I have just returned from the very pleasant task of leading a Canberra
Ornithologists Group tour of part of central Qld, including part of the
coast between Cape Hillsborough and Hervey Bay. This is not a trip report,
but a few comments that may be of help to others in the area.
1. Eungella. THE honeyeater was just where Thomas and Thomas say it should
be, though it took a bit of time and patience. Interestingly, it was
consistently in palm inflorescences, predictably flying from one to another.
The inflorescences appeared to be still in bud, so presumably the birds were
gleaning insects.
We later spoke to a local tour guide who claimed that they could also be
seen at Diggings Rd, in the park near to the Visitor Info Centre. (On the
other hand he'd never seen one... He is Jungle Johno, if you want to know
who to avoid in your search for an informed guide!)
2. Cape Hillsborough NP (40k north of Mackay). This is an undervalued bird
site, I think. Apart from anything else, it is at or near the southern
distribution of many tropical spp, so is a "quicker cheaper" alternative to
see some of them. THe cabins and campground at CH 'resort' are very
affordable, and wonderfully located. (Having Rose-crowned Fruit Doves,
Bazas, O-footed Scrubfowl etc just outside the door is not bad!)
Additionally, there were White-eared Monarchs regularly in the mangroves
behind the cabins, at the start of the road to Hidden Valley. Apart from a
couple of Cape York specials, this is the only Qld tropical passerine to
have eluded me, in the course of several trips, so I regard it as more than
a bit special!
3. Mouth of Carmila Creek. Take unsigned road by Carmila servo (~75k south
of Mackay on Bruce Hway), to end -just a few kms. Good picnic area (no
toilets), good mud flats, lots of Mangrove Warblers & Mangrove HEs.
4. Lady Elliott Island. THough the terns had packed up and left (they don't
even appear to forage there!), and the tide was a mile away, it was a
memorable day. THe highlight though (15 minutes before the plane left...)
was an Oriental Plover in full breeding plumage at the end of the runway.
Extraordinary, especially on 14 May!!
5. Maaroon (through Poona NP, just SE of Maryborough). A great set of
mudflats, in a little uspoilt settlement.
6. Also, the following extensive town botanic gardens/wetlands are more than
worth a visit; Tondoon Bot Gdns in Gladstone; Cliff Kershaw Gardens in
Rockhampton; Baldwins Swamp in Bundaberg.
Hope this is of some use!
Ian
Ian Fraser, Canberra
Environment Tours; Vertego Environmental Writing Consultancy
GPO Box 3268, Canberra, ACT 2601
ph: 02 6249 1560 fax: 02 6247 3227
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