Cairns Birds

RECENT SIGHTINGS OF INTEREST AROUND THE CAIRNS AREA + BIRD ROUTES FOR VISITORS via cairnzbirdz@yahoo.com.au
Cairns birdwatching site - Editted by John Seale (07) 4052 1195
In order of date seen. Only one bird seen unless otherwise indicated. (N.B.) Records included as received: Please contact observer for verification.

** N.B. BIRDING CAIRNS - Next trip, Mt Lewis July 19th. Meet outside Kingfisher Park, Julatten at 0730.
** N.B. BIRDS AUSTRALIA - Malanda BANQ Meeting + filed trips Aug 15/16
See www.birdsaustralianq.org for more details.

** ** N.B. We now have 3 bird blogs;
cairnsbirds.blogspot.com (this site),
birdingcairns.blogspot.com which is the official club site, and
festivalcairnsbirding.blogspot.com which gives gives an outline of events that this club is holding during Festival Cairns, end Aug - start Sep, as our club, Birding Cairns, has been accepted as an active partner in Festival Cairns (many may try but few are chosen!). We are conducting over 40 events.
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JULY 2009

LAUGHING GULL last report - 04/7/09.
RUFOUS SONGLARK -(1)- Del. Richards28/06/09 - At 700 metre level on Mt. Lewis Road !!!!!!!

JUNE 2009

AUSTRALIAN PELICAN (8) - John Seale,28/6/09 - Our Esplanade pelican flock has increased to 21. (We had 70 before the wet season)
AZURE KINGFISHER (2) - Cairns Birding Group,21/6/09 - At Forest Garden Lake.
MANGROVE ROBIN - John Frois 28/6/09 - North of Esplanade in Mangroves feeding on larvae.
BEACH STONE CURLEW - John Frois,28/6/09 - Devouring crab, then finds another but crab defended itself successfully and bird moves on..Cairns Esplanade
ESPLANADE - John Seale,28/6/09 Curlews,Whimbrels,Godwits and small flocks of Great Knot and Grey-tailed Tattlers are all of the remaining migratory waders.
SOUTHERN BOOBOOK - Brian Venables,24/6/09 - McCormack St. Edge Hill-one bird calling 0345 and again 0400 hrs. The bird I estimate was within 100m of my house.
BLACK THROATED FINCH (6) - Graham Winterflood,24/06/09 - Mount Mulligan
BANDED LAPWING - Doug Herrington, 22/6/09 - Vacant land at corner of Bonnydoone and Cooya Beach Rd near Mossman - 1 bird with a small flock of masked lapwings.
20/6/09 - Birds Australia field trip (Alan Gillanders et al)
A good day in the Southern Highlands area with 11 species of raptor, Cotton Pygmy Goose and a Tree Kangaroo.
NOISY PITTA - Bill and Brian Venables.22/06/09 - 07.30 - Centenary Lakes Boardwalk. 2 birds still calling close to boardwalk in the vicinity of the lower bench seat.
RED CAPPED DOTTEREL-Graham Snell,17/6/09 - Kurrimine Beach 1200 hrs. A pair of birds with 2 downey chicks.

Note: I heard a report of a RUFOUS NIGHT HERON that, at dusk, perches above a small crack in a roof on the Esplanade and waits for small bats (insectivorous sp.) to emerge. My informant has seen the bird catch one bat.

TORRESIAN CROW - Denis Walls, 16/6/09 - Junction of Woodward and Greenslopes Sts
This is the first crow I have seen in Cairns in 18 years of living here. (Ed note. Crows are NOT common down in Cairns. The odd pair may also be seen at Edmonton and Lower Freshwater Rd)
BEACH STONE CURLEW - Denis Walls, John Crowhurst et al
Recent days - Good sightings at North Esplanade and opposite hospital.
NOISY PITTA - Denis Walls, Nicole Seale, Recent days - Good sightings on Blue Arrow track, Mt Whitfield.
GREAT-BILLED HERON - Birding Cairns Cent. Lakes walk.
7/06/09 - BARRED CUCK00SHRIKE (4) -
PACIFIC BAZA (4) - "Chook" Crawford + Wetlands guests,4/6/09 - In one tree at Jabiru safari lodge Mareeba Wetlands.
RUFOUS OWL- Brian Venables
4/6/09 Freshwater Lake,Centenary Lakes Cairns, 0648. 2 birds flushed one carrying prey. Interestingly in the same tree where one was seen 5 years ago (Birding Cairns walk)) with a Striped Possum in its talons.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO - Brian Venables,4/6/09 - 5.00 am - One bird heard on the wing over Botanic Gardens
BLACK BITTERN - Brian Venables,3/6/09 - Bushland next to Cemetery, Anderson St- 7.30 am. One bird flushed at one of the remaining pools by the track. Also some BROWN-BACKED HONEYEATERS there.
NOISY PITTA - Brian Venables ,3/6/09 - Centenary Lakes Boardwalk - 3.00pm. One responded to a crude imitation of its call very close to the boardwalk on the Collins Ave. side. near to the Saltwater Creek end.
PURPLE SWAMPHEN - Ota,1/6/09 - Sitting on rail of a boat some 220km east of Cairns, past the Barrier Reef
NOISY PITTA - Brian Venables -2/6/09 - Between "Red" and "Blue Arrow" walking tracks . One bird calling and seen in the denser cover 50m past the first shed and red light (airport navigation aid).
BARKING OWL - Brian Venables
Over the past few weeks I've been occasionally hearing (from my house) in the wee small hours what I now believe is a pair of Barking Owls. The calls are a fair distance off and seem to me to be in the vicinity of the scrub behind the Edge Hill school. The calling is sometimes in duet, with one deeper than the other, which leads me to believe there is a pair involved. I'm not at this point claiming the presence of Barking Owls but making you and others aware of that possibility thus increasing the chance of observation.
If it turns out to be a pair of small dogs than I must confess they have fooled me.
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN (8) - John Seale
5/6/09 - Our lone Esplanade pelican has some company at last. 6 birds on the 3rd and more to come, I hope.


