Busselton

Busselton is a lovely little town. It is geared towards tourism as it is on the coast and warmer than Augusta but cooler than Perth. It still maintains a small town feel though and the beaches are beautiful. I came here a number of years ago and loved it so I was pleased to be back to see it was just as pleasant. I remember vividly the terns fishing from the pier and corella on the grassed areas in late afternoon. No corella this time but the terns were sitting on the beach, sunning themselves.

Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)

There are a lot of waterways and forest areas in and around Busselton and consequently there are a lot of birds. I started at the pier and returned there several times during my stay. The Great Crested Terns were sitting on the beach along with Silver Gulls, Feral Pigeons and Welcome Swallows who swooped overhead. The pier is enormous (there is even a train to get tired legs to and from the end). 

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)

Next was a layby on a main road running east/west that overlooked the Locke Nature Reserve to the south. This became my favourite place to sit because of the number and variety of birds. A set of low trees were home to a lot of ibis with young. In between me and the trees was a water channel with numerous species of ducks also with ducklings. I sat several times watching the comings and goings and trying to photograph the ibis as they landed. Not very elegant but made for great pictures. 

Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceaus)

On the way out kangaroo fed on grass. On the way in, I was walking too fast and spooked them. Learning from that, I crept back out from the hide and although they could see me, they carried on eating. I was thrilled to be so close to them.

Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)

As I sat in my van drinking tea, I could hear this delightful trill that was familiar but it took me a while to pinpoint the owner. It was a group of Yellow-rumped Thornbill. They are so attractive to look at and listen to. Bird watching in a campervan is so effective. It operates as a mobile hide with the advantage of having a kitchen included!

Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)