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g'day all,
I have just returned from a little over two weeks
visiting the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns and the Daintree/Cape Tribulation
area.
It was actually a stress relieving break
after my home was flooded inside by over 1/2 metre of water during our
recent floods.
It was quite a challenge getting to Kingfisher
Park, Julatten to farewell resident guides Andrew & Carol Iles.
At the Burke & Wills Roadhouse (Sth of
Normanton) I was informed the Flinders River went over the bridge
that morning, but the Burke & Wills road to Julia Creek was open.
Unfortunately 150km down the road the Gilliat River had 60cm running over the
causeway. So back up to B & W and back down to the Cloncurry after
going thru it 8 hours and 650km earlier !! Birdwatching can be very
hard work !
I dipped on the Great-billed Heron with guides
Chris Dahlberg (in the morning) and Lee Lafferty (in the afternoon) but still
enjoyed the other birds we saw. Red Mill House advise it has been seen
subsequently so a good reason to return.
But I was quite satisfied with 3 new birds for the
trip
- Papuan Frogmouth (nesting around
the corner from Red Mill House at Daintree)
(It was very relaxing watching their
Orange-footed Scrubfowl poking about while eating a superb
breakfast.)
- Black-throated Finches at
Croydon where the Savannah guide sees them on a regular basis.
(He recommended the sports fields .. but
these were being mowed for a forthcoming cricket match. However I saw
a dozen birds feeding on the grasses at the nearby Lake Belmore playground
area.The Croydon Info Centre has available a comprehensive annotated bird list.
He also said a Grey Falcon flies thru most days.
- Terek Sandpiper
at the Cairns Esplanade.
(I stayed at the Barron River Hotel, which is
good for cheap accom & excellent meals)
And up in the Cape Tribulation area a
Beach Stone-curlew. I believe this to be at a "new" site and
have advised appropriate local Birds Australia persons.
Regards
Bob Forsyth, Mount Isa, NW
Qld.
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