MAY 2009

LAUGHING GULL still present as at 30/5/09
BLUE-WINGED KOOKABURRA- Dominic Chaplin28/05/2009 - Whitfield House, beside blue arrow walk, Cairnsa very tame bird.
BAR-SHOULDERED DOVE- Brian Venables30/05/09 - 0730 Saltwater Lake,Centenary Lakes.
5 birds in a flock, far less common than Spotted Turtle-dove in urban and suburban Cairns. (Note - It seems that the introduced Spotted has pushed the Bar-shouldered to the town outskirts; c/f Darwin where the Bar-shouldered is throughout the town as Spotted isn't there - acting Ed.)
GREAT-BILLED HERON, - Jun,29.5.09, Saltwater creek next to the Lakes Resort Hotel, Centenary Lakes.
FAN-TAILED CUCKOO - Brian and Phil Venables28/05/2009 - Freshwater Lake, Centenary Lakes. 2 birds seen in loose association 0630 hrs., one adult and one juvenile. Juv. was eating a caterpillar.
GREY GOSHAWK - Andy Anderson26/5/09. Hunting along Les Davie Park (either side of McKenzie St) 2 blocks from Cairns Esplanade.
RED KNOT (10) - Graham Winterflood20/05/09 - Esplanade.(Eds Note: Over-wintering Red Knots - this one also seen 10-11/5/09, Andy A. - are unusual for Cairns).
CASSOWARY - Etty Bay - Andy A, John C, Peter Everist. 17/5/09 - Walking purposely across an open paddock past cattle, on the way to another patch of bush. (Sorry, forgot to report it last time).



APRIL 2009

SQUARE TAILED KITE - Graham Winterflood,30/4/09 - Flying low over tree tops Mooroobool area. First for this year?
RADJAH SHELLDUCK -(5)- Del. Richards,29/04/09 - Daintree River, down river from ferry.
(Ed. Also heard of some birds at Yorkey's Knob Golf lagoon)
WHITE-NECKED HERON -(1)- Del. Richards,29/04/09 - Daintree River Mouth, flying South.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CUCKOO-(2)- Del. Richards,27/04/09 - Mt. Lewis Road. Adult with young in company.
LAUGHING GULL - John Seale, 29/4/09 - South end of Esplanade. Black tail band moulted out and white parches in trailing edge of upper wings seen in flight. Also nape becoming darker.
BEACH STONE CURLEW (2) - Norton Gill, 29/4/09 - At 7am in the drain near the skate park the Esplanade. One came up onto the sand about 4 or 5 metres away from me.
DUSKY MOORHEN - John Seale (Tuesday walk),28/4/09 - Freshwater Lake in Centenary Lakes, Cairns.
AUSTRALIAN PRATINCOLE - Jun, 26/4/09 - Seen on Esplanade this morning in front of the Croc warning sign just north of Muddy's Playground.
ORIENTAL CUCKOO - Brian Venables, 25/4/09 - Centenary Lakes 0645. One bird more confiding than usual, flushed.
LAUGHING GULL - David OBrien, 24/4/09 On helipad at southern end of Esplanade. I check out this bird regularly at around 0700 on my way to work. I notice that the bird seems to desalinate much more regularly than the Silver Gulls all around.
LAUGHING GULL - Darren Phillips,24/4/09 - Seen opposite the boat ramp on Trawler Base Rd behind the sugar storage shed, Portsmith,Cairns.
WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN-(1)- Del. Richards.20/04/09. Three kilometres at sea of Cape Kimberley, Daintree River mouth. In steady flight in northerly direction.
BUFF-BREASTED KINGFISHER (juv) - Ota, 20/4/09 - Still present at Kingfisher Park, Julatten
WHITE-HEADED PIGEON (4) - Ota, 20/4/09 Plus a huge wild pig at Mt Haren Rd, Kuranda
PICTORELLA FINCH - Mabel's Mates Easter trip (Dawn Magarry et al)
VARIED LORIKEET
17-20/4/09 - Georgetown area, 400km west of Cairns
BLUE-FACED PARROT-FINCH -(11)- Del. Richards,15/04/09 - Along Mt. Lewis road, including 4 immatures.
PAINTED BUTTON-QUAIL -(4)- Del. Richards,15/04/09 - near Lake Mitchell.
BUFF-BREASTED KINGFISHER - Heather Winsor,10/4/09 - Single adult, Black Mountain Rd, Kuranda
PIED HERON - John Seale,3/4/09 - Juvenile bird on Esplanade
SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER (6) - G Bortolussi,3/4/09 - working the mudflats near the boardwalk just opposite the RSL.
WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE (1) - G Bortolussi,29/3/09 - Seen riding the afternoon thermals near the old Woree drive-in. It is becoming a regular visitor to the suburb.


