Queensland, Australia, 28th June - 20th July 2003

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by Graham Etherington


Taking advantage of a free flight to attend a conference in Brisbane, I birded Queensland, visiting the major sites between Lamington in the south (c100km SW of Brisbane) to Daintree in the north (c100km N of Cairns).

Car rental/driving - I rented from Delta Europcar. It cost approx AUS$923 (£388) for 15 days car rental, but AUS$345 of this was extra insurance to reduce the excess from AUS$3000 to AUS$300!
Driving in Australia is very easy. The main highways are in good repair and most drivers are courteous. The police are very hot on speeding and I saw a few police speed traps (cameras) on my travels, all during daytime around built up areas (many of the smaller towns only have police stations with restricted operating hours).

Detailed itinerary with birding highlights:

28 June - Lake Kurwongbah, Petrie. 4 Black-throated Honeyeaters in the wood by the Scout House, Spotted Pardalote

Lake Samsonvale: Freckled Duck, Black-fronted Dotterel.

Dayboro Hills: Koala outside Tom Tarrant's house

4 July - Lamington - arrived with about 1 hour of daylight available. Grey Butcherbird, King Parrot, and Pied Currawong around O'Reilly's.

5 July - Lamington - Border Trail, Pension Trail + Evans Lookout: Logrunners were fairly common along most of the trail, especially Pension Trail, and Albert's Lyrebird could be heard regularly too, but were quite hard to get a good look at. I heard about 7, but only had very good views of 1 and poor views of 2 others. A female Paradise Riflebird was at Evans Lookout.

6 July - Lamington - O'Reilly's Guest House: Hand fed Crimson Rosella, King Parrot, Regent's Bowerbird, and Satin Bowerbird. Pair of Paradise Riflebirds 300 metres along Border Trail.

Duck Creek Road: Red-browed Treecreeper and Spotted Quail-Thrush 4km along road, just after the road with "Private - No entry" sign, Glossy-Black Cockatoo 5km along road feeding in small pine tree (listen for the crunch of cones, audible about 100 metres away). Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (4km mark), Albert's Lyrebird (rainforest), Buff-rumped Thornbill (5km mark).

7 July - Lamington - Duck Creek Road: Male Superb Fairy-Wren singing at Luke's Ranch, 3 Albert's Lyrebirds (singing), Wonga Pigeon.

Campsite: c10 Satin + 2 Regents Bowerbirds

Drive down from Lamington: 2 Paradise Riflebirds + Wompoo Fruit-Dove by Lamington NP entrance sign. Wedge-tailed Eagle

Noosa Plain: This is the well-described site, along the power lines/fire break off Cooloola Way. Lewins Rail - heard calling next to car at night (+ tracks found in morning), Bush Stone-Curlew heard at night, Australian Pipit.

8 July - Noosa Plain: 3 Ground Parrots - about 2.5 km along the fire break road, you come to a big hump in the road, which is formed by a drainage tunnel underneath. The road then bends to the right. From here the verges had been cut back, with half of the verge fenced off. After about 200 metres you come to a green gate on the right, which leads down a sandy track. The first Ground Parrot was in the cut grass on the cut back verge (closer to the road than the verge - if I'd have noticed it before it flew, I would have had a great view of it!) and the other two were together about 100 metres along the sandy track in some rank, track-side vegetation, just before the track gets to the first lot of pine trees. I also heard about 10 birds singing along the road, up to about 3 hours after dawn. Listen for the rising whistle, which gets very frantic at the end of the song (sounds like it's going to explode!).

Innskip Point: Beach Stone-Curlew - 1 on the beach on the west side of the point, straight out from the last car parking spaces by the turn around. 4 Black-breasted Button Quail - The first pair where in the most northerly part of the pines, near the car/bus turn around at the tip of the point. The second pair were along the roadside, about 3km south of there (actually about 200 metres north of a low sign which says "Barge 3.5 kms" (or it might have said 3.2 kms - I forget), opposite a big wide opening in the roadside bushes). Sacred Kingfisher, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Little (Brush) Wattlebird, Leaden Flycatcher

9 July - Eungella: A bit of a let down this day. From dawn, I searched for around 4 hours in the pouring rain for Eungella Honeyeater at the end of Dalrymple Road, but to no avail, and when I finally returned to my car soaking wet, only to discover that I was covered in leaches (8 of them - yuck!). The saving grace was getting good views of Duck-billed Platypus in the rock pools by the park HQ.

McEwans Beach: The evening visit to McEwans Beach was better. A roadside pool as you enter the town was full of water birds, including Radjar Shelduck, Wandering Whistling Duck, and Glossy Ibis. The mangroves held Mangrove Honeyeater, Striated Heron, and Yellow-bellied Sunbird, and Pied Oystercatchers were common on the beach.

10 July - Paluma, Mt Spec Village: A fruiting tree outside Ivy Cottage Tea Room was the centre of attention and in this area I saw Grey-headed Robin, Scarlet, Dusky, White-cheaked, Macleay's, Lewin's, and Bridled Honeyeaters, Victoria's Riflebird, and Spotted Catbird. Victoria's Riflebird and Macleay's Honeyeater came to the feeders on the veranda of Ivy Cottage Tea Rooms. At the bus turnabout a Noisy Pitta showed down to 4 metres and Fan-tailed Cuckoo.

