Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden

"Port Augusta, the so-called Crossroads of Australia, is at the head of Spencer Gulf, 322 kilometres north of Adelaide. The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden in Port Augusta is probably the easiest and most reliable spot to see a Chirruping Wedgebill. As you wander around among the eremophila, you hear their distinctive chirrup before you see the neatly coiffed brown bird perched on top of a bush This chirrup is the only feature that distinguishes him from his close relation, the Chiming Wedgebill who, needless to say, chimes instead of chirruping. With their fetching stylish crests, they look like the delinquents of the bird world. The most common bird in the garden is the Singing Honeyeater, followed by the Crested Pigeon, then the Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater. Other common birds include White-browed Babblers. Nankeen Kestrels and White-winged Fairywrens. Sit quietly at one of the bird hides and you may be rewarded with Zebra Finches coming in for a drink. Perhaps you'll see a Southern Whiteface or a Black-faced Woodswallow. Maybe a Hooded Robin will sit quietly nearby, or a Red-capped Robin may imitate a ringing telephone. In summer, when the grevilleas and eremophilas are overloaded with nectar, I've seen both Pied and Black Honeyeaters here. Early one morning. I arrived at the garden before the gates were open. I could see a Redthroat on the other side of the fence, so I climbed over to take his photo. No sooner had I got him in focus, than the gardener arrived to unlock the gates. There was nowhere to hide. I figured I'd get an embarrassing dressing-down. The man approached and I attempted to smile benignly. He grinned. Did you get it? he asked enthusiastically. Clearly a good photo of a Redthroat was more important than deference to restrictive opening hours. Just then a Grey Butcherbird performed hismelodious song, blessing my naughtiness and the gardener's good will. I felt vindicated Apart from being a reliable spot for Chirruping Wedgebills, Port Augusta can be a good place for Banded Stilts. There is often a large flock huddled together in Spencer Gulf, where the highway crosses the water. Some genius has built a bird hide here out in the open, giving the birds every opportunity to escape when people approach. Kingfishers and Rufous Fieldwrens. It is one of Port Augusta can be good, too, for Red-backed my favourite outback towns and when I'm there I always visit the Botanic Garden to reacquaint myself with the hooligan Chirruping Wedgebills"