31.10.15
Minnippi
DHH's Trip or How two creaky 60 year olds conquered Queensland
Minnippi
Having birded pretty solidly for the
past three and a half weeks I wasn’t sure if I was ’birded out’ or not, so I
decided not to push things and ‘just’ do Minnippi.
Got there for a latish start at 6.00
and wandered around the usual route. A Bush
Hen calling from the grass beside the lake was a new experience. Although
only 50 meters from their usual creek habitat it meant they, or it, had covered
open ground to get where they were and is a positive development in my eyes.
Both the M1 and Airfield tracks were
quiet, but I did make a start on my ‘new’ interest.
During his visit Mr H had asked
questions regarding all aspects of the natural life in Australia – some I had been
able to answer, but it made me realise just how much I didn’t know. My main
interest in recent years has been birds, but back in the day (35 years plus) I
did have extensive knowledge concerning all the wildlife I encountered – in
Ireland mind you, where the range of species is much more limited. However,
having said that, I decided I would make an effort to photograph and identify
anything that comes across my path in the future. I know I can rely on Mr D to
help here as he has been interested in Butterflies for some time and so I
kicked off with a butterfly……
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| Common Crow |
Later, while sitting in Stu’s Raptor
Outlook a white bird over the lake turned into a Whiskered Tern – the first I have seen here since 29.11.2009 and
only my fourth sighting since I first had a pair on 11.10.2002.
There wasn’t much else around so I headed
home and later, while shopping at Greenslopes mall, I picked up a copy of Retiles of Australia book, 4th
edition, for a very reasonable sum and so I am now set to identify skinks,
snakes, turtles, dragons, blind-snakes, goannas, legless lizards, geckos, crocodiles, pythons..................
DHH's Trip or How two creaky 60 year olds conquered Queensland
1.10.15 - 25.10.15
Day 20 – 20.10.15 Started early – again. Up at 4.30, breakfast and away at 5.15 for the Daintree. We arrived at the ramp at just after 6.00 – a damp cool morning. Murray (Hunt) the Daintree River Boatman turned up on time and we boarded his shallow draft boat with 8 others at 6.40.
Day 18 - 18.10.15 Up with the dawn again having survived a night beside the road. A quick lick and a spit in the public toilet cum cold shower type place, fruit, muesli bars and Get Up & Go for breakfast and we were off in a drizzle to check Atherton airport for reported Pratincoles. On reflection we may not have checked the right place - we checked the aerodrome on the Yunguburra road, but maybe....anyway there weren't any there so we went to Hastie's again.
Mr D went for a walk and found the Sooty Tern colony of about 70 very
angry birds who had already laid eggs under bushes on a little used track and
were not impressed by being disturbed.
Late in the afternoon we went to check the
tern ‘roost’ and Mr D pulled out a solitary Black-naped Tern.
A beer seemed in order and we relaxed with
one each at the bar while seawatching for anything passing.
Day 9 – 9.10.15 We left home at 6.30 on a wet overcast morning. At 8.00 we stopped for fuel outside Gympie and had a quick look at the pond behind the complex. Not much there so we pushed on to Inskip Pt arriving at 10.00.
Day 8 - 8.10.15 The weather news indicated a sea watch would be worthwhile so I introduced Mr H to Queensland's premier sea watching spot - via car, boat and bus - Pt Lookout on North Stradbroke Island.
As usual we arrived on site at 8.00 - in the face of a howling 30+ knot east south easterly.
We soon had flocks of Short-tailed Shearwaters in our scopes hammering south against the wind eager to be back in Tasmania. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters were also in evidence loafing along in comparison to the Short-tails, but both left for dead by the occasional Hutton's/Fluttering type hurtling past low across the water - all new birds for Mr H of course.
We also had Hump-backed Whales passing in numbers (about 40 during the 4 hour watch) and a pod of 30-40 Short-beaked Dolphins surfed the close swells. A single dark phase Pomarine and a single intermediate phase Arctic Skua completed the sea watch species.
Returning to the bus stop ahead of approaching rain Mr H managed to scratch a single Little Wattlebird out of the 20 or so Noisy Friarbirds to add to his lifer list.
We got home at 14.00 and took it easy for the afternoon before putting stuff together for the next few days of the adventure.......
Day List: 38. Lifers: 5. Trip numbers: 183 & 164
Day 7 – 7.10.15 Up at 5.00 to a chilly Spring morning – fleeces on for breakfast. Then it was out on the track.
Day 6 -6.10.15. Determined to be on the
track before anyone else we were up just after 4 and in the carpark by 5.00 as
the sun rose slowly. A Wonga Pigeon wandering
arpound the picnic tables was the first tick of the day, followed shortly
thereafter by Bassian Thrush and a
pair of very confiding Australian
Logrunners. The track was quite birdy but individuals were very difficult
to see – Wonga Pigeons called
continuously, the odd Rose-crowned & Wompoo Fruit Dove and Brown Cuckoo Dove added their voices, along
with multitudes of Brown Gerygones,
Golden Whistlers, Yellow-throated
and Large-billed Scrubwrens and
finally, after an hour of walking, an Albert’s
Lyrebird singing deep in the forest.
At one point on the track we had 4 or 5 Noisy Pittas calling around us, but were unable to pull any out –
DHH did, though, pick a Crested Shrike Tit
out of the canopy which was a real bonus bird.
Day 25 - 25.10.15 The Last day - and a last throw of the dice for Spotless Crake. I was frustrated at my failed efforts to deliver this bird so we dragged our ageing asses down to Sandy Camp for a last attempt.
Arriving at 5.45 we decided to try first for the Black Bittern - a photographer type nearly beat us to it, but we entered the 'end' of the circular walk and met him half way - neither party saw the BB.
Working our way back to the main entrance we listed the usual species without any excitement, then right below us, partly screened by the immediate reeds a tiny black shape metamorphosed into a Spotless Crake. Relief at last. in the next 30 minutes we saw two more, one briefly in the reed bed and another crossing the centre track - it's 'on the list'!
We drove the short distance to Fuller and checked out the stuff there - nothing unexpected included 5 Glossy Ibis, 4 Sharp-tailed Sands and 1 Marsh Sand who left and appeared to return to the usual location - Lindum - where we followed shortly thereafter.
A few more Sharp-tailed and Marsh Sandpipers, several Red-kneed and, of course, Black-fronted Dotterels, but otherwise just the usual stuff.
Belesis beckoned for breakfast and, arriving there we checked numbers and found we had 274 lifers so far for the trip - could we make it 275?
White-throated Needletails seem the most likely candidate but the day was cool and cloudy - not WTNT weather.....so I contacted a friend and after pancakes (for me) and poached eggs (for him) we headed up Mt Cootha and enjoyed a juvenile Square-tailed Kite on nest and an adult flying overhead - 275 lifers!! Tah Dah!
The day was warming up and we were feeling pretty knackered so we headed home for a rest before Cyclone Lincoln and family arrived for dinner.
After dinner we completed the last log of the trip then I rushed Mr H to the airport and we said goodbye.
It had been a full-on three weeks but I think the results have been worthwhile. It's been a great time catching up with Mr H during which we realised we have been friends for (almost) 50 years and you can't ask much more than that!
Day list: 75. Lifers: 2 Final trip numbers:311 species and 275 lifers.
Day 24 - 24.10.15 The penultimate day. Anstead at 6.15. Everything was very quiet - for the first 100 meters, then it all went to hell in a hand basket.......2 Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoos, a pair of White-throated Gerygones, a very close pair of Bazas hunting through the trees, Black-faced & White-belllied Cuckoo shrikes, Striated Pardalotes, Varied Sitella, Eastern Yellow Robin, 2 Black-faced Monarchs, Shining Bronze Cuckoos, Rufous Whistlers, Lewin's Honeyeater, a Scarlet Honeyeater, a pair of Speckled Warblers, White-browed Scrubwren, Leaden Flycatchers, White-throated Honeyeaters and, finally, a male Cicadabird. It took us an hour to get top the top of the track!
Heading further along 3 White-winged Trillers hung out in the canopy and we checked the private dam outside the main reserve for the single Apostlebird again and a small flock of Plumed Whistle Ducks.
Back along the track and down the side track towards the outlook over the river and a pair of Little Shrikethrushes attracted attention. Mr H pointed out a flycatcher and it became apparent it was a very good candidate for a Satin Fly! Our fourth this holiday. Unbelievable really.
We checked out the river then headed back to the main track and on along.
A male King Parrot gave extended views at very close range.
The rest of the walk was relatively uneventful, the usual species encountered along the bitumen etc, apart from a good view of a perched up Brush Cuckoo.
We left Anstead happy and headed for Moggill Pocket Swamp and collected another list of species there, including a Baza, a Whistling Kite, a Black Kite, 6 Channel-billed Cuckoos chasing each other and screaming raucously like demons from the pit, a 'perched up' Latham's Snipe and two Brown Quail roadside.
