This is a brief account of our recent mainly wildlife viewing trip to Australia. The first part is a list of all the species we saw with a brief summary of our sightings, it is not intended to be a concise list as notes taken during the trip were not that detailed and only sightings of particular interest were recorded. Once species had been identified subsequent sightings of the more common species were not necessarily noted.
The list follows the latest IOC listings so that some splits are not recognised by all authorities.
The second part is an illustrated diary giving an outline of the trip day by day, and is divided into 6 sections;
1 Victoria ; 5 days fully guided with Simon Starr of Firetail Birding
2 Tasmania; Mostly unguided with 2 nights in the NW at Mountain Wilderness Lodge and
2 nights at Inala on Bruny Island only time with guide was a night drive on Bruny.
3 Queensland ; 2 days in Cairns followed by 7 nights at Cassowary House, local guides used on 2 days
one for endemics on Mt Lewis and a Daintree River Trip and a second mainly for drier country birds around Mareeba and Jullaten.
4 Brisbane to Wollongong ; 2 nights at a campsite next to O'Reilley's Wildlife Lodge in the Lamington National Park then a 3 day journey down to Wollongong south of Sydney.
5 Wollongong Pelagic; all day pelagic with SOSSA on the Sandra K out of Wollongong
6 Blue Mountains and Capertee Valley; Travel from Wollongong to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains 3 nights there including one night in the Capertee Valley than travel back to Sydney for an overnight stay and a morning visit to the Harbour Bridge and Opera House before returning home
Finally some brief notes on the planning and logistics of the trip.
All photos unless marked otherwise taken by myself or Kay using either a Canon 7D or Canon SX50 with limited editing in Lightroom. Some have been heavily cropped and intended as record shots only.
As a birder who takes pictures when possible I found photography extremely challenging on this trip. The light was so variable, low light in the rainforest or early mornings or very bright light in the sunshine. Often the bird would be in shade with extremely bright light behind making controlling the backgrounds extremely difficult meaning much experimenting with settings and as anyone who has tried photographing birds will know they often do not hang around while you play around with the camera.
Link to Australian Gallery on FlickR http://www.flickr.com/photos/djryves/ Australia
Just a quick note about using professional guides which at first glance seemed fairly expensive for an individual at around £250 /day but on consideration I found them value for money if you take in to account use of a 4-wheel drive vehicle which can take you places normal hire companies will not allow and food and refreshments during the day that leaves a modest days fee. I would have struggled to find many of the sites they took me and missed many of the bird they found, so would recommend their use especially if time is limited.
Dave and Kay's Oz Adventures
A report of our recent wildlife trip to Australia with a few images to illustrate the scenery and variety of wildlife on view.
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Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Monday, 30 December 2013
List of Sighting
1 |
List based on IOC latest some splits may not be universally recognised. Southern Cassowary |
Key to list Bold = Lifers - new species for me Blue = Species seen before Yellow= Heard only or not seen well enough to confirm ID 3 up close encounters with Missy at Cassowary House were unforgettable |
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2 | Emu | First seen (3) at our campsite at Hattah-Kulkyne NP; several others along the road next morning in the Grampians but not encountered elsewhere |
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3 | Australian Brushturkey | Common in Queensland down to Sydney especially around campsites and picnic areas. | |
4 | Malleefowl | Lucky to find one along the Old Caulder Highway travelling towards Hattah-Kulkyne which saved searching for one the next day; Nest mound seen at Wyperfield NP | |
5 | Orange-footed Scrubfowl | Easily seen at Centenary Gardens Cairns and at Cassowary House | |
Ducks, Swans and Geese |
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6 | Magpie Goose | Common on most wetlands around Cairns | |
7 | Plumed Whistling Duck | 1000's at Hasties Swamp; also 100+ at Evans Rd swamp nr Mareeba and a few encountered on other spots around Cairns | |
8 | Wandering Whistling Duck | A few found with the Plumed at Hasties and seen at Cattana Wetlands | |
9 | Black Swan | Common throughout | |
10 | Freckled Duck | 3+ at Lake Lithgrow 4/10 ; 2 Hasties Swamp 18/10 ; 2 Little Llangothlin NP 25/10 | |
11 | Radjah Shelduck | Only seen at Centenary Gardens Cairns | |
12 | Australian Shelduck | 2 at Bells Swamp first morning few seen elsewhere around Victoria | |
13 | Pink-eared Duck | Few at Round Lake 2/10 then 1000's at Lake Lithgrow 4/10; In Queensland lots at Hasties Swamp and few at other suitable spots | |
14 | Maned Duck | Very common in Vic and on Tasmania | |
15 | Green Pygmy Goose | Seen at Lake Mitchell and at Cattana Wetlands | |
16 | Mallard (i) | 1 at Tamar Wetlands Tasmania | |
17 | Pacific Black Duck | Very common throughout | |
