Birdline North Queensland
Published sightings for the week ending 1 Aug 2010.
Sat 31 Jul Cicadabirds, Tyto Wetlands
Two male Cicadabirds, southwest corner by fire trail. First seen for
several months. Also male Lovely Fairy-wren, again, unseen for months.
Tony Ashton
White-eared Monarch Townsville Town Common Conservation Park
White-eared Monarch juv (1). left of track about 100m from freshwater
carpark towards jacana hide.
Ed Pierce
Sat 24 Jul Spinifexbird Mt Walker, 8.5 km south Hughenden
Between 7.30 am and 10.30 am closely observed a pair of Spinifexbird
nest building in a clump of spinifex near the Reay Lookout on Mt Walker.
This mesa is covered with spinifex and the nest clump is a patch about 2
metres diameter and about 75 cm high. Both birds busily collecting grass
and other material from adjacent spinifex clumps and returning to the
nest clump. Foraging exercises about 1-2 minutes apart. Both birds
confiding and apparently undisturbed by observation from a distance of
about 8 metres. On occasion approached the observer to within 2 metres.
Low level communication (metallic tock tock) during the forays with
occasional song from the top of the nesting clump prior to departure.
Birds very active, on ground hopping with cocked tail, in flight rapid
and on alighting and leaving nest clump very rapid entry and exit from
spinifex. Occasional delay on exit (for song and apparently for a look
around, allowing photography). In this nest building behaviour
apparently oblivious to human observation. Depending on the angle and
clarity of observation identification can be simple or difficult. Lots
of photos taken showing variety of activity and appearance. This
sighting is approx 200 km north of the nearest Atlas record.(Mod)
Peter Valentine
Wed 21 Jul Chestnut-Breasted Cuckoo Julatten
Great views at less than 10 meters. Watched for 15 minutes and heard the
2 distinctive calls. Also on Mt Lewis Rd, Pied monarch, 3 Cowchilla at
very close range, Fernwren, Atherton Scrubwren, large-Billed Scrubwren,
Mountain Thornbill, Grey-headed Robin, Bower's Shrike-thrush, Spotted
Catbird, Russet-tailed Thrush and a female Golden Bowerbird. A fantastic
morning!
Tim Mckellar with Del Richards
Tue 29 Jun Spinifexbird Mt. Walker, Hughenden
Seen in spinifex on the Mesa plateau, clear view. About 8 km south of
Hughenden, appears to be at least 200km outside the northern end of its
range. Some confusion initially with Striated Grasswren, also well out
of range - further observations required to see if Grasswrens are
present (Moderator's note)
Elna Kerswell and Beth Snewin
Birdline North Queensland is sponsored by Birds Australia North
Queensland <http://www.birdsaustralianq.org/> and Townsville Region
Bird Observers Club <http://www.trboc.org.au/> and co-ordinated and
hosted by Eremaea Birds <http://www.eremaea.com> .
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