I decided we'd try for White-eared monarch at Gold Creek Reservoir - a usually reliable site, although I rarely visit the place. In fact, I couldn't remember exactly where it was so got 'Karen' on the Navman, (Navwoman?) to tell me......
We dipped on the Monarch, but did have a distant Wedge-tailed Eagle perched, unusually, on a power pylon above the valley.
Then it was breakfast at Cafe Tara in Kenmore and Home, James, and don't spare the horses for a rest and relax.
Day List: 85. Lifers: 3. Trip numbers: 308 & 273.
Day 23 - 23.10.15 Oxley this morning and a chance to catch up with local birds and a previously visited site. Turned out to be a good morning with 2 Black-faced Monarchs, 3 White-winged Trillers, a Rufous Fantail and a calling Lewin's Rail in the second culvert. Two new birds for site for me, but no lifers for Mr H.
We had breakfast in Cafe Europa and enjoyed their Hungarian hospitality. Then we tried Mt Gravatt lookout for Needletails, but dipped there.
The rest of the day we spent holed up in the cool at home (it was 28 degrees and very humid after last night's storm) and watched Ireland lose to Argentina and leaving the World Cup in the quarter finals.....
Late in the afternoon we went to Slaughter Falls and tried for the Powerful Owl and the White-throated Nightjar with no success, ending our day at the Sushi Railway in Stone's Corner (not recommended).
Day list: 66. Lifers: 0. Trip numbers: 305 & 270.
Day 22 – 22.10.15 Up at 5.45, breakfasted, packed, birded Kingfisher Pk, paid and left at 7.00. Headed down the range and along past Port Douglas. Drove the lovely coast road to Cairns stopping at Cattana Wetlands for very little, Yorkey’s Knob (pond at golf course) for only a single Bush Stone Curlew, the Go Kart Track just past Yorkey’s Knob for Crimson Finch – one seen badly by Mr H – and a pair of Bush Stone Curlews, then on to Cairns city. Found a car wash after a bit of a quest and cleaned the filthy car to within an inch of its life.
Arriving at 5.45 we decided to try first for the Black Bittern - a photographer type nearly beat us to it, but we entered the 'end' of the circular walk and met him half way - neither party saw the BB.
Working our way back to the main entrance we listed the usual species without any excitement, then right below us, partly screened by the immediate reeds a tiny black shape metamorphosed into a Spotless Crake. Relief at last. in the next 30 minutes we saw two more, one briefly in the reed bed and another crossing the centre track - it's 'on the list'!
We drove the short distance to Fuller and checked out the stuff there - nothing unexpected included 5 Glossy Ibis, 4 Sharp-tailed Sands and 1 Marsh Sand who left and appeared to return to the usual location - Lindum - where we followed shortly thereafter.
A few more Sharp-tailed and Marsh Sandpipers, several Red-kneed and, of course, Black-fronted Dotterels, but otherwise just the usual stuff.
Belesis beckoned for breakfast and, arriving there we checked numbers and found we had 274 lifers so far for the trip - could we make it 275?
White-throated Needletails seem the most likely candidate but the day was cool and cloudy - not WTNT weather.....so I contacted a friend and after pancakes (for me) and poached eggs (for him) we headed up Mt Cootha and enjoyed a juvenile Square-tailed Kite on nest and an adult flying overhead - 275 lifers!! Tah Dah!
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| Square-tailed Kite - juvenile |
After dinner we completed the last log of the trip then I rushed Mr H to the airport and we said goodbye.
It had been a full-on three weeks but I think the results have been worthwhile. It's been a great time catching up with Mr H during which we realised we have been friends for (almost) 50 years and you can't ask much more than that!
Day list: 75. Lifers: 2 Final trip numbers:311 species and 275 lifers.
Day 24 - 24.10.15 The penultimate day. Anstead at 6.15. Everything was very quiet - for the first 100 meters, then it all went to hell in a hand basket.......2 Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoos, a pair of White-throated Gerygones, a very close pair of Bazas hunting through the trees, Black-faced & White-belllied Cuckoo shrikes, Striated Pardalotes, Varied Sitella, Eastern Yellow Robin, 2 Black-faced Monarchs, Shining Bronze Cuckoos, Rufous Whistlers, Lewin's Honeyeater, a Scarlet Honeyeater, a pair of Speckled Warblers, White-browed Scrubwren, Leaden Flycatchers, White-throated Honeyeaters and, finally, a male Cicadabird. It took us an hour to get top the top of the track!
Heading further along 3 White-winged Trillers hung out in the canopy and we checked the private dam outside the main reserve for the single Apostlebird again and a small flock of Plumed Whistle Ducks.
Back along the track and down the side track towards the outlook over the river and a pair of Little Shrikethrushes attracted attention. Mr H pointed out a flycatcher and it became apparent it was a very good candidate for a Satin Fly! Our fourth this holiday. Unbelievable really.
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| Satin Flycatcher |
A male King Parrot gave extended views at very close range.
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| King Parrot |
We left Anstead happy and headed for Moggill Pocket Swamp and collected another list of species there, including a Baza, a Whistling Kite, a Black Kite, 6 Channel-billed Cuckoos chasing each other and screaming raucously like demons from the pit, a 'perched up' Latham's Snipe and two Brown Quail roadside.
I decided we'd try for White-eared monarch at Gold Creek Reservoir - a usually reliable site, although I rarely visit the place. In fact, I couldn't remember exactly where it was so got 'Karen' on the Navman, (Navwoman?) to tell me......
We dipped on the Monarch, but did have a distant Wedge-tailed Eagle perched, unusually, on a power pylon above the valley.
Then it was breakfast at Cafe Tara in Kenmore and Home, James, and don't spare the horses for a rest and relax.
Day List: 85. Lifers: 3. Trip numbers: 308 & 273.
Day 23 - 23.10.15 Oxley this morning and a chance to catch up with local birds and a previously visited site. Turned out to be a good morning with 2 Black-faced Monarchs, 3 White-winged Trillers, a Rufous Fantail and a calling Lewin's Rail in the second culvert. Two new birds for site for me, but no lifers for Mr H.
We had breakfast in Cafe Europa and enjoyed their Hungarian hospitality. Then we tried Mt Gravatt lookout for Needletails, but dipped there.
The rest of the day we spent holed up in the cool at home (it was 28 degrees and very humid after last night's storm) and watched Ireland lose to Argentina and leaving the World Cup in the quarter finals.....
Late in the afternoon we went to Slaughter Falls and tried for the Powerful Owl and the White-throated Nightjar with no success, ending our day at the Sushi Railway in Stone's Corner (not recommended).
Day list: 66. Lifers: 0. Trip numbers: 305 & 270.
Day 22 – 22.10.15 Up at 5.45, breakfasted, packed, birded Kingfisher Pk, paid and left at 7.00. Headed down the range and along past Port Douglas. Drove the lovely coast road to Cairns stopping at Cattana Wetlands for very little, Yorkey’s Knob (pond at golf course) for only a single Bush Stone Curlew, the Go Kart Track just past Yorkey’s Knob for Crimson Finch – one seen badly by Mr H – and a pair of Bush Stone Curlews, then on to Cairns city. Found a car wash after a bit of a quest and cleaned the filthy car to within an inch of its life.
Centenary Lakes was the next stop, but nothing new seen there – in fact it was
quieter than our previous visit.
The Esplanade
and we parked up while Mr H did some shopping for tat souvenirs while I visited
Mackers, rested in the shade, looked for the Rufous Owl – again no success –
and checked the tide. We had been really lucky on our first visit – the tide
today was miles out and the waders scattered.
When I re-met Mr H we checked the beach again and found a few waders had moved in ahead of the
distant water – we picked out a single Greater
Sand Plover to add to the Crimson Finch tick of the day.
Although it was
only 12.30 we were both feeling pretty knackered and it was stinking hot so we
headed for the airport, dumped the shining vehicle and sat out the afternoon in
the air conditioned departure lounge.
Due to a storm in Brisbane, our stay was longer than planned and the flight left late at 17.20. We landed bumpily, but safely, at 19.30 and Jade was there to pick us up.
Due to a storm in Brisbane, our stay was longer than planned and the flight left late at 17.20. We landed bumpily, but safely, at 19.30 and Jade was there to pick us up.
Day List: 74.
Lifers: 2. Trip numbers: 305 & 270.
