Yesterday an enjoyable day was spent in the Daintree Village area by members
and visitors of Birds Australia North Queensland regional group. A committee
meeting was accompanied by a couple of cruises on the Daintree River and a walk
at a local property 'Wild Wings and Swampy Things'. Considerable effort has
taking place to revegetate this once cleared property to return its former
rainforest majesty. Rufous Fantail, Little Shrike-thrush, Grey Whistler, and a
family of Lovely Fairy-wren were the avian highlights.
On a morning cruise on the river, Osprey, Shining Flycatcher, Azure Kingfisher
and several Papuan Frogmouth were seen. The highlight was Little Kingfisher
observed at close range diving repeatedly from Mangrove Lily to catch and eat
tiny shrimp. In the afternoon equally spectacular views of Great-billed Heron
were obtained at a range of approximately 15 metres.
In other news from the river, migrant species have started to return from their
winter sojourn to PNG. Brown-backed Honeyeaters were first observed in mid
July. Sightings of Channel-billed Cuckoos and flocks of Metallic Starling are
increasing. Small flocks of Torresian Pigeon have also started to appear in the
last week.
A great highlight of the last month has been regular sightings of Great-billed
Heron. On two occasions birds have been observed flying with nesting
material. The first sighting was of a bird carrying a stick at least four foot
in length, while the later sighting involved grassy nest lining material.
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