Report - 4-WD Tag-along with ET (Sat 7 - Fri 20 July 2001)

This was a new venture for Ian Fraser and Margaret McJannett of Environment Tours, and by all measures it was a tremendous success. They led a group of 15 people in eight 4-WDs through a number of National Parks and environments, from the forests and heathland of Goobang NP just east of Parkes, to the wilga and brigalow woodlands of the Culgoa River region of Queensland and NSW, and back down through the mulga scrubs and woodlands of Gundabooka NP south of Bourke, before a final night for most of the group in Yathong Nature Reserve. Although rather wet for the first couple of days, and a somewhat depleted assortment of birds in the north due to very dry conditions, there was always plenty to see, discover and experience, whether scenic, pioneering history, or natural history – just the way Ian and Marg would have liked it.

Because it was not a ‘tour’ as such, members of the group were free to be as involved or as independent as they felt at any time during the trip. This meant that some spent more time around camp than others who were up at the crack of dawn and into the bush to see what birds were to be seen – not without the occasional low-key element of competition! While travelling in convoy, CB radios in four of the vehicles kept us in touch with each other, but also provided plenty of opportunity for joking and frivolity; a theme which continued each evening, together with some lively debate on a variety of issues around the campfires superbly tended by Geoff, our fire-meister. Evening meals were a big social event, each pair preparing their own meals but eating together around the campfire amidst much gossip about the culinary variety and skills on display. The exception to this was the three nights we had at the converted shearer’s quarters at Gunadabooka NP where Ian played chef and seduced us with his gourmet cooking while Marg stunned us with her damper.

Although not as prolific as expected, the birds were far from disappointing—we tallied a combined list of about 145 species. These included a Glossy Black-Cockatoo in Goonoo SF, Red-winged Parrots in a number of locations, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos, Crested Bellbirds, Mulga Parrots, Chestnut-crowned Babblers and a host of other western birds that are always good to see. Of particular significance to me were a number of sightings of Spotted Bowerbirds, three gorgeous Ground Cuckoo-shrikes right on the Qld-NSW border, and a White-browed Treecreeper at Gundabooka – all new birds for me. Owlet-nightjars, another newie for me, were heard at every campsite but unfortunately, and despite many forays out into the dark with a spotlight, the only one I managed to see was a very dead one at a homestead now taken over by NPWS.

Special moments that will remain long in my memory include my first Ground Cuckoo-shrikes in their striking three-tone plumage, wandering silently through the mulga, sitting silently by a dam at dusk watching various parrots and other birds, Crested Pigeons and seven Emus warily come down to drink against the brilliant backdrop of the setting sun, and of course all the evening campfires. My thanks to all involved for a wonderful experience.

Harvey Perkins