Bird Of the Year

Part of Mission 'All-the-Grasswrens -of-Australia' Tour, we managed to find these little beauties hidden away in the escarpment

White-throated Grasswren (Amytornis woodwardi)

Site is Saved - Thanks to all who supported this. Petition against clearing of URBAN HOTSPOT for Telecommunications Tower

A block of land directly opposite the Sanctuary Lakes in Gunn has a proposal for clearing by developer Visionstream Pty Ltd for Optus and Vodafone and the establishment of a 22m tower.

Firstly:
There is a less destructive and more amenable site only 200m away. I am creating a petition for the developer Visionstream Pty Ltd, Palmerston City Council and the NT government to stop planning this for this site and to use the other site or other contingencies.

Petition Link, Please support this, your help is most greatly appreciated.

Rationale:  

•  It doesn't make sense that time, effort and finances go into establishing a 'Sanctuary Lakes', only to have the amenability of it ruined by a structure right next to it?
• It is only 64m from the closest resident. 
• There is a more 'INDUSTRIALLY SUITED SITE' only 200m away and a lot of vacant land either further away.
• It will involve the clearing of woodland which is a very nice area to birdwatch and walk through or past.
• Symbiotic Ecosystem: Woodland is bounded by small creek and drainage from Lakes, a monsoonal thicket/rain-forest and a wetland.  Albeit that these environments are an essentially new recovery from fires, clearing etc, it is a relative Hotspot in an Urban environment.
• Great birdlife, Rufous Owl and Black Bittern observed. Over 50 other common species,  reside or utilise this area in their lifetime, eg Bar-breasted Honeyeater nesting.
• This is one of the only remaining Green-belt areas left in Palmerston, and most certainly the only one in 'Urban Central' suitable for Rufous Owls and Black Bitterns.
• 10 years ago nearby residents were informed by developer 'DELFIN HOMES' that this area was a Green-belt, never to be developed.  Based on this, at least one family that I know chose to build on their current site (64m away from this proposal).
• It is wrong that we accept the unplanned requests of Corporate and Industrial entities wanting to develop without question. Especially if the decision has been made only as an easy option.

Evidence:

 Rufous Owl (Ninox rufa) observed at site

 Nesting Bar-breasted Honeyeater observed at site

Here is the location.

Petition Link, Please support this, your help is most greatly appreciated.

This is the location of the chosen site with respect to the local residents housing

 Here is the alternative site (which was actually choice #1) 

but it was said that there was no access existing (look at the above satellite pic)

 This is what they want to build!

Petition Link, Please support this, your help is most greatly appreciated

Here are some pics of the surrounding ecosystem this woodland is a part of.

Other species seen in the trees of the area (all taken on-site 23-25th March).

Petition Link, Please support this, your help is most greatly appreciated. 

Thankyou for supporting this local community

From Back to the Top End via SA

Whilst travelling back to the Top End through SA, I managed to find this little gem near Coober Pedy.
Chestnut-breasted Whiteface. "The most delicious Whiteface" (quote; Desert birder from Alice Springs

Late in the Dry Season, Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are often seen congregating at the King River Junction on the Katherine River.  Easy access to water and She-oak seeds make this area a favourite spot.  Flocks of hundreds can be observed for hours and great photo opportunities abound.

A visit to the Top Ends Victoria River District, Timber Creek

In July I had the opportunity to help a friend find some Lifers on his NT list.  Consisting of a few of our Grass Finches and the Purple-crowned Fairywren, there was only one place to go....Victoria River Region.  It didnt dissappoint! Enjoy the pics...12th July 2015

 Red-browed Pardalote

 Square-tailed Kite

 Gouldian Finches

 Long-tail Finches

 Star Finches

 Yellow-rumped Mannikin

 More Star Finches

and happily....More Star Finches