Birding 2004

 7.1.04

Wynnum & Manly

Visited Wynnum North, Fisherman’s Island and Manly Boat harbour yesterday at high tide.

            Firstly, the ponds at Whyte Island have been almost completely drained and the only bird present was a White faced Heron feeding on God knows what. I think Patrick Corp ‘own’ the area and with it being of little recognisable value……… it’s a real pity as the ponds were swarming with birds a few weeks ago. One wonders where they go now? 

            Secondly – I’m not sure if I’m seeing the advertised ‘roost’ created by Port of Brisbane Authority, but the area I assumed was it last year, has been usually flooded this year providing little exposed mud/sand for the waders. Hence there has been a much smaller number visible from the road. I have only been there at high tide – maybe it’s different at low? There were a few Curlew and Sharp-tailed Sands and a handful of Red-necked Stints just in sight at the edge of the water. 

            I returned to the Wynnum North roost, without stopping at the POBA Visitor’s centre, and walked out to the hide. Despite checking (approx) 400 Bar-tailed Godwit and 110 Black-tailed Godwits – they were all Godwits. Has anyone seen any Dowitchers around SEQ this year? (50) Sharpies, (60) Grey-tailed Tattlers, (5) Marsh Sands, (20) Grey Teal, (200) Whimbrel and (50) Curlew (all numbers approx!), huddled from the early morning heat or moved sluggishly. Even the (30) Curlew Sands usually energetic feeders looked sleepy and it was only 7.30am! 5 Chestnut-breasted Mannikins flew up and 2 Brown Quail calling from the long grass on the walk back - and I nearly ran over a Buff-banded Rail as I drove from the car park!  

            I headed along the sea front to Manly Boat Harbour checking the Silver Gulls on the way for any ‘stragglers’ – always worth a look along here, I remember seeing a Kelp Gull here in the early 80s. 

With high tide at approx 9.30am the roost was about half full at 8.00. A strong north-easterly was blowing and most of the waders were huddled at the north end facing into the strong breeze. (700) Bar-tailed Gods, (30) Curlew and 3 Sharp-tailed Sands, 8 Greenshanks, 89 Oystercatchers, (50) Grey-tailed Tattlers, 15 Caspian Terns, 2 Red-capped Dotterels,  (60) Great Knot, (20) Whimbrel and (60) Curlew (all numbers in brackets are approximations) with a few more Bar-tailed Godwits arriving before I left at 9.00am. The roost did not look as populated as earlier in the season? I guess the numbers fluctuate. I didn’t, for example, see any Terek Sands and have only seen a few here this year, compared to previous years and numbers. 

            9.00 and the heat was enormous. I left and headed for an air-conditioned cinema, I don’t envy the birds standing out in the sun, but then again it probably beats the northern winter!

25.1.04

Minnippi

            At last – 3 and a half years and 47 visits and finally one of the birds I’ve always believed were there and have looked high and low for at Minnippi Parklands, Brisbane south – Spotless Crake.

            For those with an interest – off to one side (west I think) of the pond there is a roughly semi circular boardwalk through a marshy, tree covered low spot. I have always snuck in as quietly as my boots and the boards allowed in the belief that something secretive may inhabit this spot! Today I marched in fairly casually at around 7.15 – later than I am usually there – and was greeted by a sharp ‘tecking’ sound. Peering down into the watery tree roots and reeds I spotted a hurried movement as a little (they really are small, aren’t they!) black bird flitted around from pool to pool. I watched it for about 3 or 4 minutes in it’s hurried, indignant search for food and was surprised at the speed at which it moved. I didn’t/couldn’t use my bins as it was so close. Flicking it’s tail, it’s red eye gleaming in the shadows it scurried around calling almost continuously – finally disappearing into the longer reeds and grass in the background - a very special experience. 

            For those of you down south this is probably not an uncommon sight, but this is only my second Spotless Crake (first was in November 03) and I was rapt!

            Next expected find? Lewin’s Rail – has been previously seen at Minnippi, but not by yours truly.

