Finches in the Wild.

[lyn2233]

Hi Everyone, I am 4 weeks into my 3 months trip in our caravan.I have got some great photos of finchs so far.Just up from Cooby Pedy there were 100's of Zebra finches flying in large flocks. I have photos of Double \Barred, Long Tails,lots of photos of Crimson and happy to say I saw Star finches. We stayed at a place called Parry's Creek Farm near Wyndham. It has world class bird watching and the brochure I picked up was photographed by Mike Fidler. Taking HEAPS of photos of all types of birds. Happy to report my finches back home are all well and my boys who come around to check on things report no deaths to date, I hope it stays that way. Now at Fitzroy Crossing 31 degrees.

[GregH]

Have to agree that Parry's Creek Farm is a great place to stay and anywhere around Wyndham is an Aussie finchos Nirvana (Gouldians, longtails, masks, doublebars, zebs, crimsons, stars, pictorellas, chestnuts and yellow rumps). Freezing down here in Sydney on my "summer" holiday break I'm nostalgic for my trip there (July 2008) and more than just a tad envious of your trip.

[Tintola]

Aahhhhhh "Fitzroy Crossing" The place that romantic novels and tales of adventure always include. I waited in breathless anticipation over days of relentless, searing sand dunes and parching desert, to stand on this this historic site! It certainly was one of the lowlights of my life. What a dump! Nothing there. One pub and a couple of dust covered houses! Oh, but I am being unkind, that was fifteen years ago and I'm sure it has developed into quite a bustling little "Hot-spot" by now. Do let us know, Lyn, how it is coming along, but don't tell too many people about it as we don't want to spoil it's insignificance.

[jusdeb]

Parents do this trip yearly and have not long finished this years trip . They said the same , more finches than they have ever seen this year and cant remember which but either diamond or peaceful doves by the hundreds .

Lucky you and look forward to seeing the photos.

[arthur]

Was there in 1975 the 'dusty houses' were not there at that stage . . just the pub

A basic structure of concrete block, with what appeared to be reinforcing steel for 'windows'

It was pension day when we arrived and it was a "hotspot" that particular day, and . . we managed to dry-bog the car and caravan in the crossing. Had to be winched out but 'such is life'

Ah yes, Fitzroy Crossing . . "Gateway to Geike Gorge"

Not so flash at the time, but great stories for the grandkids

[avishoot]

did the Kimberley trip in 2005 . stayed at Parrys Creek but birds were very timid , may have had something to do with the feral cat that i saw skulking around the waters edge !!! . photographed gouldians in wyndham in the park where the aboriginal statues are. was quite serendipitous as we pulled up to see statues and got talking to a chap who was working in the park , i happened to mention that we were hoping to see the gouldian in the wild , his reply was take a seat and wait till around 11am and they will come to drink at the pond at the back of the park . sure enough they came in firstly the juveniles than the mature birds . also photographed juvenile gouldians at el questro on track to explosion gorge, they along with stars and mask finches were drinking from a muddy hole at edge of creek passing across the track . would love to go back some day .

[rach8191]

I wish I'd known about finches when I lived in Kununurra up until I was 8 then moved down here to SE QLD. Kind of laughed you all talking about Fitzroy like it's a magical destination. Unfortunately all I remember from my time in the Kimberley is being scared of the locals and being attacked by a sulfa crested cockatoo haha