The Mitchell Plateau is well known among the birders of Australia as the only "easily" accessible spot to see the Black Grasswren. They are found in a few other spots along GibbRiverRoad but as far as I know they are all on private stations so require prior permission. This isn't hard to do but I didn't plan ahead far enough to do that leaving me with the Mitchell Plateau as my main option.
Last night Imet some other birders who had seen the grasswren earlier that day and gave me good directions. I set out this morning feeling optimistic despite the overcast sky and lack of light. For about three hours I searched the area and didn't come up with any grasswrens. I couldn't hear any much less see any. I did pick up several new birds including Green-backed Gerygone and White-quilled Rock-Pigeon. Eventually, I sat myself down on a rock near where I thought they had been seen and waited.
Sure enough, after about a half hour I heard a couple birds and got some great views of at least two birds for about a minute before the disappeared back up the rocky hill. I managed to fire off a few photos but Iwas a bit dissapointed on how they came out, hence they aren't posted today. Iam going to try again tomorrow morning and see if I can do any better. It is a clear night tonight so hopefully I will have some good light in the morning, but then again it was a clear night last night too.
This evening Iphotographed a Partridge Pigeon as it wandered around the campsite pretty much oblivious to the people around it. I was quite pleased to photograph this bird as it is the western race and currently listed as vulnerable. Apparently, the eastern race, with a red face, has a much more stable population. I hope to be able to see and photograph that race in the upcoming weeks as I continue to make my way back east.
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