|
|
STURT NATIONAL PARK
Sturt National Park has a diverse avifauna ranging from diminutive 12-cm fairy wrens through to 2-m emus. You can find some rare species like the Grey Falcon and see probably the largest regional population of Wedge-tailed Eagles. The diversity of birds waxes and wains with the run of the seasons with waterbirds common in the inland in wet years. Good seasons stimulate breeding with reproduction in species like Zebra Finches and Budgerigars finely tuned to a threshold of rainfall.
This checklist should be used in association with a keen eye, a good pair of binoculars, a field guide to Australian birds and some patient observation. The order of the families follows the 6th edition of Simpson and Day, ‘Field Guide to the Bird of Australia’, but there are several other excellent guides that you may use.
The University of New South Wales is conducting a study on avian diversity at and around artificial watering points (earthen tanks and dams) in association with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. If you are interested in some bird watching and have some expertise in identifying species then you might like to assist us with our study. Sit on the bank of one of the tanks (Horton Park – Gorge Loop Road and Stubberfields – Jump-up Loop Road are primary sites) or use the bird hide at South Myers. Check off the bird species you see, record the location using the key below (if you have a GPS receiver then the latitude and longitude of your location would be a welcome confirmation), the date and time over which you made your observations and a personal rating of your expertise. Drop the completed information back in the office at Tibooburra, especially if you want to keep your record (they will take a photocopy), or in a drop-box in one of the campgrounds.
Key for sighting locations (L): Gorge loop road – GL, wool scour tank – WS, Bullens tank – BT, Horton Park tank – HP, Jump-up loop road – JL, South Myers tank – SM, Mt King tank – MK, Stubberfields tank – ST, Silver City Highway – SC, Middle road east (Olive Downs to Tooma Gate road) – ME, Millers Tank – MI, Halfpenny Tank – HA, Tooma Gate road – TG, Middle road west (Tooma Gate road to Fort Grey) –MW, Lignum tank – LI, Cameron Corner road – CC, Fromes Swamp – FS, Fort Grey basin – FG.
|
MUTAWINTJI NATIONAL PARK
More than 150 species of birds have been recorded at Mutawintji National Park. Around the camping ground watch out for Apostlebirds, Zebra Finches, Diamond and Peaceful Doves, Tree Martins, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes, Red-capped Robins and Willie Wagtails.Along the walking trails Parrot and Cockatoo species are common as well as Cockateil and Budgerigar.
The area is well known for its raptors and the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon nest in the gorges along the escarpments. Spotted Harriers and Black Falcons nest on the flats.Hall’s Babbler, a rare species can be found in dense Mulga on slopes and ridges. When in flower the Eremophila stands attract Honeyeater including both Black and Pied. On the flats, Red-chested Button-quail and Stubble Quail have been recorded.
** Common names follow Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Simpson and Day 1986 - Nicking O’Neil Victoria.
A Bird-watchers list is available for download.
|
|
MUNGO NATIONAL PARK
The magneficent Lake Mungo.
|
|
WILLANDRA NATIONAL PARK
The grasslands and coolibah-lined creek beds are home to ground-nesting birds.
|
|
COCOPARRA NATIONAL PARK
Cocoparra National Park and Cocopara Nature Reserve cover an area of about 13000 hectares along a sandstone and conglomerate ridge about 25 kilometres north east of Griffith. This ridge is cut by gullies in which small creeks run for a few months after rain. There is an average of 400mm of rainfall, which comes mainly in winter months. The area around the reserves has mainly been cleared for agriculture, but the southern boundary abuts Binya State Forest, and some of the hills adjoining the northern boundary remain vegetated.
This list has been compiled from records within the Atlas of NSW Wildlife, NPWS’ database of fauna and flora sightings. It is based on information supplied by local and visiting observers, bird groups and NPWS staff, as well as from compiled datasets such as the Australian Museum and Birds Australia. Records for the adjoining Binya SF have been compiled by Keith Hutton for State Forests NSW. This report was compiled from data extracted from the Atlas in December 2005. It can not be considered comprehensive and may contain errors. Notes were compiled by Peter Ewin, Ranger based on a Checklist compiled by John Brickhill in 1990.
For further information on Cocoparra NP and Cocopara NR please contact the Griffith Area Office on 02 6966 8100 or PO Box 1049, Griffith NSW 2680. NPWS is always happy to include records from the public within the Atlas of NSW Wildlife, particularly of threatened species or those with few sightings. Further information on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife can be obtained HERE.
The following list provides Scientific and Common Names, plus a count of the number of records within and adjoining the reserves (giving an indication of abundance). Additional notes are provided to give an indication of the location of the existing sightings. Species listed as threatened under the Threatened Species Act (1995) are bolded. All other native animals and plants are protected in National Parks and Nature Reserves.
|
|
|
