For any Brisbane-based birders hoping to see this scarce species, an easily
accessible pair has returned to breed in front of the Koala Centre at Daisy
Hill Forest Reserve on Brisbane's south side. I watched a pair of stunning
adults brooding and feeding chicks (which are not yet visible, but clearly
audible) as well as each other today for over half an hour. They are quite
safe and seemingly oblivious to human presence.
Coming from the city, take the Chatswood Road exit off the South-East
Freeway, follow it to its final intersection with Daisy Hill Road and follow
that all the way to the reserve. Park next to the Koala Centre, stand in
front of the entrance and look directly up the hill. The nest is
conspicuous, approximately 20 metres up a large eucalypt (sorry, I don't
know what type) easily visible from the centre. Take the path leading up the
hill and look back so you don't have to get neck-strain while watching the
nest. One bird was sitting and its pale head was just visible when I
arrived. About 15 minutes later its partner flew in carrying food, obviously
chicks from a nest it had raided. Both adults proceeded to demolish the prey
with their own chicks immediately going into a begging frenzy. This pair is
resident at the reserve and this is at least the second time in the past
three years they have bred. The nest has been reconstructed at a slightly
higher level but in the same tree from which they raised young in 2006.
Following the meal, the bird which had been sitting returned to its task
while the hunter sat quietly on a perch, preening itself and ignoring the
occasional zap from Noisy Miners. An excellent finish to a good day which
had already included Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo and a gorgeous Common
Tree-snake at Oxley Common, as well as 20+ Black-tailed Godwits, a pair of
very confiding Brown Quail and some well-plumaged egrets (Great,
Intermediate and Little) at Wynnum, all in full breeding regalia.
Cheers
Andrew Stafford
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