Edward's Creek

The Edward's Creek Siding was an important maintenance point on the Old Ghan, and was then re-developed during the second world war as a crew change station. Today it is an interesting collection of ruins .. however on stopping, we noticed a bore with associated trees and shrubs on the other side of the road, so we turned left.

The creek was dry, though the extensive coolabah trees along the banks were evidence that it is sometimes filled with water (cooliah seeds must be immersed in water to germinate). Water was pumped from a bore into a holding tank and a stock trough, the overflow from the tank creating a tiny wetland.

As is the case everywhere in the desert where water is provided, the birds were in abundance. There were several Port Lincoln ringnecks with their blue-black heads feeding and roosting in the trees. White-plumed honeyeaters came down to drink at the overflow. A large flock of zebra finches perched in the salt bush, and took turns to come to the edge of the pool. A red-backed kingfisher perched watching the wetland. We ate lunch quickly - not wanting to miss a photo opportunity, and reluctant to provide the hordes of bush flies with additional sustenance.

Then one of those moments that happens all too rarely in a bird photographer's life. A pair of Bourke's Parrots flew down to the water trough less than ten metres from us, and stayed there for three or four minutes.

Bird List:

Bourke's Parrot (Pictured above)
Peaceful Dove
White-plumed Honeyeater
Zebra Finch
Galah
Yellow-throated Miner
Little Corella
Port Lincoln Ringneck
Red-backed Kingfisher