Birdwatching trip from 17th to 25th January 2003. 189
species seen in 7 days travelling from Brisbane south-west to Goondiwindi, then
south to Warialda in NSW then Bingara. Across to the coast at Coff's Harbour
then back up the coast to
Brisbane.
(Separate list available for total species seen and days on which they
were seen.)
After
picking up our Japanese guest at Brisbane airport we left on our tour. First stop was College's Crossing on the
Brisbane River west of Brisbane but there were many people and only the usual
waterfowl (no Cotton Pygmy-Geese).
Then on south-west to Kalbar Cemetery where the usual Zebra Finches and
Yellow-rumped Thornbills were present.
Main Range NP picnic area was fairly crowded any very warm but the usual
Bell Miners were there in big numbers, Pied Currawongs, Satin Bowerbirds as well
as a Pacific Baza. We then followed
country roads to Clifton seeing quite a few Red-rumped Parrots and great views
of a Spotted Harrier sitting on a
fence less than 10 metres from us.
As we neared Allora there were had large storms building and we headed
for our overnight stop at "Cromer" B&B at Warwick. Musk Lorikeets and White-throated
Gerygones were along the Condamine River.
A
pre-breakfast walk and saw a good selection of birds including Little Corellas,
Galahs, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, King
Parrot, and Rainbow and
Scaly-breasted Lorikeets. We also
saw Weebill and Sacred Kingfishers plus Dollar Birds. After breakfast we headed west and our
first stop was Durikai State Forest.
Many birds here with highlights being Common Bronzewing, Turquoise
Parrot, White-browed Babblers, Diamond Finches and Hooded Robin. Many were drinking and bathing in a
roadside puddle from overnight rain.
Then further west to Coolmunda Dam where very low water level still gave
us some good birds in very hot conditions.
After lunch at a local roadhouse then drove further west through
Inglewood seeing Apostlebirds as we went.
A stop at some roadside water gave us good views of Black-tailed
Native-hen, Pink-eared Ducks, Plumed Whistling-Ducks and White-necked
Herons. We then drove on to
Goondiwindi and the Gunsynd Motor Inn.
During a late afternoon walk at the Native Botanical Gardens, we saw
Double-barred Finches and a White-winged
Triller.
Our
pre-breakfast walk along the banks of the McIntyre River gave us good views of
Nankeen Night Herons, Azure Kingfisher and a Channel-billed Cuckoo and
Mistletoebird. We then headed south
into NSW and just after Boggabilla saw our first White-winged Choughs of the
trip. Also great views of some
soaring Wedge-tailed Eagles followed by White-browed Woodswallows. Brown Songlarks also around here. Lunch stop at Warialda then a bit west
and south when we finally saw Emus!! Great views of two by the road. Then on to Bingara after a stop at the
Horton River where we parked under the bridge and we saw two wren species,
Black-fronted Dotterel and heaps of Fairy Martin and nests. The motel garden at Bingara had its own
King Parrots and Double-barred Finches.
Also saw a solitary Blackbird in the main street. Drove down along the rapidly flowing
Gwydir River (water being released from Copeton Dam) late afternoon after a
heavy shower of rain and saw egrets and
parrots.
Usual
early morning walk as produced good views of Red-winged Parrot and Spiny-cheeked
Honeyeater. After breakfast we
headed east along the Gwydir River and looked at a couple of Barraba's bird
routes as we headed towards Copeton Dam.
We had good views of a flock of White-browed and Masked Woodswallows
feeding on nectar and a perched pair of Wedgies across a paddock. Through Inverell and Tingha and then
across to the New England Highway.
Saw a few Collared Sparrowhawks as well as a Brown Goshawk soaring. Found Little Llangothlin Lagoon after a
bit of searching and there were many birds here including heaps of Black
Swans. Also saw Blue-billed Duck,
three Grebe species, Aust. Shovellers and Whiskered Terns. Then on to Armidale before heading east
to Dorrigo in stormy rain and then heavy mist. Eventually got to Wilkie's Wilderness
near Lowanna and were shown to the guesthouse by the owners. To Coramba hotel for dinner and we saw a
Superb Lyrebird along the road - great!!
On the way home at night we saw Tawny Frogmouth, Koala, Bandicoot and
Pademelon.
The
pre-breakfast walk produced a good variety of rainforest birds including,
Wonga and Top Knot Pigeons, Eastern
Yellow Robin, Rufous Fantails and Black-faced Monarch. Rain showers today and after breakfast
we drove to the coast at Coff's Harbour and then to Sawtell where we had a good
variety of birds including Regent Bowerbird, Little Shrike-thrush, Pied
Oystercatcher and Wedge-tailed Shearwater.
We enjoyed watching Little and Long-billed Corellas playing with banksia
cones on the foreshore. Saw another
2 Lyrebirds by the road today.
Usual
pre-breakfast walk where we saw Green Catbird, Red-browed Finches and
Yellow-throated Scrub-Wren. After
breakfast we headed for Glenreagh.
We had close views of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. Through Grafton and north to the
Clarence then across to the coast at Woody Head. From here we drove for about 20 km north
along the beach in Bundjalung NP.
Saw quite a few Pied Oystercatchers and Crested Terns. Left the beach at Black Rock where we
saw a large Sand Goanna. Much of
the coastal heathland had been burnt in this area. Drove through the NP and saw Pheasant
Coucal and a few honeyeaters. After
lunch at Ballina we looked at some wetlands at East Ballina where we saw Latham's Snipe,
Lesser Sand Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, and Eastern Curlew. Lennox Head had Caspian Tern,
Gull-billed Tern and Little Tern before we headed through crowded Byron Bay and
on north. At Wooyung Rd we saw our
first Black-shouldered Kites of the trip.
Overnight at Murwillambah.
Not
much to report pre-breakfast and after leaving Murwillambah, we drove across to
the coast along Clothier's Creek Road to Cudgen and Kingscliffe. Had good views of an immature
White-bellied Sea-Eagle. Saw Sooty
Oystercatchers, Whimbrils and Striated Herons. We then visited Coombabah Environmental
Park after bypassing the Gold Coast.
Not many birds as it was quite hot.
On towards Brisbane and our final stop was Minnippi Parklands where were
saw quite a few Latham's Snipe, Comb-crested Jacana and Chestnut Teal. Back to Sonnenburgs Birdwatchers B&B
for the night and the trip over.
Roy Sonnenburg
www.birdingservices.com.au
