Birdline North Queensland
Published sightings for the week ending 21 Sep 2014.
Sat 20 Sep Black-chinned Honeyeater Orient Station, Ingham
Five or six Black-chinned Honeyeater active and noisy in gums beside
mangroves at end of Orient Road this morning. One or two immature
birds. Perhaps a family group? First time I have seen or heard species
at site - or anywhere near Ingham. Also, close by in tidal pool, five
Common Greenshank. Again, first sighting of species at the Orient.
Tony Ashton
Peregrine Falcon Highway beside Ingham airstrip
Peregrine Falcon ripping into remains of Masked Lapwing on ground
alongside Bruce Highway at Ingham airstrip this morning. Flew into
nearby trees. No way of telling if prey was struck by Falcon or maybe
road victim. Blood and feathers visible on talons in picture.
Tony Ashton
Dollarbird Bamaga--Muddy Bay 10 43S 142 33E 1' Cell, Queensland, AU
1. First noted for the season and only otherwise reported on e-bird
from NT for the last month; first QLD returnee?
Rob Reed
Broad-billed Flycatcher Bamaga--Muddy Bay 10 43S 142 33E 1' Cell,
Queensland, AU
2. Heard flycatcher but call not necessarily totally reminiscent of
leaden or shining. Located bird and came to 3m above with Audubon
caller. Bill shape, graduated tail feathers and white eye ring noted
readily distinguishing it from female leaden (per Graeme Chapman's
website). White edging to outer tail feathers also seen well. Followed
this bird for a few minutes flitting about crowns of mangroves feeding;
soon joined by a second also calling. 2 records on e-bird for the area
- 2007 Horn Island and 1994 Somerset on mainland nearby. Although well
noted in WA and NT surveys, is also represented in atlas and on Klaus
Uhlenhut's "Bird Week" cumulative list over some 20 years-plus. Again
probably reflects an under-surveyed area plus an easily overlooked bird
when assumptions are made on call.
Rob Reed
Thu 18 Sep Australian Pratincole Bamaga: Back track to airport military
encampments 10 55S 142 26E 1' Cell, Queensland, AU
4. Appeared to all be adults in breeding plumage. Scoped nicely in
bright sunlight coming from behind me. On runway edge and sauntering
over runway chasing insects on foot and on the wing at low level.
Nearest other sightings I can find records for are Weipa, Iron Range
and PNG on e-bird. However, I note Draffan et al (EMU Dec. 1983)
article on "Birds of the Torres Strait" has records for 6 islands of
the mainly western areas being a "winter visitor on open swamps and
airstrips". Again this sighting will likely reflect chronic
under-reporting from the northern Cape York area.
Rob Reed
Wed 17 Sep Pectoral Sandpiper Normanton Town Common
Single bird photographed with other sandpipers, at dam in town common
on northern edge of town.
Paul Richardson & Phillip George
Mon 15 Sep Rajah Shelduck Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, North Queensland
Confirming Tony Ashton's sighting of the Rajah Shelduck at the Ingham
Tyto Wetlands. I saw the bird paddling serenely across one of the
waterways 20 metres away from me late that same afternoon - and, darn
it, I hadn't brought my camera with me! I'm not a dedicated birdwatcher
as such, but I visit the wetlands on almost a daily basis. I was
delighted to find this species in my bird book when I got home shortly
afterwards and then emailed Tony about it. He told me of his posting in
Eremaea (which I'd never heard of before).
Robert Charles Norman King
Oriental Plover Cook Rd (Atherton area)
Two Oriental Plover flew over me in good light about 8.30am, circling
over a field of corn stubble before heading in the direction of
Atherton.
John Grant
Sun 14 Sep Radjah Shelduck Tyto Wetlands (Ingham)
Radjah Shelduck spotted making low flight almost circling eastern end
of main lagoon; bird appeared almost brilliant black and white in
morning sun; no sign of it after it turned and headed west over
northern side of lagoon. Can't recall ever seeing the species in Tyto,
though no unknown in other wetlands around Ingham. no picture
Tony Ashton
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