|
Gouldian Finch |
Following our visit to Kununurra (see last two posts) we
headed off through the savannah to Wyndham, Western Australia’s northern-most
town, for a two-night stay in Wyndham Caravan Park.
|
Croc footprint - Wyndham mangroves |
The first afternoon, I searched mangroves near the town
wharf. It was high tide and I was walking 3-5 metres inside the mangroves when
suddenly I saw a very large Saltwater Crocodile on the mangrove edge just 10
metres in front of me. Before I had a chance to get my camera act together, it
disappeared into the water with a huge splash. I’m not sure what would have
happened if it had other intentions. Plenty of fresh slide marks and crocodile
foot prints in the mud.
|
White-breasted Whistler |
I found a female White-breasted Whistler, a species I have not
seen for a very long time.
|
Mangrove Fantail |
Other birds in the mangroves included Mangrove Fantail,
Mangrove Gerygone and Yellow White-eye.
|
Gouldian Finch |
The caravan park backs on to some nice rocky savannah and
has a couple of rock pools behind it. Visitors here included Gouldian Finch on
several occasions, along with Double-barred, Long-tailed and Masked Finches.
|
Red-browed Pardalote |
Other birds about the park included Red-browed Pardalote and
Plumed Pigeon.
|
View east from Five Rivers Lookout, Wyndham |
|
Sunset at Five Rivers Lookout, Wyndham |
We visited Five Rivers Lookout, which offers stunning views
in all directions over the vast salt flats surrounding Cambridge Gulf to the
distant mountain ranges of the Kimberley; truly breath-taking stuff. We returned to the lookout for beers at
sunset.
|
Cambridge Gulf, from Wyndham |
A repeat visit to the mangroves produced several more
White-breasted Whistlers, all females or juveniles, along with a couple of
Mangrove Golden Whistlers. I also saw a bird I was quite sure was a Dusky Honeyeater, about 500m west of the jetty in mangroves. I didn't take much notice at the time as I am very familiar with this species at home, and thought it commonplace in northern mangroves. It was not until later that I saw that the species may not have been recorded from WA. This record therefore requires confirmation, but I am quite certain I saw a Dusky and not a female Red-headed Honeyeater.
|
Mangrove Golden Whistler female |
|
Wyndham mangroves |
Fresh crocodile foot prints were seen in mud under
the town jetty, not far from where I saw my reptile; I learned from locals that
a 5m male crocodile has made its territory along that stretch of mangrove (above).
|
Gouldian Finch |
We visited the town’s interesting historic museum and
pioneer cemetery. Late in the afternoon, another nice procession of Gouldian
and other finches came in to drink at the camping ground pools.
No comments:
Post a Comment