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Woodgate National Park

To: "Birding-aus" <>
Subject: Woodgate National Park
From: "Chris Barnes" <>
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2001 10:23:44 +1000
G'day all,
 
Just back from a pleasant week with the family at sleepy Woodgate about 50km south of Bundaberg, Qld. Still the odd freshly dead Short-tailed Shearwater on the shoreline. Also along the beach one morning was a Common Noddy with 4 Grey Plovers. Hightide roost at Theodolite Creek held up to 150 Eastern Curlew, 30 Greater Sand Plover, 48 Lesser Sand & 86 Red-capped Plovers. The 2 Sanderling were unexpected additions. On the 17th ( 07.10- 07.30), I counted 820 White-throated Needletails across a broad front along the creek. A group of about 300+ formed & rose in a swirling mass like a boiling kettle.
 
The bush was rather quiet but came across Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Emerald Dove & many Cicadabirds which were still fairly vocal. A pair of juvenile Brown Goshawks called every morning, presumably waiting to be fed. A Little Eagle joined the Brahminys & Whistling Kites over the casuarinas along the dunes one evening.
 
Probably the bird I spent the most time on was the Black-breasted Button-quail. There were areas where plenty of platelets were evident. Saw them 4 times in all. Their preferred habitat always had substantial undergrowth to hinder clear views unless crouching low down. The usual view was that of a bird walking away from you, weaving it's way through tangles of vegetation. Having said that, it was well worth the effort. The females were in spectacular plumage. Can't recall ever seeing the chestnut stand out so well against the black & white.
 
Most of the birding was done before 8.30 as it's been pretty hot & steamy up this way.
Cheers,
Chris
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