White-throated
Treecreeper
Cormobates leucophaeus
A few in river redgum forest along the Edward River near Deniliquin.
White-browed
Treecreeper
Climacteris affinis
Three birds in mulga country near Eulo.
Brown
Treecreeper
Climacteris picumnus
Few seen from Deniliquin north to Eulo; in the Flinders Ranges and along the
Murray in SA and Victoria.
Superb
Fairy-wren
Malurus cyaneus
Few along the Edward River near Deniliquin and Murray River in the SA and Victoria.
Splendid
Fairy-wren
Malurus splendens
Few groups seen from Hillston north to Eulo and in the Victoria and SA mallee.
Variegated
Fairy-wren
Malurus lamberti
Moderately common from Bourke right through to the Strzelecki Creek; also in
the Flinders Ranges and in the SA and Victoria mallee.
White-winged
Fairy-wren
Malurus leucopterus
Few from Deniliquin north to Barringan. Common from Thargomindah through to
Lyndhurst; best numbers in the Bulloo Overflow and the Strzelecki Desert.
Mallee
Emu-wren
Stipiturus mallee
Two groups seen in mallee and spinifex in Pink Lakes NP.
Grey
Grasswren
Amytornis barbatus
A group seen briefly at one locality and over 50 birds seen at another locality
in the Bulloo Overflow. Numbers have built up substantially after three consecutive
good seasons.
Striated
Grasswren
Amytornis striatus
One pair seen well and about six other pairs heard in regrowth mallee in Billiat
CP, SA; a high density for this species.
Eyrean
Grasswren
Amytornis goyderi
Three single birds (mates were probably on nests) and a pair feeding young in
nest on dunes west of Cameron’s Corner. Exceptional rains had fallen in
this area.
Thick-billed
Grasswren
Amytornis textilis
A pair feeding young located after a long search in chenopod shrub-land north-east
of Lyndhurst. The greatly reduced number was the result a mere one inch of rain
falling in the area for whole of 1999.
Spotted
Pardalote
Pardalotus punctatus
The yellow-rumped form was reasonably common in the SA and Victorian mallee.
Red-browed
Pardalote
Pardalotus rubricatus
Heard calling in Sturt NP and about eight seen along the Strzelecki Creek
Striated
Pardalote
Pardalotus striatus
Widespread in low numbers in eucalyptus woodland.
White-browed
Scrub-wren
Ericornis frontalis
A pair in river redgum forest near Deniliquin.
Shy Heathwren
Hylacola cauta
About six pairs in regrowth mallee in Billiat C.P, seen and/or heard.
Rufous
Fieldwren
Calamanthus campestris
About three pairs in chenopod shrub land north-east of Lyndhust. Numbers down
because of 1999 drought.
Redthroat
Pyrrholaemus brunneus
One male carrying food to young in lignum swamp in the Bulloo Overflow and about
three males singing in acacia scrub at Brachina Gorge in the Flinders Ranges.
Weebill
Smicrornis brevirostris
Moderately common in eucalyptus woodland from Hillston north to Thargomindah
and from the Flinders Ranges through to SA and Victorian mallee.
Western
Gerygone
Gerygone fusca
A pair in black box woodland on the Lachlan River north of Hillston and one
bird north of Cobar.
Inland
Thornbill
Acanthiza apicalis
A few north of Hillston and Cobar; a pair in the Flinders Ranges. Fairly common
in the SA and Victorian mallee.
Chestnut-rumped
Thornbill
Acanthiza uropygialis
Widespread in low numbers in wooded areas. Best numbers from Hillston north
to Thargomindah.
Buff-rumped
Thornbill
Acanthiza reguloides
Recorded only in river redgum forest near Deniliquin.
Yellow-rumped
Thornbill
Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
Common from Deniliquin north to Thargomindah; and from the Flinders Ranges through
to SA and Victorian mallee.
