Overnight in Berri it was about 0 degrees but we were warm in the van. We woke to a few notes of the Muppets theme, as Rob S says, - the pied butcher bird- and the day was beautiful and sunny as we headed off to Waikerie and the Gluepot. It was a treat to be able to buy delicious local mandarins and grapes along the way.
The road went through mallee country to the Gluepot and was really corrugated in parts, (we thought “get used to it!!”); the van travelled really well so that was a good trial. Once in the Reserve the road was fine and we registered and found a good camp site... no-one else here that we have seen. No showers, and only big drop toilet but that’s ok.
When we opened the outside lockers of the van there seemed to be no red dust there – and the same inside, so that’s good. The whole area is just fine red dirt/dust which covers everything!
Birds Australia bought the sheep station in 1997 with the aim of preserving habitat for endangered birds. There is 54,000 Ha, and includes some large areas of old growth mallee. Most of the dams have been filled in, as a strategy to reduce water availability for feral animals, and their management plan includes shooting of feral goats and baiting foxes.
We went for a walk to a bird hide, going through several different types of habitat. Not a lot of birds, but a beautiful walk. Had good views of a male red-capped robin and a male mulga parrot, and there were quite a few Nephila spiders in amazing webs. Their webs are 3D with several in the web, and the spiders are up to 8 cm long, their abdomens being about 2cm.
We went on the self guided Botanical walk – through mallee and black oak habitats which was valuable in helping to learn the desert plants. Also had great views of Brown Quail which apparently have only recently arrived. Through the day we went on other walks and drives, stopping whenever we saw birds.
Highlights: really good views of several Chestnut-backed Quail-thrushes that ran across the road and some Crested Bellbirds. There are several bird hides here at water points, but we didn’t see anything much there at all.
Lowlight: my camera has frozen after several strange messages appearing, so I think a new camera will have to be bought!
The Gluepot area was recently flooded, and last year also had heavy rains after many years of drought. This has resulted in plains that had been reduced to red dust, now are almost covered in a wide variety of small plants which are still germinating. It’s also amazing to see so much fresh green growth on Spinifex, several different Salt bushes, Emu bushes of all colours, Hop bushes and so many others....rejuvenation of the habitats. Seedbank girls will be interested to know there is a Scented Lomandra here – looks very similar to our local one, but grows in the red dirt!
Now I am in the van at Port Augusta after a walk in the Arid Lands Botanical Gardens, a shower – bliss!! A delicious meal of whiting at the local pub, and after another SOS to Rob B, I can use the emails as well as the internet. How would I survive without him?!
Off to Coober Pedy tomorrow. Not many flowers out at this time of year, but there were lots of Emu bushes of all colours at the Gardens.
Sorry this is so long - I wrote up like a diary when we didn't have internet access, and its too detailed ..also no photos!!
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