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g'day all,
Visitors are tracking through the Isa in numbers .. but
catching our cold nights and marvellous days.
Over the weekend 3 parties travelling independently stayed at
the Moondarra Caravan Park where they also got nice views of a
Jabiru.
None of them however, will support my theory that
Torresian Crows have moved into the area ! I am still trying to
get a view of the corvids' feather bases (hopefully white)
A pair of Cotton Pygmy-goose apparently have
taken up residence at Lake Moondarra.
They are now in a restricted access location. I first
saw C P-g 28/09/2001in the middle of the lake. They are a long
way west of their normal territory. Yesterday, the
male had designs on his mate who kept rejecting his advances by frequently
flying off a short distance. They are swimming with a number
of pairs of Green Pygmy-goose. Also in this restricted location
are Little Grassbirds and Baillon
Crakes
A single Freckled Duck was recorded 7/7/2002
at the Sewage Ponds by June Harris from Lismore, NSW.
The single Avocet was joined by a 2nd
bird last week. Spotted
Crakes are now seen regularly at the ponds. The
Black-tailed Native-hen eruption has waned and they now can
only be found at the ponds.
The Dusky Grasswrens (race Ballarae) are
still being regularly recorded at the Mica Creek site
Several parties have sighted
the Carpentarian Grasswren near the cairn (and visitor's
book) at McNamara's Road 60km NW of Mount Isa. But one party
searched for 2-1/2 days without success ! I recently received a 2nd hand
report of a sighting of a CGw on the western side of Lake Moondarra. I
have previously postulated that they could be in this area as the habitat
is identical to that of McNamara Rd site.
At midday 100's of Painted Finches still
arrive to drink at Warrigal Waterhole with several
dozen Grey-headed Honeyeaters and a few
Grey-fronted Honeyeaters. I have not seen any Pictorella
Mannikins this year !
The Spinifex Pigeons can be regularly
found on the west side of the lake, as are a few Black-tailed Treecreepers.
The Bloodwood trees are now blooming which is making
the Varied Lorikeets even more hyper-active. A few
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters are around.
Regards, Bob Forsyth, Mount Isa, NW Qld.
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