AUSTRALIA
~ Southeast Queensland
October 8 – 27, 2016
Led by: Ken Cross
·
Experience
the nature of ‘the separate creation’ – the land ‘down under’
·
Approximately
250 species of bird can be expected on this tour; including cockatoos,
lorikeets and parrots, pigeons, migratory shorebirds, lyrebirds, fairy wrens,
whistlers, honeyeaters, gerygones, shrike-tits and, hopefully, some owls and
frogmouths.
·
Numerous
mammal species possible such as Kangaroos, Koalas and Platypus
·
A
mix of special scenery; especially beautiful white sand beaches [that we can
swim at!], coral reefs, rainforest covered hills, granite country, iconic
eucalypt forests.
·
Highlight
will be a visit to Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef for nesting
seabirds.
For a birder interested in
seeing avian diversity sooner or later a visit to Australia is a must.
Australia has a unique fauna with a very high rate of endemism, meaning that many
of its species are found nowhere else in the world. In addition Australia is a
safe modern nation with a culture that mirrors that of Canada & the US.
On this tour to Southeast
Queensland you will discover colourful and noisy parrots and pigeons. You will
view the longest passerines in the world – the Lyrebirds in addition to seeing
whistlers, honeyeaters, gerygones and thornbills plus spectacular bowerbirds
and even a Bird of Paradise! You will become familiar with passerines that
obviously confused the first naturalists who named them with messy composite
names of European birds; Cuckoo-shrikes, Shrike-thrushes, Shrike-tits and
Quail-thrushes. No doubt you will see
your first marsupials – pouched mammals – in the form of the iconic Kangaroo
plus, hopefully, your first monotreme; the Platypus. Seeing these birds and
animals is one thing hearing them is another, for the sounds of the Australian
bush is another great experience that this tour boasts. The raucous calls of
cockatoos, the shrill shrieks of lorikeets and the famous or infamous cackles
of the kookaburra will provide pleasing memories for sure.
Our tour will start on the
Sunshine Coast hinterland, where we will spend several days before an
exploration around the greater south east of the state. The Sunshine Coast
boasts not only beautiful beaches but a terrific variety of habitats;
rainforest, dry vine scrub, wet sclerophyll forest, open eucalypt forest,
freshwater wetlands, wallum heath, coastal sand-flats, coastal rocky headlands, mangroves and
grasslands, and given a few days we will explore them all. We will bird a
variety of National Parks; Cooloola, Bunya Mountains, Giraween, Lamington,
Washpool – to name a few. A day visit to
Lady Elliot Island, the most southern in a chain that comprises The Great
Barrier Reef will be a highlight for the birds firstly and secondly as an
opportunity to snorkel on a tropical reef.
While birds will be the
major attraction, your guide, Australian Ken Cross, will be keen to highlight
mammals, reptiles and frogs and some distinctly Aussie flora for you. Ken has
been birding for some 25 years, is currently the Convenor for the Sunshine
Coast branch of Birdlife Australia, and has even lived and birded in beautiful
British Columbia for twelve months!
DAY 1 S – Ken will meet you at your Maleny accommodation in
the late afternoon and will take you out to dinner in the hinterland town of
Maleny. Night in Maleny.
DAY 2 S – From
Maleny we drive south east to the coastal village of Toorbul. We will visit
other nearby sites, such as Bribie Island. Toorbul, looking east over
Pumicestone Passage, a small channel of water separating Bribie Island from the
mainland, is an excellent birding location. Here we will see our first
kangaroos; Eastern Greys.
There should be a good variety of
migratory waders plus resident waterfowl; Chestnut Teal and good numbers of
Black Swan. Mangrove species that we should encounter include Mangrove
Gerygone, Mangrove Honeyeater and Collared or Mangrove kingfishers. Some waders
we should see include Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eastern
Curlew, Common Greenshank, Gray-tailed Tattler, Great Knot, Sharp-tailed and
Curlew sandpipers. Resident birds should include Pied Oystercatcher, Royal
Spoonbill and Masked Lapwing. We should not miss common coastal species such as
Silver Gull and Australian Pelican.
In adjacent bushland we will observe
our first ‘typical’ Australian passerines; Honeyeaters, whistlers, fantails and
cuckoo-shrikes to name a few. We will also begin our parrot list with the loud
and gaudy Rainbow Lorikeets plus the slightly more subtle Pale-headed Rosellas.
Towards evening we will travel to your
accommodation, Avocado B&B, located in Flaxton on the Blackall Range. The
evening meal will be taken at the accommodation.