Day 21 – 21.10.15 A big
day to finish off our stay at Kingfisher Park. A bit of a late start saw us up
at 5.45 and heading up Mt Lewis at 6.15 in a cold (yes, cold) wet, windy
morning. Even windier up the mountain with quite a breeze through the canopy making
sightings difficult. We spent some time searching the carpark area for the
fabled Blue-faced Parrot Finch without success, then headed up the track to the
reservoir. End Result? Mountain
Thornbill, Bridled Honeyeater (1 seen well) and Fernwren. We also ‘found’ two Tooth-billed
Bowerbirds bowers by following obvious side tracks & saw one male
singing, but missed on Chowchilla which was a surprise to me having never had
trouble with it before now.
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| Bridled Honeyeater |
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| Tooth-billed Bowerbird Bower |
Back to the
carpark and the sun was struggling through. We had a brief view of a female Victoria’s Riflebird (maybe Victoria
herself?) before deciding to head down the mountain and give it up.
Back at ‘home’ we
had a quick morning tea/second breakfast/lunch before heading north for the
drive to The
Crater to try, once again, for the Golden Bowerbird.
An hour + later
and we were rewarded for our efforts. A male Golden Bowerbird perched up near the bower. Another group of
birders were already present with a guide who insisted on pointing the bird out
to us and declaring in a loud South African accent –‘the bird is up there’ while pointing dramatically and continuing to
comment on it and its appearance. It kinda took the moment away from us and
really pissed me off when a few minutes later they departed – the guide nosily
and right under the bird which promptly took wing and vanished. We waited
another 15 minutes or so before it returned and we then had extended views of
it.
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| Golden Bowerbird |
Leaving The
Crater we called into Hastie’s swamp again for nothing new – the Wood
Sand had disappeared, but the Sharp-tailed
Sands had increased to 95 and there was a huge flock of Plumed Whistling Geese and a couple of Yellow-billed Spoonbills.
Moving on we
stopped at Mackers in Atherton for me to get a coffee before blasting on to
Mareeba and, at my last minute suggestion, going to Emerald Falls to look for Rufous
Owl. With no clear directions it was a bit of a futile search but did have a
couple of positive results. Managed to find Fairy Gerygone for Mr H and on the way back to the main road I
screamed ‘They’re cockatoos’ as a
number of Red-tailed Blacks crossed
the road ahead. Mr H got extended views of the perched up and flying black giants at
last.
Stopping at Mt
Molloy to try for Squatter Pigeon we met Becky who lives across the road from the
school and keeps a field for the pigeons to use – unfortunately they hadn’t
been at her place today and we were unable to find them in the school grounds
despite an intensive search.
Back to
Kingfisher Park at 6.oo we spent the next half an hour waiting for Mr
Red-necked Crake to put in an appearance - which he didn’t – so we gave it
away, had dinner and tried to finish the beer…..
Day list: 104.
Lifers: 8. Trip numbers: 303 & 268.
Day 20 – 20.10.15 Started early – again. Up at 4.30, breakfast and away at 5.15 for the Daintree. We arrived at the ramp at just after 6.00 – a damp cool morning. Murray (Hunt) the Daintree River Boatman turned up on time and we boarded his shallow draft boat with 8 others at 6.40.
The two hour boat
trip was interesting – and very wet. It pelted rain for about 40 minutes in
total and we all huddled under rain jackets and ponchos getting generally very
wet.
However, the rain
did not spoil the morning and we had a good haul of birds – Papuan Frogmouth on nest, Azure Kingfishers at 2 meters, Shining Flycatchers nest building, a Cicadabird fly over, Black Butcherbirds and Yellow Orioles a plenty, Green Tree Snakes in and on tree
branches, a dancing Black-necked Stork and
best of all a Great-billed Heron.
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| Papuan Nightjar |
We disembarked at
8.45 and had coffee with Murray in Daintree gleaning some more info from him
into the bargain. Mostly dried out we drove to Daintree Valley Haven to look
for Buff-breasted Paradise kingfisher – no luck.
We decided to go
to Cape
Tribulation and joined the queue for the ferry. 20 minutes and $25
return fee later we followed a convoy of tourist cars along the narrow road
pulling in at Jindaba
Information centre after 20 minutes to walk the boardwalk. There were heaps of
tourists around so we opted instead to walk a side road - with no result. The rain returned in
earnest and we decided to give it away and returned to the ferry and headed
south to Mossman to re-stock with some Woolworths fare & fuel.
On down the road
to Killaloe
rubbish tip (between the Julatten turn off and Port Douglas) where
we talked the gate man into letting us in in for 5 minutes to ‘see the birds’.
One Pied Heron was our reward –
another good tick for Mr H.
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| Pied Heron |
Back up the range
to Kingfisher Park and I sorted photos while Mr H birded the park – again
pulling one out of his ass – finding a Superb
Fruit Dove in an incredibly difficult to see position and re-finding it
again for my camera! Excellent spotting Mr H!
I rewarded him by
taking him to Sides Rd where we scored Grey
Whistler.
After steak and
potatoes for dinner we ventured out in the mist and dripping trees to drive
almost to the top of Mt Lewis looking for snakes - we didn’t find any unfortunately, I think it
is still a bit cool, although very pleasant despite the damp.
We returned to
base and did the log – last full day at Kingfisher Park tomorrow.
Day list: 80.
Lifers: 10. Trip numbers: 295 & 260.
Day 19 – 19.10.15 Started the day with a birding foray in Kingfisher Park.
Lotsa Honeyeaters – Scarlet,
White-throated, Dusky, Yellow-faced, Yellow, Brown, Mcleay’s, Yellow-spotted and a new one
for Mr H – Brown-backed in number
along the trees fronting the highway. A second tick quickly followed with a Little (nee Gould’s) Bronze Cuckoo. Orange-footed Scrubfowl scurrying
around quickly earned the name of Demented Chickens as they assaulted each
other randomly. A huge colony of several hundred Metallic Starlings in Gerahty park warranted attention as they
systematically removed half of Kingfisher Park to build their complicated
hanging nests and at Bushy Creek an Azure
Kingfisher showed well, if briefly.
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| Metallic Starling |
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| Yellow-faced Honeyeater |
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| Australian Figbird |
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| Brown-backed Honeyeater |
We headed down by
car to McDougal
rd but it was pretty quiet apart from a very showy Yellow-breasted Boatbill in exactly
Passing on Sides
rd due to another party of birders present we rocked into Abbatoir Swamp and took our chances
on the disintegrating boardwalk, closed due to disrepair. There wasn’t much
there apart form a very close White-cheeked
Honeyeater and, shortly afterwards, a skinny council guy who asked if we
knew we weren’t supposed to be there? We told him we were Irish and it was OK
and he smiled and left.
On to Luster Creek
(on the Cooktown rd) and not much there.
Heading towards Maryfarms
we overshot Station Creek and found an Australian
Bustard beside the road! Going on to Maryfarms itself we saw two more and
a surprise addition in the shape of a Black-faced
Woodswallow – a bird I hadn’t given much chance of seeing.
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| Black-faced Woodswallow |
Stopping at Station Creek
on the return trip I saw a Lemon-bellied
Fly, but Mr D missed it – however he got it later himself at K Pk. We did
get good views of a Blue-winged
Kookaburra though - the only one of the trip.
Back to Mt Molloy
and on to Lake
Mitchell. A few Green Pygmy
Geese and a handful of White-winged
Trillers was about all along the causeway – Mr H did see two distant Black-necked Storks too.
We thought about
stopping in Mt
Molloy for the Great Bowerbird but as it was still school time we
decided to head home and have some lunch first.
Lunch over and I
needed a snooze so Mr H birded Kingfisher Pk alone until 16.00 when we decided
it was OK to visit school grounds with camera and bins, so we did and watched a
Great Bowerbird rearrange the white
shells in his bower while another one offered a female (?) something in a
curious display. A Red-winged Parrot also
put in an appearance as well as a trio of Pale-headed
Rosellas showed stunning colours in the sunlight.
Returning to K Pk
we sat for an hour awaiting the bathing time of the Red-necked Crake, however,
he must have gone to bed dirty cause he didn’t show and apart from a fit of
giggles on my part the hour passed quietly.
After dinner we
went spotlighting around the park and Mr H managed to pinpoint an Australian
Owlet Nightjar! What a great find for his 250th Australian lifer! We’ve
reached the target I had set so the pressure is OFF!
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| Australian Owlet Nightjar |
Day list: 101.
Lifers: 14. Trip numbers: 284 & 249
Day 18 - 18.10.15 Up with the dawn again having survived a night beside the road. A quick lick and a spit in the public toilet cum cold shower type place, fruit, muesli bars and Get Up & Go for breakfast and we were off in a drizzle to check Atherton airport for reported Pratincoles. On reflection we may not have checked the right place - we checked the aerodrome on the Yunguburra road, but maybe....anyway there weren't any there so we went to Hastie's again.
The Wood Sand and Satin Fly were both still there, but not much extra from last night. A few Sarus Cranes flew out as we approached, but nothing like the numbers of last night at Kairi.
