Hi Folks,
Over the last few weeks there has been a noticeable change in the bird
species that occur in the rainforest at the lodge. Higher altitude
(above 600m) species found in the Julatten region of Far North
Queensland, such as on the nearby Mt. Lewis range, have moved down to
the lodge grounds at 440m. An adult and immature Bowers Shrike-thrush
appeared on the lawn, the adult attacking a Preying Mantis which it
devoured, previous records have been in April, 2 in July, September and
December. A Fernwren, a first for the Lodge, turned up on 8^th May and
is still here, Bassian Thrush arrived mid May; there have only been 2
previous records in July. Other altitudinal migrants to have arrived are
Golden Whistler and a female Victoria’s Riflebird. Other migratory
species to have arrived are: White-headed Pigeon, White-eared Monarch,
Rufous and Grey Fantail, and a pair of Brolga flew over calling and
heading for the coast, another first for our species list.
Other notable sightings include, last Channel-billed Cuckoo recorded
here was on 22nd May which is late in their season and a Pale-Vented
Bush-hen was reported a week ago by Ron Stannard in his garden next
door, another late record. Most of the Buff-breasted Paradise
Kingfishers departed in the third week of April after a successful
breeding season which saw 6 nests raise at least one bird each, one late
juvenile left in the first week of May. This has been consistent over
the previous 3 years.
The Fernwren was a surprise as there is no connecting corridor to the
Mt. Lewis Range; they do go down to lower altitudes where there is a
continuous rainforest up to higher altitudes, such as Mossman Gorge. The
Bassian Thrush, Golden Whistler and Victoria’s Riflebird are all earlier
arrivals than previous records.
Good Birding and ticking,
Keith & Lindsay.
Keith and Lindsay Fisher
RN 6 Mt. Kooyong Road
Julatten QLD 4871
Ph : (07) 4094 1263
Fax : (07) 4094 1466
Web Site: www.birdwatchers.com.au
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