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Leaving Port Macquarie my wife and I drove further north to Grafton in search of the Everlasting Swamp National Park, which was written up as ‘having more species of bird than Kakadu NP’. We had never read about it before so we were excited to check it out while the weather was still favorable, as it gets very hot, steamy and stormy as Summer comes. We were hoping to see two native birds we never see around home, Australia’s only endemic Stork: the Jabiru (or Black-necked Stork) and Australia’s only endemic Crane: the Brolga. As we drove out late in the afternoon to locate the swamp for tomorrow’s exploration we noticed this flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo feeding off the seed pods of the Jacaranda trees that line the roads of Grafton. The annual Jacaranda Festival finished a couple of days ago. We were hoping to see the beautiful purple carpet of flowers along the road, but alas, a huge storm came the day before and denuded most of the trees and road, leaving a remnant of its glory. The Jacaranda Tree is not a native to Australia but was introduced from South America many yeas ago by the white settlers. The Cockies enjoyed the feast of seed now that the trees had finished flowering. The video below shows how the birds move between branches. Small birds leap across but the large Cockatoo uses a Beak to Claw process.

Next morning we drove out of town into the sugarcane growing areas along the mighty Clarence River and turned down the narrow road toward the swamp, which when we finally arrived, appeared to have dried up, and did not appear to be everlasting at all, though it did continue to appear lush and green as seen below. At first as we passed cattle through properties we followed a creek which hosted large flock of Australian Black Swan with their young, among several species of other waterbirds and waders including Black Duck, Hardhead, Little Black Cormorant, Australasian Darter, Royal Spoonbill etc. But as yet we saw no sign yet of the swamp. It was a very serene scene. Click on images to enlarge them.

The Black Swans are so elegant and peaceful to watch as they move slowly around in the water.

Early the next morning in steamy 37°C heat we made our way back in search of the swamp. After navigating a small herd of cattle with their calves we made out way to the swamp. We were blessed seeing the Cattle Egret in its breeding plumage morph, gradually changing orange as they soon depart the cattle to nest together. These birds have a symbiotic relationship with the Bovine species, as the birds remove insects that irritate the beasts from their backs. It is a win-win situation.

Finally, my wife with her bird spotter eyes looked across the creek and saw a pair of Brolga some distance away in poor light, we had finally found them so after taking some photos we moved on to the swamp where we met a couple of birders who told us we needed to come early in the morning to find the Brolga among the sugarcane plantations nearby. After a drive down the track into the park with the heat intensifying we drove back to our accommodation and prepared to return very early before breakfast the next morning.

Early next morning we drove back to the massive Everlasting Swamp. The swamp may have been beneath the greenery making it currently only observable from the air. My wife and I had been praying as we drove asking our Lord to grant us better and closer view of the Brolga. Thankfully we had not even reached the swamp when a pair of Brolga landed in the paddock we were driving past. One of the pair briefly started to do the courting dance but then ceased. They were later joined by another pair and after a dispute one pair flew off.

Brolga pair up in breeding season where the male does his courtship dance and they form their nest in the centre of the wetlands. Brolga feed on both plant and animal matter, mostly insects and small amphibians, even the occasional mouse. The sex determination in the pair is essentially by the size of their dewlap (skin below chin). Males have the larger.

Also we were alerted to a Whistling Kite nest in the park and a juvenile kite flew several circuits to observe us.

Lastly I saw a Brown Falcon and managed to get one shot. This is one of my favorite raptors for plumage, they are so beautiful in the sunlight.

We were thankful to see the Brolga, which was our primary goal. I imagine more birds would gather at the swamp toward the end of Summer when it is dryer and more stormy. We returned for breakfast and later made our way back down the coast to Forster.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy the birds. I was blessed with a wonderful day book signing at Harry Hartog Miranda Fair last Saturday where I sold many books, which once again delighted the shop and gave us both good returns for our time. I love talking with people and sharing my passion for our Aussie birds and my books.

There is still time to purchase your copy of ‘What Birds Teach Us’ and ‘Flight of a Fledgling‘ here online at my secure Pay Pal terminal where your Credit / Debit Card or Pay Pal membership may be used. Posted to your address via Australia Post for $30 for Australian addresses or AU$48 for International Addresses. If you order this week it should reach you before Christmas. Local mail deliveries have greatly improved. Find out more by clicking HERE.

When we drove to the Everlasting Swamp we had no assurance that we would see any Brolga. My wife and I prayed asking our loving Heavenly Father that he might gift us with seeing them. Thankfully the next day He provided two birders there who tipped us off to come early in the morning, and that was when we saw them land right near us. We could have missed them had not that occurred.

As many of our Blog Followers know, over the years, my wife and I have often sent up prayers at times when we have been out birding and seen nothing, but after asking our Heavenly Father praying: “Lord, what have you got for us today ?” He always grants us a gift sighting, usually soon after, because he loves His children to include Him in their lives. He loves that we love including Him on our Birding Dates.

“Take delight in the Lord,  and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” – Psalm 37:4,5 (NLT)

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