18 | Australasian Shoveler | Few seen around Victoria | |
19 | Grey Teal | Fairly common throughout | |
20 | Chestnut Teal | First seen near Anglesea along the Great Ocean Rd then at Werribe e and Melbourne Botanic Gardens; Common on Tas. | |
21 | Hardhead | Fairy common throughout | |
22 | Blue-billed Duck | female at Werribee then 6+ (3 m) at Little Llangothlin | |
23 | Musk Duck | 50+ at Round Lake; 2 distant birds at Little Llangothlin | |
Penguins | |||
24 | Little Penguin | several birds at the Rookery at the Neck Bruny Island | |
Albatross, Shearwaters & Petrels |
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25 | Wandering Albatross | 2 of these magnificent birds on the pelagic out of Wollongong | |
26 | Antipodean ( Gibson's) Albatross | 1 on pelagic ( caught and ringed) | |
27 | Black-browed Albatross | several on the Wollongong pelagic | |
28 | Cambell's Albatross | 1 seen well on Wollongong pelagic | |
29 | Shy/White capped Albatross | several seen from coasts along Great Ocean Rd and Bruny Island Tas ; continuously seen on pelagic with 12+ birds in view at any time | |
30 | Buller's Albatross | 1 seen well on Wollongong pelagic | |
31 | Northern Giant Petrel | 2 seen well on pelagic; distant bird seen from Adventure Bay feeding with Shearwaters could not be assigned to species | |
32 | Fairy Prion | 1 seen briefly on pelagic | |
33 | Great-winged Petrel | 1 came close in on pelagic | |
34 | Wedge-tailed Shearwater | several with Short-tails on pelagic | |
35 | Short-tailed Shearwater | few seen from coast along Ocean Rd ; huge feeding flocks off Adventure Bay Tasmania and a few seen onshore on the night visit to the Rookery | |
Hundreds continuously around boat on pelagic making it very difficult to sort out various shearwaters ( food shortage this year means hundreds of starving birds have been seen along the coasts.) | |||
36 | Fluttering Shearwater | several seen on pelagic | |
37 | Hutton's Shearwater | a few ID'd on pelagic | |
38 | Wilson's Storm Petrel | 3 seen on pelagic | |
Grebes | |||
39 | Australasian Grebe | Common throughout | |
40 | Hoary-headed Grebe | Fairly common throughout sometimes in large numbers | |
41 | Great Crested Grebe | several Lake Barrie Atherton Tablelands 18/10 ; 1 Little Llangothlin | |
Ibis, Spoonbill & Herons | |||
42 | Australian White Ibis | Common throughout | |
43 | Straw-necked Ibis | Common throughout | |
44 | Glossy Ibis | 1 at Lake Mitchell Queensland | |
45 | Royal Spoonbill | Common on most wetlands around Cairns | |
46 | Yellow-billed Spoonbill | common on suitable habitat mostly further south than Royals. | |
47 | Nankeen Night Heron | 6+ at Boort lake 2/10; 1 on Cairns Esplanade at dusk 14/10 | |
48 | Striated Heron | 1 Cairns Esplanade 13/10; 1 Centenary Lake 15 and 21/10; 1 Kurunda | |
49 | Eastern Cattle Egret | Fairly common throughout sometimes in large numbers | |
50 | White-necked Heron | Fairly common throughout often in open fields not near water | |
51 | Great-billed Heron | adult and juv on Daintree River cruise | |
52 | Great Egret | Common throughout | |
53 | Intermediate Egret | A few seen could have been more but white egrets not always scrutinised closely | |
54 | Pied Heron | 1 on small pond near Port Douglas ( Thanks to Murray Hunt who showed us this bird after a dash from the river trip) | |
55 | White-faced Heron | Fairly common throughout | |
56 | Little Egret | A few scattered birds seen throughout | |
57 | Pacific Reef Heron | 1 White morph on Cairns esplanade | |
Red-tailed Tropicbird | 2 Distant Tropicbirds near Michelmas Cay were probably this species. | ||
58 | Australian Pelican | Common throughout | |
59 | Great Frigatebird | 4 Frigatebirds seen well at Michelmas Cay were all this species other distant birds not ID'd to species. | |
60 | Australasian Gannet | A few from the coasts in Victoria and Tasmania also seen on Wollongong pelagic | |
61 | Brown Booby | Lots around Michelmas Cay | |
Cormorants | |||
62 | Little Pied Cormorant | Fairly common throughout | |
63 | Black-faced Cormorant | First seen waiting for Bruny Ferry ; fairly common around Bruny coasts | |
64 | Little Black Cormorant | Common throughout | |
65 | Australian Pied Cormorant | Fairly common throughout more coastal than Little Pied | |
66 | Great Cormorant | A few scattered birds seen throughout | |
67 | Australasian Darter | A few scattered birds seen throughout | |
Hawks, Eagles & Falcons | |||
68 | Eastern Osprey | Nesting pair at Lake Mitchell Qslnd | |
69 | Australian Kite | Common throughout especially roadside | |
70 | Black Kite | Common throughout especially Queensland where abundant roadside and over cane fields; several large groups 50+ seen and frequent early morning feeding on roadkill | |
71 | Whistling Kite | Fairly common throughout often in groups of 6+ and mixed with Black Kites on the Tablelands. | |
72 | Brahminy Kite | 1 near Port Douglas 17/10 ; 1 Cattana wetlands | |
73 | White-bellied Sea Eagle | A few scattered birds seen throughout | |
74 | Swamp Harrier | Fairly common throughout | |
75 | Spotted Harrier | 1 along road nr Ouyen 3/10 another Wyperfield same day | |
76 | Grey Goshawk | 1 Wilderness Lodge Tas over; 1 perched Lamington campsite both grey morph | |
77 | Brown Goshawk | 1 nr Castlemaine Victoria flew over ; 1 Maryfarms flew over while watching Bustard; 1 Southern Tablelands | |
