Painted Snipe at Cairns Croc Farm

[Phil Gregory <>]

Keen English birdo Dave Willis is over here on  holiday, I've 
taken him around a bit with clients here, but today he rang to say he'd
found 2 Painted Snipe at Cairns Croc Farm. I went down late pm after
the crowds had gone, and had no sign of them, but coming out as they shut
at 5 pm, I saw a small pond dug out just near the gate that had a few reeds 
I went to check and lo and behold, an imm female Painted Snipe gave incredible
views.

It was seen at 0900 on the first pond to the right of the main entrance gate, two birds flushing and one perching to show well before the croc feeding scared it off. At 1700 this afternoon it was hiding under dead vegetation on a small island in the shallow reedy lake just to the right of the croc farm boundary along the road south. It was wary, but each time it flushed it landed in the reeds or on the bank of the small pond and allowed good views. Last seen flying back into the croc farm about 1745- good luck if you go for it. Lots of White-browed Crakes as ever, and a few Plumed Whistling-Ducks.

Note that this is the Croc Farm south of Edmonton, about 17 km south out of Cairns, and not Hartley's Creek Croc Farm to the north.

Phil Gregory Cassowary House Kuranda
www.cassowary-house.com.au