Whenever I visit Mallacoota I try to get to the Double Creek area several times a day. There is always a good variety of bird species (local and migrating through) and several vegetation types to explore from creek side vegetation, wetlands, woodlands, rain-forest and ridge-lines with tall forests. It is a compact site with four paths to wander down.
Along one of the creek sides I found a pair of Leaden Flycatchers singing away declaring their territory while above I spotted a white morph Grey Goshawk. The white/grey Goshawk is the only pure white raptor in the world. I knew that a raptor was cruising above by the danger calls of all the nearby birds. The bird alarm gave me just enough time to get the camera pointed skywards and set for a bright sky. The Goshawk cruised just above the trees.
Male Leaden Flycatcher, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota
Female Leaden Flycatcher
Grey Goshawk (white Morph), Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota
I found the Tawny Frogmouth when I stopped at the small carpark to have some lunch and was staring into the trees when I noticed someone staring back….
Tawny Frogmouth, Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota
White Browed Scrubwren Double Creek Nature walk, Mallacoota
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Lewin’s Honeyeater, trying to stay cool along the creek on a very hot day
Eastern Whipbird working hard to feed two chicks that were following closely
As I watched the Whipbirds move around the undergrowth I spotted the little Antechinus hunting. It is a fearless tiny marsupial hunter, and given its mouselike size I am always surprised to see them out and about hunting in daylight.
Antechinus, I have not worked out the local species yet – could be Shy, Brown or Swamp.
The Gap Year and Beyond 