DAY 3 M – The first days of our south east Queensland tour
allows us to explore the Sunshine Coast. This is an area stretching from the
iconic surfing beach of Noosa to the north and the somewhat sleepier town of
Caloundra to the south. Many tongue
twisting towns have their names by virtue of an early explorer, Andrew Petrie,
who believed that Aboriginal words should be used where possible for place
names. So we have Maroochydore, Mooloolabah, Nambour, Beerburrum and Coolum; to
name a few. This area and its hinterland offers a great diversity of habitats.
Today we will start birding at Mary
Cairncross Scenic Reserve on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. This park protects
a small area of upland rainforest which offers easy walking. We should see such
bird species as Yellow-throated, Large-billed and White-browed scrubwrens, Gray
and Rufous fantails, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Brush Turkey; to list a few. We should
also see Red-legged Pademelons – a small rainforest kangaroo species. Mary
Cairncross also offers fantastic views over the Glasshouse Mountains; a series
of large volcanic plugs that rise spectacularly from the flood plain. These
mountains were first named in 1770 as Captain Cook sailed past; the first
features on the Sunshine Coast to receive an English name.
After a picnic lunch, at a small park
where we will encounter common waterfowl, we will further explore some habitats
on the Blackall Range; birding in wet sclerophyll forests for Yellow-faced and
White-naped honeyeaters, White-throated Tree-creepers, Eastern Yellow and
Pale-yellow robins in addition to our first bowerbirds – most likely Satin. The
sound of passing Cockatoos, Sulphur-crested, Yellow-tailed Black or both, will
be impossible to ignore.
After an evening meal of a BBQ and
salad at our guide’s home we will try our hand at spotlighting. Nocturnal
species that are possible include Tawny and Marbled frogmouth, Boobook and
Sooty Owl as well as perhaps some possum species.
o/n Avocado B&B, Flaxton
o/n Avocado B&B, Flaxton
DAY 4 T – After
breakfast we will head to Sheep Station Creek Environmental Park. This is an
area of mostly open eucalypt or gum-tree forest that is home to an interesting
variety of species including Fuscous Honeyeater, Painted Button-quail and
Powerful Owl. Uncommon species that have been recorded here include Dusky
Woodswallow, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, White-bellied
Cuckoo-shrike and Crested Shrike-tits. The forest is also home to Koala,
however they are often difficult to see. In and around the neighbouring areas
we will see Australian White and Straw-necked ibis as well as Australian
Magpie, Gray and Pied butcherbird, Australian Magpie-lark as well as the
ubiquitous lorikeets. We’ll keep an ear out for Little Lorikeets among the more
common Rainbows and Scaly-breasteds.
In the afternoon we’ll explore a few
wetlands and farmlands to the west of Caboolture; specifically in the Stanmore
region. Here we should see a range of waterfowl and raptors plus Tawny
Grassbird, Golden-headed Cisticola, Welcome Swallows plus the similar Tree and
Fairy martins. Glossy Ibis, Black-fronted Dotterals, Comb-crested Jacanas,
Laughing Kookaburras, Forest Kingfishers, Whiskered Terns should all be added
to our list. o/n Avocado B&B, Flaxton
DAY 5 W – Today
our exploration of the Sunshine Coast will continue as we visit a range of
wetlands and beaches, concentrating on coastal species and a few difficult
species such as bitterns, rails and crakes. Coastal headlands should offer us
such species as Crested Terns, Pied Cormorants, Sooty Oystercatchers, Reef
Egret, overhead Ospreys and Brahminy Kites and the possibility of visiting
Wandering Tattlers. Over the sea we could also encounter Caspian, Little,
Gull-billed and perhaps Common tern. As you would expect the Sunshine Coast is
famous for its beaches and, if there is interest, we will factor in time today
for a brief swim at a patrolled beach.
Wetlands could yield such species as
Wandering and Plumed whistling-ducks, Gray and Chestnut teal, Little Pied and
Little Black cormorants in addition to Baillon’s and Spotless crakes and a
possibility of Little Bittern! Brown, Scarlet, White-throated and White-cheeked
honeyeaters plus Little Wattlebirds and friarbirds; both Noisy and Little
should be found on blossoms. Also today,
we will search for a rare Cockatoo – the Glossy Black. o/n Avocado B&B, Flaxton
DAY 6 T – We
may enjoy a later start to the day this morning before heading west to the
Conondale Ranges. This is an area of rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest
which has an outstanding mix of species. We will target Paradise Riflebird; one
of Australia’s four species of Bird of Paradise. In addition we’ll look for
Wompoo Fruit-dove, Topknot and White-headed pigeons, Russet-tailed Thrush,
Regent Bowerbird, Noisy Pitta, Red-browed Finch, Green Catbird, Little
Lorikeet, Crimson Rosella, Spectacled Monarch and Brown Gerygone.
After a pub meal we’ll again put out
the spotlights for Boobook and Masked Owls, and perhaps Barn Owls on the way home.
