North Queensland - November 2014

Day 1 – Friday 21 November

Trevor and I left Bundaberg later than expected considering just graduating school, but soon we were headed for Rockhampton. No point birding this afternoon so making a considerable start to the trip could be our main priority. We made it to a rest stop some 60km north of Rockhampton at around 2130 when we called it a day, and didn’t bother too much about sleeping arrangements… just a stretcher and a blanket for me would suffice. Deciding to start the list here, I ticked off such night birds as Southern Boobook and Bush Stone-Curlew. Slept.

Day 2 – Saturday 22 November

Arising at first light, and to the screeches of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, I picked up Little Friarbird, Apostlebird, White-throated Honeyeater, Little Bronze-Cuckoo and Cicadabird among others before heading en route to Eungella NP. Of course, a birding trip is not without a few ‘detours’ here and there, and our first was St Lawrence Wetlands which saw an array of birds for the list, including: Tawny Grassbird, Australian Hobby, White-throated Needletail, Marsh Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis and other usual suspects. It also seemed like a good place to have breakfast… On our way through Mackay, I couldn’t resist stopping at the Botanic Gardens (being a Queenslander and never seen a bulbul and all). I looked everywhere for these damn bulbuls, but to no avail. However, I did get a few lifers, such as Pied Imperial-Pigeon and Hornbill Friarbird, which is promising early into the trip. We then had a look along the mouth of the Pioneer River hoping to get Beach Stone-Curlew on the list and begin to look for some of the northern mangrove species; Large-billed Gerygone, Mangrove Robin, etc.. No luck there, apart from Sooty Oystercatcher, Australasian Pipit and Mangrove Gerygone, as it was midday and the tide was in, so it was off to Eungella. Again not bothering much with bedding, the stretchers were set up next to the car. The afternoon was then spent exploring Broken River, adding Topknot Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-dove, Black-faced Monarch, Wompoo Fruit-Dove and other rainforest species to the list. In the late afternoon, everyone in the camp were treated with views of Platypus in the river adjacent to the campground. Spotlighting produced nothing more than a Tawny Frogmouth and a Ringtail Possum. Slept.

Day 3 – Sunday 23 November

Early this morning we headed off in search of Eungella Honeyeater, starting at Diggings Rd where no sign of the honeyeater were prevalent. However, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove were calling incessantly and were present in good numbers. Fail as we did, I was still determined to find this bird, and with two other sites to try I had to employ some hardcore birding tactics. On the intersection of Snake Rd and Dalrymple Rd, the honeyeaters were calling from down the hill yet too distant to get onto. So, I decided to try the last site, 2.9km along Chelman’s Rd, with the option of trying again at Snake Rd. It was getting late in the morning and bird activity was becoming quiet, so chances were seemingly slim. At the end of Chelman’s Rd there is a driveway into a resident’s house and a little clearing where Eungella Honeyeaters were quite vocal around the edge of the forest. Though after a long and patient search, and endless pacing back and forward along the forest edge, eyes were finally laid on the elusive honeyeater. Crimson Rosella, Eastern Spinebill and Grey Goshawk were seen here also. By about midday we left the plateau, back down to Marian for lunch then onto Cape Hillsborough for a chance of Mangrove Golden Whistler and Broad-billed Flycatcher. Around the walking tracks along the cape, though, were birds like Emerald Dove, plenty of Dusky Myzomela and Olive-backed Sunbirds as well as flocks of 50 or more Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos. Before heading to the campsite I decided to spare the extra time to try for the whistler and flycatcher at the mangrove boardwalk. While neither of the aforementioned were seen, views of Noisy Pitta, Orange-footed Scrubfowl and Fairy Gerygone. Later in the afternoon the tide had receded and mudflats at Smalleys Beach campsite were exposed, making a fantastic afternoon scoping waders and nibbling on cheese and biscuits. Some of the waders include Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sharp-tailed and Curlew Sandpipers, Australian Pied Oystercatcher and Grey-tailed Tattler, as well as Radjah Shelduck and Striated Heron. At dusk a Large-tailed Nightjar was heard within the campsite and would’ve surely headed out along the beach to hunt. What a fabulous place to spend the night!