78 | Collared Sparrowhawk | 1 fem/juv Werribee 5/10; 1 along road northern Tas | |
79 | Wedge-tailed Eagle | Fairly common throughout Victoria ; 1 at Inala on Tas; 2 at O'Rielley's | |
80 | Little Eagle | 1 seen well in mallee north of Inglewood on first day ; 1 Werribee | |
81 | Nankeen Kestrel | Common throughout especially roadside | |
82 | Australian Hobby | 1 Adventure bay seen well | |
83 | Brown Falcon | Fairly common throughout mostly roadside | |
84 | Black Falcon | 4+ seen around inland Victoria | |
85 | Peregrine Falcon | 1 nr Mareeba perched up | |
86 | Australian Bustard | 6+ seen Maryfarms 1 very close; 1 along road to Granite Gorge next day | |
Crakes & Rails | |||
87 | Red-necked Crake | commonly heard at Cassowary House, pair seen 2x early morning 21/10 | |
88 | Buff-banded Rail | 1 in the childrens playground Cairns Esplanade seen well | |
89 | Baillon's Crake | 1 seen Werribee | |
90 | Australian Crake | 1 seen Werribee | |
91 | Purple Swamphen | common on suitable habitat | |
92 | Dusky Moorhen | Common on most wetlands especially Victoria and Tas | |
92 | Black-tailed Nativehen | Seen at Bells Swamp and Weribee | |
93 | Tasmanian Nativehen | (Tas endemic) Common throughout Tasmania very tame at Wilderness Lodge | |
94 | Eurasian Coot | Common throughout | |
Cranes | |||
95 | Sarus Crane | Common on Tablelands around Atherton several large groups in fields assumed to be this species although possibly Brolga as well but mostly seen from moving vehicle. | |
96 | Brolga | Only 2 at Werribee positively ID'd but possibly some with Sarus Cranes on Tablelands, | |
97 | Painted Buttonquail | 3 birds at Capertee seen well, 2 other groups seen in the valley were probably same species; Kay had 2 Quail sp from moving car near Lamington but could not be relocated | |
98 | Comb-crested Jacana | Seen at Lake Mitchell and at Cattana Wetlands. | |
Waders |
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99 | Bush Stone-curlew | 6+ Cairns Cemetry; 8 in a garden at Kuranda 16/10 probably same nearby 21/10; 1 along road nr Cairns 22/10 | |
100 | Beach Stone-curlew | 2 Newell Beach; 2 Wonga Beach 1 from car nr Port Douglas all on day with Murray | |
101 | Pied Oystercatcher | seen at Werribee 5/10; common on Bruny coasts; few on Queensland beaches | |
102 | Sooty Oystercatcher | common on rocky coasts on Bruny; 1 in Wollongong harbour 27/10 | |
103 | White-headed Stilt | Common on most wetlands | |
104 | Red-necked Avocet | groups of around 20 on several inland waters in Vic; 20+ at Werribee all fairly distant out of camera range. | |
105 | Banded Lapwing | after missing them at Werribee 3 adults with 2 chicks seen at Turf farm near Windsor NSW | |
106 | Masked Lapwing | Common throughout | |
107 | Red-kneed Dotterel | 3 Bells Swamp 1/10; few Werribee 5/10 ; few others at scattered locations ; Cattana wetlands 21/10 | |
108 | Pacific Golden Plover | 6 at Werribee | |
109 | Hooded Dotterel | Pair seen well at breeding site near Anglesea on the Great Ocean Rd | |
110 | Black-fronted Dotterel | Fairly common throughout | |
111 | Red-capped Plover | first seen on saltpans nr Boort then few suitable scattered locations | |
112 | Bar-tailed Godwit | common on Cairns beaches | |
113 | Whimbrel | 1 roosting Cairns Esplanade; 1 Wonga beach | |
114 | Eastern Curlew | 2 Cairns Esplanade 14/10 | |
115 | Marsh Sandpiper | several Werribee | |
116 | Common Greenshank | few Werribee; 1 Cairns Esplanade | |
117 | Grey-tailed Tattler | 10+ Cairns Esplanade; 1 Wonga beach ( Wandering was present at Cairns but not looked for) | |
118 | Terek Sandpiper | 1 Cairns Esplanade | |
119 | Common Sandpiper | 1 Saltwater creek Centenary Lakes | |
120 | Great Knot | few Cairns Esplanade | |
121 | Red Knot | small number at Werribee | |
122 | Red-necked Stint | Large numbers at Werribee and on Cairns Esplanade | |
123 | Sharp-tailed Sandpiper | Seen at several inland sites both in Victoria and Queensland as well as at Werribee and Cairns. | |
124 | Curlew Sandpiper | small numders at Werribee and along the Esplanade | |
Gulls & Terns | |||
125 | Brown Noddy | Large numbers Michelmas Cay | |
126 | Black Noddy | few picked out amongst Brown Noddies around Michelmas Cay mostly perched on bouys while approaching Cay | |
127 | Silver Gull | Common throughout | |
128 | Pacific Gull | few along Great Ocean Rd and Werribee; few Bruny Island coasts. | |
129 | Kelp Gull | Several Bruny Island coasts;few on Wollongong pelagic | |
130 | Gull-billed Tern | Small numbers Cairns | |
131 | Caspian Tern | seen along Cairns Esplanade; 1 inland at Lake Mitchell 20/10; 1 Corrimal beach Wollongong 26/10 | |
132 | Greater Crested Tern | common on coasts throughout | |
133 | Lesser Crested Tern | 2 in Cairns Marina 14/10 | |
134 | Fairy Tern | Several seen at Weribee including at few at close range hawking over pits | |
135 | Bridled Tern | Some mixed with Sooties at Michelmas Cay | |
136 | Sooty Tern | Huge numbers at Michelmas Cay | |
137 | Black-naped Tern | 4 perched on a raft near Michelmas Cay | |
138 | Roseate Tern | 1 perched on same raft as Black-naped | |
139 | Whiskered Tern | Large numbers at Werribee | |
140 | Parasitic Jaeger | 1 harrassing Shearwaters on Wollongong pelagic. | |
Pigeons & Doves | |||
141 | Rock Dove (i) | few in towns | |
142 | White-headed Pigeon | few birds around O'Reilly's | |
