 On a recent Nullarbor crossing, we birded as and when we could, in both directions. We were more focussed on travelling than birding so this is not intended to be a comprehensive list of birds that others might see - this is just a record of our experience. Enjoy! LITTLE DESERT NATIONAL PARK
OUT ON THE NULLARBOROnce on the Eyre Peninsula, and closer to the actual Nullarbor, there were plenty of birds visible during the drive. Mostly these were small bush birds darting between the trees and sometimes across the road. Photos were not possible, of course. Likewise the marvellous wedge-tailed eagle hauling itself off road kill way out on the open road. This was one of four wedgies we saw on the way over (we saw one on the return trip, just out of Iron Knob). Otherwise, the crows are numerous all the way over (and not just in South Australia). Even amidst the sparsest vegetation, including on the treeless plain, you could reliably find a crow cruising about.  Wedge-tailed eagle near Iron Knob, South Australia EYRE BIRD OBSERVATORY ROADThis is a place we really want to get to when the planets align for us, and our travel plans match available accommodation. It just didn't work out on this trip, but we decided to venture down the turnoff road just for a look at the first few kilometres. It is, after all, all within the Nuytsland Nature Reserve, renowned for a range of brilliant birds such as pink cockatoos. No such luck on our minor foray down the unsealed road, quite muddy in parts...but we did see a marvellous nankeen kestrel.  Nankeen kestrel on the road to the Eyre Bird Observatory This was the second kestrel we saw that day - the first had given us a brilliant display at Caiguna where there is a truckstop. COCKLEBIDDY
SALMON GUMSNow we're in Western Australia and well beyond the Nullarbor, but we were still on that road trip, so this destination is included here. For about an hour before Norseman, you have the great pleasure of entering the Great Western Woodlands, and among many wonderful phenomena there, you are struck by the bronze trunks of the magnificent gimlet trees (more accurately, Eucalyptus salubris). These are a sight not to be missed, and they continue all the way to Salmon Gums, where there are (yes, really!) salmon gums (Eucalyptus salmonophloia), also very magnificent trees. Enjoy this gallery of trees! The town of Salmon Gums is very small, with a hotel, a school and a general store, and quite a few homes. There is a very comfy and welcoming community-run caravan park just on the edge of town - a very good value pitstop.  Camped up at Salmon Gums caravan park, with Starlink internet setup as well. Even better though, just a short walk away in the surrounding bush is a beautiful walking track cut through the bush, and on the day of our visit, it was bursting with parrots - ringneck and regent parrots. AND CARNABY'S COCKATOOS IN ESPERANCE...Pink Lakes Caravan Park was a quick stopover near the completion of our big drive...it is a smallish park, but with very good facilities. Even better, masses of Carnbay's white-tailed cockatoos came in to roost for the night (apparently this happens only during a couple of months in the year). And that feels like a good note to finish on! It was a wonderful experience finally driving over the Nullarbor (see here for that detail) - the bird experiences were the icing on a rather magnificent cake!
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