Lett's Trail: Chowchilla, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Mountain Thornbill, Tooth-billed Bowerbird, cuneata Basian Ground Thrush, Bowers Shrike-Thrush, Pale-yellow Robin.

11 July - Mission Beach Town (World Heritage Centre): Emerald Dove, flaviventris Figbird, Leaden Flycatcher

Licuala State Park: Southern Cassowary (about 1km north of carpark, around the first creek crossing), Emerald Dove, Grey-headed Robin, Little Shrike-Thrush, Macleay's Honeyeater, Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, White-headed Pigeon.

Lacey's Creek: Grey Goshawk, White-headed Pigeon, Spotted Catbird, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Victoria's Riflebird.

12 July - Cairns Esplanade High Tide: 50 Great Know, 5 Red Knot, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Pied Oystercatcer, 4 Gull-billed Tern, 2 Crested Tern.

Botanical Gardens: Black Butcherbird, Yellow Honeyeater, Yellow Oriole, Forest Kingfisher, Horesfiled Bronze-Cuckoo, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Mangrove Gerygone, Little Kingfisher (feeding from bridge between river and Freshwater Lake), Metallic Starling, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Superb Fruit-Dove.

Mount Whitfield: Fairy Gerygone, 5 Superb Fruit-Dove, Little Shrike-Thrush, Varied Triller, Cicadabird, Double-eyed Fig-Parrot.

13 July - Atherton Tablelands - Cathedral Fig Tree: Buff-banded Rail and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin on access road. Between the fig tree and about 100 metres down the access road: Forest Kingfisher, Chowchilla, Spotted Catbird, Tawny Grassbird, Zitting Cisticola, Victoria's Riflebird (3 females + 1 male), Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Shinning Bronze-Cuckoo.

The Crater: Spotted Catbird, Mountain Thornbill, Grey Shrike-Thrush
Atherton to Kiari (?) Road: 5 Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier, Sarus Crane, Australian Pipit.
Lake Barrie: 50 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Topknot Pigeon
Atherton Town Centre: 20 Bridled Honeyeaters in high street (Mareeba direction), in fruiting trees.
Tinaroo Creek Road: Squatter Pigeon - 2 birds by cattle enclosures of small ranch by the side of the road, near where the tarmac part finishes. Australian Bustard - 3 in fields at beginning of road.
Broomfield Swamp roost (was getting pretty dark by the time I arrived): 1000+ Cranes (mostly Sarus)
2000+ Magpie Geese, Boobook Owl - 3 birds calling along Kennedy Highway, just south of the turning to Broomfield Swamp (spotlighted).

14 July - Atherton Tablelands

Pickford Road: The info given in Thomas & Thomas was nearly all wrong for this site. The turning for Pickford Road is in Biboohra off the Mount Molloy Road. It is the road that leads to the Mareeba Wetlands Centre. The waterhole is 2 kms (not 1 km) along the road, on the right hand side just before the creek crossing. Mareeba Wetlands Centre is at the end of Pickford Rd, but it's only open Weds to Sunday (plus public holidays) 10:00 to 16:00 (18:00 for Safari guests) April through to December.
Pale-headed Rosella, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Blue-winged Kookaburra.

Great Mitchell Lake: White-necked Heron, Green Pygmy-Goose, Whiskered Tern, Black-necked Stork, Comb-crested Jacana, Apostlebird

Big Mitchell Creek: Tawny Frogmouth - a pair roosting in bushes 200 metres along the creek. I marked the spot by placing a brown bear bottle over a short stick in the creek bed c30 metres before the bushes. White-browed Robin - 2 birds; 1 in the first good vegetation along the creek (about 20 metres past a Great Bowerbird bower), the other by the Tawny Frogmouth site. Sacred Kinfisher, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow Honeyeater.

Nardellos Lagoon - south of Mareeba, west off the Kennedy Highway, take the turning for Granite Gorge into Hanson Road and the lake is on the right. Watch only from the road. It was very windy and the light was awful, so I didn't spend much time here.

Kingfisher Park: Honeyeaters - Brown, Yellow-spotted, MaCleays, Bridled, Lewin's, Blue-faced, and Graceful, Pied Monarch, Spotted Catbird, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Grey-headed Robin, Pale-yellow Robin, Little Shirke-Thrush.

Spotlighting: Lesser Sooty-Owl is no longer available at Kingfisher Park. The drought conditions over the previous year have resulted in an increase in Barn Owl numbers that have pushed the Sooty Owls out of their preferred nest holes. Barn Owl, Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko, Northern Brown Bandicoot, Northern Huntsman Spider, Duck-billed Platypus.