Nocturnal mammals including Common Brush-tailed Possums, Mountain Brush-tailed,
Common Ringtails, Sugar Gliders, Red-necked Pademelons and Greater Glider are
all possibilities. o/n
Avocado B&B, Flaxton
DAY 7 F – Depending
on species missed we may spend the morning in and around the Sunshine Coast
before heading north-east to Tin Can Bay for a two night stay. Tin Can Bay is a
sleepy little town that overlooks a sheltered inlet. It has been suggested that
the town's name derives from the indigenous word, "Tuncanbar",
thought to refer to the dugongs that frequent the inlet.
o/n Sleepy Lagoon Motel, Tin Can
Bay
DAY 8 – The
greater Rainbow Beach area, including Inskipp Point and the nearby region of
Cooloola National Park, is a well-known tourist location. The region's name
derives from the rainbow-coloured sand dunes surrounding the settlement;
according to the legends of the indigenous Kabi people, the dunes were coloured when Yiningie, a
spirit represented by a rainbow, plunged into the cliffs after doing battle
with an evil tribesman. Much of the sand colours stem from the rich
content of minerals in the sand, such as rutile, ilmenite, zircon, and monazite.
The Rainbow Beach area is home to two
difficult to see species – the Ground Parrot and the Black-breasted Button-quail.
While trying for these species we will hopefully run into such species as
Leaden and Restless flycatchers, Varied Triller, Variegated Fairy-wren, Brown
Honeyeater, Brown Quail and, if we are
very lucky, the rather elusive King Quail. We will scan sandy beaches home to
the unique Beach Stone-Curlew. Along with the rainbow sands we will see Rainbow
Bee-eaters.
At some point of the day we will make
a 600 metre walk through woodland to the picturesque Carlo Sand Blow. This is a
unique bare dune system that covers some 15 hectares and offers great views of
the Ocean where it is possible to see southward moving Humpback Whales as well
as the cliffs of coloured sands. Captain Cook named the area in 1770 after one
of his deck hands.
o/n Sleepy Lagoon Motel, Tin Can Bay
DAY 9 – Before we leave Tin Can Bay we will visit a dolphin
feeding centre. This business has been operating for over fifty years and
allows visitors to see a few Australian Humpback Dolphins. Recently described
as a species in its own right this is an uncommon cetacean with a small
population and slow population growth found in coastal waters along the
Queensland coast.
Sooner or later we will continue driving north aiming
for the seaside town of Hervey Bay. Guarded from the wilds of the Pacific Ocean
by the largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island, the Bay looks over calm
waters. Here, overlooking the Bay, we might be tempted to try some local fish
and chips. o/n
Pialba Motor Inn, Hervey Bay
DAY 10 – From
Hervey Bay airport we fly for a day trip to Lady Elliot Island, one of the most
significant seabird breeding sites in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage
Area. This island is the southern most coral cay of the Great Barrier Reef. It
is small; only 45 hectares or 110 acres, meaning it is easy to explore in a
day. Naturally it is well known site for snorkelling and snorkelling gear will
be provided to everyone who would like to enjoy the reef from the water. Large
numbers of seabirds can be found at this site between October and April each
year. Some of these species include Black and Common noddies; Black-naped,
Bridled, Crested, Roseate and Sooty terns; Pied and Sooty oystercatchers;
Wedge-tailed shearwaters, Silver Gulls and the threatened Red-tailed
Tropicbird.
o/n Pialba Motor Inn, Hervey Bay
DAY 11 – We
have a long journey today of about four hours drive time however we will stop
for species enroute, especially raptors. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch near the
town of Kingaroy where we’ll see a range of waterfowl, such as Pacific Black
Duck, Gray Teal, Shoveler and, hopefully, some Pink-eared Ducks. Red-rumped
Parrots and Cockatiels can be seen in the surrounding woodland with species
like the very noisy and social Apostlebird and White-winged Choughs, the latter
two species of mud-nesters. Kingaroy is an agricultural town and is known as
the "Peanut Capital of
Australia" because Australia's largest peanut processing plant is located
in the town and peanut silos dominate the skyline. We will stay in Kingaroy
this evening.
o/n Motel Oasis, Kingaroy
DAY 12 - We will
leave Kingaroy early for a day’s
birding in the forests of the Bunya Mountains. The area, the remains of a shield
volcano which
was built from numerous basalt lava flows about 23-24
million years ago and rises to an average height of just under 1000 metres,
offers wonderful views of the surrounding plains but more importantly allows
great views of an excellent range of species including Regent and Satin
bowerbirds, Paradise Riflebird, Pied Currawong, Topknot and White-headed
pigeon, Eastern Yellow and Pale-Yellow robin, Superb Blue and Variegated fairy
wren, Russet-tailed and, Bassian thrush, Crested Shrike-tit, Gray Goshawk,
Yellow and Brown thornbill and many others. If we are lucky we will see both
Red-necked and Black-striped wallabies. About dusk we will depart the Bunyas
and head west for the town of Dalby.