MARCH 2009

LAUGHING GULL - Still at Esplanade south, in front of swimming lagoon
PAPUAN FROGMOUTH - John Seale,31/3/09 - 2 birds back on the boardwalk roost where they were before breeding (?) last year
LATHAM'S SNIPE - (2, possibly 3) - David OBrien
31/3/09 - Flushed from the open grassy area at the northern end of Lake Street.Also the BLACK BITTERN reported previously by others flew up from the drain in the same area. A SPECTACLED MONARCH was seen as well but in mangroves. Is this a little unusual?
COMMON STARLING -(1)- Del. Richards.24/03/09- 7:30 am Flew in a westerly direction over Mcleod St. Cairns.
BUFF-BREASTED PARADISE KINGFISHER - Graham Snell,8/3/09 - Mena Creek, West of Innisfail. Last record for the season, ie not heard since at this location.
CHESTNUT RAIL - Doug Armstrong, 25/3/09 - Lake Tinaroo back road (Danbulla SF) opposite the Downfall Ck turnoff. In long grass and jumped onto a log twice.
BARN SWALLOW - Frank Harrison,21/3/09 On wires outside Cairns City library, Abbott St.
EASTERN GRASS OWL (1) Del. Richards,18/03/09. Kamerunga near Cairns. (Flushed by farmers tractor).
ROYAL SPOONBILL (17) Del. Richards,18/03/09 . Near Yorkey's Knob.
ORIENTAL CUCKOO - Jonathan Munro et al,11/3/09 - single bird on fence post at Emerald Creek.
SQUATTER PIGEON - Jonathan Munro et al,12/3/09 - Nest with two eggs found which had hatched three days later, Ravenshoe
PAINTED BUTTON-QUAIL - Jonathan Munro et al,12/3/09 - several pairs at Vine Creek Gorge, Ravenshoe.
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD - Jonathan Munro et al,18/3/09 - Two males still present near large bower, Ravenshoe.
WHITE-THROATED NIGHTJAR - Jonathan Munro et al,18/3/09 - 2 birds at daytime roost amongst rocks, Ravenshoe.
LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR - Jonathan Munro et al,19/3/09 - Hawking insects at dusk at Greys Lane, Ravenshoe
LAUGHING GULL - Still at Esplanade south, in front of swimming lagoon.
BANDED LAPWING - Andrew Forsyth and Ron Smith, 18/03/09 - Mossman Golf Club. The staff are happy for people to go for a look, but PLEASE check at the Pro-Shop prior to entering the course.
PIED IMPERIAL PIGEON -(2) - Del. Richards,12/03/09 - Mowbray SF. elevation 400 m. (only second such sighting).
CATTLE EGRET -(16)- Del. Richards,13/03/09 - Julatten. Probably early return from breeding.
WHITE-BROWED CRAKE - Brian Venables 9/3/09. 06.45 pair calling to each other in the Panicum grass on the vacant land at the northern end of Lake St.
(Ed. note: The Cent. Lakes island is VERY overgrown at present.)
LONG-BILLED CORELLA - Brian Venables5/3/09 - Two birds feeding with feral pigeons on the footpath corner of Grove and Dunn streets. I have seen this species in the same area over a number of years.
UNIFORM SWIFTLET- John Grant and Brian Venables.2/3/09 - Cairns Esplanade. One bird, on its own, soaring low over the northern end of the Esplanade late afternoon.
BLACK BITTERN - Brian Venables,22/2/09 (8am) - One bird flushed from Fearnley St drain between Charles & Grove Sts, Manunda,Cairns.
BLACK-BREASTED BUZZARD - Jonathan Munro,01/3/09 - between Ravenshoe and Innot Hot Springs.
SARUS CRANE - (4) - Jonathan Munro, 01/3/09 - Adult pair with two juveniles, near Ravenshoe.
COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE - (7+ pairs, some with well-grown young) - Jonathan Munro
01/3/09 - Many birds in various stages of eclipse plumage and some with well-grown young. In November, 2008 I photographed a pair with 10 half-grown ducklings. Private lagoons near Ravenshoe.
BLACK BITTERN - (3) - Jonathan Munro, 28/2/09 - in Calistemon viminalis along Vine Creek, Ravenshoe.
RUFOUS NIGHT HERON - (many) - Jonathan Munro,28/2/09 - in Calistemon viminalis along Vine Creek, Ravenshoe.
LITTLE KINGFISHER - (2) - Jonathan Munro,28/2/09 - Vine Creek, Ravenshoe.
PAINTED BUTTON-QUAIL - (2) - Jonathan Munro,28/2/09 - pair at Vine Creek Gorge, Ravenshoe.
GREY GOSHAWK - Jonathan Munro,28/2/09 - regular sightings of white phase male hunting in garden at Ravenshoe.
COMMON BRONZEWING - (many) - Jonathan Munro,28/2/09 - 7-9 pairs seen while driving along tracks near Ravenshoe and at Kaban. Some of the more co-operative birds provided near perfect photographic opportunities, with opalescent wings shimmering in the early morning sunlight!
WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE -(2) - Jonathan Munro,20-28/2/09 - regular sightings of a pair displaying and carrying branches with green leaves; Ravenshoe.
SPOTTED HARRIER - (1) - Jonathan Munro
27/2/09 - Attacking Bush Stone-curlew, Kaban.
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD - (2) - Jonathan Munro21/2/09 - An adult male with worn plumage observed near bower. A second bird just beginning to assume adult colour seen 20 metres from bower; both birds were silent. Ravenshoe.
WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL - (50+) - Jonathan Munro21/2/09 - Over rainforest canopy, Ravenshoe
LITTLE KINGFISHER - Birding Cairns group.,01/03/09 Saltwater lake, Cent. Lakes, Cairns
DOUBLE-EYED FIG PARROT - John Frois,27/2/09 - Male and female on bottle brush tree in our backyard in Forest Gardens
EASTERN CURLEW -(1)- Jack Leighton (via Del Richards),25-27/02/09 On low lying swampy area near Kairi.(Most unusual inland record).


