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Visited: Winter
Recommendation: This wasn't the best time to visit as it was cold and pretty quiet. I didn't explore as much as I would have liked but there was still quite a lot of activity around the small manmade pools. The ladies in the visitor centre said it was usually busier there too. I will definitely be returning in warmer seasons.
The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens (AIBG), previously known as Sunraysia Oasis Botanical Gardens, is a 152-hectare botanical garden located in Mourquong. It's known for showcasing a wide range of Australian native plants from arid and higher rainfall regions, along with some exotic plantings. The gardens are the first community-created and operated semi-arid botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere and they feature several walking trails that wind through a variety of habitats, including dryland and irrigated gardens as well as a mallee sandhill fenced area. The gardens are extensive and as well as walking tracks, there is a driving track around the perimeter of the grounds.
I was delighted to hear the Peaceful Dove early on in my visit. This lovely bird gets its name from its docile temperament and gentle cooing sounds. They are also known for being relatively shy and non-confrontational birds, tending to avoid conflict and won't be aggressive towards other birds.
Their vocalizations are a big part of the picture. They have a soft, cooing call that's often described as "peaceful" or "docile". This calming sound likely contributed to their association with peacefulness.
Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida)
The White-browed Babbler is another bird I always love to hear, for different reasons. You normally hear them before seeing them as they scurry about low down in the undergrowth. They chatter to each other constantly as they forage for food and move from plant to plant.
White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosus)
A small flock of Zebra Finch were also around. Tricky to chase and track down, with some patience I found a spot where they visited and seemed to return to. The variable plumage of these little birds can be off putting but the sexes are different. Males have the classic black and white striped chest and reddish flanks, while females are primarily brown with faint streaking and lack the bold chest pattern
Zebra Finch - Taeniopygia guttata
The White-plumed Honeyeater were present in the gardens, zooming about and calling loudly. I always wonder about the purpose of such defining markings as these white marks on the cheek. Even scientists are not sure whether they signify dominance or are for recognition.
White-plumed Honeyeater - Ptilotula penicillata
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