15 July - Mount Lewis: This site is about 2 km's north of Kingfisher Park, off the Mossman Road. Take the turning for The Tavern. I stopped at the various sites given by Thomas and Thomas for Blue-faced Parrot Finch, but this was the wrong time of year for them, and I didn't see any. At the scrubby gully after about 3 km I had White-eared Monarch, Pied Monarch, Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Grey Whistler. The clearing (and paths leading off to the left) after 11.8 km - White-cheeked Honeyeater, Victoria's Riflebird, Atherton Scurbwren, Eastern Spinebill, Crimson Rosella, Fernwren, Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Brown Cuckoo-Dove. Musky Rat-Kangaroo.

Mount Molloy: Great Bowerbird - In the town of Mount Molloy take the turning by the post office towards the school, go past Arnold Street, over the pedestrian crossing, and the bower is in the front garden on the house of the left. 2 birds were in attendance when I was there. The General Store owner said that there was a new bower being build behind his store (ask inside, they'll show you).

16 July - Atherton Tablelands

Great Mitchell Lake: Osprey, 2 Brolga Cranes, White-necked Heron, Green Pygmy Goose, Black-fronted Dotterel

Pickford Road: 2 (possibly 4) Squatter Pigeons in the Savannah area - 2 at the start of the 'field' to the south of the road, and 2 by the park entrance with the cows. Pale-headed Rosella, Collard Sparrowhawk, 30 Apostlebirds, 2 Little Wood-Swallows (opposite the Peters house), Grey-crowned Babbler, Pheasant Coucal, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.

Waterhole - I was lucky enough to coincide my visit to the waterhole with the arrival of the land owner who allowed me to climb up the bank and have a quick look over the waterhole. On the waterhole there were about 50 Cotton Pygmy Geese, 10 Comb-crested Jacana, and a couple of Intermediate Egrets.

Emerald Falls: 30 Sarus Cranes on the way, but no sign of the 2 adults and 1 juv. Rufous Owl here, despite searching for about 2 hours. White-browed Robin (adult + juv.), Collared Sparrowhawk.

17 July - Daintree

Chris Whalberg's River Cruise: Nanakeen Night Heron, 3 Channel-billed Cuckoo, 8 Shinning Flycatcher, Helmeted Friarbird, Azure Kingfisher, Little Kingfisher, Large-billed Gerygone.

Stewart Creek Road: Lovely Fairy-Wren

Cairns Esplanade: Mangrove Robin - 2 birds in the first lot of Mangroves at the north end of the esplanade. Walk about 30 metres along the mangroves, walk into the mangroves past only about 1 bush, crouch down and give a fairly loud plaintive whistle. This should bring the birds in. I bit of pishing might keep them interested. Striated Heron and Grey-tailed Tattler on the mud flats.

18 July - Cairns Botanical Gardens: Yellow Honeyeater, Varied Triller.

Esplanade: Varied Honeyeater, Helmeted Friarbird, Nutmeg Manikin, Yellow Honeyeater
Eastern Reef Heron (dark phase), Royal Spoonbill, Crested Tern, c100 Red-necked Stint, c100 Great Knot, Red Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Pied Oystercatcher,

19 July - Valleys west of Brisbane

Helidon Cowsheds: Fuscous Honeyeater, Jacky Winter
Helidon Sewage Farm: Australian Shoveler, Grey Teal, Pink-eared Duck, 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles, Variegated Fairy-Wren, Red-backed Fairy-Wren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Abberton (Bill Jolly's place): Olive-backed Oriole, Speckled Warbler, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Black-fronted Dotterel, Black Kite, Spotted Harrier, Lake Clarendon: Cockatiel, Australian Kestrel
Atkinson's Dam Turf Farms: Banded Plover, Little Corella, White-throated Gerygone, Weebill, Australian Hobby, Fernvale: Striped Honeyeater, Wandering Whistling Duck, Jacky Winter,
Sherwood Arboretum: Clamorous (Australian) Reed Warbler

Species Lists

Southern Cassowary Casuarius casuarius - 1, rather young bird (c2 years old?) at Licuala State Park on 11 July

Australian Brush-turkey Alectura lathami - Common and widespread.

Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt - Singles or pairs seen regularly around denser parts of Cairns Botanical Gardens and Kingfisher Park.

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata - About 100 at the roadside pool on way into McEwans Beach on 9 July 2000+ roosting at Broomfield Swamp on 13 Julyand common over remainder of Atherton Tablelands.

Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata - Common at the roadside pool on way into McEwans Beach on 9 July 1 at Lake Barrie on 13 Julyand a few birds around s Dam on 19 July

Black Swan Cygnus atratus - Common around large lowland lakes, with 100+ at Great Mitchell Lake on 14 Julybeing the maximum.

Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah - About 10 birds on the roadside pool on way into McEwans Beach on 9 July

Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata - Fairly common through Queensland, often on small pools.

Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus - c50 at Pickford Road waterhole on 16 July

Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus - c100 at Great Mitchell Lake on 14 July and 16 July

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa - The commonest waterfowl in Queensland, found at most lakes and pools.

Australasian Shoveler Anas rhynchotis - 4 at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June and c30 at Sewage.

Grey Teal Anas gracilis - Found on most large areas of water.

Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus - c30 at Helidon Sewage Farm on 19 July

Hardhead Aythya australis - Found on most large areas of water.

Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae - Widespread, but in small numbers, with about 50 at Great Mitchell Lake being the most noticeable exception.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus - 50 birds at Lake Barrie on 13 July was the peak count, but seen at most large areas of water.

Darter Anhinga melanogaster - Fairly common along wide lowland rivers and large areas of water.

Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos - The commonest cormorant, found at most wetland habitats.

Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius - Found mainly around costal areas and larger inland lakes.

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris - Fairly common on inland lakes, rarer towards coastal areas.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo - Fairly common in coastal and inland lakes around Brisbane, but numbers decreased north of Cooloola.

Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus - Common in most costal and wetland habitats.

White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae - Common in most costal and wetland habitats.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta - Common in most costal and wetland habitats.

Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra - 1 dark phase bird briefly along Cairns Esplanade on 18 July

White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica - 1 at Great Mitchell Lake on 14 July and 16 July

Great Egret Ardea alba - Common in most costal and wetland habitats.

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia - Seen in small numbers around Great Mitchell Lake, Atherton Tablelands, Daintree river cruise on 17 July and Cairns Esplanade.

Cattle Egret Ardea ibis - Fairly common both inland and at costal locations around agricultural areas.

Striated Heron Butorides striatus - 1 at McEwans Beach on 9 July 1 Cairns Esplanade mudflats on 17 July

Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus - 1 on Daintree river cruise on 17 July

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus - 2 birds at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June 20 at the roadside pool on way into McEwans Beach on 9 July up to 6 at Great Mitchell Lake.

Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca - Very common in all urban and wetland areas.

Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis - Seen regularly across Queensland in a variety of lowland habitats.

Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia - 1 at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June 10 Cairns Esplanade on 12 July 2 Cairns Esplanade on 18 July

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus - 1 at Great Mitchell Lake on 14 July

Osprey Pandion haliaetus - 1 at Great Mitchell Lake on 16 July and 1 north of Cairns on 17 July

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris - Fairly common around lowland areas, more active at dawn and dusk.

Black Kite Milvus migrans - First seen at Mission Beach on 11 Julyand then common further north. 1 at Bill Jolly's house, Abberton on 19 July was the only bird in the south.

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus - Fairly common in a range of lowland habitats.

Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus - Seen in small numbers at most coastal locations.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster - 2 at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June 1 near Mackay on 9 July 1 near Daintree on 17 July

Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis - 1 at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June and up to 5 birds in the west Brisbane valleys on 19 July

Swamp Harrier Circus approximans - 1 at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June common along Atherton to Kairi road on 13 July

Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus - 1 near Petrie on 30 June 1 at Great Mitchell Lake on 16 July

Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae - Grey phase birds at Eungella National Park from Sky window (?) Lookout on 9 July Lacey's Creek on 11 July

Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus - Seen at Pickford Road and Emerald Falls on 16 July Daintree on 17 July

Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax - Juvenile along Duck Creek Road (Lukes Farm) 6 July 1 on the drive down from Lamington 7 July 1 along Tinaroo Creek Road on 13 July 2 near Helidon Sewage Farm on 19 July

Brown Falcon Falco berigora - 5 along Atherton to Kairi road on 13 July and singles seen at various sites through the trip.

Australian Hobby Falco longipennis - 1 near Atkinson's Dam and 1 near Helidon Sewage Farm on 19 July

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus - 1 gave close views in a wood close to Lake Kurwongbah, 1 near Yungaburra on 13 July

Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides - common along Atherton to Kairi road on 13 July and most open country away from the coast.

Sarus Crane Grus antigone - Small parties of birds seen around Atherton, and then around 1000 birds at Broomfield Swamp roost on 13 July c30 on the way to Emerald Falls on 16 July

Brolga Grus rubicunda - 2 at Great Mitchell Lake on 16 July

Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis - 2 feeding on roadside c2km west of Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July

Lewin's Rail Rallus pectoralis - 1 bird heard along track on Noosa Plain, off Cooloola Way on the night of 7 July (about 2a.m.). The distinctive 'cracking' sound that the bird makes was heard next to my car, but unfortunately, the fogged up windows made viewing impossible. Tracks were also found at dawn showing that it had walk right past my car.

(Bush-hen Amaurornis olivaceus - heard only, on Daintree River Cruise on 17 Jul)

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio - 20 at the roadside pool on way into McEwans Beach on 9 July was the most in one place, but fairly common in most wetland habitats, including urban parks around Brisbane.

Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa - Commonly seen in small numbers at most small lowland waters.

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra - Common on wet lowland habitats.

Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis - 3 feeding in fields at the start of Tinaroo Creek Road were the only birds seen.