FEBRUARY 2009
SWINHOE'S SNIPE - Several rumours ( no postings to this service)
25/2/09 - Left of Tinnaroo Boat Ramp, Tinnaburra. John Seale et al had 5 very brief sightings with NO positive conclusion. Good Luck
SACRED KINGFISHER -(1) - Del. Richards.10/02/09 - immature near Port Douglas.
PIED CORMORANT -(1) -Del.Richards,10/02/09 - Lake Mitchell. Only record inland North of Cairns.(Ed - Unusual record this)
GREAT BOWERBIRD - Heather Winsor, 15/2/09 - Suburban water bath, Kewarra Beach, Cairns
LAUGHING GULL - John Seale,15/2/09 - One bird still at the Pier (City) end of the Cairns Esplanade. Stands with the Silver Gulls.
GREAT BOWERBIRD - Grahame Finnigan, 09/2/09 - Suburban water bath, Kewarra Beach, Cairns. 2nd sighting in last 6 months
BLUE-FACED HONEYEATER (3) - Greg Bortolussi, 01/02/09 - The recently blowy weather turned them up in my backyard. Unusual to see this species in the southern suburbs of Cairns. I have seen them in the northern suburbs around Smithfield though. I wonder if the westerly gusts blew them in?
TORRESIAN CROW (3) - Grahame Finnigan, 24/1/09 - Cairns International Airport. Sitting on an air terminal light column and being harrassed by White breasted Woodswallows. They are most likely the crows which, are fairly regularly sighted in the vicinity of the Smithfield Shopping Centre.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION from Jonny Schoenjahn
I'm interested in an old sighting of a supposed immature Grey Falcon
at Cairns Esplanade It was 9 June 2002. Do you know anything about that
sighting, did you see the bird, did anyone take photos of that bird?
The majority of the reports I receive concern other species, often Brown Falcons but also Kestrels and accipiters. That record from Cairns, if it was a Grey Falcon, will be of particular interest to me, even if it's a one-off.
Any thoughts or evidence of other sightings - old and recent - for your area are very much appreciated.

LAUGHING GULL - John Seale,10/2/09 - One bird still at the Pier (City) end of the Cairns Esplanade. Stands with the Silver Gulls.
PAPUAN FROGMOUTH - John Seale,10/2/09 - Bird with chick in Centenary lakes, Cairns
ORIENTAL CUCKOO (2) Alan Gillanders & Dick Jenkin,9/2/09 - On slopes east of road at Big Mitchell Creek, 10k north of Mareeba.


JANUARY 2009

LAUGHING GULL - Grant Penrhyn (SA) (reported to Brian Venables)
27/1/09 - One bird on the pontoon with other gulls and terns at the Pier (City) end of the Cairns Esplanade.
GLOSSY IBIS - John Seale, 27/1/09 - The Esplanade, Cairns
LITTLE KINGFISHER - Andrew and Trish Forsyth
15/1/09 - Red Mill House Daintree. After a year’s absence, the Little Kingfisher has returned to the pond and is visiting daily.
LAUGHING GULL - Ota, 20/1/09 - Jetty and boat ramp at Palm Cove. Still there on 21st Jan. Standing with Silver Gulls. Also on rocks just north of jetty.
REEF EGRET - John Seale, 20/1/09 The Esplanade, Cairns. The first I have seen for almost a year.
ORIENTAL CUCKOO - Birding Cairns group, 18/1/09 - Mareeba Agricultural College, Lake Tinaroo Rd, Mareeba
ORIENTAL CUCKOO - (1) - Del. Richards,16/01/09 - Near lake Mitchell.
WANDERING TATTLER - Brian Venables, 15-1-09 - 1 bird on the rocks at the mouth of the Johnstone River, Flying Fish Point, Innisfail

posted by Cairns Birds  # Thursday, July 09, 2009 5 comments

BIRD ROUTES A) CAIRNS AND LOCAL AREAS WITHIN 15km
B) CAIRNS North West - KURANDA, MAREEBA, MT CARBINE, JULATTEN
C) CAIRNS South West - ATHERTON, MALANDA, YUNGABURRA, KABAN

A)SOME BIRDING LOCATIONS WITHIN 15 KMS OF CAIRNS + 2 Southern Locations
(To be used in conjunction with a good map of Cairns). Distances from the city ie. 6k NW = 6kms North West.

THE ESPLANADE - Mudflats - The area between Florence St and Minnie St, in front of the Tradewinds Hotel, is free parking and the best place to see the waders and other waterbirds. The peak times are Sept-Mar for the migratory birds. Best birding is when the rising tide is AT 1.8 metres (ie 2 hrs earlier than high tide of 2.4m).