143 | Spotted Dove (i) | Fairly common throughout mostly in towns | |
Laughing Dove (i) | Seen around Dubai airport | ||
144 | Brown Cuckoo-Dove | 1 Rainforest walk Kuranda 16/10 ; 1 O'Reilley's 24/10 | |
145 | Pacific Emerald Dove | 1 briefly on road at Jullatan while watching Boat-bill | |
146 | Common Bronzewing | Seen at park in Inglewood then few seen scattered locations in Victoria | |
147 | Brush Bronzewing | First flushed from roadside in Grampians then 1 seen well near Silverband Falls; few other sightings mostly roadside while travelling | |
148 | Crested Pigeon | Common throughout | |
149 | Squatter Pigeon | 2 seen at close range in garden at Mt Molloy | |
150 | Wonga Pigeon | common at O'Reilley's; 2 at Washpools campsite | |
151 | Diamond Dove | Flock of 20+ at Maryfarms | |
152 | Peaceful Dove | ! Seen in northern Victoria and 2 in Capertee Valley ; in Queensland very common and seen throughout | |
153 | Bar-shouldered Dove | Common in Queensland frequently heard calling and seen perched on roadside wires. | |
154 | Wompoo Fruit Dove | Heard frequently with a few sightings in rainforest around Queensland | |
155 | Torresian Imperial Pigeon | Very common around Cairns | |
156 | Topknot Pigeon | Seen well at Mount Lewis and Mt Hypippimae | |
Parrots |
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157 | Red-tailed Black Cockatoo | Several groups of these impressive Cockatoo's seen around Tablelands mostly in flight or feeding in roadside trees. | |
Glossy Black Cockatoo | 2 birds that few over Katoomba Falls in the Blue Mountains at dusk were most likely this species but unable to get clear view | ||
158 | Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo | Flock of 50+ birds flying to roost near Horsham Vic were impressive sight; also several sighting in Blue Mountains. | |
159 | Gang-gang Cockatoo | A noisy group of 4 birds at Troopers Creek campsite at first light the only sighting. | |
160 | Major Mitchell's Cockatoo | 4 of these stunning birds seen at Wyperfield. | |
161 | Galah | Very common sometimes in large flocks every where | |
162 | Long-billed Corella | common in Vic often in large flocks; a few sightings in Queensland and Blue Mountains but probably overlooked as similar to Sulphurs at distance. | |
163 | Little Corella | several amongst Long-billed in northern Vic but probably overlooked as Corella flocks not scrutenised once both species seen well. | |
164 | Sulphur-crested Cockatoo | Common throughout often in large flocks. | |
165 | Cockatiel | 2 Goschen NP ; 1 from moving vehicle nr Glenn Innes | |
166 | Rainbow Lorikeet | Common throughout especially Cairns | |
167 | Scaly-breasted Lorikeet | 2 in fruiting tree outside hotel window in Cairns; 1 nr Mareeba | |
168 | Musk Lorikeet | Common throughout | |
169 | Little Lorikeet | 6+ west cap picnic area south of Brisbane ; 10 + at Glen Davis campsite. | |
170 | Purple-crowned Lorikeet | Several feeding in flowering trees with Musk's at Boort | |
171 | Australian Ringneck | 2 Goschen NP then 2 Hattah-Kulkyne and a few roadside sightings | |
172 | Green Rosella | (Tas endemic)Fairly common on Tas seen at Mountain Wilderness and Inala | |
173 | Crimson Rosella | Common throughout especially tame at O'Reilley's | |
174 | Pale-headed Rosella | 1 seen well at Mt Carbine; 2 nr Mareeba | |
175 | Eastern Rosella | Fairly common throughout Vic and NSW but not as tame as other Rosella's; 1 Yellow form near Murray River | |
176 | Bluebonnet | 2 Goshen few scattered sightings in same area. | |
177 | Red-rumped Parrot | Common in Victoria then again in Capertee Valley. | |
178 | Mulga Parrot | 2 Moss Tank NP then 2 in mallee nr Hattah-kulkyne | |
179 | Turquoise Parrot | 1 Glen Davis Campsite. | |
180 | Budgerigar | Breeding pair at Wyperfield | |
181 | Regent Parrot | Several seen along the Murray river then next day at campsite in Hattah | |
182 | Australian King Parrot | First encountered at Lorne along Great Ocean Rd then very tame at O'Reilley's and common through NSW | |
183 | Red-winged Parrot | 8+ seen briefly at Maryfarms mostly in flight only | |
184 | Double-eyed Fig Parrot | 1 bird at Cassowary House from verandah just after arriving only sighting heard elsewhere but not searched for. | |
Cuckoos | |||
185 | Pheasant Coucal | common on Tableland mostly seen on edge of cane fields. | |
186 | Pacific Koel | 1 perched in Centenary gardens Cairns | |
187 | Channel-billed Cuckoo | 1 calling then flew over at Maryfarms; heard but not seen in Blue Mountains | |
188 | Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo | Heard calling frequently but only seen at Glen Davis | |
189 | Black-eared Cuckoo | Seen well at Wyperfield | |
190 | Shining Bronze Cuckoo | Seen well at Woodlands Park Melbourne | |
Heard only | Little Bronze Cuckoo | Heard only on a few occassions | |
191 | Pallid Cuckoo | Seen very well in Tas a few times | |
192 | Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Seen well on several occaissions on Tas and Blue Mountains | |
Heard only | Brush Cuckoo | Heard only on a few occassions | |
Owls, Nightjars & Frogmouths | |||
Heard only | Southern Boobook | Heard only at night while camping in the Grampians | |
193 | Papuan Frogmouth | Nesting bird seen on the Daintree river trip | |
194 | Tawny Frogmouth | Several sightings 2 at Boort; 1 while spotlighting at Hattah; I on night drive on Tas; 2 at Mt Carbine caravan park | |
