Sand Plover - Lifer - no fact sheet.

245. Whimbrel - Lifer - was pretty neat seeing this one. There was also a pair of Eastern Curlew there, so you could noticeably see the bill length difference.

AbbyGrace
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We went to Fogg Dam for a couple of hours before our Jumping Croc cruise and then called back on the way past. What a place! Would go back here in a heartbeat, just an awesome spot for birding! Plus we saw a croc there too. Far away not to cause any concern.

246. Intermediate Egret - Lifer - No fact sheet

247. Green Pygmy Goose - Lifer - no fact sheet

248. Comb-crested Jacana - Lifer - Look at the size of their feet!

249. Wandering Whistling-Duck - Lifer

250. Broad-billed Flycatcher - Lifer - No fact sheet

sue818
sue818's picture

Wonderul set of photos and so many lifers... you must have been excited! So hard to pick a favourite but the stare of the Bush Stone-curlew, the flying Great Knot, the flying Whimbrel and the Comb-crested Jacana would be up there. Pleased to hear that you got to Fogg Dam and thought it wonderful. It is a must see for birders!  Looking forward to more.

dwatsonbb
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I was just about to mention the Comb-crested Jacana in the background of the egret shot, but hey what comes next?. Another nice set of photos of some lovely birds.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

michaelrt71_1
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Beautiful, Abby! Some sharp shots and lovely colour. Especially the kingfisher and the light on the crazy curlew's eye!

AbbyGrace
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Carparks - its amazing what you see at carparks. After our Jumping Croc Cruise (will pop a couple of photos at the bottom from that) we came back to Fogg Dam to have some lunch. And while we were at the carpark there we spotted some more lifers! 

We had heard the Blue-winged Kookaburras earlier. Hilarious! Sounds like they need a bit more choke to get going like the Laughing Kookaburra. Smaller bird, but I wonder if the bill is the same size, just looked big.

251. Blue-winged Kookaburra - Lifer

Above is a Female and below is the Male. Male has a blue tail. (Below was taken at Pine Creek) 

252. Shining Flycatcher - Lifer - wow amazing - we saw a female later on in our trip. - no fact sheet

 

253. Rainbow Pitta - Lifer - now I was buzzing to see this and to get a fairly decent photo of it too! Hubby was impressed with this little epic bird. - no fact sheet

254. Grey Whistler - lifer - not the best of shots - no fact sheet

Now for a couple of shots from the cruise..

They threw out some chicken fat for the Kites. (74. Whistling Kite)

And a couple of replacement shots.

AbbyGrace
AbbyGrace's picture

After lunch and the excitement at Fogg Dam, we headed to Adelaide River (stayed there for a night) but we went out to the Magnetic Termite Mounds and Florence Falls at Litchfield N.P first. Another place I would visit again. At the Termite Mounds we saw

255. Silver-crowned Friarbird - lifer - saw these in a number of places - no fact sheet

256. Red-backed Fairywren - lifer - unfortunately none in the breeding colours.

Then at Adelaide River - by the War Cememtery which is a good place to visit - but across the road from the Cememtery there was a bunch of trees which had a range of birds.

257. Red-tailed Black Cockatoo - Lifer - Ended up seeing and hearing them a number of times, first time I got my hubby to screech to a stop on the side of the road.

258. Brush Cuckoo - Lifer

Grey-crowned Babblers

259. Little Bronze-Cuckoo - Lifer - No fact sheet

While we were at Florence Falls we saw a bunch of Fruit Bats, saw quite a few at Pine Creek and Katherine.

And here is a photo of the Magnetic Termite Mounds

sue818
sue818's picture

Wow, Abby, some wonderful photos. Flight shots are brilliant but I cannot go past the Rainbow Pitta. Are they not a stunning little bird?  What a great trip and experience for the family.

Grey-crowned Babbler in twice 15 and 259 so easiest if you replace 259 with something else.

.

AbbyGrace
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Whoops, thanks for that pick up Sue. I now realise I didn't add a White-browed Babbler from earlier in the year. 

So will add it now before I forgot about it again.

260. White-browed Babbler - seen in July at Wyperfeld National Park

AbbyGrace
AbbyGrace's picture

A couple more from Adelaide River.