            

May 

4 'Non-birding' days in Melbourne, Vic

Just spent 4 non-birding days in Melbourne. My non-birding partner’s heart is in Melbourne while the important bits reside in Brisbane, so a long weekend was planned to satisfy the heart. I was under strict instruction that this was not a birding trip so I nearly didn’t take my bins even, but then, what a waste, I thought. You never know where they might come in handy…. 

We stayed in Fitzroy st, right opposite Albert Park, and the first birds I didn’t see were Mynas and Starlings and Feral Pigeons and Silver Gulls and House Sparrows. It’s amazing how delightful these are when you’re not birding! Thursday – city stuff, but Friday the Great Ocean Rd beckoned us. I elected to do the driving and so most birds were seen as black or brown or black and white flashes across the road. I did, however, manage to see a Grey Currawong(tick) and a flight of Gannets from one straight stretch and a Pacific Gull (tick) alone on the beach near Lorne, actually stopped for that one! 

There was quite a large area of flooded fields in the Ottway Range area (I think) and Black Swans, Black Duck, Swamphens, Moorhens, Grey and Chestnut Teal and a lone Royal Spoonbill were quickly checked from the road. Our destination, the 12 Apostles, included a walk to the viewing platform and I was all prepared for anything to pop up. Singing Honeyeater (3) (tick) did, much to my delight, but nothing else on the land or out to sea.

Saturday I suggested a stroll in Albert Park, casually of course, with an affected air of indifference. Some resistance as suspicions raised, however with some conditions, agreement was reached and, low and behold, I just happened to have my bins hanging under my jacket. Just in time too, as a pair of Red-rumped Parrots pecked an old tree stump mere yards away and a White-plumed Honeyeater dropped in to see what was happenin’. Strolling on, Red Wattlebirds calling and swooping around, I reached the lake and, eventually, the ‘far’ or western end (?). A scan of the birds grouped around the islands and a Hoary-headed Grebe (tick, at last) and a Musk Duck spotted among the Hardheads, Black Duck, Swamphens, Coots, Aust Grebes, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants. Walking back towards Fitzroy st a flick caught the corner of my eye and turned out to be a female brown ‘Robin’, what species? Before I could decide a bright flick and a male Flame Robin in beautiful plumage came into view. Wow! – tick of course! Happy at last I relinquished the rest of the day to the heart.

Sunday morning and a brief stroll to St Kilda pier produced some more Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants and, more importantly to me, 2 more Pacific Gulls – their bills are huge! 

The other bird I saw that was really nice was the Blackbird. Brought back memories of nests in the garden in Dublin, when I first started birding an unmentionable number of years ago!

So, non-birding partner’s heart temporarily satisfied we flew home. Not bad - 5 new ticks for a 4 day non-birding holiday! mmmmmmm wish every non-birding weekend was that good! 

21 - 23.4.04

Nightcap NP/Whian Whian SF, NSW

I spent the weekend 21.5 – 23.5 at Nightcap Nat Park/Whian Whian State Forest reserve in far north NSW (15 kms west of Mullimbimby). Camping in Rummery park camp ground, in the state forest, is free and easily accessible, via unsealed dirt road, in any vehicle. The road continues through the park/reserve for about 30 kms in a loop coming out near Rocky Creek Dam and in places is a bit rough, but not quite 4WD. Toilets and cold showers advertised, but there was very little water in the campsite, so I would advise taking your own, just in case. (I got more water at the dam on Saturday afternoon)

I went, specifically, to try to find Superb Lyrebird. Although I’ve seen Albert’s on several occasions in SE Qld I haven’t been lucky enough to catch up with a Superb yet. Strangely enough (I think) Superb is not listed on the NSW atlas list for Nightcap Nat park, but I thought it might be there all the same.

Walking the main track on Saturday morning I heard 2 or 3 Lyrebirds calling/singing deep in the brush. Very heavy undergrowth prevented further follow up in most cases, but I did get to within about 50 m of one individual who then stopped singing.  I didn’t actually get to see any, therefore, with my limited experience, not confirming which species it was. 

Bird numbers in general were lower than I expected – time of year? lack of flowering plants? the bush was dry but the creeks were running and it rained fairly heavily on Sunday (a 6km walk back in the rain from the bottom of the Minyon Falls was ‘bracing’!) 

