Birds of Burra Gorge, South Australia
Galah at Burra Gorge, mid north of South Australia
Burra Gorge in the mid north of South Australia is an interesting location for birding. This gorge marks the boundary between the hills further west and the dry plains to the east. It is therefore a transitional zone between the birds of the wetter parts to the west, especially around the Clare Valley about 40km away, and flora and fauna of the saltbush plains immediately to the east.
On my most recent visit last spring, the bird life was not very prominent because it was midday on a rather warm day. It would be good to camp here for several days because I believe I’d get quite a good list of birds, especially first thing in the morning. Several Galahs looked like they were preparing to breed because they were investigating hollows in some of the trees in the picnic ground.
Nearby an Australian Magpie was already sitting on a nest and others were feeding recently fledged young begging to be fed.
Magpie on nest at Burra Gorge, mid north of South Australia
Burra Gorge, mid north of South Australia
Burra Gorge, mid north of South Australia
Burra Gorge, South Australia
Burra Gorge, South Australia
Late last year we travelled to Peterborough in the mid-north of South Australia. We were visiting family and on the way we stopped at the beautiful Burra Gorge for lunch. This gorge cuts through the hills to the south east of the old mining town of Burra. It is a popular picnic area with picnic tables and toilets but no other facilities.
It is also a popular camping area, as shown in the photo above. Our visit was during school holidays as so there were quite a few campers and caravans in the camping area. All campers have to be self sufficient as far as food and water is concerned. The nearest shops are in Burra, some 30km away. There are also no powered sites.
Burra Gorge, South Australia
2011 Tour Down Under Stage 2 – still more photos
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
Stage 2 of this year’s Tour Down Under came through Murray Bridge this morning. Click back through recent posts to read more information, and to see more photos.
The stage started at Tailem Bend before travelling through Murray Bridge, Kanmantoo, Birdwood, Mt Pleasant and finished at Mannum. This race is the last appearance of Tour de France seven times winner, Lance Armstrong, in a race outside of the United States. The race also features most of the leading European pro-teams in their only appearance outside of Europe.
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
2011 Tour Down Under Stage 2 – more photos
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
The 2011 Tour Down Under cycling race came through my home town this morning on its way through the Adelaide Hills and finishing at Mannum. See my previous post for more details. Here’s a few more photos I managed.
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
2011 Tour Down Under Stage 2
Race director's car 2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
A short time ago I drove across to the main road leading out of my home town Murray Bridge to see the cycle race, the 2011 Tour Down Under, pass through town. I just only made it; the cyclists were about 4 minutes ahead of schedule. This is the only race outside of Europe featuring all the top professional cycling teams, a major coup for our little state of South Australia.
The race features many of the leading riders in world cycling, including Lance Armstrong in his last appearance outside the United States, Stuart O’Grady, Robbie McEwen, Mark Cavendish and a host of other riders, about 130 in total.
Stage 2 today travels from Tailem Bend through Murray Bridge and up through Nairne, Birdwood, Mt Pleasant, Tungkillo, Palmer and finishes at Mannum.
This is being posted before the end of the race.
Leading group, 2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge
2011 Tour Down Under, Murray Bridge