Birding a Kimberley Quarry in 2020

Some of you may well remember the quarry that I wrote about in October 2016. The remaining amount of water was really quite disastrous for the local bird-life. Each year is different and the last visit a few weeks ago there was substantially more water. Of course the water will have been evaporating daily, but it was more than appreciated by the local bird-life. As we pulled up to walk into the quarry we were being watched by hundreds of birds. It was still quite early and they were quenching their thirst ready for another hot winter’s day. There have been occasions where there have even been Australasian Grebes at this quarry, but not this time.

Water remaining in the quarry this year

The main bird species around the quarry were Zebra Finch, Painted Finch, Spinifex Pigeons, Crested Pigeons, Peaceful Doves and Diamond Doves. All of the birds would cautiously line up on the rocks around the quarry and then drop in to drink.

There are great vantage points for Painted Finch around the quarry

Spinifex Pigeons cautiously working their way down to the water

A bush full of Zebra Finch 

The water level has been higher for the birds and marked the rocks

The birds were mostly coming down onto the mud to drink. Cattle have been in the area and so there will be small remaining pools from their hoof prints if rain does not come to the area soon just like last time.

Crested Pigeon at the water

Spinifex Pigeons and a blur of Peaceful Doves and Diamond Doves

Spinifex Pigeons

We would have quite happily spent a bit longer than we did observing the bird-life. However, there was a sudden panic flight. Every bird in the area of the quarry took off. A Brown Goshawk flew in to also quench its thirst before the day got too hot.

Brown Goshawk

The quarry is a favourite stop for us when we head north throughout the Kimberley. It is always interesting to see what birds are in the area and the area is rather picturesque anyway!