195 | Spotted Nightjar | 1 while spotlighting at Hattah | |
Heard only | Australian Owlet-nightjar | Heard only nr Hattah in daylight but not located. | |
196 | Australian Swiftlet | common over Cairns | |
Kingfishers, Bee-eaters & Rollers |
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197 | Oriental Dollarbird | 2 seen at Mareeba Wetlands then few scattered further sightings around the Tablelands; also 1 at Capertee Valley and 2 at Washpools campsite | |
198 | Laughing Kookaburra | Common throughout regular sightings on roadside wires. | |
199 | Blue-winged Kookaburra | 1 near Mareeba seen well; nesting pair in Mt Carbine caravan park; few others mostly seen on wires while travelling around the Julatten area. |
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200 | Forest Kingfisher | Mostly seen on wires around Cairns/ Daintree areas | |
201 | Collared Kingfisher | 1 in mangroves at northern end of Cairns Esplanade | |
202 | Sacred Kingfisher | 1 seen on the Murray river only Vic sighting; around Cairns fairly common on roadside wires and near water ie Hasties Swamp, centenary Lakes; also Glen Davis campsite and Capertee | |
203 | Azure Kingfisher | 1 seen very well on Daintree River trip | |
204 | Little Kingfisher | 1 seen very well on Daintree River trip ; 1 Centenary Gardens. | |
205 | Rainbow Bee-eater | Seen well at Goschen then scattered sightings throughout. | |
Pittas | |||
206 | Noisy Pitta | 1 seen after much effort at Mt Lewis; 2 seen and many heard at O'Reilley's | |
Lyrebirds, Catbirds & Bowerbirds | |||
207 | Albert's Lyrebird | 2 outside O'Reilley's seen very well another along the road in later in day. | |
208 | Superb Lyrebird | 14 at Minnimurra Rainforest walk ; 1 Fitzroy Falls; 1 Wentworth Falls. | |
209 | Spotted Catbird | Common sound in any Wet Tropic rainforest seen at feeders at Cassowary and in Kurunda rainforest walk | |
210 | Green Catbird | common sound around O'Reilley's seen occaissionally. | |
211 | Tooth-billed Bowerbird | Seen well at Mt Lewis and at Mt Hypippimae | |
212 | Golden Bowerbird | female at Mt Lewis male at bower at Mt Hypippamae. | |
213 | Regent Bowerbird | Common and tame at O'Reilley's | |
214 | Satin Bowerbird | Several at Wye Valley campsite in Vic; common around O'Reilley's and in Capertee Valley also other sightings in NSW. | |
215 | Great Bowerbird | Seen well around Mt Carbine area. | |
Tree-creepers | |||
216 | White-throated Treecreeper | 1 at Silverbands Falls in Vic; seen at Washpools campsite and a few in the Blue Mountains | |
217 | White-browed Treecreeper | 1 seen well at Wyperfield | |
218 | Brown Treecreeper | Common throughout | |
Fairy-wrens, Scrubwrens, Warblers & Thornbills |
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219 | Superb Fairywren | Common in Victoria and Tasmania then seen again at O'Reilley's and throughout NSW | |
220 | Variegated Fairy-wren | 3 including 1 male seen briefly in Sundown NP on road to camp site. | |
221 | Splendid Fairywren | 1 male seen well at Moss Tank nr Hattah-Kulkyne NP | |
222 | Red-backed Fairywren | 3 female types nr Julatten only sighting | |
223 | White-winged Fairywren | again only females seen at Lake Tuchewop | |
224 | Southern Emu-wren | 1 seen after great effort at Anglesea then another found along road further into the heath. | |
225 | Scrubtit | 2 sightings of this difficult Tas endemic 1 at Mountain Wilderness and 1 at Inala | |
226 | Chestnut-rumped Heathwren | 1 seen well in Grampians | |
227 | Shy Heathwren | 1 lived up to it's name before eventually showing well in mallee north of Inglewood first day. | |
228 | Striated Fieldwren | seen at Anglesea Heath while looking for Emu-wren then several at Werribee. | |
229 | Speckled Warbler | 1 in the Capertee Valley | |
230 | Fernwren | Seen well at Mt Lewis and again at Mt Hypippamae (one of the Wet Tropic Endemics ) | |
231 | Atherton Scrubwren | Seen well at Mt Lewis (one of the Wet Tropic Endemics ) | |
232 | White-browed Scrubwren | Common throughout | |
233 | Tasmanian Scrubwren | (Tas endemic) Responded spectacularly to a random tape at Mountain Wilderness. | |
234 | Yellow-throated Scrubwren | Common throughout | |
235 | Large-billed Scrubwren | Seen at Cassowary House and a few other highland rainforest sites | |
236 | Weebill | First seen in park in Inglewood then few other sightings throughout heard more often and probably overlooked in with other Thornbills | |
237 | Brown Gerygone | Pair including displaying male at nest at Lamington first positive sighting but a few present around tracks at O'Reilley's | |
238 | Western Gerygone | 1 singing male in Mallee north of Inglewood only sighting. | |
239 | Large-billed Gerygone | Nesting birds seen on Daintree River Trip | |
240 | Mangrove Gerygone | Seen at Centenary lakes ID confirmed by local birder | |
241 | White-throated Gerygone | Singing and displaying bird seen in Capertee Valley | |
242 | Fairy Gerygone | 2 birds in mixed flock at Barron Falls Lookout | |
243 | Mountain Thornbill | Several birds seen at Mt Lewis | |
244 | Brown Thornbill | Common throughout | |
245 | Inland Thornbill | Seen at Wyperfield | |
246 | Tasmanian Thornbill | ( Tas endemic) Seen at Mountain Wilderness and Inala on Tas ( fairly easy once differences to also present Brown Thornbills was learnt) |
