Hi All,
A visit to Green Island (17 02 35S 145 30 56E) 27km NE of Cairns (50 mins
by ferry), yesterday turned up a few interesting sightings. A pair of Black
Noddies were perched on one of the approach channel marker platforms
alongside a few Common Noddies allowing them to be easily separated. Also on
the platform was 6 Black-naped Tern chicks, a Lesser Crested Tern, several
Crested Terns and a Bridled Tern. A few Sooty Terns were perched near the
jetty on marker buoys and on the island there were Pied Imperial Pigeons and
Rose-crowned Pigeons. A hepatic female Oriental Cuckoo appeared catching a
caterpillar along the beach. Around the resort the Reef Egrets (both white
and Grey phase) were scavenging along with 2 Intermediate egrets,
Buff-banded Rails and Bar-shouldered Doves who don't look quite the same
eating chips off someone's plate! A few waders found places to hide away
from the tourists and the extremely high tide, Ruddy Turnstone, Grey-tailed
Tattler, Pacific Golden Plover and Whimbrel. 21 species were seen and this
was despite hoards of tourists, a helicopter taking off and landing every 20
mins, 2 seaplanes landing, snorkelers, divers, Para sailers and windsurfers.
Cheers,
Keith.
Keith & Lindsay Fisher
PO Box 2209, Cairns QLD 4870
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