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By the end of day 8 we had 136 species .Crimson
Finch were easily seen in canefields driving out of Lucinda.Called in
at 5 Mile Swimming Hole south of Cardwell where Grey Goshawk
and Brown Goshawk seen overhead, Spectacled
Monarch everywhere in the creekside vegetation..Visited Murray Falls
and lamented inability to spend a few nights in a wonderful setting.Scored our
fourth new bird whilst shopping in Tully, a large flock of
Metallic Starling with their bulging red eyes and ratty tails
commandering a flowering street tree.A late visit to Tam O'Shanter SF where we
heard Noisy Pitta, but we had to wait 'till next morning for
Southern Cassowary (at last!), and not just one but three in
all, a sole adult and then adult plus chick who slowly circled us as we stood
breathless.Picked-up our first Yellow Oriole for trip.Next
morning at Bramston Beach up early, heard soft sweet calls from top of flowering
euc. After much searching and neck-straining located our first-ever
Double-eyed Fig Parrot.
Highlight of
the day however was the Eubenangee Swamp NP, what a magic place! We were that
engrossed in our birding that we failed to see the big croc basking on the mud,
and had to be shown the beast by some non-birding (but croc aware)
tourists.There were Green Pygmy-geese, Jabiru, both
Spoonbill,Jacana, and Swamp Harrier overhead.
Fairy Gerygone were seen on the walk back along the
creek.Then started heading towards the Undara lava tubes, flushing a pair
of Latham's Snipe from tall roadside grass between Millaa
Millaa and Ravenshoe.The lava tubes are very interesting and well guided (take
at least a half-day tour), and we had little time for birding. We did see our
one and only Southern Boobook hawking moths attracted by
the lights of the camp kitchen. We were very surprised that we didn't see or
hear another boobook on the whole trip. By contrast Bush Stone-curlew
were heard most nights in town, coast, and bush settings and were
frequently seen during the day as well.
The Atherton
Tableland was our next destination and we based ourselves at Atherton for six
days.Made a number of visits to Hasties Swamp NP and ended-up with over 50
species for the wetland.Stayed till last light one arvo and were rewarded with
the sight of 36 Sarus Crane flying in for the night.Liked that
so much that we rose early next morning to return and watch them fly-off to
work!!Other highlights at the swamp were thousands of Plumed
Whistling-Duck, Pink-eared DucK,Darter, five raptors incl
Wedge-tailed Eagle, Buff-banded Rail, Lathams
Snipe(2),Red-kneed Dotterel.
More on the Tableland to
follow.......
Russ
Lamb,Maleny,SEQ
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