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Western Banders Association |
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A flushing loo with a ceramic seat – absolute luxury. All these things aside, the birding was excellent as we visited dams around the homestead and further afield. Days passed with mist-netting around a near-by dam and more exploring and surveying that made the bird list swell. The picnic at Wallanji Soak and rock was magnificent. Alma started things off culinary by making pumpkin scones in her camp-oven. Bev followed the next day with pikelets.
The long weekend finished and four of the party departed but left their colds behind. We suffered a few rather cold nights:1oC, minus 1oC and a minus 3oC. A night visit from an animal that took a liking to Helen and Keld’s rubbish bag. October dawned and we decided to move to Credo driving along the railway line where the wildflowers were wonderful.
June and Alex found a quiet campground at Rowles Lagoon. Here the luxury was an enviro-loo and there was lagoon water for washing etc. Fire pits soon saw Wendy’s Dinner Dampers on the table. The birds were not plentiful but the species number was soaring. So were the visits from motor-bikes and boats. After a radio call to the homestead, our request for more detailed maps was fulfilled and the offer of hot showers was welcomed. With maps in hand we moved camp to Dam No 1 where there was promise of water in the dam amid woodland and the likelihood of other campers was minimal as there were no amenities.
This campsite was beautiful, the trees magnificent and the birds obviously loved it there too. We made a ‘wagon wheel’ with our vehicles and set up for the last 3 days. It was heavenly – time for exploring and surveying, great opportunity to mist-net around the dam and still time to cook and relax. Even the weather improved and soon it was not only Keld wearing shorts. The bird list was ever increasing and even on the last day as we packed up, new species were added. A visit from a Tawny Frogmouth on the last night was the finishing touch. Marie taught us to try, try, try and try again when crocheting a rug. Alma is still a gymnast and diver although sports a few bruises from her escapades. Thanks for sharing your cold around the campers George (NOT), - however your smile is a shiner and your ingenuity with wire is amazing. Margaret has proved herself a natural with camping – well-done. Bev continues to make a name for herself with finding trap-door spiders and buying luxuries for happy hour. Jenny is the best chauffeur, coffee and Milo maker at the banding table. AND DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR FLY NET Many thanks to June and Alex for organising a great campout. Wendy and David Trudgen
Recipe for Dinner Damper as requested by participants Beer, Bacon and Rosemary Damper 4
bacon rashes, finely chopped 3 1/4cups self-raising flour 2 tsp salt 2 tsp caster sugar 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary (we used dry) 175ml lager-style beer Salt and pepper to taste Butter to serve 1. Grease or paper the camp oven 2. Cook the bacon in frying pan stirring until brown. Remove and cool 3. Sift the flour, salt and sugar into a large bowl. Stir in rosemary and bacon. Make a well in the centre. Add beer. Using a butter knife, mix to a sticky dough. Turn out onto a floured board. 4. Knead dough for about 2 minutes or until smooth. Divide into 12 portions. Shape each portion into a round. Place rounds side by side in the camp oven. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Cook in a hot oven for 30 minutes or until browned and the dampers sound hollow when tapped on base. Turn out to cool. 6. Serve warm with butter. LIST
OF BIRDS RECORDED AT JAURDI STATION
Alex and June Morrison LIST OF BIRDS RECORDED AT CREDO STATION30-09-09 -06-10-2009
Alex and June Morrison
Composite Tally
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Copyright Western Banders Association, 2010 Last Updated: 27/06/2010 |
