Six enthusiastic birders had a glorious day at Clarkesdale Sanctuary on the October Bird Walk. David, who has managed the 535 hectares since 1985, was a wealth of knowledge during our morning walk.
We had beautiful weather, with crystal clear blue skies, and were greeted with bird calls that continued all morning. During the afternoon we walked around the Dam and the Education Centre.

Hoary-headed Grebe

White Goshawk

Brolgas
Altogether, we identified 37 species at the Sanctuary and one more on the way home.
- Brown Thornbill
- Grey Fantail
- Grey Shrike Thrush
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
- White Winged-triller
- Hoary-headed Grebe
- Spotted Pardalote
- Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
- Jacky Winter
- White-naped Honeyeater
- White Goshawk
- Pallid Cuckoo
- Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo
- Little Corella
- Australian Magpie
- Laughing Kookaburra
- Fan-tailed Cuckoo
- Long-billed Corella
- Purple Swamphen
- Little Pied Cormorant
- Grey Teal
- Pacific Black Duck
- New Holland Honeyeater
- Varied Sittella
- Sacred Kingfisher
- White-browed Scrubwren
- Golden Whistler
- Crimson Rosella
- Red-browed Finch
- Yellow-faced Honeyeater
- Dusky Woodswallow
- Brown Goshawk
- Rufus Whistler (Male & Female Courting)
- White-throated Tree-creeper
- Common Blackbird – Singing in the Dead of the Night
- Eastern Spinebill
- Superb Fairy-wren
- Brolgas on the journey home.
Deborah White & Ellinor Campbell.
Photos by Chrissy Freestone