THE ESPLANADE NORTH (2k N) - Mangrove edges - Mangrove Robins, Shining Flycatchers, maybe Beach Stone-Curlews.

CENTENARY LAKES (3k N) - Water/Parkland - Between Collins St and Greenslopes St is an extension of the Botanic Gardens. There is a saltwater and a freshwater lake separated by Saltwater Creek. A good mix of water and bush birds. Little and Collared Kingfishers, White-browed Crakes, Double-eyed Fig-parrots. 50 species in 2 hours is usually found by the local bird group which meets at 0630 on the 1st Sunday of the month on Greenslopes St 100m west of Saltwater Creek.
FREE BIRD trips each Tuesday morning. Meet 0830 at Botanic gardens office

MOUNT WHITFIELD (3k N)- Rainforest - A little steep in places. Adjoining the Botanic gardens in Collins St. Rainforest, grassy areas and woodland. Take the Red Arrow track to the start of the Blue Arrow track. Take the right hand track of the Blue Arrow until the rainforest area. Easy walk for 500m. Noisy Pitta, Buff-breasted K/Fisher, Lovely Fairy-wren, Superb/Wompoo Fruit Doves

MICHAELMAS CAY (28k E) A small sandy cay where some terns nest for most of the year. Usually 6-7 seabirds seen. Brown, Masked Boobies, Common Noddy, Roseate, Black-naped and Bridled Terns + Frigatebirds. Seastar II stops at the Cay and allows landing for an hour or so. Be prepared for a long day if you are not into snorkelling.

AIRPORT AVENUE (3k N) - Mangroves - Two boardwalks provide access. Mangrove Robin, Shining Flycatcher, Collared Kingfisher plus honeyeaters at blossom time.

REDDEN ISLAND (8k N) - Woodland/Sandy Flats - Machans Beach. Go to end of Cinderella St. Park car and walk into the bush area on the west side of the street. Rose-crowned F/Doves, Lovely Fairy-wren. From car, walk to the beach and up to the mouth of the Barron River. At low tide, exposed sandbanks for waders, Beach Stone-curlew.

CATTANA WETLANDS (13k N) - Wetlands/Grass areas. Take Yorkeys Knob road and after 3 kms see Dunne Rd on left. Turn left and after 2 kms see roundabout. Take 1st exit left and park at gate. Walk in along bitumen for 5 mins to see 3 lakes. Jacana, Pygmy Goose, Crimson Finch and other grassbirds.
Since June 2005, a "KEEP OUT" notice has been erected. Birdos are known to be bad readers. I am trying to contact the owners about birdwatchers.

SMITHFIELD STW (13k N) - East end of McGregor's Rd, Smithfield. Park car at STW and walk along fence to see 2 sewage ponds. The eastern most pond is better. Water birds

YORKEY'S KNOB GOLF CLUB (15k N) - Lagoon - Go into Yorkeys Knob and just after the shops see Wattle St on the left. Follow this for 1 km and park in the shade next to the lagoon. Whistle Ducks, Glossy Ibis, Pygmy Goose.

SMITHFIELD CONSERVATION PARK (13k N) - Rainforest - At the West end of McGregor Rd, Smithfield see bike tracks to the right. Another entrance 300m north of McGregor Rd roundabout, leads to bike track area. Need 4wd for this 3 km track. Rainforest birds.

LAKE MORRIS ROAD (8k W) - Kanimbla - Rainforest. Cairns water supply in dam 15 kms along the road. Locked gate (2 kms before the dam) opens at 8.00 am. Plenty of good rainforest before that. Best birding after 8 kms. Stop to bird along the road. Monarchs, Fruit Doves, Pitta, Catbird, Riflebird, Boatbill.

STONEY CREEK (14k W) - Kamerunga. Rainforest. Park at the end of Stoney Ck Rd. Just over the bridge stay left for 2km easy walk or turn right to Douglas Track. Rainforest birds. Good swimming holes.

PORTSMITH STW (5k S) Kate St, 100m past railway line - Black/Fr Dotterel, Stilt, Whistle Ducks, Pied Herons.

EDMONTON (14k S) -End of Thomson Rd is the boat ramp. At low tide maybe Great-billed Heron plus other mangrove species.

EDMONTON - France Road (15k S) - Turf farm. Both sides of this road have produced Little Curlew, Pratincole, Buff-banded Rail and Grass Birds

CAIRNS CROCODILE FARM (18k S) - This location is now CLOSED to day visitors. It still operates as a crocodile farm. There is a commercial boat trip which includes a visit with its Trinity Inlet tour.

BEHANA GORGE (30k S) 5 kms past the Gordonvale traffic lights, see Behana Rd on the right(West). Drive to end of road and then walk. 3km service road reasonably flat walking. Rainforest birds. Good swimming holes.

GOLDSBOROUGH Rd (45k S) Turn right (West) at Gordonvale and take Gillies Hgwy for 7 kms and turn Left (South) on Goldsborough Rd. After 9 kms, park at bridge, end of bitumen. Walk up track for 2-3 k. Good variety of habitat on a gentle incline. Woodland, grass, rainforest.

