Very nice trip up Mt Lewis today Nov 19, with a fine adult Blue-faced
Parrot-Finch in the clearing at 1500, on its own and initially found
by the sharp triple note tut-tut-tut call. They are easier to see
here than they are in PNG, where most are fly-bys. Tooth-bills are
still singing by their stages, and an immature male Golden Bowerbird
was displaying to a female plumaged bird. Fernwren was very obliging
following some rain yesterday- during the dry spells they seem to go
quiet and don't sing or call, but today we saw 3 birds just by the
track, feeding quietly in damp leaf litter. Bridled Honeyeaters were
vocal, as were Bower's Shrike-thrush. Also fine views of Atherton
Scrubwren and Mountain Thornbill. The track up now has some pretty
momentous speed bumps, would be hard in a saloon car, also lots of
loose large gravel on the lower section.
A team from JCU were up there mist-netting, apparently some research
on climate change and especially to do with Blue-faced Finch, they
were not anxious to explain so let's hope they are not collecting them!
Cassowary House- male Cassowary and two chicks daily though no set
time, just when they feel like it, first seen Oct 27. Red-necked
Crake daily and showing signs of display activity. Lots of Wompoos
this morning, and very vocal, also 4 Superb Fruit-Dove sat up on bare
branches for once, and a fly-by flock of 6 Topknots and a couple of
White-throated Needletails.
Newell Beach near Mossman Nov 17- 8 Barn Swallows near the water
tower. I also had one at Yorkey's Knob pond near Cairns on Nov 1
which was very early. A fine adult Great-billed Heron on Chris
Daintree's Dahlberg River trip ( you know what i mean!) was the first
for some weeks, and 3 Black Bittern were appreciated- all Nov 17.
Fine Papuan Frogmouth still on nest at Kingfisher Park.
Good birding
Phil Gregory
www cassowary-house.com.au
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