We headed for The Crater at Mt Hypipamee. It was raining fairly heavily and then drizzled consistently for the next 3 hours during which we tried for Golden Bowerbird at The Crater and Longland's Gap - without success. We did manage crippling views of Tooth-billed Bowerbird at Longland's and did locate the GBB bower at The Crater (thanks for your patience at being called so early on a sunday morning Mr P. ) We heard Superb Fruit Dove, but couldn't see it or the calling Wompoo Fruit Doves.
We decided to give it away and try again another day if we failed elsewhere, and stopped off in Atherton Mackers for a coffee and muffin morning tea.
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| Golden Bowerbird Bower |
Heading on towards Mareeba we saw an Oriental Dollarbird and an Australian Hobby among dozens of Black Kites along the road.
Stocked up with food at Coles in Mareeba then continued on north past, and had to return back to, Mareeba Wetlands Centre. Coffee here along with both Pygmy Geese, then we shelled out the $10 each to walk the Pandanus trail in the hopes of Black-throatd Finch. Two hours of stiff walking in very dry country did not produce the finch, but we did see Brolga and Brown Treecreeper.
16.30 and we left as the centre closed for the day. saying G'day to the semi tame Emu and 4 chicks in the carpark, then picking up another two birds near the main road which felt more like 'real' Emus. A Brown Falcon also put in an appearance for Mr H.
I took back the driving and we headed on for the final leg of the day's journey - Kingfisher Park. (Just before we got there a Red-winged Parrot flew across the road)
We booked in and got a general over view of the local scene from Andrew, then I insisted on showing Mr H the park before dinner, despite his being hungry enough to eat the crotch out of a wrestler's jockstrap...
Lucky we did, because we had an AWESOME experience with a Platypus in Bushy Creek as it swan below us, under and on the surface of the water. Absolutely stunning! What an introduction to KP! We also picked up Pale Yellow Robin, Common Emerald Dove and Spotted Catbird.
Dinner followed then the log.
Then we went spotlighting - a Striped Possum was a huge success and a long distance view of a calling Lesser Sooty Owl in a tree outside the park was the closing tick for the day.
Then we went spotlighting - a Striped Possum was a huge success and a long distance view of a calling Lesser Sooty Owl in a tree outside the park was the closing tick for the day.
Day List: 111. Lifers: 15. Trip numbers: 271 & 236.
Day 17 – 17.10.15
We rose with optimism at dawn just after 6.00, had fruit and museli bars for
breakfast. The morning was wet and windy – it had rained during the night, but
had been warm enough to cause condensation build up in the tents.
We hung around the beach and campsite for four hours waiting for a Cassowary appearance, but, alas, it wasn’t to be and, after an excellent breakfast of pancakes (for me) and toasties for him, we left Etty Beach behind, Cassowary-challenged. We did see footprints and giant sized dumps, but no birds. A Beach Stone Curlew and lifers in the shape of Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, Mettalic Starling and Satin Flycatcher were worthwhile.
We hung around the beach and campsite for four hours waiting for a Cassowary appearance, but, alas, it wasn’t to be and, after an excellent breakfast of pancakes (for me) and toasties for him, we left Etty Beach behind, Cassowary-challenged. We did see footprints and giant sized dumps, but no birds. A Beach Stone Curlew and lifers in the shape of Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, Mettalic Starling and Satin Flycatcher were worthwhile.
Heading back to
Innisfail we called into an NAB bank and Mr H withdrew some more cash, then it
was on the road to Millaa Millaa with himself at the wheel.
The rain came in
waves and we sat out a heavy shower in the carpark before heading down to see
the waterfall. On a track beside the outfall creek we found Grey-headed Robin, Atherton Scrubwren
and Bower’s Shrikethrush within 3
minutes – all lifers.
Moving on we
passed through Malanda, had a quick look at Lake Eacham and stopped for lunch
and a stroll at Lake
Barine – ticking Spectacled
Monarch in the forest and Dusky
& Mcleay’s Honeyeater in the carpark.
On then through
Yungaburra and the Curtain Fig Tree. Finally reached Hastie’s Swamp outside
Atherton at about 15.00.
A Satin Flycatcher had been reported here
and sure enough we had stunning views outside the hide. More Pink-eared Duck, a Common Sand, White-necked
Heron, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis and an assortment of commoner
species were listed.
 |
| Satin Flycatcher |
On the way out of
the road we stopped off to check the shallower muddy end of the lake and turned
up a Wood Sandpiper!
We then decided
we’d head for a free campsite we had been advised about by the Information
centre in Atherton at Kairi.
We had just
reached the campsite – a relatively rough park opposite the pub in Kairi itself,
when Mr H pointed to 5 birds flying across our vision and asked what I thought
they were? Cranes, I cried, and we followed them in a mad dash across country
towards Lake Tinaroo until we came across a field or, in fact fields, full of Sarus Cranes. We estimated 200 until
something spooked them and they all took off and the final total exceeded 400
birds! It was a stunning sight.
We headed back to
Kairi, pitched the tents and headed to the pub for a drink and a dinner of fish
and chips. I was a bit dubious of the pub and location as the lounge bar was closed and we ate and drank in the public bar, however, the other four customers were fine and the barmaid friendly and rugby union focused, claiming support for the Irish team, so my fears were groundless. We retired around 21.00 to our tents and crashed quickly.
For a day that
was mainly designed as sightseeing, and was very wet, we had had a pretty awesome
outcome.
Day List: 87.
Lifers: 11. Trip Numbers: 256 & 221.
Day 16 – 16.10.15 Up at 4.30, on the road with Jade at 5.10. At
the airport by 5.45, then, following a bit of confusion regarding check-in as I
had mislaid the paperwork of course, we boarded at 6.45 and the plane lifted
off at 7.30.
De-planed at Cairns
at 9.30, in the car at 10.00 and in the mangroves at 10.05. We walked the
boardwalk - closed for maintenance but that didn’t deter us intrepid birders - but the complete lack of any Mangrove
Robin did. A single Black-faced
Monarch wasn’t much of a substitute, however, parking behind the mangroves
at the north end of the esplanade 15 minutes later gave us 2 birds in full view
hopping around on the grass.
More ticks came
thick and fast after that – nesting Torresian
Imperial pigeons, Varied
Honeyeaters, Australian Swiflets, and a flock of 15 Nutmeg Mannikins aka Scaly-breasted Munias ...........
 |
| Mangrove Robin |
 |
| Nutmeg Mannikin
......followed by the waders as the tide dropped…Terek Sands, Red-necked Stints, Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew Sands, Ruddy Turnstone, Great Knot, Grey-tailed Tattlers, a Common Greenshank, Sharp-tailed Sands, Lesser Sand Plovers, a Whimbrel and to cap it all off 2 Broad-billed Sandpipers. CRIPPLING views of all just a few meters away while passers by casually passed by.
We searched the trees for the Rufous Owl and found Nankeen Night Herons, but no Owl. We met a fellow birder – Bernice Starkey - who gave us good tips on a couple of species – soon to be followed up – and the usual tree near McDonalds that usually housed the Owl – we checked, it wasn’t there today……dipped again…
|
We had something
to eat at Mackers then headed for the Botanical Gardens to follow up on Ms Starkey’s
tip off – and found Lovely Fairy Wren
easily, exactly where she told us to look!
We couldn’t find
the Papuan Frogmouths where she described, but fairly confident of that at K
Pk, moved on after 10 minutes or so of looking. Round to the Centenary Lakes
and 9 Rajah Shelducks came out of the
water looking for a feed. The surprise bonus bird – a Black-necked Stork on the island put on a special display by flying a short distance and showing off its wings.
We moved on again
and found a Woolies, bought some food to tide us over for a couple of days,
then it was heading south for Etty Bay.
We arrived at
16.30, after scoping a Forest Kingfisher
on the road, checked in, set up camp, ticked an Olive-backed Sunbird and Mr H went for a short swim in the Box
Jellyfish infested waters. He managed to survive and then we did the log.
While completing
the log in the comfort of the tables and the light outside the kiosk I noticed
a hump shaped animal across the road – we ran over and found it to be an Eastern Brown Bandicoot looking for food scraps,
later on returning to the tent I found a Rhinoceros
Beetle wandering across the grass.
Day 15 - 15.10.15 The Lockyer Valley Day. We left home in the dark at 4.30 and dawn had broken by the time we reached Atkinson's Dam. The water level was about medium but there wasn't a lot going on - and that would be, basically, the story for the rest of the day. Whiskered Terns predominated with small numbers of Hardhead and Eurasian Coots here and there. Mr D spotted his first tick of the day in the form of a very distant group of Red-necked Avocets.
We checked the pond on the opposite side of the road and found a number of flowering bushes along its banks being heavily 'licked' by Little and Noisy Friarbirds and one single Little Wattlebird - the latter a bit of a surprise.
