Newman 27th August

Monday 27^th  

We took our lunch to Ophthalmia Dam – on the Fortescue River. (It is in the Ophthalmia Range).

 

** There is a raft on the dam like we had at Mt Martha!!

 

This huge dam was constructed by BHP (like everything else here) for the sole purpose of recreation for the community – there is even a sailing club....

and is good for a paddle.

On the way, lovely scenery

 

 

Some Corkwood - a Hakea - in flower

 

  

Along the road we had to pull over for a police - escorted monster haul truck

The main open cut iron ore mine here is 5 1/2 km long!

Nearly all the vehicles around town have a high flag like an aerial, no doubt to enable them to be seen when mixing it with the big equipment. At night it has a red light on it.

“This tyre is a bit flat! I think I’ll get Caroline to change it”

 

Bird Report from Rob for the birdos:

Since leaving Leonora we’ve seen a few more birds, but overall this trip has been notable for the lack thereof.

Between Meekatharra and Newman we saw numerous flocks of Budgies – (some very large >200) –a few small flocks of Cockatiels and many small parties of Zebra Finches.

Interesting sightings – none.

Lack of roadkills has meant a lack of raptors, although between Meekatharra and Newman there were a few, both kangas and cattle, resulting in us seeing many Wedgies and Whistling Kites.

A most noticeable non-sighting has been the Black Kites...not a single bird since we started on the Nullarbor. Checking their distribution I found that they are absent on the Nullarbor and up through central WA…. something I was unaware of.

At Ophthalmia Dam I was surprised to see a few Common Sandpipers ….. I will report this to Birdline.

Absence of Parrots has been another surprise for me – although Bourkes Parrot and Princess Parrot have been seen in this area – so here’s hoping.

Nice sighting of a pair of Black Honeyeaters a few days ago.