o/n The Australian Hotel Motel, Dalby
DAY 13 – In the morning we will
aim for an area called Lake Broadwater Regional Park. Here it is possible to
see a few western species including Red winged Parrots, Cockatiels, Inland
Thornbill and, if we are lucky, Red-capped Robin. In the afternoon we will
drive a little west of the town and perhaps we will run into Emu. o/n The Australian Hotel Motel, Dalby
Day 14 – Today, as we drive south
towards Stanthorpe, we will keep an eye out for raptors such as Wedge-tailed
Eagles, Spotted Harriers, Australian Kestrel, Black and Whistling kites and
Brown Falcon. Stanthorpe is located in a landscape of granite boulders and is a
well-known fruit growing area and is a region becoming well known for wine
production. o/n Granite Lodge,
Stanthorpe
DAY 15 – Giraween National Park,
from the perspective of a Queensland birder, is an outstanding birding
location, offering many species that occur rarely, if ever, at other Queensland
sites and is definitely worth the two day explore. ‘Girraween’ is an indigenous
word meaning 'place of flowers', and within the park’s massive granite
outcrops, large angular tors, and precariously balanced boulders there are
spectacular wildflower displays which splash colour among the granite in
spring. Colour is not just found in the flowers however; Red Wattlebirds,
White-eared and Yellow-tufted honeyeaters, Turquoise Parrots, Diamond
Firetails, Plum-headed Finch, Scarlet Robin are a few of the special birds that
await us. Weebills, Yellow, Buff-rumped, Brown and Yellow-rumped thornbills alongside
Gray Fantails and both Striated and Spotted pardalotes are among the smaller
passerines. Musk Lorikeets need to be sorted from the Rainbows, Littles and
Scaly-breasteds and there are Eastern Rosellas, in place of the more northern
Pale-headed Rosellas. There is the chance of spotting Spotted Quail-thrush and
the uncommon Chestnut-rumped Heathwren. This area supports good populations of
Gray Kangaroo and Red-necked Wallaby.
o/n
Granite Lodge, Stanthorpe
DAY 16 – After having our second day birding in the Giraween
area we will continue to drive south into a new state, New South Wales, to the
township of Glen Innes. Glen Innes sits in an area known as the New England
Tableland but the town has pride in its Scottish heritage. Typical of much of
inland Australia the town’s history tell of Aboriginal displacement and an
occasional massacre, the development of the pastoral industry and mining; in
this instance, tin.
o/n Glen Haven Motor Inn, Glen Innes
DAY 17 – Some
driving today but some important birding as well as we venture south of the
border into New South Wales. Our first major stop will have us explore a
wetland area east of the town of Glenn Innes. Here, with luck, we could find
our first Blue-billed Duck – the Australian version of Ruddy Duck. We will take
our lunch at Gibraltor Range National Park where we will keep our eyes open for
the beautiful Rose Robin and Red-browed Treecreeper. The park is mainly open woodland and
heath, however areas of temperate and subtropical rainforest are also
protected. In spring there is a profusion of wildflowers.
A drive further east will find
Washpool National Park, a World Heritage listed reserve, where our major target
is the spectacular Superb Lyrebird. This is the world’s longest passerine,
claiming the title by the male having a lengthy lyre shaped tail. Should we be
lucky enough to hear the lyrebird sing, a spectacular array of imitations make
for one of the most memorable bird songs on the planet. o/n Broom’s Head Holiday Units
DAY 18 – Today we have a long day’s drive
along the Pacific highway back into Queensland to the hinterland town of
Canungra. A local birder will join us near the town of Ballina and he will
share some of his favourite sites. o/n Canungra Hotel, Canungra
DAY 19 – Lamington National Park
protects world heritage recognised sub-tropical rainforest that have flora
dating back to the time when Australia was part of the Gondwana landmass. This
park offers spectacular upland birding with excellent views of some beautiful
birds guaranteed. King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, Satin and Regent bowerbirds
should be seen almost at arm’s length. The main target though will be the
northern Lyrebird – Albert’s Lyrebird. This species has a limited range and
this will be the only location that we will visit for this bird. For mammal
enthusiasts we will be on the lookout for the beautiful Whiptail Wallaby which
are quite commonly seen on the drive between Canungra and the National Park. o/n
Canungra Hotel, Canungra
DAY 20 – Our final tour day will
feature a short visit after a short drive to Daisy Hill Koala Centre. Here as
its name suggests we will try to find, hopefully not for the first time, some
koalas. The tour will end at Brisbane airport after lunch to ensure your
connection with your Sydney flight.