I visited Rocky Creek Dam on Saturday afternoon and had a pleasant walk along the boardwalk. Did have a male Rose Robin there, at the spillway lookout, and another one on the Scenic track from Rummery Park to the falls on Sunday. Best bird – Peregrine falcon halfway along the river track from the campsite to the falls late on Saturday afternoon. No owls or frogmouths heard or seen at all – not even a Boobook - despite driving the forest track with one spotlight angled to mid tree level for an hour or so. 

I quite like the parks in this area, and wonder if anyone out there knows Toonumbar, Mebbin or Border Ranges National Parks and what they’re like for birding? Does anyone else bird these parks? I never see any reports – then again I’ve been pretty slack sending this one……!

Full bird list available if anyone is interested. 

Checked out Hastings Pt on the way home (as I always do in hope!) – no sea passage visible.

26 - 27.6.04

Weekend around Brisbane

Saturday morning, a brisk 6.30 and Robert Dougherty and I headed for the wilds of Murarrie Swamp. Water levels were lower than my last visit – some muddy margins exposed, fewer duck, usual Swamphens, Black-winged Stilts etc. It was while scanning these muddy edges that we had a very pleasant surprise – a Lewin’s Rail exposed itself for a minute or so before stalking back into the cover of the reeds. A new bird for both of us, it was clearly distinguishable from the Spotted Crake I’ve seen there before – barred flanks, longer bill, reddish nape. Other ‘good’ birds included 1 Striped Honeyeater, a pair of Ospreys guarding their nest on the electricity pylon and Tawny & Little Grassbirds.

We moved on to a new location for me, but one Robert had been to before – the Fuller Oval, a swampy pond behind a local football field in Wynnum North. Approx 150 Magpie Gees, Grey and Chestnut Teal, Black-winged Stilts, Aust Grebes and large numbers of commoner water birds appeared. The lake was lower than normal and we managed to get around the right hand side and into some rank grassland/dry swamp/low treed area. A family party (5) of Black-shouldered Kites sat tight for close inspection and a pair of Yellow-rumped Thornbills were there and, on a smaller, deeper patch of water a pair of Black-necked Storks pondered. Other ‘good birds’ included 7 Glossy Ibis, 2 Bar-shouldered Doves and, again, Tawny and Little Grassbirds.

 

Sunday morning, and another brisk 6.30am, off to a very local patch for both of us living in Mt Gravatt – Toohey Forest. I have visited here before, but Robert is the definite expert. Wandered the tracks for a couple of hours noting commoner bush birds but including 2 Rose Robins, one with pink flush – is this an imm male? and best of all, for me anyway, 4 Weebills. A total of 23 species and finishing with nice ‘underneath views’ of 2 Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoos.

 

A pleasing weekend with lots of variety!

2 - 4 7.04

Sundown NP

Spent another lovely winter’s weekend at Sundown National Park (S Qld, just inland from Stanthorpe, 300kms from Brisbane) (2-4 July 2004)

Campsite almost deserted, river virtually dry although small dams had water and there were a few pools along the river bed. Most trees showing some green growth and grass, although brown and brittle, was knee high and plentiful.  

Turquoise parrots everywhere, now before you start pointing out they couldn’t be ‘everywhere, you know what I mean - flocks flying through the campsite, the ranger’s fields always had them feeding in groups – they have obviously had a good breeding season, pairs and small groups turning up here and there in the bush.

Two male Hooded Robins in the Ranger’s fields were the only ‘winter’ robins we found, lots of Jackie Winters though and views to die for of a flock of Diamond Firetails. Just looked unreal in the warm sun. 

Some trees in the campsite were in flower (sorry, hopeless at plant id) White-throated, White-naped, White-eared, White-plumed, Yellow-faced and Scarlet Honeyeaters separate and together at times feeding on the flowers. Only saw 1 each Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater and White-browed Babbler, 3 Crested Shrike-tits and several White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes.