Yellow
Thornbill
Acanthiza nana
Moderately common from Deniliquin north to Queensland border.
Striated
Thornbill
Acanthiza lineata
Few in river redgum forest near Deniliquin.
Southern
Whiteface
Aphelocephala leucopsis
Moderately common from Hillston north to Noccundra and from Noccundra south
to the Flinders Ranges.
Chestnut-breasted
Whiteface
Aphelocephala pectoralis
About six birds including a juvenile just out of the nest, being fed by adults
in chenopod shrub land, north-east of Lyndhurst.
Banded
Whiteface
Aphelocephala nigricincta
A few groups in sand dune country west of Cameron’s Corner.
Red Wattlebird
Anthochaera carunculata
Surprisingly, a pair near Deniliquin. Moderately common in SA and Victoria mallee
and nearby towns.
Spiny-cheeked
Honeyeater
Acanthagenys rufogularis
Common and widespread in most woodland. Scarce in the Strzelecki Desert and
Creek areas.
Striped
Honeyeater
Plectoryncha lanceolata
Recorded in low numbers from Hillston north to Thargomindah and in the Victorian
mallee.
Noisy
Friarbird
Pjilemon corniculatus
A couple of birds in eucalyptus woodland between Cunnamulla and Thargomindah
and in river redgum forest near Deniliquin.
Little
Friarbird
Philemon citreogularis
A few in eucalyptus woodland between Cunnamulla and Thargomindah and along the
Murray River in SA.
Blue-faced
Honeyeater
Entomyzon cyanotis
Moderately common from Hillston north to Thargomindah. A few along the Murray
River area of SA and at Deniliquin.
Noisy
Miner
Manorina melanocephala
Moderately common, Deniliquin to Cobar and along the Murray River in SA and
Victoria
Yellow-throated
Miner
Manorina flavigula
Common and widespread, recorded all areas apart from the Murray River area of
SA.
Singing
Honeyeater
Lichenostomus virescens
Common and widespread — apart from the SA and Victorian mallee.
White-eared
Honeyeater
Lichenostomus leucotis
A few in the mallee north of Hillston and in the SA and Victorian mallee.
Purple-gaped
Honeyeater
Lichenostomus cratitius
Moderately common in mallee regrowth in Billiat CP, SA.
Yellow-plumed
Honeyeater
Lichenostomus ornatus
One in the mallee north of Hillston and a surprising record of two birds a few
kilometres north of Cobar. Moderately common in mature mallee in the SA and
Victorian mallee parks.
Grey-fronted
Honeyeater
Lichenostomus plumulus
Moderately common in mallee scrub between Hillston and Cobar at two separate
localities; one locality at Nombinnie NR was further south than usual. A few
in flowering mallee in the Flinders Ranges.
White-plumed
Honeyeater
Lichenostomus penicillatus
Common and widespread recorded everyday apart from a day we spent in thick mallee
in SA.
Brown-headed
Honeyeater
Melithreptus brevirostris
Moderately common in scrub country between Hillston and Bourke and in the SA
and Victorian mallee.
Brown
Honeyeater
Lichmera indistincta
A few recorded in street trees in Cobar.
New Holland
Honeyeater
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
A few in the town of Lameroo, common in banksia shrub in Ngarkat CP.
White-fronted
Honeyeater
Phylidonyris albifrons
Quite scarce this year, a few birds in mallee and scrub north of Hillston and
just north of Cobar. Heard in Hattah NP.
Tawny-crowned
Honeyeater
Phylidonyris melanops
Low numbers in Billiat and Ngarkat CP.
Black
Honeyeater
Certhionyx niger
Not overly common this year, one male south of Noccundra and about 10 in flowering
Eremophila maculata around a swamp west of Tibooburra.