Day 4 – Monday 24 November

Before dawn the nightjar had returned and began calling near our camp… I shot out of bed and discovered that the Bush Stone-Curlews were hanging around our swags, and also got a fleeting glimpse of the nightjar from behind the vegetation lining the beach. We had camp packed up in no time and went to have another crack at the boardwalk. The result: an unconfirmed Broad-billed Flycatcher due to very poor views and the bird disappearing in a split second, however definite Leaden Flycatcher and Little Shrike-thrush were seen. Before leaving Cape Hillsborough we explored the Seaforth township, especially the mangrove lined estuary at the east of Seaforth where Crested Terns gathered on a sandbar and Black Butcherbird called from the distant tangle of mangroves. With no success with other mangrove species we were soon on track to Townsville, stopping only for a brief sightsee of Bowen and some lunch at a rest stop. However, as we drove into Ayr there was no resisting detouring to the Old Wharf on Plantation Creek, and I convinced dad to make the drive. And a pleasant drive it was; a group of Brolgas were seen on the roadside and a flooded paddock held Great, Intermediate and Little Egret, White-faced and White-necked Heron and Royal and Yellow-billed Spoonbill. At the wharf was Brahminy Kite and Eastern Osprey as well as two Yellow White-eyes… just what we were looking for so we continued to Townsville and arrived at around 1730. Staying with relatives meant no need for camping rough.

Day 5 – Tuesday 25 November

It was an early rise to meet Len Ezzy who agreed to take me birding for the day along with Ian Boyd. Upon arrival to Len’s house, a lifer – Great Bowerbird! The day would start at the Townsville Town Common where our first stop got me five lifers in a matter of minutes – they include White-winged Triller, Yellow, Brown-backed and Rufous-throated Honeyeater and Crimson Finch. And the lifers did not stop there. At one of the observation towers delightful views of nesting Lemon-bellied Fly-robins were had while we also met a birding couple from Hervey Bay. The waterholes were incredibly thirsty and a good deal of birds had moved on, it seemed, except for the odd Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Pied Stilt and Marsh Sandpiper and Common Greenshank. There had been such rarities as Yellow Wagtail, Little Curlew and Australian Pratincole recorded just recently but apparently decided to disappear days before. At another waterhole we counted over 30 Brolgas as well as a group of Pacific Golden Plovers and an Australian Kite actively hunting over the marsh. Driving through the Common, we noticed Rainbow Bee-eaters were everywhere feeding on the abundant insect life. We then took a short walk to a bird hide to try for White-browed Crake, however the water level was a long way from the hide so habitat seemed a bit dull. It’s unfortunate that like most hides, one as good as this was in such a poor position. In the scope, though, we added Black-necked Stork, Whiskered Tern and Gull-billed Tern. We were lucky to have access to a restricted area of the reserve so we drove around to a mangrove estuary in the hope of finding those darn mangrove birds, but despite not seeing the ones we were after we did get glimpses of Whimbrel and Shining Flycatcher, and yet again heard a Black Butcherbird in the distance. We then spent the rest of the morning around Cape Pallarenda, first stopping at an old access track into the Town Common. Channel-billed Cuckoos and Australasian Figbirds enjoyed themselves in the fig trees and Australian Brush Turkeys wandered around in the leaf litter, while in another tree, probably the easiest sighting of a roosting owl ever… looking straight up, there be a Barking Owl looking straight down at us. At Cape Pallarenda itself, another lifer! Heard and seen from the car was a Yellow-spotted Honeyeater! Len and Ian started insisting on a $10 per lifer policy, but I was having such a blast they wouldn’t do such a thing. Before lunch we snuck a visit to a coastal lagoon to find Varied Honeyeater at the southern extremity of their range… no doubt I would get them in Cairns, but it was interesting to see them associate with Mangrove Honeyeaters. Also in the area were White-gaped Honeyeaters and nesting Australian White Ibis. Then it was home for lunch (and a dip in the pool) before heading out again at 3pm to an undisclosed location looking for the resident Rufous Owls (sworn to secrecy). A total of three owls were seen, one adult and two juveniles. Woodstock for Black-throated Finch, this time with Len’s wife, in the cool afternoon hours, but with everything so lifeless there seemed to be no hope. While no BT Finches were seen that day, other birds include Double-barred Finch, Blue-winged Kookaburra, Black-faced Woodswallows, Pheasant Coucal and Little Corella. The final destination before we called it a day was a roadside stormwater wetland, which I’m told is a good place for White-browed Crake. Superb views of Rufous-throated Honeyeaters were had in the late afternoon sun, it didn’t take long until we were rewarded with close and clear views of the crake, and we were surprised when a Black Bittern flushed and flew over the open water to the opposite reed bed. Other birds here were Australian Reed-Warbler and Wandering Whistling-Ducks.