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247 | Chestnut-rumped Thornbill | 2 birds seen well near an old goldmine north of Inglewood | |
248 | Buff-rumped Thornbill | showed well in mixed flock along back roads north of Castlemaine on first day | |
249 | Yellow-rumped Thornbill | First seen at Wyperfield, then several sightings on Tasmania including nest building at Inala, also Capertee Valley. | |
250 | Yellow Thornbill | first seen at Woodlands Park then few scattered sightings elsewhere in Vic. | |
251 | Striated Thornbill | Seen well along track north of Castlemaine in mixed flock | |
252 | Southern Whiteface | Seen at Mt Korong and at a random stop along the Old Caulder Rd near Ouyen. | |
253 | Rufous Bristlebird | 1 near Lorne then another very confiding bird up close at Anglesea Heath | |
252 | Spotted Pardalote | One of the first birds to be seen in Woodlands Park then scattered sightings throughout | |
255 | Forty-spotted Pardalote | 3-4 pairs seen easily at Inala ( Tas endemic) | |
256 | Striated Pardalote | One of the first birds to be seen in Woodlands Park then scattered sightings throughout also common on Tas | |
Honey-eaters |
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257 | Macleay's Honeyeater | Common around Cassowary House also Mt Lewis | |
258 | Bridled Honeyeater | several seen Mt Lewis | |
259 | Yellow-faced Honeyeater | First seen at Reid's Lookout in the Grampians then scattered sightings throughout inc Mt Carbine and around Blue Mountains | |
260 | Singing Honeyeater | seen several times around Victoria. | |
261 | Varied Honeyeater | few in flowering trees along Cairns Esplanade | |
262 | Yellow Honeyeater | common around coastal Cairns | |
263 | White-eared Honeyeater | seen well in flowering Gums at Inglewood Park | |
264 | Yellow-throated Honeyeater | Common on Tas, seen at Mountain wilderness and Inala ( Tas endemic) | |
265 | Yellow-tufted Honeyeater | fairly common in Vic then seen again in Capertee Valley | |
266 | Yellow-plumed Honeyeater | seen well in flowering Gums at Inglewood Park | |
267 | Fuscous Honeyeater | fairly common in Vic | |
268 | White-plumed Honeyeater | fairly common in Vic then seen again in Capertee Valley | |
269 | White-fronted Honeyeater | seen well in flowering Gums at Inglewood Park | |
270 | Graceful Honeyeater | few seen at Cassowary House | |
271 | Yellow-spotted Honeyeater |
Seen at Cassowary House and a few other sites around Cairns. |
|
272 | Lewin's Honeyeater | First at Mt Lewis and southern Tablelands; common O'Reilley's and through to Blue Mountains | |
273 | Bell Miner | Colonies at Melbourne Botanic Gardens and west gap PS | |
274 | Noisy Miner | Common throughout | |
275 | Yellow-throated Miner | fairly common in Vic in Mallee country | |
276 | Blue-faced Honeyeater | First seen at Boort ; scattered sighting elsewhere( Mt Carbine ) | |
277 | Black-chinned Honeyeater | Seen first day on back road to Inglewood | |
278 | Strong-billed Honeyeater | Common Tas (Tas endemic) | |
279 | Brown-headed Honeyeater | Seen well in flowering Gums at Inglewood Park | |
280 | White-throated Honeyeater | several at feeders nr Julatten | |
281 | White-naped Honeyeater | 2 Silverbands Falls in Grampians; 3 Capertee Valley | |
282 | Black-headed Honeyeater | Common at Inala Bruny Island (Tas endemic) | |
283 | Little Friarbird | 3-4 at Mt Carbine caravan park | |
284 | Helmeted Friarbird | fairly common around Cairns | |
285 | Noisy Friarbird | Common throughout Queensland and south to Blue Mountains; flowering trees in Capertee attracted 20+ birds | |
286 | Striped Honey-eater | One seen well at Moss Tank | |
287 | Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater | Scattered sightings throughout Vic and NSW | |
288 | Little Wattlebird | First seen Wye Valley and Melbounre Bot Grdns also on Tas; probably overlooked agmongst Reds | |
289 | Red Wattlebird | Common Vic and NSW | |
290 | Yellow Wattlebird | fairly common on Tas (Tas endemic) | |
291 | Regent Honeyeater | 3 birds in Capertee valley highlight of day there; not expecting to be able to find these without guide. | |
292 | Brown Honeyeater | 2-3 seen well in trees along Cairns Esplanade. | |
293 | Painted Honeyeater | 2 Mt Korong | |
294 | Crescent Honeyeater | 1 Reid's Lookout in the Grampians; 1 at Inala Bruny Island | |
295 | New Holland Honeyeater | Common Vic and NSW | |
296 | White-cheeked Honeyeater | several at feeders nr Julatten | |
297 | Tawny-crowned Honeyeater | 1 responded to tape in the Grampians | |
298 | Brown-backed Honeyeater | Pair seen on Daintree River trip and 2-3 at feeders in Julatten | |
299 | Eastern Spinebill | fairly common throughout particularly around Blue Mountains | |
Heard only | Black Honey-eater | Heard only at Goschen | |
300 | Dusky Myzomela | fairly common around Cairns | |
301 | Scarlet Myzomela | 1 seen well at in garden at Julatten | |
302 | Crimson Chat | 2 seen unexpectedly at Wyperfield | |
303 | Orange Chat | 4+ birds seen at Lake Tuchewop | |
304 | White-fronted Chat | fairly common in Vic | |
Babblers | |||
305 | Grey-crowned Babbler | Seen in Queensland at Lake Mitchell then at Rodeo grounds Mareeba and again in Capertee Valley. | |
306 | White-browed Babbler | Few sightings in Vic | |
307 | Chestnut-crowned Babbler | small group seen at Moss Tank | |
308 | Australian Logrunner | common at O'Reilley's | |
