Hi Simon,
Sounds like a good trip. One query- I have no records of Broad-billed
Flycatcher from Cairns, can you be sure it was not a Leaden, which
often gets into mangroves? Satin Fly is also a good local record,
this is about the time they start to pass some years.
Regards
Phil Gregory
On 02/09/2006, at 8:40 AM, Simon Blanchflower wrote:
Hello all, I had the good fortune to be at a conference in Cairns
during the week and managed to get some birding in. Saw some
terrific species in only a relatively short time frame (only had
Sunday afternoon and early mornings).
On Sunday afternoon decided to go up to the tablelands. I visited
Lake Eacham, Mt Hypipimee NP, and Hasties Swamp.
-Lake Eacham-
It was indeed very saddening to see Lake Eacham after the cyclone.
Although I knew it had been damaged its not until you go there that
you see how heart breaking these events area. There were many
patches of rainforest that had thinned out, and only a few left in
tact. I did see some interesting birds though including Grey Headed
Robin, which was common along the Lake Circuit, Pale-Yellow Robin,
Yellow-Breasted Boatbill, and Victoria's Riflebird, heard a number
of times whilst walking around the lake and saw a beautiful male
close to the track. Also some interesting honeyeaters including
Bridled, MacLeay's, and Dusky.
-Bromfield Swamp-
Stopped at Bromfield swamp and there was about 60 Sarus Cranes
there, as well as a single White-Necked Heron.
-Mt Hypipamee NP-
Highlights here were Mountain Thornbill (trees bordering car park),
Fernwren (just after second bridge, foraging next to the track!)
and Golden Bowerbird (female - on access road to car park)
-Hasties Swamp-
It was great to see the bird hide there - a excellent viewing
facility on two levels. The highlight here was the huge number of
Plumbed Whistling-Ducks and there was also a large numbers of
Magpie Geese.
Over the next couple of days I visited the Botanical Gardens,
Mangrove Boardwalk, and of course the Esplanade in Cairns and here
are the highlights:
-Botanical Gardens-
The highlight was by far seeing the gorgeous Little Kingfisher.
This bird is one of my favourites and it was great just to sit
there and watch this little gem at close range. A close second was
a single female Broad-Billed Flycatcher seen in small trees
adjacent to the mangrove fringed creek. Other birds of interest
included Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Double-eyed Figparrot (very
common overheard - particularly in trees bordering Collins Ave),
Black Butcherbird, Yellow Oriole, (common in trees bordering
Collins Ave), Forest Kingfisher, Large-Billed and Mangrove
Gerygones, Brown-Backed, White-Throated, and Varied Honeyeaters,
Little and Helmeted Friarbirds, Metallic Starlings (often flying in
closely packed groups low overheard), Varied Triller (male), Leaden
Flycatcher, and a Common Sandpiper on the saltwater lake.
-Mangrove Boardwalk (nr Airport)-
Highlights here were Lovely Fairy-Wren, Satin and Shining
Flycatcher as well as White-Rumped Swiftlets overhead at the car park.
-Esplanade-
Saw some really good birds in the mangrove edges to the north
including White-Bellied Cuckoo-Shrike and Mangrove Robin, and on
the mud saw Eastern Curlew, Whimbrel, Greater and Lesser
Sandplovers, Red-Necked Stint, Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper, Grey-Tailed
Tattler, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Great and Red Knots, and Curlew
Sandpiper. Also were a good number of Gull-Billed Terns. The stars
however were a pair of Beach Stone-Curlews which flew past the
boardwalk there at close range. It was also nice to catch up with
Alan Gillanders who also saw a single Grey Plover.
After a number of quick visits clocked up about 120 species.
Cheers
Simon.
www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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