Pied
Honeyeater
Certhionyx variegatus
Incredible numbers this year; the occasional bird south of Noccundra then becoming
common west of Tibooburra, then abundant in the sand dune country west of Cameron’s
Corner almost to the Strzelecki Creek and a few along the creek itself. Displaying
males were calling everywhere west of Cameron’s Corner. A recently used
nest seen west of Tibooburra.
Crimson
Chat
Epthianura tricolor
Apart from a few birds along the Bulloo River south of Thargomindah, and a few
in chenopod shrub-land north east of Lyndhurst, the distribution and numbers
mirrored that of Pied Honeyeater — a species with which it often co-inhabits.
White-fronted
Chat
Epthianura albifrons
A couple on the Riverine Plain and scattered birds through the Flinders Ranges
and along the Murray River in SA and Victoria.
Gibberbird
Ashbyia lovensis
A few on the gibber plain south of Noccundra; along the Bulloo Overflow; and
between Tibooburra and ‘Wompah Gate’.
Jacky
Winter
Microeca fascinans
A few birds in woodlands from Hillston, north to Thargomindah and in woodlands
along the Murray River in western Victoria.
Red-capped
Robin
Petroica goodenovii
Widespread in low numbers in timbered areas; nesting recorded along the Strzelecki
Creek where it is usually scarce or absent.
Flame
Robin
Petroica phoenicea
One brown bird near Deniliquin, 10 August.
Hooded
Robin
Melanodryas cucullata
Moderately common in woodland from Cobar north to Noccundra area; also a pair
in Gulpa SF near Deniliquin.
Eastern
Yellow Robin
Eopsaltria australis
A pair in pine scrub between Hillston and Cobar was a good find as the species
is quite scarce in this area.
Southern
Scrub-robin
Drymodes brunneopygia
One pair seen and another calling in thick pine scrub in Billiat CP.
Grey-crowned
Babbler
Pomatostomus temporalis
Groups from Deniliquin north to Thargomindah.
White-browed
Babbler
Pomatostomus superciliosus
A group near Cobar; moderately common in areas of thick scrub in the Flinders
Ranges and in the SA and Victorian mallee.
Hall’s
Babbler
Pomatostomus halli
A group seen near Nine Mile Bore, Eulo.
Chestnut-crowned
Babbler
Pomatostomus ruficeps
Moderately common in suitable habitat from Cobar right through to Morgan, SA.
Nest building near Eulo.
Chirruping
Wedgebill
Psophodes cristatus
Recorded almost daily from Eulo through to the Flinders Ranges.
Chestnut
Quail-thrush
Cinclosoma castanotus
Pairs seen in mallee scrub at Billiat CP and Hattah NP.
Cinnamon
Quail-thrush
Cinclosoma cinnamomeum
Two adult males of an intermediate form, between Cinnamon and Chestnut-breasted,
seen 40-50 kilometres south of Noccundra. Another pair of the typical form seen
100 kilometres south. Other pairs seen in sand dune country west of Cameron’s
Corner and about eight birds seen in the chenopod shrub land, including a pair
with two juveniles, north east of Lyndhurst.
Chestnut-breasted
Quail-thrush
Cinclosoma castaneothorax
Two pairs of this stunning species in thick mulga scrub west of Cunnamulla
Varied
Sittella
Daphoenositta chrysoptera
Groups seen in scrub country from Hillston north to Thargomindah and in mallee
shrub at Billiat CP and Hattah NP; all of the delightful black-capped form.
Crested
Shrike-tit
Falcunculus frontatus
About three birds in redgum forest near Deniliquin
Crested
Bellbird
Oreoica gutturalis
Recorded from north of Hillston, right through SW-Q’ld to Tibooburra and
Cameron’s Corner; also in the SA and Victorian mallee. Common between Cobar
and Bourke.
Red-lored
Whistler
Pachycephala rufogularis
We were serenaded by a beautiful old male in regrowth mallee in Billiat CP after
a lengthy search.
Gilbert’s Whistler
Pachycephala inornata
One pair in the sandhills in Gulpa Island SF near Deniliquin. None seen in SA
or Victorian mallee.
