Last month Witchelina Nature Reserve was the destination for the Birds SA affiliated Port Augusta Bird Observers Group, The Babblers, who were keen to get snaps of the elusive Chestnut-breasted Whiteface recently sighted on the property.
On their first afternoon, the seven birders headed to where the bird had been sighted. Although they spotted Mulga Parrots and White-breasted Woodswallows there was no joy on the Chestnut-breasted Whiteface.
The next day they walked around the homestead and along a dry creek bed, finding a range of birds including Zebra Finches, a Wedge-tailed Eagle, an Elegant Parrot, White-plumed and Singing Honeyeaters, Black-faced Woodswallows, Tree Martins, Striated Pardalote and an Owlet Nightjar.
Although the nearby dam was dry, White-winged Fairy-wrens, Welcome Swallows, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes, White-browed Babblers and more were spotted in the surrounding scrub.
Still on the lookout for the Whiteface, the group set off to drive the 117km Dunes – Wildflower Nature Drive which took them through rocky hills, gibber plains, bluebush plains and sand dune country. Along the way they spotted Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Whistling Kites, Rufous Fieldwrens, Chirruping Wedgebills and a Thick-billed Grasswren amongst others. As they drove along the eastern boundary through bluebush plains, some Whiteface were seen and heard but the group were unable to confirm whether they were Chestnut-breasted or not. They had to be satisfied with photographing a flock of Chestnut-crowned Babblers instead.
They next morning they set off along the 90km Bungarider Nature Drive. As they drove along a creek bed near the homestead, they added Purple-backed Fairy-wrens, Mallee Ringneck, Southern Whiteface and Common Bronzewings to the bird list.
Birds were scarce in the dry, bare rocky hills country but as they crossed a bluebush plain, some small birds flew off. After following them on foot they were met with success! They spotted four Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, and to top it off, they also sighted a Thick-billed Grasswren.
“A total of 36 bird species were seen,” said Bernie Haase, trip leader, “but the birds of the trip would have to be the Chestnut-breasted Whiteface and the Thick-billed Grasswrens”.
The elusive Chestnut-breasted Whiteface is currently listed as Near Threatened in South Australia under SA legislation - National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.
Photo: Elusive Chestnut-breasted Whiteface at Witchelina (credit: Richard Croll)