B) SOME BIRDING LOCATIONS NORTH WEST OF CAIRNS VIA KENNEDY HIGHWAY, SMITHFIELD
BLACK MOUNTAIN ROAD - (Rainforest) - 11k past Smithfield roundabout and 2k past Rainforestation Tourist Area. Turn right (North). Rainforest birds. After 1k, at end of bitumen, concrete bridge. Platypus in this creek. From here, for the next 14 kms is good birding. Suggest 1st 5 kms only. Mackenzie’s Pocket, concrete bridge after 5 kms at the edge of exotic pine plantation, is a good spot.

KURANDA - Not a serious birders location, however there are good spots. Turn south at traffic lights and drive into this touristy village.

MT HAREN ROAD. - (Rainforest) - 1k past traffic lights see Warrill Rd. Turn right and then immediately left into Mt Haren Rd. This road ends after about 2k. Drive for 1k and park on right at entrance to Flying Doctor Radio Masts. Walk 500m down the bitumen road to the end. Walk near car and up to the gate.

WINDY HILL RD - (Rainforest) 3k past Warrill Rd turn left into Windy Hill Rd. Park after 300m. Worth 10 mins.

SPEEWAH ROAD - 2k more. (Woodland) Turn south and park after 30m and bird around the bridge. Lemon-Breasted F/Catcher. Continue over bridge for 1k in either direction for honeyeaters in gardens etc.

CLOHESY RIVER - 6k more. Turn south. Go for 8k to parking area. Rainforest area + boardwalk around figtree. Variety of rainforest and woodland species.

DAVIES CREEK - 8k more. (Woodlands) Turn left and go for 6k to camping area. 4wd may continue on road

EMERALD CREEK - 10k more. (Woodlands). Turn left. After 6k see water storage on left. Waterbirds. Continue for 5k and get to Emerald Creek picnic area. Walk up and down creek edges for Rufous Owl, White-browed Robin.

MAREEBA ROTARY PARK - On northern edge of Mareeba just before Granite Creek. Bush birds, some waterbirds.

MAREEBA WETLANDS - 7k north of Mareeba, at Biboohra. NB. This reserve is closed from DEC-MARCH (Wet Season).
The reserve is open every day from 0900 - 1630.
Turn left (west) into Pickford Rd and follow the signs. The main gate is 4 km down the road and there is good birding on the way down. Black Bittern at creek crossings and other dry-country birds, Squatter Pigeon, Great Bowerbird , Red-Tailed black-Cockatoo etc. Once through the gate drive 3k to the car park. Then walk to the Visitor Centre and see the attractions. There is a charge of $8 per adult to enter the reserve.

BIG MITCHELL CK - 14k after Biboohra, see Big Mitchell Ck. Just before the bridge, park on the east side. This is a regular haunt of the White-browed Robin. Jump into the creek bed and walk either east or west for this elusive bird. It is usually seen here.

LAKE MITCHELL - 700m past the Creek, see a gate on the left (west). The area between this gate and the gate 1k further down, is a stock route and birdos can enter. The areas to the left and right of the causeway are good for bushbirds and the lakes for waterbirds etc.

QUAID’S ROAD - 1k north of the lake Mitchell gate is a bitumen road on the right (east). This road is accessible for the first 7k. There are various ponds along either side of this road and these are good for Black-Throated Finches amongst others.

MOUNT MOLLOY - 12k more. Good area for Great Bowerbird in gardens.

RIFLE CREEK - 1k north of Mount Molloy is this camping area. Good birding along the edges of the bush and there is a track in the SW corner of the camping area which leads down to the creek.
Over the road, on the eastern side of the camping area is Wetherby Rd. After 4k is a lagoon. Always worth a drive on this road.

AFTER RIFLE CREEK BRIDGE KEEP NORTH FOR MT CARBINE. TURN RIGHT (EAST) FOR JULATTEN AND MOSSMAN (See Below).

LUSTER CREEK (10K) and STATION CREEK (4K) have tracks to the east. Both are worth a short stop.

MARYS FARMS - Halfway between Mt Molloy and Mt Carbine is Maryfarms. Either road to the east may turn up the Australian Bustard in the grassy paddocks.

MT CARBINE - Dry country woodlands plus old mining lakes. 500m north of the pub/service station turn left ( west) along a track to the lakes after 1 km. Waterbirds plus Babblers, Apostlebirds, Bustards etc.

AFTER RIFLE CREEK BRIDGE TURN EAST FOR JULATTEN/MOSSMAN.

ABATTOIR SWAMP (3k) There is a bird hide here and good native trees around the car park for honeyeaters.

KINGFISHER PARK (6k) - Australia's best known bird lodge. Either stay here or ask for permission to bird in the grounds. Small patch of rainforest with excellent variety of birds.


MT LEWIS - After 700m turn west, past the Tavern and keep left at the junction. Cross Bushey Creek and the clearing is about 12k. Good birding all the way. At the clearing (approx 1000m asl) there is a track to the left (west) which climbs gently. Excellent place for most of the endemics.

CARR RD - 400m A short road through rainforest and creek crossings.

Continue to the Capt. Cook Highway and turn north for Mossman and south for Port Douglas/Cairns.


C) SOME BIRDING LOCATIONS ON ATHERTON TABLELANDS, WEST OF CAIRNS VIA GILLIES HIGHWAY, GORDONVALE.
* Locations suggested for a day trip from Cairns.

*GILLIES TOP - 12K from Roos Creek at base of Gillies, park in small area on left. Woodland birds. Spotted Pardalote, Yellow-faced H/E.

