Hi all,
Just returned from a two week trip to southern QLD. One week was devoted to
attending the Southern Hemisphere Ornithological Conference and about 8 days
were spent birding with John Ewen, Brent Stephenson and Rebecca Boulton.
Took part in an organized Pelagic trip, visited Lamington NP, Mt Glorious
and the Conondales before driving 1000 kms due west to Lake Bindegolly for a
spot of inland birding. Thanks are due to Paul Walbridge, Mike Matheson,
Dave Stewart X 2, John Fisher and anyone else I've forgotten who provided
information and further contacts.
Highlights (from a Victorian's perspective) included;
-Black-bellied Storm-petrel (a target for the trip), Kermadec Petrel and
Arctic Tern amongst other goodies on pelagic trip off Southport and Beach
Stone Curlew and displaying Osprey in Southport harbour on our return. Paul
Walbridge has posted a full report on this trip.
-At Green Mts., Lamington NP, Regent Bowerbird, Satin Bowerbird, Green
Catbird, Southern Logrunner in the campground, Noisy Pitta, Paradise
Riflebird (male) on Pensioner Track, Albert's Lyrebird calling in all
directions and Marbled Frogmouth, Tawny Frogmouth, Boobook and White
throated Nightjar on road out.
-19 species of raptor for the trip including seven sightings of Grey
Goshawk, Crested Baza's taking stick insects from a street tree in
Kenilworth, nesting Osprey and a WB Sea eagle over Mt Glorious.
-A pair of Sooty Owls near Mt Allan in the Conondales and a white phase
Masked Owl (male) in the same area on the edge of a hoop pine plantation.
-King quail (5 inc 2 males) at Lake Samsonvale SE QLD (end of Postmans
track).
-Black-breasted Button-Quail (5-6) along with G. Catbird and lots of Eastern
Whipbirds in vine scrub just north of Yarraman.
-Major Mitchells and Red-winged Parrots drinking at a dam near Bollon
(south-central QLD).
-Lake Bindegolly (SW QLD) teaming with life. Dozens of Great-crested Grebe
nests, lots of cygnets and ducklings and plenty of small birds buzzing
around the surrounding dunes and mulga including a flock of 50+ Plum headed
Finches, 2 Little Button-quail and the more usual budgies, chats,
woodswallows and honeyeaters. Heaps of Eremophila in flower and pretty sure
I heard a Pied Honeyeater but none seen.
-Eulo Bore quiet compared to L. Bindegolly but all the usual suspects
present. e.g. Chestnut-breasted Quailthrush, Halls Babbler, White-browed
Treecreeper and Bourkes Parrot. Also Diamond dove, Owlet Nightjar and Red
winged Parrots.
-Pair of Bustards between Eulo and Cunnamulla foraging close to the road
-Lots of raptors on the Mitchell Grass Plans just east of Cunnamulla. A
short walk produced (amongst other things) 3 Red Chested Button-Quail.
Regards
Rohan
Rohan Clarke
PhD Candidate
'Conservation Biology of the Black-eared Miner'
Department of Zoology
La Trobe University
Bundoora Vic. 3083
Tel 03 9479 1672
Fax 03 94791551
Email
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