Heading along Boyce's road we stopped to check a Corella in a roadside field - a second lifer for the day, Long-billed Corella. While we were relishing that addition to Mr H's list a pair of Cockatiels flew overhead and we bailed from the car to watch them join another pair and disappear into the distance. Two ticks in two minutes - doesn't get much better than that!
On along towards Seven Mile with no sign of the Banded Lapwings or anything else of interest. Seven Mile was damp - 5 White-necked Herons on site testified to that - but was otherwise vacant.
Clarendon was our next stop and Hoary-headed Grebes a plenty. We walked out along the dam wall and scoped a Black Falcon in a tree some distance away. Otherwise only Black Swans, Hardheads and Coots occupied the water with a few Cormorants.
It was getting to the usual Lockyer Valley heat even though it was barely 8am.....
Checked Adare Rd - nothing different. Apex lakes on the other side of Gatton was our most westerly point and Mr H wandered around himself to find a Buff-banded Rail and a few Plumed Whistle Ducks.
Heading back towards Brisbane we stopped off at Gatton Uni as usual and got great views of Red-rumped Parrot under the trees in their usual spot - nice parrot.
At the lakes there was a surprise - no Pink-eared Ducks! Not one! Lucky we got the one at Minnippi yesterday (thanks Mr P!) The usual Plumed Whistle Ducks, Magpie Geese and a few Hardheads - and that was it.
Overall a disappointing day in the Lockyer, when you know what it can turn on. Mr H was happy but it hadn't come up to my hopes and we missed a number of good birds we should have got.
We headed on home and spent the rest of the day resting and preparing for the next leg of the adventure - Cairns and the Tablelands.
Day List: 81 (quite respectable considering the poor numbers on the ground) Lifers: 8 Trip numbers: 227 & 195.
Day 14 - 14.10.15 We decided to have a relatively easy day today and left for Samsonvale at 6.00. It was a wet morning with a couple of heavy showers as we approached the target area. We checked for Glossy Black Cockatoo from the car at the regular spot - nada - and decided to go to Lacey's Creek to try for Platypus and Azure Kingfisher while waiting for the rain to abate.
We dipped on both targets so, as the rain had now stopped, we headed back to Gold Scrub Rd & the cemetery.
Walking down to the lake we had several Scarlet Honeyeaters among other more common species, Whiskered Terns, Great Cormorant and Great Crested Grebes joined the trip list on the lake itself.
Over the gate and up to the Hoop Pine plantation in hopes of White-eared Monarch but to no avail, however, Varied Sitella was a well received bonus bird for Mr H's tick list and a pair of perched up Topknot Pigeons showed very well.
Drove round to Postman's Track and walked down into the grassland - Little Grassbird & King Quail in mind but neither eventuated. We did see a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles (tick), a pair of Black-shouldered Kites and several Whistling Kites.
The morning was now very hot and humid after the rain and we decided to call it a day, returning to Lacey's for the Kingfisher again - this time seeing it zooming up the creek, but not getting it perched up, unfortunately. On the way back we stopped off to check for the GB Cockatoos again - still nothing, then stopped off in Samsonvale for coffee and cake, both of which were very welcome.
Thanks to Mr P's advice we headed for Minnippi and Mr H earned his shilling by being the first to spot the Tawny Frogmouth on the nest in the carpark. while it's partner sat high in a nearby tree. Good to get this one finally 'on the list'
We decided we needed more beer so went to First Choice in Mansfield and got supplies. As we returned home at the traffic lights at the end of Wecker Rd we noticed a woman on the traffic island walking around with her hands held wide. It was a Koala trying to cross the busy intersection and she was trying to shepherd it back to safety. I turned on the hazard lights and, jumping out, helped her herd the confused animal back into roadside scrub - and Mr H got his tick!
Day List: 76. Lifers: 3. Trip numbers: 218 & 187.
Day 13 – 13.10.15. Last day on LEI. Woke to a hot morning. At 6.00 we were in the water snorkeling the drift from the Coral Gardens to the Lighthouse. Great snorkel – Black-tip Reef Shark, multiple Green Turtles, millions of tropical fish, gropers, angel fish, butterfly fish etc.
We checked the pond on the opposite side of the road and found a number of flowering bushes along its banks being heavily 'licked' by Little and Noisy Friarbirds and one single Little Wattlebird - the latter a bit of a surprise.
Heading along Boyce's road we stopped to check a Corella in a roadside field - a second lifer for the day, Long-billed Corella. While we were relishing that addition to Mr H's list a pair of Cockatiels flew overhead and we bailed from the car to watch them join another pair and disappear into the distance. Two ticks in two minutes - doesn't get much better than that!
On along towards Seven Mile with no sign of the Banded Lapwings or anything else of interest. Seven Mile was damp - 5 White-necked Herons on site testified to that - but was otherwise vacant.
Clarendon was our next stop and Hoary-headed Grebes a plenty. We walked out along the dam wall and scoped a Black Falcon in a tree some distance away. Otherwise only Black Swans, Hardheads and Coots occupied the water with a few Cormorants.
It was getting to the usual Lockyer Valley heat even though it was barely 8am.....
Checked Adare Rd - nothing different. Apex lakes on the other side of Gatton was our most westerly point and Mr H wandered around himself to find a Buff-banded Rail and a few Plumed Whistle Ducks.
Heading back towards Brisbane we stopped off at Gatton Uni as usual and got great views of Red-rumped Parrot under the trees in their usual spot - nice parrot.
At the lakes there was a surprise - no Pink-eared Ducks! Not one! Lucky we got the one at Minnippi yesterday (thanks Mr P!) The usual Plumed Whistle Ducks, Magpie Geese and a few Hardheads - and that was it.
Overall a disappointing day in the Lockyer, when you know what it can turn on. Mr H was happy but it hadn't come up to my hopes and we missed a number of good birds we should have got.
We headed on home and spent the rest of the day resting and preparing for the next leg of the adventure - Cairns and the Tablelands.
Day List: 81 (quite respectable considering the poor numbers on the ground) Lifers: 8 Trip numbers: 227 & 195.
Day 14 - 14.10.15 We decided to have a relatively easy day today and left for Samsonvale at 6.00. It was a wet morning with a couple of heavy showers as we approached the target area. We checked for Glossy Black Cockatoo from the car at the regular spot - nada - and decided to go to Lacey's Creek to try for Platypus and Azure Kingfisher while waiting for the rain to abate.
We dipped on both targets so, as the rain had now stopped, we headed back to Gold Scrub Rd & the cemetery.
Walking down to the lake we had several Scarlet Honeyeaters among other more common species, Whiskered Terns, Great Cormorant and Great Crested Grebes joined the trip list on the lake itself.
Over the gate and up to the Hoop Pine plantation in hopes of White-eared Monarch but to no avail, however, Varied Sitella was a well received bonus bird for Mr H's tick list and a pair of perched up Topknot Pigeons showed very well.
 |
| Topknot Pigeon |
The morning was now very hot and humid after the rain and we decided to call it a day, returning to Lacey's for the Kingfisher again - this time seeing it zooming up the creek, but not getting it perched up, unfortunately. On the way back we stopped off to check for the GB Cockatoos again - still nothing, then stopped off in Samsonvale for coffee and cake, both of which were very welcome.
Thanks to Mr P's advice we headed for Minnippi and Mr H earned his shilling by being the first to spot the Tawny Frogmouth on the nest in the carpark. while it's partner sat high in a nearby tree. Good to get this one finally 'on the list'
 |
| Tawny Frogmouth |
Day List: 76. Lifers: 3. Trip numbers: 218 & 187.
Day 13 – 13.10.15. Last day on LEI. Woke to a hot morning. At 6.00 we were in the water snorkeling the drift from the Coral Gardens to the Lighthouse. Great snorkel – Black-tip Reef Shark, multiple Green Turtles, millions of tropical fish, gropers, angel fish, butterfly fish etc.
Having worked up an appetite for breakfast
we quickly made our way there and satisfied it.
Afterwards Mr H went for a walk, while I
relaxed – then it was time to pack.
Our plane left on time at 11.40 and we
spotted some Hump-back Whales in
Hervey Bay on the 40 minute flight back to the mainland.
Driving south we turned off at Deception
Bay and 'Karen' on NavMan got us to Nathan Rd Wetlands at 15.15. We trudged out and
picked a single Ruff from among the Sharp-tailed Sands, Red-kneed and Black-fronted Dotterels and White-headed Stilts. We didn’t manage
to find the reported Pectoral or Wood Sandpiper.
Moving on we called into Black Duck Hole in
the hopes of Cotton Pygmy Goose, but dipped again.
17.00 and we got to Minnippi to see the single Pink-eared Duck reported by Mr P on the weekend – a first for Mr H and
a first (?) for Minnippi, I believe.
