A bird survey was recently conducted on Hiltaba Nature Reserve by a team from Birds SA (many of whom are also Nature Foundation members). Over the four days around 60 species were recorded although bird numbers were a little down on last year, likely reflecting the dry conditions earlier in the year and also the cold weather experienced during the survey.

One of the most intriguing findings of the survey was the sighting of Elegant Parrots (Neophema elegans) at two locations, with one of the sightings near the Hiltaba airstrip now being the most westerly record of this species in South Australia.

Elegant Parrots were first recorded on Hiltaba during the 2023 bird survey. However, there are records from further east in the Gawler Ranges.

A bird survey on Witchelina Nature Reserve will be conducted later this year.

Photos by Jennifer Hiscock.