Julian & Ali Travels


Muloorina		August 23 - 24 2025

		We return to Muloorina by lunch time after our trip to the lake. Another walk around the billabong. A black fronted dotterel.

		A singing honeyeater. We have to look closely to see small differences between species.

		Welcome swallows. The wire is suspended across the billabong, with a pipe into the water. I think a submerged pump, with solar panel, control, and pressure tank on a raised platform on the bank. The water tank next to the flush toilets is too big and the loo roof too small. There's a normal clip on hose outlet from the tank and the water tastes good. We'll have showers and refill our tanks before leaving.

		White Breasted Woodswallows (though we have lots of difficulty distinguishing various woodswallows and cuckoo shrikes). Joined by another white plumed honeyeater. There are still various roads closed between here and home. Both Birdsville Track and Strzlecki Track are still cut by flood waters. Useful information from Innamincka Park we will travel via Merty Merty and Cameron Corner to Noccundra in Queensland, then due east to home. Only 1800km. We decide on two more rest days.

		And here's a black faced cuckoo shrike next to the woodswallows. We decide on two more rest days.

		The campsite is quite remarkable. No rules. Two flush loos, an honesty box, a mud map, and a tank next to the loo with a standard clip on hose connection. $10/vehicle/night. We haven't seen any rubbish, no music, no generators. People behaving well. Squeezed between development making more places more accessible and closure of interesting places making them inaccessible its nice to find an oasis. An old water heater. We embark on a circumnavigation of the billabong.

		A few places where we see water. The wall of reeds impenetrable.

		The local version of mulla mulla.

		Nearly at the southern end of the billabong, a bbq site. Accessible from the homestead. We've found a way across the creek.

		Just us, the cattle, and the wildlife seem to come this far.

		Past the hot pool. Next to the bird hide. Someone on the opposite bank disturbed the Pied Stilt, which flew into the middle of the pool and posed for us. We are pleasantly surprised - its not on the recent bird list for Muroolina in eBird.

		The Australasian Coot was shy. But we persevered.

		The weather has been noticeably warmer in the last day or so. We haven't needed the heater first thing in the morning. We notice dragonflies. About 4km for the walk around the billabong.

		We move about 50m along the bank. We can see over the reeds through the rear window.

		Visited by another Spiny Cheeked Honeyeater.

		The darter soaks up the last rays of the sun.

		Next morning a few clouds and a weak sun. We turn our attention away from the water briefly.

		We didn't expect to see sparrows. But here they are.

		The early morning view from the bird hide. No more bird action than at our side.

		We watch an Australasian Swamphen at the edge of the reeds. Very clever, climbs up a stalk until it bends over, providing a path to walk on.

		And then there were two. I stood on a folding stool we found at the lake to try and see over the reeds. They flew away when they saw me.

		After exploring the bush for some time I found a way to the southern part of the billabong. On our circumnavigation we were a little way away as we walked round a second channel.

		On the opposite bank a solitary bull having the same trouble getting close to the water as I.

		A couple of grey teals in the distance.

		Another foray. This time to the bird hide. This could be a Hoary-Headed Grebe. Similar to an Australasian Grebe, but with streaks on its head. It appeared from one bank of reeds and immediately dived. A few minutes of entertainment for me before it disappeared into a different bank of reeds.

		I think I can imagine the streaks on the grebe's head. But then again ..... ! I would have to be earlier at the bird hide for the sun to be in a better direction. I think I'm suffering from "grass is always greener" syndrome as I search for the perfect bird watching spot. Of course there is no such thing ...

		The Australasian Coot paddled across in front of me, nibbling at weed. The reeds are quite wide spaced at the bottom. Plenty of room.

		The Reed Warblers, and really all the other birds, have been somewhat elusive. I hear lots, but see few.

		A fitting end to the day. White-Plumed Honeyeaters are by far the most common bird I've seen here. I've seen a couple of birds of prey overhead. No wrens, chats, or other small birds. I need to learn more about habitat! I've also seen birds that were too quick for me to take pics. Many more than I have pics of. After camera problems in the middle of the trip I'm pleased it recovered and has performed well. Though I'm suspicious as things don't fix themselves. Five days and we've just begun to scratch the surface. Most enjoyable and relaxing.

Gateway

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