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G'day all
Managed a trip down to the granite belt of Southern
Qld and Northern NSW last Friday 19 Sept. A two hour stop at Girraween (between
Stanthorpe and Wallangara) produced plenty of White-eared
Honeyeaters.Yellow-faced Honeyeaters,
Buff-rumped Thornbill, Leaden Flycatcher and
Silvereyes were also present. Red Wattlebirds,
Fan-tailed Cuckoo, White-browed Scrubwren,
White-throated Treecreeper and Superb Fairy-wren
were also present near the Information Centre. A stop further down the
hill produced the usual Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters.
Other animals present included Red-necked Wallaby,
Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Rabbit, Lesueur's Velvet Gecko, Eastern Water Skink and
Eastern Water Dragon.
After leaving here ducked across to the Tenterfield
water supply which had a few common birds such as Black Swan,
Grey Teal, Australasian Grebe and
Eurasian Coot. Left here early afternoon and headed down to an
area often visited with my parents when I was younger. This is the Stannum
district which is South-west of Tenterfield. Stopped at a small waterhole on a
creek where there was a single Pink-eared Duck, Grey Teal,
Australian White Ibis and Clamorous
Reed-warbler. Several Eastern Snake-necked Turtles were also present at
this site. Along the roads back out to the Bruxner Hwy were Diamond
Firetails, Brown Treecreepers, Double-barred
Finches, Leaden Flycatchers, Eastern Yellow Robins and
several others.
Arrived at Sundown at 5pm and went to find a
campsite. Only one other group there so already I was sold on this place. Pairs
of Hooded Robins, Welcome Swallows,
White-plumed Honeyeaters and Red-rumped Parrots
were some of the species sighted on the way in. Also lots of Eastern
Grey Kangaroos and six Fallow Deer near the treeline in the paddocks near the
Ranger's residence. At dusk a Nightjar flew past but I didn't get a good look to
see if it was Spotted or White-throated. Later in the evening
White-throated Nightjar was calling.
When leaving in the morning just at the edge of the
Broadwater campground ( this is in the southern section where I stayed) great
views were had of 8 Turquoise Parrots. Fallow Deer were
observed in the same paddock again as well as one running across the road on the
way out. Yellow-rumped Thornbill and Weebill
were found nest-building. Some other birds present were Rufous
Whistler, Jacky Winter, Common
Bronzewing, Double-barred Finch, Leaden Flycatchers,
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters, Little Friarbird,
Magpie, Willie Wagtail and Grey
Shrike-thrush.
A quick stop on the way home at Lake Atkinson to
view the Australian Pratincoles topped off a wonderful couple
of days.
Cheers
Gavin Goodyear
Petrie Qld
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