Birdline North Queensland Weekly Update

Birdline North Queensland

Published sightings for the week ending 16 Dec 2012.

Fri 14 Dec	Eastern Yellow Wagtail Mungalla Station Three (possibly four) Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis; though previously I'd have said simillina) mingling with cattle on dried-out wetland beside water hyacinth. Skittery, often flying out over water and across to thicker pasture. Some singing as ascending. (Moderator's Note: - Mungalla Station is Private property.) Tony Ashton
Thu 13 Dec	Banded Honeyeater Mt. Molloy A good indication how dry it is at Mt Molloy,a new bird for my house yard list.I first heard the bird call then observed it cooling of in the bird bath. I have seen this species before in Mareeba but not often, Mt Molly is generally not as dry. (Moderator Note:- Banded Honeyeater have been seen in Mt. Molloy most years and have appeared in nearby Julatten over the past two weeks but there appears to be more in the area than normal at the moment). Chook (David Crawford) & Tracey [ Close-up Birding Adventures]
	Australian Little Bittern Tyto Wetlands Male Australian Little Bittern heard making double 'kekk' calls, then in six short flights and much posing near hide. Bird seemed to respond to my very loud mock imitation of its calls and even louder conversation with it. Will post more pix on my blog. Tony Ashton
Wed 12 Dec	Torresian Imperial-Pigeon Currajong (Suburb of Townsville) 2 pairs of Torresian Imperial-Pigeons roosting and foraging my back yard. First I've seen in this neighbourhood. Gavyn Williams
Tue 11 Dec	Grass Owl Mungalla Station Grass Owl seen twice by full party of seven Birdlifers spotlighting and again later by smaller numbers of same group in thick coarse grasses. Today, Oriental Pratincoles notable among interesting sightings. Tony Ashton
	Oriental Cuckoo Elim Beach, Hope Vale, north of Cooktown Single grey morph Oriental Cuckoo flying south through mangroves along Elim Beach today at 2:30pm. My first in FNQ for the season. This was a quick side trip after returning from my study site for Black-winged Monarchs at McIvor River causeway - since early Sunday morning a total of 25 Black-wingeds were recorded from a total of 7 sites: from southern approaches to Cape Flattery in the north, to McIvor River downstream bridge in south. All birds were adults except for one young bird in end of its first year. Any images are available on request... Martin Cachard
Mon 10 Dec	Kelp Gull Rowes Bay Kelp Gull (1) on sandbar at mouth of Mundy Creek (this is signposted as Captain's Creek but it has always been known as Mundy Creek). Photo taken showing immature colours. Still present 11th December. Alan and Sandy Rose also present. Peter Valentine
Mon 10 Dec	Black-tailed Native-hen, Bridled Tern Alva Black-tailed Native-hen (2) We saw a single BTNH this morning. Clear views with it preening out in the open for an extended period. Seen again this afternoon along with a second bird Bridled Tern (1) Flying over the wetland this afternoon. Seen by 6/7 birders present. Both birds in same general area that Yellow Wagtails have been seen Alistair & Carmen Drake
Sun 9 Dec	Eastern Yellow Wagtail Alva Eastern Yellow Wagtail (2) Seen in grassy area fringing reed beds & water. First seen at 1700 on 8/12 and confirmed today between 1600-1700 with extensive views along with John & Chris Stewart. We observed with telescopes from road verge at distance of approx 70 metres. Note these wetlands are on private property. Alistair & Carmen Drake

Birdline North Queensland is sponsored by BirdLife Northern Queensland and BirdLife Townsville and co-ordinated and hosted by Eremaea Birds.

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