Drove to Glen Lyon dam on Saturday afternoon for fuel – screeched to a stop to watch a large Brown Falcon perched beside the road. On the return journey screeched to a stop again this time for an absolutely perfect Red-winged Parrot beside the road.

The wind picked up on a warm morning on Sunday and the birds were laying low as a result. Just before we left I got the only new bird for this trip – Little Eagle, a bogey that has caused me much frustration over the last few years.

So, no unexpected surprises on the weekend, but a lovely spot and highly recommended for birders. Peter, the ranger is a keen birder himself and a really nice guy - even when he tells you that Southern Whitefaces were seen at the entrance to the park on and off and despite repeated visits to the location - no luck.

16 - 18.7.04

Lake Broadwater

Lake Broadwater Conservation Park lies on the western Darling Downs, 250kms west of Brisbane, 30 kms south of Dalby in south-east Queensland. It has been on my list to visit for some time and last weekend I took the opportunity of a day off and headed out that way early Friday morning.

On the way, having conquered the range and passed Toowoomba, while rolling across the bare expanses of cotton fields I noticed a good number of Black-winged Kites and Kestrels hunting the long dry grass at the road’s edge. After passing the turn off to Oakey a larger bird of prey alighted briefly in the middle of the road ahead and I pulled over to watch my first Qld Black Kite in 20 years circle lazily overhead.

I arrived at the Lake at about 11.00 and set up camp in the Wilga bush camp site. One has a choice at Lake Broadwater – the bush camp site is 1km from the lake and surrounded by….. bush! The only facility is a composting toilet. The second campsite is at the lake itself and is a bare open piece of land, which, with a breeze blowing off the lake, did not attract me too much! There is, however, a shower block as well as toilets at that site.

Having set up camp I decided to take the 1km track to the lake. Not a lot of birds in evidence, however, numbers increased as I approached the lake. I came across one of those ‘waves’ of birds that move through the bush – one minute there’s nothing, the next, one is surrounded by small birds flitting in and out and gradually different species turn up and they all move on like a insect seeking vacuum. This one started with Variegated Fairy-wrens in the Wilga bushes beside the track, Yellow Thornbills appeared in the trees overhead, then a few Weebills, followed by Double-banded Finches and Silvereyes. In the middle of this ‘confusion’ I was fairly sure I spotted 2 Brown-headed Honeyeaters high in a eucalypt, but had only a very short view before losing them again in the melee! Approaching the lake there were a number of Noisy and Little Friarbirds and 2 Grey-crowned Babblers in what I called Friarbird Alley- all calling and chasing at the same time. A grand ruckus! 

At the lake – which was three-quarters full – there were Grey Teal, Black-winged Stilts, Masked Lapwing, Little Pied Cormorants, Australian Grebes, a Great Egret and a White-faced Heron. A pair of Restless Flycatchers sang and hunted very close while a Striated Pardalote collected nesting material. Approx 30 Welcome Swallows hawked over the water and a pair of White-breasted Wood-swallows hung out overhead. I walked along the lake side to the open camping ground watching the water and the birds overhead… There was a flock of about 150 Little Corellas that screamed noisily and circled at every opportunity along with a few Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. The numbers of Friarbirds (both sp) increased along the lake shore and I spotted a Blue-faced Honeyeater and a pair of Striped Honeyeaters among them. Far out across the lake I could see Hardheads scattered across the water in small groups. I returned to camp the same way.

Just as dusk arrived the Corellas flew over the campsite calling loudly, their white bellies reflecting the setting sun as they headed off to roost somewhere, I assume – a very typical Australian sight. 

Going to bed that night I had heard nothing while sitting at the camp fire. It had been a lovely warm evening, even with clear skies and millions of stars – quite a spectacle.

However I awoke at 1.30am to hear a BooBook and a Tawny Frogmouth calling loudly. I contemplated getting up…but decided against it as the night had turned quite cold and a warm sleeping bag was a much more attractive option. Dozing off I awoke again around 2.30am having heard what I believed was a Barking Owl very close – or at least what sounded to me like a Barking Owl. Well, cold or no cold this was worth investigation. Scrambling out of the bag, getting the warmest clothes on quickly, stumbling out of the tent flaps, boots unlaced, into the absolute stillness of the night, leaving behind the warmth of sleep and feeling the cold begin to bite….yes, I’m sure we’ve all been there. Not the most pleasant of experiences – especially when the call does not re occur! I stood for a while in the stillness waiting but it was not to be, however, crawling back into bed, I knew I would do it again if it gave me the chance.

