Kwinana Rockingham Mandurah Branch, 27–29 September 2025
The KRMB field excursion for September was a long weekend exploration of the Narrogin region. There were twelve members of the Nat’s Club and two visitors from Queensland, Glen and Judy Burns, who are members of the Chinchilla Field Nat’s. We all met at 12 noon on Saturday, 27th September, at the Old Mill Dam in Dryandra Woodlands.
This was a good area for birdlife with birds seen at the Dam including Maned Duck, Purple Crowned Lorikeet, Sacred Kingfisher, Striated Pardalote, Weebills, Western Gerygone, Yellow Rumped Thornbill, Brown Honeyeater, Scarlet Robin, Grey Shrike, Grey Fantails, Willie Wagtails, Tree Martin, Magpie and Ravens. After lunch, we took a short drive to the Arboretum for a leisurely walk, and various Orchids were seen: Donkey Orchid, China Blue Orchid, Cowslip Orchid and Spider Orchids. Kangaroos and Echidnas were also seen. Birds seen here were Square-tailed Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Common Bronzewing, Feral Pigeons, Galahs, Rufous Treecreeper, Blue-breasted Fairy Wren, Spotted Scrubwren, Inland Thornbill, Western Spinebill, Golden Whistler, and Yellow-plumed Honeyeater and also seen on the drive to Narrogin, Kookaburra, Grey Currawong, Swallows, Australian Pipit, and Red Wattlebirds. Also spotted were Bobtails, Kangaroos, Echidna and a Numbat.
We all met for dinner at the Duke of York Hotel in Narrogin. Daniel returned to Dryandra on Saturday night and saw White sided Free-tailed Bats, Owls, Curlews, Echidnas, a Boobook Owl, and a Brush-tailed Possum with a Joey and a giant Huntsman Spider.
On Sunday, 28th September, we all met at Foxes Lair in Narrogin. Flora found, including Purple Tassel flower, Conostylis, Stackhousia, White Spider Orchid, Sundews Orchid, Fringed Mantis Orchid, Donkey Orchid, Jug Orchid and Triggerplants. Birds seen were Australian Ringnecks, Galahs, Red Capped Parrot, Magpies, Ravens, Red Wattle Birds, Brown Honeyeater, Red Tailed Black Cockatoos, Square Tailed Kite (on nest), Little Eagle, Kookaburra, Weebills, Western Gerygone, Striated Pardalote and Red Capped Robin. After lunch, we all met again at Yilliminning Rock, which is a short distance out of Narrogin. Here, a Military Dragon was spotted. Orchids found were Forest Mantis Orchid, Cowslip Orchid, Fringed Orchid, Lemon Scented Sun Orchid and Jug Orchid. A long Necked Turtle was also seen. Birds included Rufous Treecreeper, White-eared Honeyeater and Black-faced Wood Swallow.
On the return journey on Monday morning, some members called in at Dryandra Woodlands and spent some time at the Lol Grey Lookout. A couple of our members stayed at the Congelin campsite for an extra couple of days and saw a beautiful Barn Owl, Possums, a Woylie and a view of Numbats foraging.
It was a great weekend enjoyed by all.
Ailsa Rabone and Gillian Beadell
Daniel Heald posted:-