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G'day all,
Just back from a pleasant week with the family at
sleepy Woodgate about 50km south of Bundaberg,
Qld. Still the odd freshly dead Short-tailed Shearwater on the shoreline. Also
along the beach one morning was a Common Noddy with 4 Grey Plovers. Hightide
roost at Theodolite Creek held up to 150 Eastern Curlew, 30 Greater Sand Plover,
48 Lesser Sand & 86 Red-capped Plovers. The 2 Sanderling were unexpected
additions. On the 17th ( 07.10- 07.30), I counted 820 White-throated Needletails
across a broad front along the creek. A group of about 300+ formed & rose in
a swirling mass like a boiling kettle.
The bush was rather quiet but came across
Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Emerald Dove & many Cicadabirds which were still
fairly vocal. A pair of juvenile Brown Goshawks called every morning, presumably
waiting to be fed. A Little Eagle joined the Brahminys &
Whistling Kites over the casuarinas along the dunes one evening.
Probably the bird I spent the most time on was the
Black-breasted Button-quail. There were areas where plenty of platelets were
evident. Saw them 4 times in all. Their preferred habitat always had substantial
undergrowth to hinder clear views unless crouching low down. The usual view was
that of a bird walking away from you, weaving it's way through tangles of
vegetation. Having said that, it was well worth the effort. The females were in
spectacular plumage. Can't recall ever seeing the chestnut stand out so well
against the black & white.
Most of the birding was done before 8.30 as it's
been pretty hot & steamy up this way.
Cheers,
Chris
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