Day 6 – Wednesday 26 November

Leaving Townsville at 0800, we planned to overnight in Ingham which is only an hour’s drive, so we had half the day to kill. And what better way to spend the morning than at Paluma NP. About half way up the range at Little Crystal Creek, one can expect some wet tropic endemics and lowland species. Birds that were seen here include Pale Yellow Robin, Spotted Catbird, Graceful Honeyeater, Silvereye and Spectacled Monarch. Once at Paluma village I had my first opportunity to see some of the Atherton endemics. And I had my first two on one of the rainforest trails that surround the village; Victoria’s Riflebird and Grey-headed Robin, as well as other common rainforest species, such as Brown Gerygone, Eastern Whipbird, Little Shrike-thrush and Large-billed Scrubwren. I also had time to check a fresh stream for Little Kingfisher and Red-necked Crake, but to no avail. Armed with directions to a Golden Bowerbird bower, it was off to Birthday Creek Falls, but were momentarily stopped by a near-suicidal Chowchilla that darted across the road. At the falls, locating the bower was not a problem, but with no sign of Golden Bowerbirds we assumed they were feeding in the forest somewhere. Despite the dip, I also managed two more endemics; Tooth-billed Bowerbird and Bower’s Shrike-thrush. Before long it was 2pm and decided it was time to get to Ingham. We arrived in Ingham at 1530ish and, no questioning it, went straight to Tyto Wetlands! I hadn’t even walked into the park and I had I lifer in sight; a Green Oriole, as well as Brush Cuckoo and Australasian Figbirds. Approaching the first lagoon were Crimson Finch, Whiskered Terns and Welcome Swallows amongst others, and I was most excited when literally the first waterbirds I looked at on the main lagoon were Green Pygmy-Geese… another lifer! Also here were Black-necked Stork, White-browed Robin, Sharp-tailed and Marsh Sandpipers, Comb-crested Jacana and all the suspected honeyeaters. The lagoons were apparently shrinking and any remaining pools surrounded by reeds and vegetation were becoming still and stagnant, which may have affected the chance of crakes and Bush-hens. Some birds around also seen around the wetlands include Red-backed Fairy-wren, Grey Whistler, Golden-headed Cisticola and Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo. At late afternoon I made my way to the owl platform, and on the way got soaked by a sudden downpour… I suppose that was my welcome to the tropics. Now, it was all a matter of waiting… and waiting, and waiting… Just before sunset, the first Large-tailed Nightjar started to call in the island of bush opposite to the platform, and before long nightjars from all over the wetlands were calling. Soon there were nightjars flying past me in every direction as they hawked for insects over the marsh. It was getting quite dark and I expected the owls to come out earlier, but perhaps the rain had delayed their appearance. I stood up, about to walk away when I saw it… something was flying towards me and I soon realised it wasn’t another of the countless flying-foxes flying over beforehand, indeed it was an Eastern Grass Owl, and then another, until there were a total of 3 males and 2 females. It seemed they wanted to check me out as they circled around a few times. Walking back, there were more nightjars on the tracks; they were everywhere. Having seen everything I hoped to see at Tyto, we decided to grab some chinese and press onwards until we find a campsite. When we found a camp just north of Cardwell I was too tired to even get a stretcher out… the car seat was good enough.