Black-breasted Button-quail Turnix melanogaster - 4 at Innskip Point on 8 July

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - 20 along Cairns Esplanade on 12 July and 18 July

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus - 2 along Cairns Esplanade on 12 July and c5 there on 18 July

Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis - 7 at Inskip Point on 7 July and c5 on Cairns Esplanade mudflats at lowtide on 17 July

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia - 2 along Cairns Esplanade on 18 July

Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes - 1 on Cairns Esplanade mudflats on 17 July and 4 there on 18 July

Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris - 50 along Cairns Esplanade on 12 July and c100 there on 18 July

Red Knot Calidris canutus - 5 along Cairns Esplanade on 12 July and 18 July

Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis - c100 on Cairns Esplanade on 18 July

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea - 5 along Cairns Esplanade on 12 July and 18 July

Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea - c15 on Great Mitchell Lake on 14 July and 16 July c10 at Pickford Road waterhole on 16 July

Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius - 2 birds heard on Noosa Plain, off Cooloola Way at night on 7 July 1 feeding under a street light in Gladstone on 11 July 2 in Cairns Botanical Gardens on 12 July spotlighted at Kingfisher park on 14 July and up to 4 birds always around the tennis courts on Cairns Esplanade.

Beach Stone-curlew Esacus neglectus - 1 at Inskip Point on 8 July

Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris - 13 on McEwans Beach on 9 July 2 along Cairns Esplanade on 12 July 8 Cairns Esplanade on 18 July

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus - Common on most lowland freshwater habitats.

Black-fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops - 2 at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June 1 at Great Mitchell Lake on 16 July 2 at Bill Jolly's house, Abberton on 19 July

Banded Lapwing Vanellus tricolor - a pair at Atkinson's Dam Turf Farms on 19 July

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles - Common in all areas of agriculture and water.

Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae - Common on all lowland lakes and coasts.

Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica - 8 along Cairns Esplanade on 12 July 6 on Cairns Esplanade on 18 July

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia - Seen in small numbers at most large wetlands and coastal areas.

Crested Tern Sterna bergii - 2 along Cairns Esplanade on 12 July and about 30 off there on 18 July

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus - 6 at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June 4 at Great Mitchell Lake on 14 July and smaller numbers seen at a variety of locations.

White-headed Pigeon Columba leucomela - 1 at Lacey's Creek and 1 along Licuala State Park, on 11 July

Spotted Turtle-Dove Streptopelia chinensis - Common in most urban and semi-urban areas.

Brown Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia amboinensis - 2 Lake Samsonvale 30 June 1 Lamington NP entrance sign 7 July 2 Lett's trail, Paluma, on 10 July 1 Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July 1 Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica - 1 Licuala State Park and 1 Mission Beach on 11 July 3 at Kingfisher Park.

Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera - 2 in the Dayboro Hills on 30 June

Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes - Common in most urban and semi-urban areas.

Squatter Pigeon Geophaps scripta - 2 along Tinaroo Creek Road on 13 July and 2 (possibly 4) along Pickford Road on 16 July

Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata - Fairly common in a variety of habitats, except for the higher rainforest areas.

Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis - Seen at most lowland sites, usually in more enclosed or wooded areas.

Wonga Pigeon Leucosarcia melanoleuca - 1 male around O'Reily's Guest House, Lamington NP 5 July 1 along Duck Creek Road on 7 July

Wompoo Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus magnificus - 1 at Lamington NP entrance sign 7 July 1 on Daintree river cruise on 17 July , 1 on Daintree river cruise on 17 July

Superb Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus superbus - 1 in Cairns Botanical Gardens and 5 on Mt. Whitfield on 12 July

Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus regina - 1 at Innskip Point on 8 July

Topknot Pigeon Lopholaimus antarcticus - 10 over O'Reily's Guest House, Lamington NP and 12 along Duck Creek Road 6 July 10 Lake Barrie on 13 July

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii - 28 (in 2 groups) seen flying south at dawn over Pickford Road on 14 July 7 along Pickford Road on 16 July c4 at Bill Jolly's house, Abberton on 19 July

Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami - 2 feeding quietly along Duck Creek Road, Lamington on 6 July

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus - at least 4 km along Duck Creek Road, Lamington on 6 July

Galah Cacatua roseicapilla - A number of large flocks seen at lowland habitats at a variety of sites.

Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea - 2 at Atkinson's Dam Turf Farms on 19 July

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita - Very common, in large numbers, in many habitats. Less common at coastal locations.

Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus - 2 groups totalling c15 birds at Lake Clarendon on 19 July

Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus - Very common in most areas except upland rainforest.

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus - Seen in small flocks around Brisbane, and particularly numerous along Pickford Rd on 14 July

Double-eyed Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma - 1 Cairns Botanical Gardens and 1 Mt. Whitfield (car park) on 12 July 1 Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Australian King-Parrot Alisterus scapularis - 20 around O'Reily's Guest House, Lamington NP 5 + 6 July 1 hand fed O'Reily's Guest House, Lamington NP 6 July

Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans - Numerous in Lamington NP, especially around O'Reilly's Guest House where they were easily fed by hand. Small numbers on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Pale-headed Rosella Platycercus adscitus - Small numbers along Pickford Rd on 14 Julyand 16 July

Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus - 3 seen and about 10 birds heard singing on Noosa Plain on 8 July

Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis - 1 at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June 1 at Lett's Trail, Paluma on 10 July