The next morning off as early as possible, 7.00, along the lake track again, this time only as far as the lake. I had expected to find lots of small birds feeding along the track at an early hour, however, there were very few on the way down to the lake, they appeared on the way back! Once again I found myself in the middle of the ‘wave’. Probably the same birds as yesterday, but this time the Brown-headed Honeyeaters were at 10 ft range at eye level and, eventually, at ground level. Brilliant views confirmed my ID. As the wave continued to pass a Thornbill came to my attention – not Yellow, not Brown, suddenly it cocked it’s tail and displayed a very red-brown rump, hopping around, reminding me of Wrens in Europe – almost. I remembered reading something about this action and on checking Pizzey discovered it was an Inland Thornbill – a second ‘tick’ for the weekend!

Part of the Conservation park – and the part usually advertised – is a short walk and a bird hide at ‘The Neck’. The Neck is a shallower part of the lake where boats are banned and is described as a nesting habitat for water birds. I drove there from the campsite and walked the short distance to the hide. No access, as the stairs are deemed unsafe. Birding from the water’s edge below I spotted a pair of Hoary headed Grebes among the Aust Grebes, Coots, Pelicans, Shoveler, White-winged Choughs and a pair of Whistling Kites attended their nest close by. Walking along the edge I flushed a pair of Black-fronted Dotterel. 

I returned to the car and followed a track out into a grassland area 1.2 kms to a 4.5km ‘circuit’. The circuit is an, at times sandy, dirt track through low scrub. I’m not very good with trees and bushes – but there was some spruce and wattle and little grassy areas between the trees - looks like heaps of potential but there was little in evidence among the trees. Good location for Nightjars I would think. As I exited the trees and drove back along the grassy area a brown bird caught my attention flying off across the grass. Stopping I quickly tracked it to the top of a clump of cacti and caught my breath – the female had led me to the male Red-capped Robin sitting in full glory in the winter sun. Wow!! My third tick for the weekend and a bogey bird for me for some time. Attempting to get closer was not very successful – I gained about 30 meters (still 80 meters away) when they both moved, then moved again, then vanished behind some low trees and I didn’t see them again.

Well pleased with my successes I spent the afternoon at camp relaxing and, as dark fell, drove back out to the grasslands again. I was thinking Owls – in particular maybe Grass Owls, Nightjars? Frogmouths? Standing out in the middle of the field I was treated to that awesome sight of a clear winter’s sky when one can see for ever into the solar system and we remember just how small we really are. I reckon it should be mandatory for all politicians to stand out like that, in a field, once a week, just to remind them!

I didn’t see any Owls, although I did hear a Boobook in the distance. I did see a Koala peering interestedly down from his perch and, when I drove the track again through the bush, I did see a Tawny Frogmouth sitting out on a branch blinking in the car lights. 

I returned again to camp and started a fire, but the south-west wind had picked up by this time and it was pretty cold. I went to bed hoping I’d be woken again by the ‘Barking’ Owl – but only woke up at 5.30 next morning without incident. 

Decided with the wind I would try the grasslands and circuit again. Spotting small birds in the trees would have been difficult and the lake was almost deserted. I drove back yet again, but despite searching could not find the RC Robin or anything else of particular interest. Oh, I did see another Inland Thornbill and a couple of Yellow-rumped Thornbills.  

I went back to camp, had breakfast, packed up and hit the road at 10.30, arriving back in Brisbane at 13.30 – a relatively easy drive. Good spot – I recommend it. I’ll be going back.