309 | Chowchilla | Seen well at Mt Lewis and at Malanda Falls (one of the Wet Tropic Endemics ) | |
310 | Eastern Whipbird | Common throughout Queensland and south to Blue Mountains; It's distinctive call was a feature thoughout | |
311 | Yellow-breasted Boatbill | 1 seen well at Jullaten | |
Magpies & Butcherbirds | |||
312 | Black Butcherbird | few seen around Cairns area | |
313 | Grey Butcherbird | Scattered sightings throughout especially Tasmania | |
314 | Pied Butcherbird | First seen well at Hattah after several roadside sightings also several sightings in Capertee valley. | |
315 | Australian Magpie | Common throughout mostly nominate Black-backed form but a few White-backed in N Victoria. | |
316 | Pied Currawong | Common throughout | |
317 | Black Currawong | Fairly common throughout Tasmania especially in northern mountains (Tas endemic) | |
318 | Grey Currawong | Few sightings in Victoria and on Tas ( possibly overlooked as many seen roadside and not defined to species) | |
Woodswallows |
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319 | White-breasted Woodswallow | Common throughout especially Cairns were seen in town centres. | |
320 | Masked Woodswallow | Large mixed flock of Masked/White-broweds seen near Goschen | |
321 | White-browed Woodswallow | As well as Goschen area also seen Wyperfild, on Tas at Inala and in Capertee Valley. | |
322 | Dusky Woodswallow | First seen nr Castlemaine first day then scattered sightings including on Tas. | |
Cuckoo-shrikes & Whistlers | |||
323 | Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Fairly common throughout | |
324 | Barred Cuckooshrike | 1 seen well at Mt Lewis | |
325 | White-bellied Cuckooshrike | First seen nr Castlemaine first morning then at Cairns Esplanade on a few occaisions | |
326 | White-winged Triller | Fairly common throughout | |
327 | Varied Triller | Seen at Cairns in the cemetry, Centenary Gardens and Cattana Wetlands | |
328 | Crested Shriketit | 1 first morning along track from Castlemaine then again in Capertee Valley | |
329 | Olive Whistler | Common Tas frequently heard. | |
330 | Gilbert's Whistler | Pair at Mt Korong only sighting | |
331 | Grey Whistler | Seen well at Mt Hypippamae and Cassowary House. | |
332 | Australian Golden Whistler | Common throughout including Tas, commonly heard | |
333 | Rufous Whistler | Fairly common throughout | |
334 | Bower's Shrikethrush | Seen well at Mt Lewis (one of the Wet Tropic Endemics ) and at Curtain Fig | |
335 | Rufous Shrike-Thrush | 1 seen well along the river at Kuranda then few sightings elsewhere in Queensland | |
336 | Grey Shrikethrush | Common throughout | |
Heard only | Crested Bellbird | Heard only in distance near Hattah. | |
Orioles | |||
337 | Australasian Figbird | Very common around Cairns / Kuranda often in large numbers. | |
338 | Olive-backed Oriole | 1 at Washpools camp site only sighting. | |
339 | Green Oriole | Heard around Cairns but only sighting on Daintree river. | |
Flycatchers & Fantails | |||
340 | Spangled Drongo | common around coastal Cairns flock of over 30 at Newell Beach | |
341 | Willie Wagtail | Common throughout | |
342 | Grey Fantail | Common throughout ( mountain race at Mt Lewis) | |
343 | Rufous Fantail | first seen at Cassowary House then common at O'Reilley's | |
344 | Spectacled Monarch | fairly common in rainforest around Cairns | |
345 | Black-faced Monarch | First seen Mt Lewis then common at O'Reilley's. | |
346 | Pied Monarch | Seen at Carr Rd Julatten, Mt Lewis and nesting at Curtain Fig. | |
347 | Magpie-lark | very common throughout. | |
348 | Leaden Flycatcher | 1 female on Daintree river trip | |
349 | Shining Flycatcher | nesting birds on the Daintree River Trip | |
350 | Restless Flycatcher | remarkably a bird thought to be this species alighted briefly on the Seastar while out on the reef otherwise pair in Capertee Valley only sighting. | |
Crows | |||
351 | Torresian Crow | common around Tablelands | |
352 | Forest Raven | Few sightings in Vic then common on Tas | |
353 | Little Raven | Common throughout Victoria | |
354 | Australian Raven | Common throughout: its distinctive call commonly heard; many corvids seen while travelling through NSW were not defined to species most were Aus Ravens but a few Littles were seen. | |
355 | White-winged Chough | fairly common in Vic then seen again in Capertee Valley | |
356 | Apostlebird | First seen at Hattah-kulkyne campsite; then Glenlyon campsite and road out through Sundown NP and in Capertee at Glen Davis. | |
Riflebirds | |||
357 | Victoria's Riflebird | Displaying bird with female and immature male seen daily at Cassowary House, also seen in Kuranda Rainforest walk and Mt Lewis. | |
Robins | |||
358 | Mangrove Robin | pair in mangroves north of Esplanade at Cairns. | |
359 | Grey-headed Robin | Seen at Mt Lewis and again at Curtain Fig | |
360 | Pale-yellow Robin | 1 Kuranda Rainforest walk then Carr rd Jutallan | |
361 | Eastern Yellow Robin | Common throughout | |
362 | Hooded Robin | stunning male in Mallee north of Inglewood only sighting | |
363 | Dusky Robin | Fairly common on Tas seen at Mountain Wilderness and Inala | |
364 | Jacky Winter | several scattered sightings around Vic and again in Capertee Valley. | |
365 | Rose Robin | 1 on the tree-top walk O'Reilley's then 2 males squabbling over a female near the campsite at Lamington. | |