Golden
Whistler
Pachycephala pectoralis
About 12 birds of the mallee race seen in the SA and Victorian mallee.
Rufous
Whistler
Pachycephala rufiventris
Moderately common Cobar north to Thargomindah. Low numbers in the Flinders Ranges
and Victorian mallee.
Grey-Shrike-thrush
Colluricincla harmonica
Moderately common Cobar north to Thargomindah and in the SA and Victorian mallee;
also near Deniliquin.
.
Restless Flycatcher
Myiagra inquieta
Scattered birds recorded from Cobar north to Thargomindah; one in the Victorian
mallee.
Magpie-lark
Grallina cyanoleuca
Common and widespread recorded on everyday of the tour.
Grey
Fantail
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Recorded in low numbers from Deniliquin north to Eulo; one in the SA mallee.
Willie
Wagtail
Rhipidura leucophrys
Common and widespread recorded on almost everyday of the tour.
Black-faced
Cuckoo-shrike
Coracina novaehollandiae
Common and widespread; recorded on almost everyday of the tour.
Ground
Cuckoo-shrike
Coracina maxima
Several groups between Eulo and Noccundra and several groups, including one
with a nest, were recorded along the Strzelecki Creek.
White-winged
Triller
Lalage sueurii
Not seen until Thargomindah but seen thereafter in good numbers right through
to the Strzelecki Creek where there was exceptional numbers,
White-breasted
Woodswallow
Artamus leucorynchus
Recorded in low numbers from Eulo through to the Strzelecki Track. Much further
out in the desert country this year — mainly along redgum lined creeks,
and also around the town of Tibooburra.
Masked
Woodswallow
Artamus personatus
A few on the Bulloo River near Thargomindah. Big numbers from Tibooburra through
to the Strzelecki Creek; few near Lyndhurst.
White-browed
Woodswallow
Artamus supercilious
Good numbers from Thargomindah through to the Strzelecki Creek. Spectacular
flocks from Tibooburra through to the Strzelecki Creek.
Black-faced
Woodwallow
Artamus cinereus
Recorded in varying numbers from Eulo through to the Murray River, SA; big numbers
Thargomindah down to Tibooburra.
Dusky
Woodswallow
Artamus cyanopterus
A large group (about 12) in scrub country north of Mt Hope; one in Hattah NP.
Grey
Butcherbird
Cracticus torquatus
Low numbers in scrub country from Hillston north to Thargomindah and in the
SA and Victorian mallee.
Pied
Butcherbird
Cracticus nigrogularis
Moderately common from Deniliquin north to Thargomindah. A few along the Murray
River in the SA and Victorian mallee.
Australian
Magpie
Gymnorhina tibicen
Common and widespread recorded on every day of the tour.
Pied
Currawong
Strepera graculina
A few around Deniliquin.
Grey
Currawong
Strepera versicolor
Just two birds of the black-winged form in the SA and Victorian mallee.
Australian
Raven
Corvus coronoides
Common and widespread; recorded on most days of the tour.
Little
Raven
Corvus mellori
Low numbers on the Riverine Plain from Deniliquin north to Hillston.
Little
Crow
Corvus bennetti
Moderately common from Cobar through SW-Q’ld, down to Parachilna, SA.
White-winged
Chough
Corcorax melanorhamphos
Moderately common from Deniliquin north to Eulo, and a few along the Murray
River in SA and Victoria.
Apostlebird
Struthidea cinerea
Moderately common from Goolgowi north to Thargomindah. A few groups on creek
lines around Tibooburra. A single bird on the Murray River at Wakerie, SA.
Spotted
Bowerbird
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus
One in the town of Cobar on TV aerial; scattered birds north to Eulo; a working
bower seen near Eulo.
Singing
Bushlark
Mirafra javanica
A few in grassland along the Bulloo River and in a swamp west of Tibooburra.