261. Rufous-throated Honeyeater (Lifer) - no fact sheet

262. Banded Honeyeater (Lifer) - no fact sheet

263. White-gaped Honeyeater (Lifer) - no fact sheet

264. Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Lifer) no fact sheet

sue818
sue818's picture

How exciting, so many lifers! I think my favourites are the White-gaped Honeyeater and Yelow-bellied Flycatcher (often called Fly-robin as it is a robin). Forgot to say that the shot of the jumping croc is pretty amazing.

Thatanks for updating your numbers, all works now. Check out the stats.

dwatsonbb
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Oh what a great trip. I also love the Pita. Those termite mounds look a lot like headstones. Some more great photos thanks Abby.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

michaelrt71_1
michaelrt71_1's picture

Awesome collection of lifers, Abby! Love the rainbow pita and that second shot of the shining flycatcher - living up to their names.

AbbyGrace
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Thanks guys. Next stop was Pine Creek. Not a massive town, and some might think it doesn't have much to offer, but I would go back and probably stay for at least 2 nights next time. 

265. Dusky Honeyeater (Lifer) - no fact sheet

266. Hooded Parrot - Lifer - no fact sheet - this was the main reason we stayed in Pine Creek. (Thanks Sue)

267. Long-tailed Finch (Lifer) - no fact sheet - saw these also in Darwin.

268. Great Bowerbird (Lifer) - no fact sheet - saw these in a number of spots from Pine Creek to Katherine. One in Katherine had a little pink on the back of its head.

I have never seen soooo many Rainbow Bee-eaters before

AbbyGrace
AbbyGrace's picture

From Pine Creek we went to Katherine via Edith Falls, this was a beautiful spot. We did a loop walk with a dip in the pools both at the top and the bottom.

269. Northern Fantail (Lifer) - no fact sheet 

270. Red-collared Lorikeets (Lifer) - no fact sheet - saw these in a number of places, easy to dismiss them thinking they are our Rainbow lorikeets.

271. Australian Bustard (Lifer) - this was a quick turn the car around, need to quickly get a shot on our way to the Katherine Gorge Cruise. 

272. Great-billed Heron (Lifer) - no fact sheet - sorry these are EBC shots, had the camera on the wrong setting as we were cruising down the Katherine Gorge. (a must do, by the way)

Saw this Mertens Water Monitor while we were at Edith Falls.

Now I hope you don't mind, I'm just going to add a few photos of the beautiful Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.

sue818
sue818's picture

Fabulous shots, Abby. Love them all including the landscapes and the monitor so cannot choose a favourite. Pleased you had success at Pine Creek and agree Nitmiluk is beautiful. Did you have to change boats or was there enough water to cruise all the gorge in just one?

All your numbers are out by one as you have two of 264. I have listed them as you posted so Great-billed Heron is actaully 272. Could you edit the numbering please?

Quite envious of the Great-billed Heron (dubbed Big Bill by a friend) as I have not managed a keeper shot as yet despite a couple of sightings so have not counted it on my life list. Well done! Looking forward to more from a great trip.

dwatsonbb
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Oh some more great birds, and loving those landscapes, amazing.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

AbbyGrace
AbbyGrace's picture

Thanks Sue and Dale. (Numbers have been edited Sue) Also Sue, we had to change boats. We only did a cruise of 2 of the gorges.

Enjoyed our time Katherine, even with temperatures getting to 41.

273. Spangled Drongo (Lifer) - I just wanted to see this one for its name. We saw these in quite a few places in the NT.

274. Black-faced Woodswallow (Lifer)

275. Yellow-tinted Honeyeater (Lifer) - no fact sheet

276. Oriental Dollarbird (Lifer)

277. Pheasant Coucal (Lifer) 

Now I'm not quite sure if these were wild or not, but saw them running through the town of Pine Creek on our way back to Darwin. So I haven't numbered them.

Helmeted Guineafowl

Replacement for Little Egret (143)

And quite this close up of a Great Egret (186)

AbbyGrace
AbbyGrace's picture

Back to Darwin for the last 4 days. I had to get to Lee Point Dam, so once we settled into our new cabin, off we headed to Lee Point Dam.

Managed to see the Gouldian Finches! But got better views the next morning at Casuarina Beach Reserve.

278. Gouldian Finch (Lifer)

279. Chestnut-breasted Mannikin (Lifer)

280. Masked Finch (Lifer) - no fact sheet

281. Red-headed Honeyeater (Lifer) - no fact sheet

282. Paperbark Flycatcher (Lifer) - no fact sheet

283. Brahminy Kite (Lifer) 

I quite like this shot of a Rainbow Bee-eater

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