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KARUMBA on the southwest shore of the Gulf of
Carpentaria attracts thousands of waterbirds during the Wet season. I've
just returned from my third visit at this time of year. Access is now
possible all the way by sealed road.
The best area is on the plains about 5-40 km east of the town,
where ephemeral waters are widespread. Some are visible from the road, the
best at present being 2 km east of the towers near the west edge of the
plains.
Birds seen 28-30 March included the following ...
GARGANEY - 1f, 30/3/01 [also one observed in general
vicinity on exactly same date 1997 !!]
Zitting Cisticola
Pied Heron 1000s
Little Curlew 3
Swamp Harrier - birds in all
plumages [recent arrivals or residents ?]
Clamorous Reed-Warbler - singing in a few places [certainly
not Oriental]
Mostly the waters were still a little too deep for a diverse
array of shorebirds. On 6/4/96 the numbers included Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
300, Little Curlew 113, Greenshank 40, Marsh Sandpiper 35 and Black-tailed
Godwit 9.
Around Karumba the usual White-breasted Whistler, Broad-billed
Flycatcher and Mangrove Fantail were seen. A Rufous Fantail near a low
empty nest was of the resident form, recognised by some as the Wood or Arafura
Fantail.
Glenn
Glenn Holmes & Associates
**birding & botanical
specialists**
PO Box 1246 Atherton Qld
4883
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