30.7.04 - 1.8.04

Coolmunda Dam & Duraki SF

 

I set off from Mt Gravatt at 7.30 on Friday morning (30.7) heading 300 kms west of Brisbane to Coomunda Dam, near Inglewood. I had time in hand so took backroads from Rathdowney up the range. Interesting driving and beautiful scenery on, mainly unsealed, roads terminating at Queen Mary Falls. Travelling through patches of rainforest Brown Cuckoo-doves, Emerald Doves, Wonga Pigeons and Satin Bowerbirds, Red-browed Finches, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas and 1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo flew from my path. I stopped at QMF for coffee and had a short walk to the outlook – White-throated Treecreeper, Brown Thornbills, Lewin’s and White-naped Honeyeaters and Variegated Wrens.

Driving on to Warwick I was treated to the stupendous sight of 3 Wedge-tailed Eagles standing in a field beside the road. What an awesome sight of power and control.

Beyond Warwick I dropped into Duraki State Forest and quickly found Yellow-tufted, Brown-headed, Yellow-faced, White-naped and Scarlet Honeyeaters. Diamond Firetails shone in the sunlight and Double-barred Finchescompleted the picture. I was just about to leave after about 40 minutes when a single bird alighted in a low bush and immediately dropped to the dry mud at the edge of a pond to drink. I knew I had never seen this one before and quickly noted details of a, basically, plain brown/grey honeyeater, ‘long’ looking with a distinct yellow triangle on the lower rear cheek area bordered by a black line. It drank twice and left, flying high away over the treetops. Grabbing Pizzey I identified it as a Grey-fronted Honeyeater, despite the map showing it approx 200 kms further east than it should be.

Bouyed by this excitement I headed on towards the Dam. I had contacted Bill Jolly during the week as an ‘area expert’ and, following, his excellent directions, stopped first at the ‘Peninsula’, my first view of the Dam itself. Here I spotted various duck including a pair of Musk, both species of Spoonbills, Australian Grebes and other common waterbirds. No sign of the expected, and hoped for, White-winged Fairy-wrens. I stopped at another location further along the road and found the promised Blubonnets and Yellow-throated Miners (both new birds for me)

After setting up camp on the lakeshore (no cost, no facilities, no water, rubbish bins only – and mostly empty as rubbish strewn around the bins. There is a ‘proper’ (clean) toilet at the picnic area about 2.5 kms drive away..) I went for a walk in the immediate area. Red-rumped Parrots feeding on the lakeshore along with Black-winged Stilts. In the trees Weebills, Yellow Thornbills, White-plumed and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Noisy Friarbirds and Miners along with 2 White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes and a pair of Restless Flycatchers.

Returning to camp for yet another coffee I was serenaded by a pair of Magpies with a demanding immature in tow and a very inquisitive Pied Butcherbird. Just before dusk a flock of 15 Apostlebirds tumbled in and demanded I move from their feeding area! These guys are real characters, hopping to within inches of my feet and aggressively challenging my presence with their gruttal calls. 

A quiet night finished at 6.30 and a walk along the lake (south or right) and back along the road added Speckled Warbler, Blue-faced and Striped Honeyeaters, Yellow-rumped Thornbill and Western Gerygone (another lifer). After a second breakfast it was off again to see the Bluebonnets and Y-T Miners. Close encounters with White-winged Choughs and Grey-crowned Babblers kept the morning moving and an Inland Thornbill added extra interest. The Bluebonnets numbered six and were difficult to see except in flight. I did eventually get to see them perched from a range of about 50 meters and noted their overall brown upperparts and striking yellow and red belly – actually prettier than I thought they would look. 

I moved on to the peninsula to try again for the WW Fairy-wrens, alas, still no show. Heading off along the Stanthorpe road I eventually drove around the outskirts of the Dam area stopping for Brown Falcon on a fence post, Pallid Cuckoo on overhead wires, brown fairy wrens that MIGHT have been W- winged, but not 100% sure and a single Jacky Winter. I broke the drive/crawl at Nanny Creek crossing and immediately found a White-plumed Honeyeater’s nest in partial construction. Watched Little Lorikeets fly overhead and Dusky Woodswallow’s display flight.

I flushed 6 Brown Quail in dribs and drabs out of the roadside grass – (you know you think they’re all gone then ‘whoosh’ there goes another one and you creep around for another 10 minutes to find they really have all gone!) I also squeaked a White-browed Scrub-wren from a private paddock – I thought it was a little far west, judging from the maps.

