For the past 4 years I have had the good fortune to lead a tour through
inland north Qld each year in July and it has been fascinating to
observe changes in conditions and the resulting changes in bird
distribution, diversity and numbers during that time. The most dramatic
changes occurred between 2007 and 2008. The area around Georgetown and
Croydon, which had been very dry, had a good wet this year and is full
of birds. Of special note were the large numbers of Masked and
Black-throated Finches, Rufous-throated Honeyeaters and Diamond Doves at
Cumberland Lake. We had not seen any of these species there before.
Croydon's lake is now full after being nearly empty last year and the
area is alive with birds. As usual Galahs and Little Corellas are in
their thousands but so were Budgies. The locals said this was a rare
sight. Karumba by contast was very dry having missed summer rains. The
usual lagoons around town were absent as were many bird species
including Star Finch, Radjah Shelduck, Pied Herons and many of the other
small birds we usually see. We only saw 2 Sarus Cranes and few
Pratincoles but Brolgas were common. The usual suspects were still
present in the mangroves where I got a lifer by seeing a Great-billed
Heron. The area towards and around Lawn Hill NP was desperately dry so,
not surprisingly, Lawn Hill with its permanent water was an oasis.
Crimson Chats and Silver-crowned Friarbirds, which we had never seen at
Lawn Hill, were common and there were thousands of White-browed and
Masked Woodswallows as well as the resident Little and Black-faced.
Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens were common but no males were in breeding
plumage this year. The highlights for me were a golden-backed form of
the Black-chinned Honeyeater, an old friend but I think one of our most
beautiful birds, and a Painted Honeyeater.
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