*LAKE BARRINE - (Rainforest) 10k more, on the left. Park in top carpark. Excellent birding within 150m of carpark. Honeyeaters in gardens near buildings. Worth doing the short walk (600m) back to the 2 Kauri trees for Tooth-Billed Bowerbird (Oct-Dec).

LAKE EACHAM - (Rainforest) 6k past Barrine, turn left and follow signs. Good birding here near the parking/BBQ area and also the walk to the QPWS Ranger Office return.

*YUNGABURRA - 3k Drive around village for White-headed Pigeon, King Parrot and other garden species. The local boatramp (2k) is worth visiting for waterbirds but may be done on the return trip.

*MARKS LANE - (Paddocks) 5k past Yungaburra. Turn left and go for 3k and right for 1k to Gallo Park. Often good for raptors along this road.

*HASTIES SWAMP - (Waterbirds) Left for 50m and then right and follow signs to Hasties Swamp. There is a 2 level covered bird hide here. Always good for waterbirds but varies according to the water level. Brolgas and Sarus Cranes roost in evening (Oct-Dec).

WONGABEL FOREST (Rainforest) - Return to main road and turn right for 5k. Small area on left.

*MT HYPIPAMEE (THE CRATER) (Rainforest) - After 16k turn right into The Crater. Park at picnic area and walk around here. At 1000m altitude, this area has Golden Bowerbird, Mountain Thornbill and Atherton Scrubwren amongst others. The gully on the left immediately after the wooden bridge to The Crater, is known for Atherton Scrubwrens.

*LONGLANDS GAP SF 2k and park on left. Walk into clearing over the road and follow track into rainforest.

KABAN - (Woodlands - Northern limit for many Qld birds). After 4k take the Tumoulin Rd on the right.In this 20k triangle there are State Forest tracks and roadside habitat. Stop at any of these places.
After 6k turn right on Kaban Rd. Park after 800m, SF Gate on left after 500m, another after 700m (left) After 3K see level crossing. (Old Kaban Rd dirt road to right, leads back to Wandeclan and Herberton) Turn left on Kaban Rd for 1k (wetland), 500m Station Ck, and 2k to T-junction. Turn left ans see SF gates on right after 2k and after 500m. Return to Kennedy Highway and turn left.

* SPRINGVALE RD. (Woodland) Take the Herberton Rd, 2k south of The Crater and go for 8k and see Springvale Rd on the left. Turn left and after 500m turn left and go for 3k to park on right just past a creek crossing. This road passes via paddocks and a lagoon on left and mixed woodland. Walk to the right along the creek track for 1k. Fuscous H/E, Crested Shrike-Tit, White-cheeked H/E, Little Lorikeet, Brown Treecreeper, Dusky Woodswallow plus others.

*HERBERTON - Honeyeaters, parrots etc around town gardens.

MOOMIN RD. After 4k turn right. Fairly rough road. This road crosses a creek and leads to the Herberton water supply after 2-3k set in woodlands. Return same way.

*HASTIES SWAMP - After approx 10k see turn to Hasties Swamp or continue into Atherton.

This form will be posted asap John Seale

Gouldian Finch Observation Record Sheet

Observer Details


Name:_______________________________________________________________________

Street Address:_______________________________________________________________

Suburb/Town:_____________________Post Code:______________Country:____________

Organisation:_________________________________________________________________

Phone:__________________________________Mobile:______________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________________________



I was the observer
A friend or family member was the observer
Other, please state_________________________________________________________
Have you ever been to the Mareeba Wetlands?_____________________________________

Have you seen the Goulidan Finches in the aviary at the Visitor Centre?_______________

Have you seen Gouldian Finches in the wild before?________________________________

Location Details

Site name:___________________________________________________________________

Nearest landmarks i.e. signs, posts etc.: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nearest town:_________________________________________________________________

State or province: _____________________________________________________________

General description: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Geographical coordinates (Latitude, Longitude – degrees, minutes and seconds)

Latitude:_______degrees_______minutes_______seconds SOUTH or decimal:__________

Longitude:_______degrees _______minutes_______seconds EAST or decimal:__________

Map Grid coordinates (Eastings, Northings and Map Zone)

Easting:__________________Northing:__________________Map Zone:_______________

Datum (applies to GPS units and maps):__________________________________________

Method (i.e. GPS, Map):________________________________________________________

Accuracy (to metres):__________________________________________________________

(Please note: GPS accurate readings preferred)

Behaviour Details

What were the birds doing? i.e. feeding, drinking, roosting

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Any signs of breeding (courting behaviour, presence of nests etc.) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Observation Details

Date and time of observation

Time:_________________Day:___________Month:________________Year:____________

Weather:____________________________________________________________________

Number and ages of finches seen:
Total:_________Adult:__________Juvenile:_________Mixed:_________Unknown:______

How were the finches counted? ________________________________________________

All released Gouldian Finches from the Mareeba Wetlands are individually metal and colour banded. The metal band is usually placed on the upper right tarsus (lower leg) and a master colour band below the metal band. The left tarsus contains two colour bands.