A big day with limited results….
Day List: 67. Lifers: 1. Trip numbers: 212
& 184
Day
12 – 12.10.15 A very calm clear morning and we went
for a pre-breakfast snorkel in the lagoon. The usual plethora of reef fish of
all shapes and sizes, colours and designs. As we reached the limit of our
expedition and were about to turn back a shape materialized out of the deep and
became a 6-7 ft shark. As we were only in waist deep water it was at our level,
which was a little disconcerting – neither of us had anywhere to go…However it
showed minimal interest, simply circling around us and disappearing once again.
Opinions differed on identification,
however, to ME it resembled a Lemon Shark, a placid, crustacean eating fish of
no danger to humans – especially old tough ones….but a shark is a shark is a
freaking SHARK!!
After breakfast we relaxed until 9.30 when
I left for a pre-booked snorkeling safari ($30 + I hired a wetsuit @ $15 for
the day).
This involved 6 only other snorkelers, a
boat and a guide-led tour of some bommies known to attract Manta Rays. Our
first drop off was a dud – apart from a Grey
Reef Shark patrolling the bottom 30 or so feet away.
However our second roll in dropped us right
on top of a magnificent Manta Ray swimming
straight towards us. The animal was approx 3 meters across from wingtip to
wingtip and was just awesome. A couple of us followed it at a discreet distance
as it slowly rose up off the floor and came within 2 metres of the surface,
about 2 metres in front of me. Unreal – an incredible experience.
We also saw 3 Eagle Rays, a Black-tip Reef
Shark, a Black-tip Whaler and, a
little distantly, 2 more Manta Rays.
Mr H wandered the island in my absence and
took some photos of his favourite things.
Back on land again and we relaxed before
lunch, then visited the Red-tailed
Tropicbirds to find 5 adult birds in the area – 3 on ground and 2 in the
air, along with the 2 chicks previously seen.
After lunch we relaxed some more before
heading over to the Coral Gardens and a drift snorkel to the Lighthouse.
Nothing special seen, apart from a few more Green Turtles, a school of about 30 Batfish and some bigger, specifically unidentified, fish such a Trevally & Sweetlip.
 |
| Red-tailed Tropicbirds |
Another rest then we went for a walk to the
Roseate Tern colony, (2 nests) then
to the ‘roost’ near the lagoon, on the way checking the Sooty Oystercatcher in the bush and finding the nest with one egg.
Back ‘home’ again and time for a shower
before dinner, followed by pool again – this time Mr H triumphant 2-1.
While doing the log a low moaning was heard
outside our tent and, being confident it wasn’t human, we ventured out to find
a single Wedge-tailed Shearwater
ensconced behind a wheel barrow to bring our island total to 26 species.
Day list: 23. Lifers: 0. Trip numbers remain
at 209 & 183.
Day
11 – 11.10.15. We started off the day with a lie in, then a
short wander before breakfast. After breakfast we had a rest. Then we had
dinner…. well between the rest and lunch we went on a glass bottomed boat ride
and Mr D re-learned how to snorkel before braving the briny deep and getting
the Reef Experience.
Then we had lunch.
Then we had another little rest.
Then we went to see the Red-tailed Tropicbird ‘nests’ – a
scrape in the ground under a bush, each containing a well developed bored
looking chick waiting for a Meals on Wings delivery from their parents.
 |
| Red-tailed Tropicbird juvenile |
 |
| Sooty Tern |
Before dinner we re-checked the R-t TB nests and while sitting waiting hopefully for a parent to return spotted a
distant Brown Booby flying by.
We went for another snorkel in the shallow
lagoon on the eastern side of the island and touched up a couple of very
co-operative Green Turtles.
After dinner we checked the Tropicbirds
again and played pool before crashing at 9. This resting thing is very
tiring…..
Day list: 24. Lifers: 4. Trip numbers: 209
& 183.
Day
10 – 10.10.15 By 6.00 we were on the track looking
for BBBQs – without success. Again a noticeable lack of platelets, fresh or
otherwise.
At the point however, we scanned a flock of
waders & terns and came away with Great
and Red Knot and, happily, 2 Lesser Crested Terns among the 300+ Bar-tailed Godwits and ~100 Great Crested Terns.
We walked around to the seaward side of the
point and found the two resident (?) Beach
Stone Curlews which was a nice confirmation experience for Mr H.
 |
| Lesser Crested Tern |
Back at camp we packed up in 25 minutes and
were on the road by 8.30.
An hour later we arrived at Boonooroo on
the opposite side of the bay and searched for the wader roost. We found two
groups of waders and noted Common
Greenshank, Grey Plover, Red-necked Stint and more Great Knots among the BTGs.
We headed off at 10.30 for our appointment
with a plane at Hervey Bay airport stopping off for Mackers on the way – can’t
have a birding trip without Mackers!
We left the car in the secure (hopefully)
parking lot and checked in at the Lady Elliot Island desk. We had packed just one
bag between us – restricted to 15 kgs each, the bag weighed just over 15 kgs!
12.40 and we boarded the 12 seater, with
all seats full, for our 40 minute flight to the island.
Landing was, as one would expect on a grassy strip, bumpy, but safe and we spent the next 45 minutes or so being briefed on all aspects of LEI life.
Landing was, as one would expect on a grassy strip, bumpy, but safe and we spent the next 45 minutes or so being briefed on all aspects of LEI life.
The Black
Noddys were the dominant bird around the resort itself, we also found Common Noddy easily enough and, as we
circumnavigated the island (50 minutes or so) we saw Wandering Tattler, Pacific Reef Heron (both phases),
Roseate Tern, Great Crested Tern, Great Frigatebird, Lesser Sand Plover, Red-necked Stint, Sooty Oystercatcher, Pacific Golden Plover and Bridled Tern, most at arm’s length. Speaking of arm’s length – Buff-banded Rails were underfoot in most places too! We also had a Green Turtle close to the beach – although Mr H claimed not to be interested in Turtles….
Roseate Tern, Great Crested Tern, Great Frigatebird, Lesser Sand Plover, Red-necked Stint, Sooty Oystercatcher, Pacific Golden Plover and Bridled Tern, most at arm’s length. Speaking of arm’s length – Buff-banded Rails were underfoot in most places too! We also had a Green Turtle close to the beach – although Mr H claimed not to be interested in Turtles….
 |
| Black Noddyhttps://youtu.be/bt4PWRp6J-k |
 |
| Bridled Tern |
 |
| Common Noddy |
 |
| Great Frigatebird |
 |
| Lesser Frigatebird |
 |
| Pacific Reef Heron (Dark Phase) |
 |
| Roseate Tern |
 |
| Roseate Tern |
 |
| Wandering Tattler |
Then it was snooze time, then dinner time,
then an evening long chat with a couple of charming female doctors from the UK
who put up with two ancient Irish birders with great patience!
Day List: 74. Lifers: 10. Trip numbers: 204
& 179.
Day 9 – 9.10.15 We left home at 6.30 on a wet overcast morning. At 8.00 we stopped for fuel outside Gympie and had a quick look at the pond behind the complex. Not much there so we pushed on to Inskip Pt arriving at 10.00.
Tents, tarp and kitchen were set up and
coffee on by 10.45. It was spitting rain on occasion and the wind from the
southeast gusting and cold.
We walked up to the point and birded the
bush area for Black-breasted Button Quail and the sand flats for waders. There
was little sign of Button Quail, no recent, and very few old, platelets. It
wasn’t looking good. The area itself was very quiet and the waders scattered
and thin on the ground – Bar-tailed Godwits,
Eastern Curlew and Whimbrel predominated with one distant Red-capped Plover. A Whistling Kite overhead finally
confirmed the species for Mr H.
We returned to camp and had lunch. I was
pretty tired so Mr H wandered off himself to check the waders while I had a
rest.
He came back having seen a Beach Stone Curlew in flight and
checking Red-necked Stint among the
previously seen waders.
Another cup of coffee and we headed off for
Cooloola NP
and the Ground Parrot site. It rained as we walked the track and we didn’t see
any Parrots, but did tick White-cheeked
Honeyeater in their dozens.
Back to camp and again a check of the point
and surrounding waters. We didn’t see anything new or different.
 |
| White-cheeked Honeyeater |
Prepared and ate dinner as dusk fell, then
headed up to Bymien
Picnic Ground on the Freshwater Track. Tried for Marbled Frogmouth, Sooty Owl and
Owlet Nightjar with no luck. Drove down to Carlo Pt Caravan Park to try for Large-tailed
Nightjar, again with no luck, but as we walked back to the car I spotted an owl
flying from branch to branch in a large tree. It finally sat with its back to
us and we agreed it was a Sooty Owl –
admittedly an unusual location, but there were some large trees in the vicinity
and its only a short distance from the National Park where they are known to
exist.
