AUSTRALIA - HOLIDAY/RECCE TOUR - DAY 34 - OCT 30TH - BRISBANE

MANGROVE BOARDWALK- MOUNT TAMBORINE

I repeated my walk through the mangrove swamp for a second time today, it was another clear and warm sunny day. The tide was half way out so I got better views of the waders on the shore. None of them were new but a good selection was present.

here are the birds I saw on the beach;

1. EASTERN CURLEW
2. PIED OYSTERCATCHER
3. WHIMBREL
4. BLACK WINGED STILT
5. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT
6. BAR-TAILED GODWIT
7. GREENSHANK
10. GREAT KNOT
11. SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER
12. CURLEW SANDPIPER
13. PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER
14, GREY TAILED TATTLER
15. ROYAL SPOONBILL
16. WHITE FACED HERON
17. STRIATED HERON
18. BLACK SWAN
19. PACIFIC BLACK DUCK
20. WHISKERED TERN
21. GULL-BILLED TERN
22. AUSTRALIAN PELICAN
23. LITTLE PIED CORMORANT
24. LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT

My walk through the mangroves along the boardwalk didn't provide any new species but I got good views of several species from yesterday and I confirmed a sighting of a Black-faced Monarch (female) which had confused me yesterday. The Mangrove Gerygone showed well and several birds called that I couldn't locate so I left them unidentified which I hate doing.

Out on the grassy banks near the hide I had great views of the Superb Fairy Wren, also the Golden Headed Cisticola, the Zitting Cisticola and a new bird the TAWNY GRASSBIRD.

the lovely -  Superb Fairy Ween

The rest of the day was spent in the mountains, it was wonderful to get away from the coastal concrete jungle. Mount Tamborine and the surrounding villages were just what we were looking for, beautiful villages, art and craft shops and some forest walks.

In the car park of one 'waterfall' walk we watched Green Catbirds, Satin Bowerbirds, Lewin's Honeyeaters, King Parrots and lots of Rainbow Lorikeets.

 

female - Satin Bowerbird (what a bright blue eye this species have) 

The walk to the falls was wonderful because the path took us through some primary forest with ancient trees, the bird calls were incredible. We added Brown Thornbill, Pale Yellow Robin and more Catbirds to the list.

After Lunch which we took in a charming little restaurant set in the most tranquil gardens over which a White-headed Pigeon flew, smashing another lifer!

Green Catbird

We sat in a park for an hour or so relaxing on the grass, I walked around the trees but couldn't find anything new to report. Our journey back to Brisbane was for the last time because tomorrow we leave for the hills for a few days, hooray!

 

 

 

LIFERS

264. TAWNY GRASSBIRD
265. WHITE-HEADED PIGEON
266. GREEN CATBIRD