Colour bands are read from the right leg first, from the top of the leg down towards the foot. E.g. Right leg: metal band over master colour band

Left leg: colour band over colour band

Band colours and codes include:

K = Black, W = White, Y = Yellow, R = Red, B = Blue, E = Light Blue,

G = Green, P = Purple

Metal and colour bands seen:
Right leg upper________________________ Right leg lower _________________________

Left leg upper _________________________Left leg lower ___________________________


Habitat (please describe exactly what you saw, i.e. main trees, shrubs and grasses present, landscape, soil etc.):

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Thank you for submitting this form

Please return this completed form to: Mareeba Wetland Foundation, PO Box 175, Mareeba, QLD 4880. Phone: 07 4093 2514, email: visitor.centre@mareebawetlands.com

DECEMBER
BARN SWALLOW (14+) from J and C Carpenter (via J Seale)
17/12/04 Newell Beach 5 on beach road, 14 second street back (as phoned to me). Maybe they are still there. Still there on 3/1/05 (J Seale)
WOOD SANDPIPER (2) Alan Gillanders 21/12/04 Hasties Swamp
RADJAH SHELDUCK (5) - John Seale 21/12/04 Smithfield STW, end of McGregor Rd East
PIED HERON - John Crowhurst and Mark Jagusch 19/12/04 lake-golf course Yorkeys Knob
PIED HERON John Seale 18/12/04 East McGregor Rd, Smithfield STW past YAPS
LITTLE CURLEW (2) Alan Gillanders (A.G.) Ploughed Field, Kaban
AUSTRALIAN PRATINCOLE - John Seale 08/12/94 - Soil paddock on Nth side France Rd Edmonton
ORIENTAL CUCKOO - Chris Dahlberg 6/12/04 - Windy Reach, Daintree River
YELLOW WAGTAIL (1) - Harry Cassidy (HC) 4/12/04 - Smithfield Treatment Works, end of McGregor Road past YAPS.
LITTLE CURLEW (4) - Nick Bonomo 1/12/04 - France Road, grassy paddocks past the turf
farm
AUSTRALIAN PRATINCOLE - Nick Bonomo 1/12/04 - France Road, grassy paddocks past the turf farm
Beach Thicknee (2), Andy Anderson, 2/12/04. Mid-esplanade; flew to airport 0600hrs.

NOVEMBER
BUFF-BREASTED PARADISE KINGFISHER (pair at nest-site), 28/11/04. Hungarian couple,
ORIENTAL CUCKOO, Jonathan Munro, 26/11/04. Cairns Airport Access Rd.
YELLOW WAGTAIL, Jonathan Munro, 14/11/04, Yorkey's Knob Lagoon.
BARN SWALLOW, Jonathan Munro, 14/11/04, Yorkey's Knob Lagoon.
BARN SWALLOW (10) - from Nick Bonomo 14/11/04 - Newell Beach, Mossman
YELLOW WAGTAIL, Jonathan Munro, 11/11/04, Lake Mitchell.
BUFF-BREASTED PARADISE KINGFISHER, Ben blewitt, 11/11/04, Kingfisher Park.
BUFF-BREASTED PARADISE KINGFISHER, Ron Stannard, 10/11/04, Kingfisher Park, almost 2 wks later than usual.
FRECKLED DUCK, Jonathan Munro et al.07 / 11 / 04. Drake on lagoon near Ravenshoe.
LITTLE CURLEW (-), Barry Collins (UK Birder) per John Seale 7/11/04. France Rd, Edmonton. Not on the turf farm but in the cattle paddock further up the road on the north side.

OCTOBER
Cassowary, adult male and 4 chicks daily at Cass House since Oct 29.
BLACK-BREASTED BUZZARD, Jonathan Munro et al.23 / 10 /04.Near Ravenshoe.
ASIAN DOWITCHER Nick Bonomo, Cairns Esplanade, from last week in October - still there as of 2 Nov.

Broadbilled Sandpipoer (2), John Crowhurst, Cairns Esplanade, mid-Oct, - one bird still there 2 Nov.
Black Bittern, Centenary Lakes, 25th Oct - Brian Venables.
Black Bittern, Kewarra Resort, 17 Oct - Tropical Bird Club outing.
Emu (5), Jonathan Munro et al.11 /10 / 04.Near Ravenshoe.
Australian Pratincole,(20+), Jonathan Munro et al.10 / 10 / 04.Near Kairi.
ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE (2) Jonathan Munro et al.10 / 10 / 04.Near Kairi.

EMU, Jonathan Munro et al.04/10/04.Near Ravenshoe.
MASKED OWLS (4),Jonathan Munro et al.4/10/04. Near Ravenshoe. Large female mantling Long-nosed Bandicoot kill. Three smaller males nearby.
MANGROVE ROBIN, Jonathan Munro et al.16/10/04. Single bird observed on Daintree River from Dan Irby's boat.
GREAT-BILLED HERONS (4), Jonathan Munro et al.16/10/04. Daintree River from Dan Irby's boat.
BLACK-BREASTED BUZZARD, Jonathan Munro et al.23/10/04. Near Ravenshoe.
MASKED OWL, Jonathan Munro et al.27/10/04. Large female near Ravenshoe.

SEPTEMBER
BUFF-BREASTED BUTTONQUAIL (2), Martin Cachard & Adam Arnold, Mt Mulligan, end of Sept.
Grey Plover (1), Andy Anderson & others, Esplanade, 29th Sept.
Beach Thicknee (1), Andy Anderson, skulking beneath mangroves N end Esplanade, early morning, 23 Sept.

AUGUST
REDSHANK, N end of Esplanade, mid-August, seen & photoed by visiting birder - per John Crowhurst.
Black Bittern, creek by Dunne Rd roundabout, 11th August - Andy Anderson & NZ bird group.