As we approached the car an adult Bush Stone Curlew accompanied by a very
mobile chick crossed our path and we picked up 2 Ring-tailed Possums peering down from a high branch.
We returned to camp, completed the log and
crashed with the sky still overcast and the wind blowing.
Day List: 60. Lifers: 5. Trip List: 189 &
169.
Day 8 - 8.10.15 The weather news indicated a sea watch would be worthwhile so I introduced Mr H to Queensland's premier sea watching spot - via car, boat and bus - Pt Lookout on North Stradbroke Island.
As usual we arrived on site at 8.00 - in the face of a howling 30+ knot east south easterly.
We soon had flocks of Short-tailed Shearwaters in our scopes hammering south against the wind eager to be back in Tasmania. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters were also in evidence loafing along in comparison to the Short-tails, but both left for dead by the occasional Hutton's/Fluttering type hurtling past low across the water - all new birds for Mr H of course.
We also had Hump-backed Whales passing in numbers (about 40 during the 4 hour watch) and a pod of 30-40 Short-beaked Dolphins surfed the close swells. A single dark phase Pomarine and a single intermediate phase Arctic Skua completed the sea watch species.
Returning to the bus stop ahead of approaching rain Mr H managed to scratch a single Little Wattlebird out of the 20 or so Noisy Friarbirds to add to his lifer list.
We got home at 14.00 and took it easy for the afternoon before putting stuff together for the next few days of the adventure.......
Day List: 38. Lifers: 5. Trip numbers: 183 & 164
Day 7 – 7.10.15 Up at 5.00 to a chilly Spring morning – fleeces on for breakfast. Then it was out on the track.
Almost the first bird we saw was a tick – White-throated Treecreeper. The second
also a new bird for Mr H, a beautiful Spotted
Pardalote responded well to playback and came down for a closer look.
But I was concerned. The forest had been badly
damaged by a fire in recent history and there were lots of new leaves but no
flowers - and bird life was almost non-existent.
However we continued on along the track
towards The Junction and eventually the fire damage ended and stable
undergrowth resumed. Immediately the birds picked up – Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, Dusky Woodswallow and, on an open area of
rock, a pair of Spotted Quail Thrush were
seen really well. Yahooo!
Reaching The Junction we turned back and
saw some of the same birds again. We also had several fleeting views of a
flying Azure Kingfisher as it zipped
along above the meager creek.
Back at camp we had a small second
breakfast of jaffles, then packed up and left the campsite unobserved.
We decided to try the Old Wallangarra Rd that runs along
the border of the park. I had never birded this road before but had heard good
reports from others.
It looked dead at 10am but the second half
of the 2-3 kilometer stretch turned into a goldmine!
Red Wattlebird was the first surprise, followed by Little Eagle and Black Kite, together overhead, then Jacky Winter and finally White-plumed Honeyeater! All great birds and all seen well. A meter long Lace Monitor slinking up a tree was the bonus reptile.
Red Wattlebird was the first surprise, followed by Little Eagle and Black Kite, together overhead, then Jacky Winter and finally White-plumed Honeyeater! All great birds and all seen well. A meter long Lace Monitor slinking up a tree was the bonus reptile.
We tried for a hot chocolate at Wisteria
Lodge but it was closed so we settled for a coffee at the information center in
Stanthorpe, 30 kms up the road – and scored a bonus for me in a state tick in
the form of a female Common Blackbird
thanks to Mr H’s superior hearing.
The drive back to Brisbane was average and
uneventful and we spent the rest of the day relaxing and gorging on a home made
pizza, c/o Mr H.
Day List: 46. Lifers: 12. Trip Numbers: 174 & 159.
Day List: 46. Lifers: 12. Trip Numbers: 174 & 159.
We walked in 5 kms then decided it was time
to turn back. I took the lead for a while and managed to spot a Noisy Pitta lifting off the track – Mr H moved forward and got a satisfactory view. Rounding a corner further on we
were met by a frantic Lyrebird
running hell for leather well ahead of an approaching group of walkers, it
dived off the track and we were unable to find it – I think its still running –
but at least we got a tickable view.
Arriving back at the campsite at 10.00 we
discussed our options and decided to up tent pegs and move to Girraween NP.
We left Lamington at 13.00 and, after a
long and tiring 4 hour drive arrived at Girraween. On the way we were stopped
by roadworks for several minutes - a fortuitous stop as it happened as we were
right beside a Bell Miner colony and
Mr H ticked another species from the car!
We set up camp and had dinner in the dark.
We didn’t actually have a pre-paid camping permit, but I figured we‘d be out
before the ranger checked and we had the second night already paid for at
Lamington and so I hung the permit on Mr H’s tent anyway. As we finished dinner a Brush-tailed Possum wandered into camp and begged an apple before
ambling away bow-legged - as they do!
Day List: 51. Lifers 9. Trip Numbers: 160
& 147
Day
5 – 5.10.15 With car packed the night before we
were ready for an early start. We left home at 6.30 and headed south west. We
reached Canungra around 8.00 and started the 35 km winding hill climb to O’Reilly’s.
It was a slow ascent exacerbated by a number of cyclists toiling up the hill.
We stopped at Cainable Cabins to look for Glossy
Blacks, unsuccessfully, but got good views of Yellow-faced Honeyeater and a new tick in the form of a single Noisy Friarbird.
Arriving at the camp site at 9.15 we found
our pre-booked site still occupied and while we checked it out a female camper
offered to show us a Satin Bowerbird’s
bower, which was pretty cool.
 |
| Satin Bowerbird's bower |
We set off for a walk in the rainforest.
Several new birds quickly followed, best being a female Paradise Riflebird at close range on the tree top walk. At the same
time I fielded a call from a fellow birder on the north side telling me of a
Pec Sand, a Wood Sand AND a Ruff all present at Nathan’s wetlands!
We completed a circular walk back, seeing
several repeat species and a male Rose
Robin, and had coffee and cake at the café ($18) before returning to the
campsite and setting up the tents and tarp at campsite no 4 – a nicely shaded
situation.
The afternoon was spent relaxing in the
shade – it was close to 35 degrees in Brisbane, but probably a few degrees
cooler for us. Topknot Pigeons, Crimson
Rosellas and Satin Bowerbirds flew
by while a Bush Turkey invaded our
bread supply and an Eastern Yellow Robin
bounced up and down nearby fly-catching from a post.
 |
| Crimson Rosella |
At 16.00 we went for a walk to Moran’s
Falls – 4.5 kms round trip - and scored a Wompoo
Fruit Dove that Mr H picked out of a tree with his beady eye.
 |
| Moran's Falls |
It was almost dark when we got back to camp
and a Boobook was calling as dusk
fell.
We went for a short spotlighting walk
around the camp site after dinner and had 5 Ring-tailed Possums and 1 Brush-tailed before
crashing.
Day List: 55. Lifers: 15.
Day List: 55. Lifers: 15.
Day 4 - 4.10.15 Arrived on site at Sandy Camp at 6.15 and started ticking lifers - Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Comb-crested Jacana and a fly over Brush Cuckoo in response to playback. Unfortunately the only Spotless Crake ran across the cement culvert when Mr D was engaged elsewhere. However, close views of Wandering Whistle Duck and, later, Brown Quail may have compensated somewhat. We covered the whole area but saw nothing else exciting.
On to Fuller and 4 Glossy Ibis added to the trip list while a single flushed Latham's Snipe added to the lifer list. As we walked back to the car a Buff-baned Rail stood in the open long enough to be identified before disappearing into the grass verge - another good bird 'on the list'
Lindum offered up a couple of minor surprises in the shape of a single Marsh Sandpiper and a Red-kneed Dotterel - I hadn't counted on either of these species still being here at this late stage. We walked down Burnby Rd and checked out the trees at the end - a flock of 50 Little Corellas obliged by flying over.
As there were no 'brown' waders at Lindum I thought we should have a look at the north end of the esplanade as maybe, just maybe, the tide wouldn't be too far out.
It was a little, the light was harsh and the view was directly into the sun, however, we managed to list several waders and 2 White-bellied Sea Eagles that flew past.
Heading home we took it easy, did some food shopping and packed the camping gear in the car in preparation for tomorrow. Kara and Linkman visited and we had dinner together before watching Australia demolish England in the World cup!
Day List: 79. Lifers: 10
Day 3 - 3.10.15 Left earlier than usual to get to Anstead by dawn - arrived a little early at 5.30 to a cool, Spring morning. We hung around the field for a while listening to the waking birds until the sun started to warm up the forest slopes, then we headed up the track. It was a little slow to start with and, in fact, there were parts of the forest that were very quiet all morning. Nothing seemed to be in flower and hence activity was markedly reduced.
