Birds SA concluded their autumn bird survey for Witchelina Nature Reserve this week, with some more interesting observations. 

The landscape remains wet from the six significant rain events since November 2021 and there are large numbers of some species, like Zebra Finches, that respond quickly to the flush of growth and the plentiful feed available. Orange and Crimson Chats, Budgerigars, Wedge-bills and Fairy-wrens, amongst many other species, can be frequently seen, while there are many raptors taking advantage of the available food. However the most noteworthy record this week was of one of South Australia’s rarest birds, the Chestnut-breasted Whiteface. This small bird, generally considered to be SA’s only endemic species, occurs sparsely across remote areas of northern SA and is rarely seen. 

This week the team (Andrew Black, Philippa Horton, Marg Evans, Peter Christie and rotational managers Phil Cole and Jenny Hiscock) found this bird at two locations (one sighting of two birds, one of two). This is an exciting record with only two other observations on the Reserve in recent years, one by Rotational Manager Greg Bannon and one by Port Augusta birder Bernie Hasse and others, and none during the regular surveys since 2014. The Painted Finches (only recorded once before on Witchelina) observed by the survey team a few weeks ago were not seen again. The next bird survey is scheduled for October.

Photo of Chestnut-breasted Whiteface courtesy Jenny Hiscock