Hi Nick,
Thanks for the interesting trip report. I have only just had time to read
it in detail. The Noisy Pitta at Sandon was only observed there for the
first time a year of two ago. It is interesting that it has made a return
visit. How confident were you on the Bassian Thrush at Iluka? I have only
had Russet-tailed Thrush there over many years of banding research.
Regards
Greg
Dr Greg. P. Clancy
Ecologist and Birding-wildlife Guide
| PO Box 63 Coutts Crossing NSW 2460
| 02 6649 3153 | 0429 601 960
http://www.gregclancyecologistguide.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Leseberg
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 9:54 AM
To: Birding-aus
Subject: SE QLD/NE NSW 6-9 Aug
Hi All,
I made a whirlwind trip around SE QLD & NE NSW last week targeting a handful
of species for a visiting UK birder passing through Brisbane. We started
around Brisbane on Tuesday morning, visiting Kedron Wetlands where large
numbers of Red-kneed Dotterels were present along with a surprising Marsh
Sandpiper. There were brief views of a Lewin's Rail in flight and we would
return later that night to get the Grass Owl. Unfortunately we dipped on
King Quail. A quick trip to Gold Creek produced White-eared Monarch along
with a good selection of other bush birds on a beautiful spring day. One of
the highlights here was a pair of Grey Goshawks in coordinated display
flight. It was interesting when seeing the close comparison just how much
larger the female is than the male.
Wednesday saw us out at Bellbird Grove where Spotted Quailthrush was heard
calling as we got out of the car, and we easily had good views of a male and
female. It was very birdy here as spring has certainly sprung, with plenty
of honeyeaters, Varied Sitellas with chicks in a nest and lorikeets
inspecting nest hollows. We then left Brisbane and headed southwest to the
Border Ranges NP where we spent the afternoon and evening between the Border
Loop Lookout, Sheep Station Creek and Forest Tops. Eastern Bristlebirds were
heard as well as Rufous Scrubbirds, with the scrubbird found only a few
kilometres up the mountain past Sheep Station Creek, the lowest I personally
have found them. Unfortunately it was a pretty typical scrubbird experience
with the bird calling at our feet, but eventually giving us the slip.
Spotlighting was frustrating with both Sooty and Masked Owls heard, although
we did get great views of a pair of Marbled Frogmouths, with several pairs
heard on the mounta
in.
Thursday morning saw us back at the Border Ranges chasing the bristlebird
which we eventually had great views of, followed by another crack at the
scrubbird which was not as vocal as yesterday and unfortunately got away.
The Brindle Creek road is currently closed so we couldn't access the
territories at the top of the mountain, and unfortunately we ended up
dipping on the scrubbird. We did find a few other nice birds though with
Rose Robins and Albert's Lyrebirds in full voice, and Logrunners also
active. From the Border Ranges it was south to Grafton, then a whirlwind
visit to Washpool NP for one of our target birds, Superb Lyrebird. We found
one easily, with a young male foraging unconcerned within metres of us
along the aptly named Lyrebird Trail. That night a search for Powerful Owl
around Grafton was unproductive with strong winds hampering our efforts.
Friday morning saw us out at Broom's Head where the heaths were alive with
birds. Our target was Southern Emuwren which we found easily, while
White-cheeked Honeyeaters were everywhere and Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters were
also common. We made a quick visit to Sandon Estuary where we quickly found
the pair of Beach Thick-knees, along with a surprise Noisy Pitta in a small
thicket of shrubs among the mangroves. From Sandon we went to Iluka where a
quick visit to the rainforest walk produced Bassian Thrush, Noisy Pitta,
White-eared Monarch (heard) and our target, a nice Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove.
Not a common species down here in winter we were very happy to find it. We
then returned to Brisbane with lunch at Daisy Hill luckily turning up a
Square-tailed Kite. That was our last new bird for the trip. A thorough
search around Mt Coot-tha failed to find Powerful Owl, but still we'd had a
good run with our targets.
Happy to give extra details on any of the sites/birds if anyone wants it.
Regards and good birding!
Nick
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