On to Fuller and 4 Glossy Ibis added to the trip list while a single flushed Latham's Snipe added to the lifer list. As we walked back to the car a Buff-baned Rail stood in the open long enough to be identified before disappearing into the grass verge - another good bird 'on the list'
Lindum offered up a couple of minor surprises in the shape of a single Marsh Sandpiper and a Red-kneed Dotterel - I hadn't counted on either of these species still being here at this late stage. We walked down Burnby Rd and checked out the trees at the end - a flock of 50 Little Corellas obliged by flying over.
As there were no 'brown' waders at Lindum I thought we should have a look at the north end of the esplanade as maybe, just maybe, the tide wouldn't be too far out.
It was a little, the light was harsh and the view was directly into the sun, however, we managed to list several waders and 2 White-bellied Sea Eagles that flew past.
Heading home we took it easy, did some food shopping and packed the camping gear in the car in preparation for tomorrow. Kara and Linkman visited and we had dinner together before watching Australia demolish England in the World cup!
Day List: 79. Lifers: 10
Day 3 - 3.10.15 Left earlier than usual to get to Anstead by dawn - arrived a little early at 5.30 to a cool, Spring morning. We hung around the field for a while listening to the waking birds until the sun started to warm up the forest slopes, then we headed up the track. It was a little slow to start with and, in fact, there were parts of the forest that were very quiet all morning. Nothing seemed to be in flower and hence activity was markedly reduced.
An average morning's birding did, however, produce some surprises - a female White-winged Triller and another Black-faced Monarch were unexpected, a couple of perched up Pheasant Coucals were nice, Eastern Yellow Robin, Little Shrikethrush and Scarlet Honeyeater were usual fare, but we dipped completely on White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and Speckled Warbler. DHH did manage to pull a single Apostlebird on private property outside the limits of the park and we did alright considering the lack of flowers and general quiet.
Getting towards the end of the walk and I was getting a bit desperate for Red-browed Finch as the day heated up, but we finally turned up a small flock on the bitumen track, feeding well back under the trees.
Back to the car and we were both feeling a little drained, but headed off to Moggil Pocket Swamp for a quick look. One side being completely dry, and the other sparsely inhabited, it offered little, but a tatty, apparently moulting, Whistling Kite overhead made for the final tick of the morning.
Then it was home for the second breakfast and a rest through the heat of the day in preparation for a big outing later in the afternoon.
16.00 and Mr P arrived. We set off straight away for Roger McNeill's place in Samford. Arriving a little early we hung around a ridge for a few minutes trying to get onto Rainbow Bee Eaters, Noisy Friarbirds and a Yellow-faced Honeyeater - none really successfully.
We went for a walk with Roger around his property and ticked off Brown & Striated Thornbill and Large-billed Gerygone - thank Goodness, relieved some of the pressure! Just on dusk a White-throated Nightjar made an appearance which was a huge bonus!
Returning to the house we watched the main event - a Phascogale emerging from its roost in the attic to scurry down the verandah post and run off across the driveway.
We tried for Owlet Nightjar unsuccessfully but did score a Southern Boobook in the driveway. All in all a very successful visit - thanks, Roger.
Leaving Samford we drove to Brown's Rd, Mt Glorious and tried for Sooty Owl and Marbled Frogmouth without success. Heading down the road to The Gap we were confident of Tawny Frogmouth - but dipped again, seeing only a single Ring-tailed Possum in The Gap crossing the road by service wire. Mr H must be the first person ever to see a Phascogale BEFORE a R-t Possum!
Arrived home at 21.00 pretty knackered, crashed soon after.
Day List: 72. Lifers: 22
16.00 and Mr P arrived. We set off straight away for Roger McNeill's place in Samford. Arriving a little early we hung around a ridge for a few minutes trying to get onto Rainbow Bee Eaters, Noisy Friarbirds and a Yellow-faced Honeyeater - none really successfully.
We went for a walk with Roger around his property and ticked off Brown & Striated Thornbill and Large-billed Gerygone - thank Goodness, relieved some of the pressure! Just on dusk a White-throated Nightjar made an appearance which was a huge bonus!
Returning to the house we watched the main event - a Phascogale emerging from its roost in the attic to scurry down the verandah post and run off across the driveway.
 |
| Brush-tailed Phascogal |
Leaving Samford we drove to Brown's Rd, Mt Glorious and tried for Sooty Owl and Marbled Frogmouth without success. Heading down the road to The Gap we were confident of Tawny Frogmouth - but dipped again, seeing only a single Ring-tailed Possum in The Gap crossing the road by service wire. Mr H must be the first person ever to see a Phascogale BEFORE a R-t Possum!
Arrived home at 21.00 pretty knackered, crashed soon after.
Day List: 72. Lifers: 22
Day 2 - 2.10.15. Another big day out. Up and out to Oxley arriving on site at 6.00. Good mornings birding with a total of 64 species, including a pair of Yellow-rumped Thornbills nest building, a single Brown Quail, an imm Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Mangrove Gerygone & Mistletoebird, Black-shouldered Kite & Brown Goshawk and a Masked Lapwing's nest with 2 eggs.
 |
| Masked Lapwing nest https://youtu.be/A9RAoxfgO44 |
Breakfast at the Europa cafe in Sherwood was very welcome, then on to Sherwood in the 28 degree heat at 11.30. No new birds here, but close views of the commoner stuff including half a dozen Magpie Geese.
Across country to Toohey and a try for Tawny Frogmouths at roost failed to produce, then a drive out to Manly to look at the ridiculous barrier built by Manly yacht club to bar all intruders.
Along the esplanade to Wynnum North and a walk along the re-furbished boardwalk produced well, with several Leaden Flys, Olive-backed Oriole and a Collared Kingfisher showing really well.
Along the esplanade to Wynnum North and a walk along the re-furbished boardwalk produced well, with several Leaden Flys, Olive-backed Oriole and a Collared Kingfisher showing really well.
 |
| Olive-backed Oriole https://youtu.be/sMkcE-AVLtI |
A frustrating (as always) visit to the almost empty Port of Brisbane authority's PR wader roost produced very little and we struggled to get a single Mangrove Honeyeater at the ex-visitor's centre pond, but did get to tick Black Swan........
A total of 88 species for the day with Mr H adding another 32 lifers to his haul.
Trip total species: 102. Lifers: 91
Day 1 - 1.10.15. Despite the 24 hour flight from Dublin, the beers and the latish turn in time of the previous night, Mr H was up and raring to go just after 5am. We had a brief breakfast then headed off to Minnippi. I had decided to start off with an easy morning and take on the commoner SEQ birds.
It turned into a complete tick-fest for my Irish visitor - and some excellent finds along the way. Crossing the bridge over Bulimba creek I played Pale-vented Bush Hen on the off chance - immediately 2 birds responded voraciously from right under our feet. With a bit of patience - and ignoring the curious looks from passers by - we hung out and caught glimpses of the birds below as they sulked away into the reeds, muttering angrily about the perceived intruder.
It turned into a complete tick-fest for my Irish visitor - and some excellent finds along the way. Crossing the bridge over Bulimba creek I played Pale-vented Bush Hen on the off chance - immediately 2 birds responded voraciously from right under our feet. With a bit of patience - and ignoring the curious looks from passers by - we hung out and caught glimpses of the birds below as they sulked away into the reeds, muttering angrily about the perceived intruder.
On to the lake and found it pretty bare, still ticking Hardhead and Black Duck of course, Intermediate Egret and, in the distance, a Magpie Goose. Into the M1 track and among the more commoner birds - a juvenile Eastern Whipbird, 2 Varied Trillers and 2 Rufous Fantails put on close displays.
Back to the lake and the usual species - there were in fact 3 Magpie Geese, my first in years, altho Mr P had a few recently.
Into the Airfield Track and a calling Pacific Koel responded to playback and perched up for one of the best views of this sometime difficult bird to see.
The track continued to be fairly quiet until a pair of Black-faced Monarchs showed well followed immediately by a Shining Bronze Cuckoo doing its thing in the sun.
Returning via Stu's Raptor Lookout, without any raptors we headed back to the car with a grand total of 48 lifers for The Man.
Breakfast at Belisis's then it was home for a quick turnaround and out to the ferry terminal at Gyatt st, near the Uni. Finally finding a parking space that allowed us to stay for more than 2 hours, we jumped aboard a City Cat and spent the rest of the day on the Brisbane River, walking around South Bank, across the Goodwill Bridge, through the city to the Queen st Mall and finding a single Bush Stone Curlew in the Botanical gardens on the way.
Back on the ferry and down to Brett's Wharf where we disembarked again and had a very welcome late lunch at Vangellis in Racecourse Rd. A final trip all the way back to Gyatt st finished our first day out as dusk fell.
Trip total species: 63; Lifers: 59
Trip total species: 63; Lifers: 59
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