Early afternoon and I decided to head for Tin Hut Rd – about 20 kms south of the dam on the Leyburn rd. I had read (Birds Qld website) that a Chestnut-rumped Heath-wren had been seen at that location in May. It wasn’t seen by me, but I did have White-throated Treecreeper, Spiny-cheeked and Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters and on the way back, Red-winged Parrot and 2 Emus in a paddock alongside the road. Later at Bracker Creek bridge the only Brown Treecreepers of the weekend fed close by while a Little Egret stalked the shallows.

Checked again for W-W F-Ws at the Peninsula………

Arrived back at camp late afternoon to find 12 tents and a tour bus had materialised 50 meters from my quiet site. I expected a noisy night, but, in fact, the fishing club members were much quieter than the unmentionable with the generator 100 meters away. I went to bed and covered my head at 8.30….

Sunday morning and the plan… Pack up, take off, check for W-W F-W, then head for Duraki again. 

So it was and I reached Duraki still White-winged Fairy-wren-less, but at least I have something to go back for. Setting up a comfortable spot I waited and again all the Honeyeaters (except Grey-fronted, of course!) turned up along with the Firetails. After about one and a half hours I heard a harsh, scolding type of call/song and a naped honeyeater appeared in a tree. I actually managed to ‘scope it and discovered it to be a Black-chinned Honeyeater!

Well pleased I headed home at 1.30 and, again, took the Queen Mary Falls road down the range. My last really nice bird for the weekend (species no 117) was an Albert’s Lyrebird trailing a full tail, diving for cover, as the Suzuki roared (?) by.

Nearly 800 kms, 3 days solid birding, 4 new ‘ticks’ and heaps of other great birds, including a total of 16 honeyeater species (counting Miners and Friarbirds) – I came home happy!  

11.10.04

Manly wader Roost

Visited the wader roost at Manly Boat Harbour, Moreton Bay, Qld early this morning.

Wader numbers have increased dramatically since my last visit a month ago. 

Rough calculations – 

800 Bar-tailed Godwit, 

300 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers 

300 Red-necked Stints, 

200 Grey-tailed Tattlers

200 Curlew

120 Great Knot

60 Whimbrel

40 Pacific Golden Plover

30 Black-tailed Godwit

30 Terek Sandpiper

30 Curlew Sandpiper

23 Little Terns

22 Pied Oystercatchers 

20 Red-capped Dotterels 

12 Greenshanks

10 Turnstones

I’ve probably underestimated numbers. Most of the birds were sleeping, which made it difficult to ID or even count them accurately. Despite the tide turning at 7.30 they remained in situ and very few flew off to feed, before I flew off to work at 8.30…..

 

One of the Little Terns had a silver/metal band on it’s Lower Right Leg. Don’t know who I shd report this to – or if it’s worth reporting? It was an adult in breeding plumage (most of the others were non-0breeding, but not immature.)

12.11.04

Wynnum North & Fisherman's Island

 

Further wader watching this morning at Wynnum North and Fisherman’s Island, Moreton Bay, Brisbane southside. 

Started at the hide overlooking the North roost…

320 Whimbrel 

219 Bar-tailed Godwit

45 Curlew

30 Black-winged Stilts

16 Greenshanks

 

One of the Godwits had a green flag, upper RL.

 

Moved on to the pond in front of the Visitor’s Centre, F Island. Usual Royal Spoonbills, Pelicans, Chestnut and Grey Teal, Black Duck, Moorhens, Swamphens (lots of chicks) Coot, Swans etc. Went for a short stroll to check out the Eastern end – reeds and mud – and spotted a Harrier flying away from me. Back to the car, but unable to find it again among the industry and trucks. Presumed to be Spotted – no white rump visible. 

 

On out to the fenced area, I assume to be the artificial roost, and wader spotting thru the wire…

300 Bar-tailed Godwit

200 Curlew

100 small waders – presumed to be Stints

70 Chestnut Teal

40 Grey Teal

50 Red-necked Avocet

30 Whimbrel

20 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers

10 Great Knot

10 Greenshank

 

The waders were difficult to see with the glare on the mud and water, the distance and the bank obscuring the area the ‘small’ waders fed in – only saw them when they briefly rose and circled before landing again. 

