Tarwoona Downs is a 32,000 acre station owned by Daniel and Chris White approximately 20 kms due west of Enngonia. It is bounded on the west by Irrara Creek which is a channel of the main Paroo River which lies to the east. It is between an elevation of 130-142 m. The overall physiography is a lowland-channel-type flatlands with silt soils and integrated areas of red sandy soil corresponding to a few sandstone ridges. The habitats included a mixture of open paddocks, open eucalypt scrub and a few small hill ridges of pencil pine forest. The weather had been dry for several years, and many of the tanks were drying up. Irrara Creek had also ceased to flow for nearly a year, and there were only a few water holes left in the main channel. Due to the drought, birds were concentrated around the tanks and waterholes with the large number 5 tank and the one large waterhole at Irrara Creek having the most species present. Of particular interest were the Hall’s Babbler seen in the pencil pine forest and the Australian Bustard seen in the red sandy soil area along the road. In total 44 species were seen in the 2 and one-half days of counting.
The Whites maintains a nice self-catering guesthouse on the property which can be rented by birdwatchers or others wishing to visit the area. Hiking is easy as the land is open in most areas, and most parts of the station are accessible with 4-wheel drive or even a regular sturdy vehicle during dry times. Food should be obtained in Bourke or Enngonia before coming up.
Their details are as follows:
Daniel and Chris White
Address: Tarwoona Downs,
Bourke, NSW, 2840
Phone 02 - 6874 7790
Fax 02 - 6874 7790
1 Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 walking near large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 29 2002.
2 Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 seen in drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 28, 30 2002.
3 White-faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 seen in drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 28, 30 2002.
4 Grey Teal, Anas gracilis Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 2 seen at drying pond at Waypoint 55, 136 m, 28-29 December 2002.Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, several seen at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002.
5 Australasian Shoveler, Anas rhynchotis Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 male seen at drying pond at Waypoint 55, 136 m, 28-29 December 2002.
6 Australian Bustard, Ardeotis australis Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 individual seen in roadside bush in "lose red sand bush" area at Way Point 62, 129 m, watched some time along the side of the road before walking slowly into bush, photographed, December 30 2002.
7 White-headed Stilt, Himantopus leucocephalus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 seen at drying pond at Waypoint 55, 136 m, 28-29 December 2002.
8 Peaceful Dove,Geopelia placida Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 seen in bush near drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
9 Crested Pigeon, Geophaps lophotes Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen at Waypoint 55, 136 m, 28-29 December 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002.
10 Common Bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, homestead, very common, 25+ at water hole, Waypoint 54, 142 m, 28-30 December 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, very common 25+ at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, came to drink in large to medium groups, 130 m, December 28-29 2002.
11 Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Cacatua leadbeateri Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, common in groups of about 20 coming to drink at at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, noisy and conspicuous, December 28-29 2002.
12 Galah, Callocephalon roseicapilla Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, common, several seen around and drinking at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002.
13 Red-winged Parrot, Aprosmictus erythropterus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, homestead, common at waterhole and yard trees, Waypoint 54, 142 m, 28-30 December 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, common in pairs or small groups coming to drink at at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002.
14 Mallee Ringneck, Barnardius barnardi Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 2 seen in bush near drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
15 Blue Bonnet, Northiella haematogaster Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, homestead, occasionally seen usually in pairs, Waypoint 54, 142 m, ssp heamotorrhous, 28-30 December 2002.
16 Red-rumped Parrot, Psephotus haematonotus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in bore area at Way Point 60, 129 m, December 29 2002.
17 Mulga Parrot, Psephotus varius Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few pairs coming to drink at at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in bush in drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
18 Pallid Cuckoo,Cuculus pallidus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 seen calling from large trees in bore area at Way Point 60, 129 m, December 29 2002.
19 Laughing Kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in bush in drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 28, 30 2002.
20 Sacred Kingfisher, Halcyon sancta Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 seen in bush in drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 28, 30 2002.
21 Rainbow Bee-eater, Merops ornatus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen hawking in bush by drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 28, 30 2002.
22 Welcome Swallow, Hirundo neoxena Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, several seen hawking over large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002.
23 Richard's Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, several seen in open areas near bore area at Way Point 60, 129 m, December 29 2002.
24 Hall's Babbler, Pomatostomus ruficeps Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 lone individual seen in pencil pine area at Way Point 63, 137 m, followed for some time and seen at very close range, wide eyebrow and clearly demarcated white-brown chest, December 30 2002.
25 White-winged Fairy Wren, Malurus leucopterus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few females seen in bore area at Way Point 60, 129 m, December 29 2002.
26 Inland Thornbill, Acanthiza apicalis Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in pencil pine area at Way Point 63, 137 m, December 30 2002.
27 Restless Flycatcher, Myiagra inquieta Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 seen hawking insects at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002.
28 Willie Wagtail, Rhipidura leucophrys Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, homestead, common in small numbers, Waypoint 54, 142 m, 28-30 December 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen around drying pond at Waypoint 55, 136 m, 28-29 December 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in scrub in drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in bore area at Way Point 60, 129 m, December 29 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in pencil pine area at Way Point 63, 137 m, December 30 2002.
29 Jacky Winter, Microeca leucophaea Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 2 seen hawking and perching in low scrub near drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
30 Crested Bellbird, Oreoica gutturalis Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 seen flying into low bush and then climbing around near drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
31 Spiney-cheeked Honeyeater, Acanthagenys rufogularis Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, common in small numbers in scrub at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in scrub in drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
32 White-plumed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus penicillatus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in scrub by drying pond at Waypoint 55, 136 m, 28-29 December 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, common in moderate numbers coming to drink at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, several seen in drying river channel coming to drink at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
33 Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, homestead, common in small numbers in brush, Waypoint 54, 142 m, 28-30 December 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in scrub by drying pond at Waypoint 55, 136 m, 28-29 December 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, common in small numbers in bush at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in bush in drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
34 Yellow-throated Miner, Manorina flavigula Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, common in moderate numbers coming to drink at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, noisy and conspicuous, December 28-29 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in pencil pine area at Way Point 63, 137 m, December 30 2002.
35 White-fronted Honeyeater, Phylidonyris albifrons Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, one seen in scrub at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 29 2002.
36 Double-barred Finch, Taeniopygia bichenovii Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in scrub at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 29 2002.
37 Australian Magpie-Lark, Grallina cyanoleuca Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in scrub and banks of drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in bore area at Way Point 60, 129 m, December 29 2002.
38 Apostlebird, Struthidea cinerea Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, homestead, group commonly seen in yard, Waypoint 54, 142 m, 28-30 December 2002.
39 Dusky Wood Swallow, Artamus cyanopterus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen hawking and perched in pencil pine area at Way Point 63, 137 m, December 30 2002.
40 White-breasted Wood Swallow, Artamus leucorhynchus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen hawking around drying pond at Waypoint 55, 136 m, 28-29 December 2002.
41 White-browed Wood Swallow, Artamus superciliosus Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen hawking around drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
42 Pied Butcherbird, Cracticus nigrogularis Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, 1 seen in bush in drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002.
43 Australian Magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, homestead, common in small numbers, Waypoint 54, 142 m, 28-30 December 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in bore area at Way Point 60, 129 m, December 29 2002.
44 Australian Raven, Corvus coronoides Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen at large pond at Way Point 56, 130 m, December 28-29 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, few seen in area around drying river channel at Way Point 58, 132 m, December 30 2002. Enngonia Area, Tarwoona Downs, several seen in bore area at Way Point 60, 129 m, noisy and gregarious forming lose flocks, December 29 2002.
