Last Two Endemics

Drove to Adventure Bay via Mavista, twisty, narrow gravel all the way to the coast. We haven't met any other vehicles yet on that road. After a drink and a Blueberry Muffin at the boat 'office', seeing Black-faced Cormorants perched on a buoy, we toured the waterfront flowering eucs looking for Yellow Wattlebird, Aus's largest Honeyeater. No sign. About to turn round, we drew into a roadside parking area beside the beach, finding Tonya's car. She and her two Americans were on the beach. She says he's not interested in birds at all, thought he needed a hobby, bought cameras and huge lenses and she trails around all day finding wildlife for him to photo. His wife is Thai and just follows him.They've booked her for 2 weeks, only 4 days on Bruny, the rest on Tas.
Whilst Pam was out of the car, I saw 2 Wattlebirds fly above the trees, big long-tailed with white tips birds. Bit cuckoo like. Pam returned with Tonya who pointed out a nearby nest so Pam was able to get some views too. We lunched at the picnic table in warm 21C but the wind is strong and gusty to-day. I photographed a Pied Oystercatcher so that we could compare them with ours.

Bought the last lot of stamps needed and then returned to Mavista where one climbs a dozen steps before taking a track into the wet forest. We walked about 200 metres before hearing squeaks and then a view of a small brown bird amongst the ferns which then did a treecreeper on a nearby tree. The last endemic and the most difficult, Scrubtit. Another Fan-tailed Cuckoo sneaked through the lower branches, perching for good views. I don't expect to find cuckoos in dark, wet forests. After leaving the forest I found a leech looping up my trouser leg and quickly flicked it off. A natural reaction which Pam regretted - she wanted a photo.
We're planning to go to the penguin rookery to-night. They don't come in until after dark and after the Shearwaters so, we shall leave for The Neck at 8.30 after dinner. As Pam went out to wash the dusty car windows, a blind Bennett's Wallaby hopped right past the car. It had a well grown Joey in its pouch, irresisitible.

Cute.....
10.55 p.m.
Another magical experience. We arrived at The Neck before 9, climbing the first flight of steps to find a hidden platform with more steps leading down to a viewing platform on the beach. We stayed half way up the scrub strewn dunes and watched from there - with a man born in Norwich, living in Shetland and spending Christmas with brother in Melbourne. Hundreds of Short=tailed Shearwaters were patrolling back and forth along the beach, justt a short way out, waiting for real dusk.One took the plunge and flew in over our heads, the number gradually increasing until there were dozens wheeling silently above us, some only a couple of feet clear. The growling and squealing started as they entered their burrows deep in the dunes beneath the scrub. Such elegant flying machines.
The first few Little Penguins appeared on the surf edge, just milling about before marching up the beach and disappearing to our left. I heard a kerfuffle and shone my red filtered torch just below, to find two penguins changing nest guard.This continued for the next half an hour that we stayed, mesmerised.Shearwaters grunting all round us, Penguins growling as they greeted their mates. My camera refused to cope even with the big flash on, Pam's little instant produced the following torchlit
offering. I've never been turned on by Penguins.....these were delightful.

We left the birds at 10.00 only to find several Penguins roadside as we drove home. As we entered Alannah, an Eastern Spotted Quoll crossed in front of us. A mammal tick. Couldn't photograph it as it ran like........a scalded Quoll!
I downloaded photos and Pam went out to feed the possum. As she started to chop the apple, it popped up from under the verandah and chomped away whilst she snapped. Was it waiting for her?


It's now nearly 11.30, more than time for bed. Goodnight.