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus - 1 Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July

Horsefield's Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis - 1 watched singing in Cairns Botanical Gardens on 12 July

Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae - c3 birds (quite out of season) on Daintree river cruise on 17 July

Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus - 1 in the Dayboro Hills on 30 June 1 at the bottom of Mt. Spec on 10 July and 1 along Pickford Road on 16 July

Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae - 3 birds heard, with one being spotlighted south of Atherton on 13 July

Barn Owl Tyto alba - 1 at dawn along Dalrymple Road, Eungella on 9 July 3 at Kingfisher Park on 14 July

Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides - A pair in the cemetery car park at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June and a pair roosting along Big Mitchell Creek on 14 July

Papuan Frogmouth Podargus papuensis - 1 on Daintree river cruise on 17 July

White-rumped Swiftlet Collocalia spodiopygius - c100 seen over Crystal Creek near Paluma, then very common further north.

Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea - 1 on Daintree river cruise on 17 July was the only bird.

Little Kingfisher Alcedo pusilla - 1 in Cairns Botanical Gardens on 12 July fishing from the bridge between the river and Freshwater Lake.

Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae - Common on most lowland areas.

Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii - 2 along Pickford Road and 1 on the Kennedy Highway on 14 July Like Laughing Kookaburra this bird perches on roadside telegraph lines. Look for the 'plain-headed' appearance of Blue-winged (due to the lack of dark ear-coverts) as you speed past perched Kookaburras.

Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii - 2 at Cairns Botanical Gardens on 12 July 1 Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July 4 on Daintree river cruise on 17 July

Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus - 2 at Inskip Point on 8 July 2 at Big Mitchell Creek on 14 July

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus - Seen in small numbers in most habitats from coastal areas to upland rainforest.

Noisy Pitta Pitta versicolor - Only 1 bird seen; at the bus turnaround at Mclewins Lookout, Paluma.

Albert's Lyrebird Menura alberti - 3 seen plus c5 heard along Border and Pension Trail, Lamington on 5 July 1 heard Duck Creek Road on 6 July 3 along Duck Creek Road on 7 July

White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaeus - Common along Duck Creek Road on 6 July 1 at Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July 2 on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Red-browed Treecreeper Climacteris erythrops - 2+ birds 4km along Duck Creek Road on 6 July

Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus - a male singing at Luke's Ranch along Duck Creek Road on 7 July

Variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti - Fairly common in lowland scrub, especially in southern Queensland.

Lovely Fairy-wren Malurus amabilis - A pair along Stewart Creek Road, Daintree on 17 July

Red-backed Fairy-wren Malurus melanocephalus - The commonest Fairy-Wren, regularly seen in roadside bushes at lower elevations throughout the trip.

Spotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus - A small group at Petrie on 28 June Single bird with Striated flock along Duck Creek Road, Lamington 6 July

Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus - Particularly numerous along: Duck Creek Road, Lamington 6 July and Pickford Road (nests in low banks next to waterhole).

Fernwren Oreoscopus gutturalis - 1 on the Rainforest walk behind Ivy Cottage, Paluma on 10 July and 3 birds on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Yellow-throated Scrubwren Sericornis citreogularis - Common in rainforest at Lamington, Paluma, and Mt. Lewis.

White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis - Common in most scrub areas within woodlands, from urban areas to rainforests.

Atherton Scrubwren Sericornis keri - Seen on Mt. Lewis on 15 July where it was quite common.

Large-billed Scrubwren Sericornis magnirostris - A very common bird in most rainforest areas.

Speckled Warbler Chthonicola sagittata - 1 singing at Bill Jolly's house, Abberton on 19 July

Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris - 1 seen and several heard around Atkinson's Dam on 19 July

Brown Gerygone Gerygone mouki - Small numbers at Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July

Mangrove Gerygone Gerygone levigaster - 3 along the river in Cairns Botanical Gardens on 12 July

Large-billed Gerygone Gerygone magnirostris - 3 on Daintree river cruise on 17 July

Fairy Gerygone Gerygone palpebrosa - 2 on Mt. Whitfield on 12 July

White-throated Gerygone Gerygone olivacea - 2 near Dayboro on 30 June and 2 near Atkinson's Dam Turf Farms on 19 July

Mountain Thornbill Acanthiza katherina - 4 along Lett's trail, Paluma, on 10 July a few birds at The Crater on 13 July

Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla - Small numbers at Lamington, Eungella, and Paluma.

Buff-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza reguloides - 5 birds, 4.5 km along Duck Creek Road on 6 July.

Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa - c6 birds along Black Flagstone Creek, Helidon on 19 July

Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata - 4 near Atkinson's Dam on 19 July

Little (Brush) Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera - Common at Innskip Point on 8 July

Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides - Fairly common around Daintree on 17 July and in the Cairns area.

Noisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatus - Common in the Dayboro Hills and Pickford Road.

Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis - Common in the Dayboro Hills, Inskip Point, and Pickford Road.

Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis - 2 at Canungra village near Lamington, with small numbers seen around lowland wooded areas. Especially common at Kingfisher Park bird feeders.

Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala - Common in most Eucalyptus woods.

Macleay's Honeyeater Xanthotis macleayana - Common in Paluma on 10 July and then seen regularly around rainforests further north.

Lewin's Honeyeater Meliphaga lewinii - One of the most common and widespread Honeyeaters found in most habitats throughout.

Yellow-spotted Honeyeater Meliphaga notata - First seen at Mission Beach area where it was a common (but elusive) bird, often singing from highest trees in rainforest.

Graceful Honeyeater Meliphaga gracilis - Seen regularly in Kingfisher Park

Bridled Honeyeater Lichenostomus frenatus - 5 in Paluma village on 10 July 20 in Atherton on 13 July and 1 at Kingfisher Park on 15 July

Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops - Common along Duck Creek Road on 6 July with smaller numbers at Petrie and Lake Samsonvale on 30 June

Varied Honeyeater Lichenostomus versicolor - 1 or 2 pairs on Cairns Esplanade on 18 July

Mangrove Honeyeater Lichenostomus fasciogularis - 2 in Mangroves at McEwans Beach on 9 July

Yellow Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavus - 2 Cairns Botanical Gardens on 12 July 2 along Big Mitchell Creek on 14 July 1 Cairns Botanical Gardens and 2 Cairns Esplanade on 18 July

Fuscous Honeyeater Lichenostomus fuscus - A few at Petrie and Lake Samsonvale on 30 June 2 at Helidon cowsheds.

Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis - 4 in wood by Lake Kurwongbah, Petrie on 30 June

White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis - A few birds around Lake Samsonvale on 30 June 2 birds at McEwans beach on 9 July a small party along Big Mitchell Creek on 14 July

White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus - 4+ birds at Lake Samsonvale 30 June 6 along Duck Creek Road, Lamington 6 July

Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta - Common in urban and lowland areas.

White-cheeked Honeyeater Phylidonyris nigra - First seen at Cooloola, where common, and then regularly seen in open areas further north, but a pair on Mt. Lewis (at the 11.8km mark), were the only birds in the Cairns/Atherton area.

Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris - Fairly common around O'Reilly's guest house and Paluma. 1 on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Dusky Honeyeater Myzomela obscura - Fairly common around lowland swamps and rivers.

Scarlet Honeyeater Myzomela sanguinolenta - A pair at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June 1 at Paluma on 10 July 1 Tinaroo Creek Road on 13 July

Jacky Winter Microeca fascinans - 2 at Atkinson's Dam and 1 at Helidon Cowsheds on 19 July

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster - 1 singing along Big Mitchell Creek on 14 July

Pale-yellow Robin Tregellasia capito - First seen at Paluma on 10 July then regular in open rainforest areas further north.

Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis - Common in wooded areas in southern Queensland.

Mangrove Robin Eopsaltria pulverulenta - 2 in mangroves at the north end of Cairns Esplanade on 17 July

White-browed Robin Poecilodryas superciliosa - 2 along Big Mitchell Creek on 14 July 2 (1 adult + 1 juv.) at Emerald Falls on 16 July

Grey-headed Robin Heteromyias albispecularis - First seen at Paluma on 10 July then regular in open rainforest areas further north.

Logrunner Orthonyx temminckii - Seen in small numbers at Lamington NP.

Chowchilla Orthonyx spaldingii - 2 pairs on Lett's trail, Paluma, on 10 July 1 pair watched singing at Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July fairly common on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis - 5 along Pickford Road on 16 July

Eastern Whipbird Psophodes olivaceus - Seen and heard in most woodland habitats.

Spotted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma punctatum - 1 male 4km along Duck Creek Road on 6 June

Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera - 2 at Petrie on 28 June 3 Duck Creek Road on 6 June

Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis - Fairly common in upland rainforest.

Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris - Fairly common in lowland eucalyptus forests.

Grey Whistler Pachycephala simplex - 1 of the race peninsulae on Mt. Lewins on 15 July

Little Shrike-thrush Colluricincla megarhyncha - Small numbers seen at Mt. Whitfield on 12 July The Crater on 13 July Kingfisher Park on 15 July

Bower's Shrike-thrush Colluricincla boweri - 3 along Lett's trail, Paluma, on 10 July 1 at The Crater on 13 July 2 on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica - seen in small numbers at a variety of woodland habitats.

Yellow-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus flaviventer - 2 on Lett's trail, Paluma, on 10 July on 10 July 1 at Lacey's Creek on 11 July 5 on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Spectacled Monarch Monarcha trivirgatus - First seen at Eungella National Park, then fairly common in rainforest to the north.

White-eared Monarch Monarcha leucotis - 1 on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Pied Monarch Arses kaupi - 1 in the orchard at Kingfisher Park on 14 Julyand 1 on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula - A male 3km south of Innskip Point on 8 July a male at Mission Beach World Heritage Centre on 11 July

Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto - About 8 birds in total on Daintree river cruise on 17 July

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca - Common in all lowland habitats.

Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons - Common at Licuala State Park on 11 July

Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa - Common in most woodland areas, with birds of the race keasti around Kingfisher Park.

Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys - Seen singularly or in pairs at most lowland habitats, often around water.

Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus - Fairly common in urban areas and woodland habitats.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae - Fairly common at low altitude along Queensland coast, plus 1 from Johnson's Lookout, Lamington NP, 6 July

White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis - 2 at Mission Beach on 11 July then seen regularly in open areas thereafter.

Cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris - A male on Mt. Whitfield blue trail on 12 July

Varied Triller Lalage leucomela - A pair 3km south of Inskip Point on 8 July a female on Mt. Whitfield on 12 July

Yellow Oriole Oriolus flavocinctus - A pair in Cairns Botanical Gardens on 12 July

Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus - 2 at Bill Jolly's house, Abberton on 19 July

Figbird Sphecotheres viridis - Common in most areas with fruiting trees, even in central Brisbane. The race flaviventris occurred from Mission Beach northward.

White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus - 100's seen along roadside between Mission Beach and Cairns on 11 July and seen in smaller numbers throughout.

Little Woodswallow Artamus minor - 2 opposite the Peters house on Pickford Road on 16 July

Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi - Common in Cairns Botanical Garden and Kingfisher Park

Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus - A pair at Lamington NP on 4 July a pair near Atkinson's Dam Turf Farms on 19 July

Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis - Fairly common in most open agricultural areas.

Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen - Fairly common in most habitats from urban areas to upland eucalyptus forest.

Pied Currawong Strepera graculina - Fairly common in upland rainforest and eucalyptus forest.

Paradise Riflebird Ptiloris paradiseus - 1 female at Evans Lookout, Lamington NP on 5 July Pair 300 metres along Border Trail, Lamington NP on 6 July 2 females at Lamington NP entry sign 7 July

Victoria's Riflebird Ptiloris victoriae - Around 10 females and 3 males at Paluma on 10 July 1 at Lacey's Creek on 11 July 4 (1 male) at Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July a male on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Torresian Crow Corvus orru - Common in most lowland habitats.

Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea - 20 at Great Mitchell Lake on 14 July 30 along Pickford Road on 16 July

Spotted Catbird Ailuroedus melanotis - First seen at Paluma on 10 July and then seen in small numbers in rainforest to the north.

Green Catbird Ailuroedus crassirostris - Fairly common in rainforest at Lamington NP.

Tooth-billed Bowerbird Scenopoeetes dentirostris - 1 on Lett's trail, Paluma, on 10 July and 1 on Mt. Lewis on 15 July

Regent Bowerbird Sericulus chrysocephalus - 10 at O'Reily's Guest House, Lamington NP (most hand fed) 6 July

Satin Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus - 40 at O'Reily's Guest House, Lamington NP (c10 hand fed) 6 July c10 in Lamington NP campsite on 7 July

Great Bowerbird Chlamydera nuchalis - 2 birds by the school in Mount Molloy on 15 July

Richard's (Australian) Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae - 4 on Noosa Plain, off Cooloola Way 7 + 8 July and common along Atherton to Kairi road on 13 July

House Sparrow Passer domesticus - Common in urban areas.

Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii - Fairly common on the Atherton Tablelands.

Red-browed Finch Neochmia temporalis - Small flocks seen at a variety of areas, usually along the edges of rainforest.

Nutmeg Mannikin Lonchura punctulata - 30 in Cairns Botanical Gardens on 12 July and 20 on Cairns Esplanade on 18 July

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax - c100 in roadside fields along Cathedral Fig Tree access road.

Yellow-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia jugularis - First seen at McEwans beach, then fairly common further north.

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum - Seen in small numbers throughout, usually in open deciduous areas.

Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena - Common in all habitats.

Tree Martin Hirundo nigricans - Fairly common in north Queensland with a few birds in the south.

Fairy Martin Hirundo ariel - Fairly common in Southern Queensland, including Brisbane.

Clamorous Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus - 1 at Sherwood Arboretum on 19 July

Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis - 3 along Lake Samsonvale 28 June 1 on Noosa Plain 8 July 1 at Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis - A few birds along the access road to Cathedral Fig Tree on 13 July

Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis - 2 at Lake Samsonvale on 30 June

Silvereye Zosterops lateralis - Seen in small flocks of up to 30 birds at a variety of locations.

Bassian Thrush Zoothera lunulata - 1 of the race cuneata at Lett's trail, Paluma, on 10 July. About 15 of these or Russet-tailed Thrush were seen at Lamington (sorry, reading Simson and Day was of no help in identifying these species)

Russet-tailed Thrush Zoothera heinei - About 15 of these or Bassian Thrush were seen at Lamington (sorry, reading Simson and Day was of no help in identifying these species).

Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica - Small groups of up to 30 birds seen at Cairns Botanical Gardens on 12 July and Daintree on 17 July

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris - Fairly common in open areas in southern Queensland.

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis - Common in urban and agricultural areas.

Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Tom Tarrant and Paul Walbridge for sparing the time to show me some great birds, and to everyone on Birding-AUS who answered my request for advise.

A Microsoft Word version of this report is available from me by clicking on my name at the top of the feature.