I had to go up onto the Atherton Tableland today for work but managed to
get smoko in the bird hide at Hasties Swamp, now known as Nyletta Wetland
(17° 17 35E 145° 28 25S) near Atherton. There was at least 10 000 Plumed
Whistling-Duck and 3 000 Magpie Geese present, also there were 30+
Pink-eared Duck, Purple Swamphen, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck Hardhead,
Australasian Grebe, 1 Australian Pelican and a few Eurasian Coot. At Mt.
Garnet I had lunch at Warruma Swamp (17° 49 12E 145° 07 36S), which is a
water supply for the town. It's well worth a visit if you are passing, the
road is signposted Warruma Swamp Road on the Ravenshoe side of Mt. Garnet on
the edge of the town. Follow the road through a gate and continue for about
1 km to the swamp. The area is currently 80% covered in water lilies which
had plenty of Comb-crested Jacanas on them. 78 Brolgas flew in to drink at
the edge calling as they landed and a White-bellied Sea-Eagle was perched on
a dead tree surveying the area. Other birds included Grey Teal, Hardhead
Little Pied and Little Black Cormorants, Australian Pelican and a few
Eurasian Coots. A few bush birds were calling, including Little Lorikeets.
There was also lots of raptors on the Tablelands mainly Brown Falcons and
Black Kites but also Swamp Harrier, Black-shouldered Kites, Kestrels and a
few Whistling Kites.
Keith Fisher
Cairns, (16°55' 40"S 145° 46' 35"E)
Far North Queensland 4870 Australia
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