A couple of other odd or interesting sightings – 1 House Sparrow on the fence and 2 Pink-eared Duck in this very saline location.

No flagged waders – although it was difficult sighting details at times.

29.12.04

Moreton Bay

Visited the edges of Moreton Bay in pursuit of waders on Wednesday 29.12.04 (Brisbane, SE Qld)

Started at Fisherman’s Island wader ‘roost’ – there has been some work done here and the fence has changed, but the end result is not obvious as yet. Does anyone out there know what’s going on? 

There were approx 450 Red-necked Stints on the sand along with a few Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Scanning through them via the ‘scope I thought I had a single Broad-billed Sand, but the flock flew before I could positively ID it – worth keeping an eye out for though. The usual Pelicans, Chestnut and a few Grey Teal and, surprisingly only 6 Red-necked Avocets? 

Headed back and, without stopping at the visitor centre, straight to the Hope Island ponds. A few groups of Sharpies here – hard to see in the grass and low vegetation. One Red-necked Stint and a Black-fronted Dotterel showed up. Quite a lot of water in here now, from the recent rains so well worth calling in and scanning carefully – no access problems, ie fences, here at all.

I didn’t stop at the Wynnum North roost as there was a lot of water in on the mud and little area for the usual Godwits. With the tide high at 11.10 I wanted to get to Manly Boat Harbour roost before it reached it’s peak. I did, however, take time out to check the Gull population out along the sea front as I went. (Does anyone regularly check through the 200 or so Silver Gulls that hang out here? Remember the Laughing Gull was only a few kms away and I had a Kelp Gull in the early 80s out on the mud.)

Accessed the roost in plenty of time, although the tide was already very high and most of the birds were already present. Approx nos – 2000 Bar-tailed Godwits, 300 Tattlers, 100 Great Knot, 80 Golden Plover, 100 Terrick Sands, 400 Lesser Sand Plovers, 300 Red-necked Stints mixed with 30 Curlew Sands and 2 Red Knot. 26 Caspian Terns and 124 Pied Oystercatchers were (I thought) significant numbers of individual species. Only a few (~10) Little Terns, about 30 Turnstone, 60 Curlew and 80 Whimbrel. (These numbers are, I repeat, very approx, apart from the C Terns and POs) I did not pick up any flags anywhere despite the great views, very pleasant conditions in 27 degrees, no disturbance, dogs etc, birds mostly awake and shuffling, as they do. Pretty sure there were no ‘oddities’ - among the Godwits anyway and all the stints I could spy had dark legs!

31.12.04

Minnippi

Dropped into Minnippi Parklands this morning for a last visit this year. Lovely Brisbane morning, a balmy 26 degrees or so, clear blue sky, pleasant breeze, low humidity. It was one of those mornings when the birds seem to be everywhere. Nothing spectacular, but little things……

3 male Red-backed Fairy-wrens all in the same tuft of grass all singing their hearts out, their bright red backs puffed and bright in stark contrast to their black bodies -  their better halves hopping behind offering support.

An adult Jacana feeding several meters away from his/hers two well developed fledglings – obviously letting them ‘have their own space’ while probably keeping a close eye to the sky.

Chestnut-breasted Mannikins landing on swaying grass stalks while Tawny Grassbirds parachuted down wings fluttering, heads back, beak agape and Cisticolas wheezed and sang from nearby bushes, golden crowns shining, heads twitching indignantly.

I flushed a total of 4 Latham’s Snipe from the flooded grasslands beside the main pond and caught a glimpse of a pair of Black Ducks with their brood of 8, no, here he comes, 9, ducklings. 

In the boardwalk off to the side, a small tree snake wormed his way through the branches at head height and in the distance a Channel-billed Cuckoo honked his ‘song’ 

A nice morning for a stroll before work and a lovely way to finish the year seeing nature at it’s best after watching the early morning news to see nature at it’s most powerful.