366 | Pink Robin | male seen early 2 mornings at Inala. | |
367 | Flame Robin | Common Tas both at Wilderness lodge and Inala. | |
368 | Scarlet Robin | Common Tas both at Wilderness lodge and Inala. | |
369 | Red-capped Robin | Pair feeding youngster at Wyperfield and another male nearby. | |
370 | Horsfield's Bush Lark | Seen well at Werribee others seen briefly or on roadside wires while travelling | |
371 | Eurasian Skylark (i) | seen at Werribee and on Tas | |
372 | Welcome Swallow | Common throughout | |
373 | Fairy Martin | Common throughout anywhere near water | |
374 | Tree Martin | Common throughout | |
375 | Australian Reed Warbler | seen and heard briefly at Werribee, seen very well at Lake Lithgrow | |
376 | Rufous Songlark | seen well at Bell's Swamp then few scattered sightings ; some birds sat on roadside wires were probably this species. | |
377 | Brown Songlark | like Rufous a few seen well but many roadside birds probably these. | |
378 | Tawny Grassbird | 1 seen well sat on wire on road out of Sundown NP | |
379 | Little Grassbird | Seen at Werribee and again at the Tamar Wetlands Tas | |
380 | Golden-headed Cisticola | seen well at Werribee also in Capertee Valley | |
381 | Silvereye | Fairly common throughout | |
382 | Australasian Pipit | few scattered sightings throughout | |
Starlings | |||
383 | Metallic Starling | Colonies along Cairns Espanade and also at Mareeba. | |
384 | Common Myna (i) | Common throughout | |
385 | Common Starling (i) | Common throughout | |
Thrushes | |||
386 | Russet-tailed Thrush | 1 was seen well and watched for a while at O'Reilley's other Thrushes seen briefly were possibly this species although most were Bassian. | |
387 | Bassian Thrush | Seen well on Tas at Wilderness Lodge and Inala; others seen well at O'Reilley's but several seen breifly not detetermined. | |
388 | Common Blackbird (i) | Common throughout esp Tas | |
Flowerpeckers & Sunbirds | |||
389 | Mistletoebird | few scattered sightings throughout | |
390 | Olive-backed Sunbird | fairly common around Cairns | |
Finches | |||
391 | House Sparrow (i) | Common throughout | |
392 | Beautiful Firetail | 1 seen at Wilderness Lodge and 1 along roadside north Bruny. | |
393 | Diamond Firetail | several of these stunning finches in Capertee Valley | |
394 | Red-browed Finch | Fairly common throughout | |
395 | Crimson Finch | 10+ at Cattana Wetlands only sighting | |
396 | Zebra Finch | Seen at Werribee then common in the Capertee Valley. | |
397 | Double-barred Finch | 6+ at Rodeo Campground Mareeba then 20 + along road to Granite Gorge | |
398 | Scaly-breasted Munia (i) | seen along Cairns Esplanade | |
399 | Chestnut-breasted Mannikin | 2 birds at feeder near Jullaten and a few in a large mixed finch flock at Mareeba Wetlands; also with finches in Capertee Valley. | |
400 | European Greenfinch (i) | few scattered sightings throughout | |
401 | European Goldfinch (i) | few scattered sightings throughout | |
Mammals | |||
Short-beaked Echidna | 1 on track to Glen Davis in Capertee Valley | ||
Platypus | 1 briefly on Tas at Mountain Wilderness; 3+ at Taklin Falls; 1 Jenalem Caves | ||
Tasmanian Devil | At least 5 indviduals coming to food at Mountain Wilderness including 2 showing signs of facial tumours | ||
Eastern Quoll | 3+ seen on Tasmania on night drive | ||
Koala | 3+ while spotlighting in Otways | ||
Wombat | No live specimens seen but lots of fresh marks and burrows ( many roadkill victims) | ||
Mountain Brushtail Possum | 1 at campsite near O'Reilley's | ||
Common Brushtail Possum | Seen while spotlighting in Victoria and on Tasmania | ||
Sugar Glider | No live specimens seen but roadside corpse seen | ||
Yellow-bellied Glider | 1 while spotlighting in Otways | ||
Common Ringtail Possum | at least 1 at Inala and on night drive. | ||
Long-nosed Poteroo | ! on night drive on Tasmania | ||
Musky Rat-Kangaroo | several at Cassowary House coming to food | ||
Agile Wallaby | several in Queensland | ||
Eastern Grey Kangaroo | Common | ||
Western Grey Kangaroo | Some seen in Victoria | ||
Common Wallaroo | Only positively seen in Capertee Valley | ||
Red-necked Wallaby | Few at Lamington | ||
Bennett's Wallaby | Tasmanian form of Red-necked Wallaby also 3 white morphs at Inala | ||
Black Wallaby | Few scattered sightings | ||
Rufous-bellied Pademelon | common Tasmania | ||
Red-legged Pademelon | Few seen in Queensland | ||
Red-necked Pademelon | A few at Lamington NP | ||
Spectacled Flying-fox | Hundreds along Cairns Esplanade said to be this species | ||
Little Red Flying-fox | A few seen with larger flying foxes along the Esplanade | ||
Grey-headed Flying-fox | Large numbers visiting flowering trees at night at Glenlyon campsite thougt to be this species | ||
Fawn-footed Melomys | 2+ seen after dusk at Cassowary House | ||
Hastings River Mouse | 3 sightings of this restricted species at West Gap Picnic Site | ||
Red Fox | seen 2x during trip once Victoria; 1 Capertee Valley | ||
European Rabbit | Common | ||
European Hare | Few seen but not accurately recorded. | ||
Fallow Deer | 2 on way in to Washpools Campsite | ||
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin | pod said to be this species seen on Wollongong pelagic | ||
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin | 3/4 of possibly this species on return from Michelmas Cay |
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