Richard’s
Pipit
Anthus novaeseelandiae
Widespread in low numbers recorded on most days of the tour.
House
Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Wide spread, mainly around areas of human habitation. About six birds on the
Strzelecki Creek were a surprise.
Zebra
Finch
Taeniopygia guttata
Moderately common and widespread; good numbers from Thargomindah through to
the Strzelecki Creek.
Red-browed
Finch
Neochmia temporalis
Flocks in redgum forest near Deniliquin.
Diamond
Firetail
Stagonopleura guttata
Around six birds in blackbox country on the Lachlan River north of Hillston.
European
Goldfinch
Erythrura gouldiae
About six near an orchard at Woorinen EB, Victoria.
Mistletoebird
Dicaeum hirundinaceum
Recorded daily from Cobar through to the Flinders Ranges.
White-backed
Swallow
Cheramoeca leucosternus
A few north of Hillston and Cobar; a few in the Strzelecki Desert west of Cameron’s
Corner and along the Strzelecki Track.
Welcome
Swallow
Hirundo neoxena
Common and widespread in all but the driest desert areas.
Tree
Martin
Hirundo nigricans
Irregularly distributed through the tour. Good numbers along the Strzelecki
Creek and in the Flinders Ranges.
Fairy
Martin
Hirundo ariel
Recorded from Deniliquin northwards. Huge numbers nesting in SW-Q’ld. Nesting
under every culvert from Thargomindah to Noccundra; big numbers right through
to west of Tibooburra. Colonies nesting on sloping redgums on the Bulloo River
at Thargomindah and under a recently constructed information shelter along the
Strzelecki Track.
Clamorous Reed-Warbler
Acrocephalus stentoreus
A few in suitable habitat throughout the tour.
Little
Grassbird
Megalurus grammineus
A few in suitable habitat in NSW. Best numbers in lignum and cane grass at the
Bulloo Overflow, Q’ld.
Rufous
Songlark
Cincloramphus mathewsi
Recorded from Cobar through to the Flinders Ranges. Best numbers around Cobar
and west of Thargomindah.
Brown
Songlark
Cisticola juncidis
Few on the Riverine Plain in the south. Reasonably common from Thargomindah
through to the Strzelecki Creek.
Silvereye
Zosterops lateralis
A few around Deniliquin; also in the Flinders Ranges and in the SA and Victorian
mallee.
Common
Blackbird
Turdus merula
Recorded in towns from Deniliquin north to Bourke and in towns along the Murray
River in SA and Victoria.
Common
Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
In
suitable habitat from Deniliquin north to Eulo and from Parachilna south to
the Murray River in Victoria.
Species
recorded between Melbourne to Deniliquin and back to Melbourne — not recorded
on the trip proper.
Little
Lorikeet
Glossopsitta pusilla
A couple in flowering eucalypts at Crosbie SF.
Crimson
Rosella
Platycercus elegans
A few near Heathcote.
Brown
Thornbill
Acanthiza pusilla
Few at Mt Ida Reserve near Heathcote.
Yellow-faced
Honeyeater
Lichenostomus chrysops
Few at Mt Ida Reserve near Heathcote
Yellow-tufted
Honeyeater
Lichenostomus melanops
Few at Crosbie SF near Heathcote.
White-naped
Honeyeater
Melithreptus lunatus
Few at Mt Ida Reserve near Heathcote
Eastern
Spinebill
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Few at Mt Ida Reserve near Heathcote.
Scarlet
Robin
Petroica multicolor
Pair at Mt Ida Reserve near Heathcote
Olive-backed
Oriole
Oriolus sagittatus
One bird on the return trip to Melbourne in the Crosbie SF near Heathcote
Common
Myna
Acridotheres tristis
Various towns en route.
Strzelecki Track 2000 overview | Strzelecki 2000 vegetation photos | trip report links | Strzelecki Track 2000 trip report bird list