Day 7 – Thursday 27 November

I woke early and took the opportunity to see what was around the campsite, and was surprised to find such a well vegetated creek. Around the campground were birds like Fuscous Honeyeater, Forest Kingfisher, Shining Flycatcher, Green Oriole, Black Butcherbird (heard), Australian Swiftlet and Grey Shrike-thrush. We were on the road again, heading for Cairns. It wasn’t long before Dad was fangin’ for a coffee so we pulled into Tully, Australia’s wettest town according to annual rainfall. Quite a nice little town especially when the local park housed a colony of Metallic Starlings. About 3km from Tully is the turnoff to Mission Beach… I realised right away that it would be my best chance for cassowaries, so there was no resisting this detour. And sure enough, we were rewarded with a Southern Cassowary crossing the road. Taking the scenic drive along the coast produced Eastern Reef-Egret and White-bellied Sea-Eagle, and the day use area of Tam O’Shanter NP saw Macleay’s Honeyeater. Again, it was back en route to Cairns and with no further to do we arrived at about 1300 to stay with an uncle of mine and his son. This afternoon they had planned to go to the pool on the esplanade, which was brilliant for they could go swimming and I could go wader’ing. I had no idea how busy the esplanade was in the late afternoon, and I must have looked like a creep with a huge scope over my shoulder. However, it was surprising to see a good percentage of esplanade goers taking an interest in what was happening on the mudflats… a lot of photographers sat on the wooden pillars of the boardwalk taking photos of the waders literally beneath their feet and the late afternoon sunlight over the mudflat, while other passers-by took photos of the Australian Pelicans out on the mud. There were a few people with binos around their neck and some were even gathered in small groups, presumably overseas birders mixed with local birders who come to the esplanade regularly. I was confronted by a couple of South African birders who asked me what was around, I told them what I had seen and also that I wasn’t from Cairns and to that they were surprised as I knew so much. Anyway, the tide and weather conditions were perfect and waders were a plenty. Amongst a big group of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were three Broad-billed Sandpipers, and other birds include Curlew Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Grey-tailed Tattler, Red-necked Stint, Red-capped Plover, Lesser Sand-Plover, Great Knot, Little Tern as well as Bar-tailed Godwit, Eastern Curlew and Whimbrel. We all enjoyed a lovely Moroccan dinner before heading home.

Day 8 – Friday 28 November

Today we planned to go to Green Island at 1100, so had some time to kill in the morning, and I insisted going to the Botanic Gardens. I walked through the rainforest boardwalk and ended up at the saltwater creek to where a bridge crosses over it. Here, in a radius of about 10m I had three lifers; Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Large-billed Gerygone and finally good views of Black Butcherbird, and also a Little “Gould’s” Bronze-Cuckoo. I wanted to get to the freshwater lake, but I was running out of time and also out of patience with the mosquitos and sand-flies, so I headed back. Soon we were at the port ready to board the boat. The boat trip wasn’t all that exciting as it rained on the way. Arriving at the jetty of Green Island, we were welcomed by Brown Boobies, Black-naped Terns Silver Gulls and Bridled Terns, while one Common Noddy flew over and was never seen again. In and around the island’s forest were Pied Imperial Pigeon, Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves, Silvereye and Buff-banded Rails. Although I didn’t get any snorkelling done, which I should have, Green Turtles were common and Black-tipped Reef Sharks patrolled the nearby reef regularly. While we were here, our half day itinerary included a tour on the glass-bottom boat, which was most interesting. Soon enough we were back in Cairns to finish the day with a backyard barbeque dinner.

Day 9 – Saturday 29 November

The day I had anticipated the most as we were to end up at Kingfisher Park! Before leaving Cairns, though, I just had to make a stop at the Jack Barnes Mangrove Boardwalk for a final chance at Mangrove Robin, however try as I might, this bird eluded me and I had to admit defeat as we headed ever northwards. We slowly meandered up the Captain Cook HWY stopping at Palm Cove for morning tea, Newell Beach to try for swallows and Daintree village for… well, nothing really other than a sightsee. As we were driving around the mountain heading to Julatten we stopped briefly at a roadside lookout and a Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo was heard calling, too far to locate in the rainforest. Soon we arrived at Kingfisher Park just able to contain my excitement, moved into our cosy bunkhouse, and finally I was able to be let loose around the lodge grounds. Outside the reception building Pale Yellow Robins and Red-browed Finch hung out as well as a Boyd’s Forest Dragon, and in the Orchard birds include Spectacled Monarch, Pied Monarch, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Macleay’s Honeyeater, Graceful Honeyeater and Noisy Pitta. I spent some time in the late afternoon sitting at the crake pool with no sight of activity, but as it was getting almost too dark to see I got up to walk away, I turned around only to see a Red-necked Crake dart across a gap in the vegetation! Having satisfying views, I wondered back to report the sighting to Keith and Lindsay. After dark Bush-rats and pademelons foraged around the camp kitchen as we had dinner. And all the while I kept my ears open to the sound of a Tyto screech, but after a quick spotlight around the grounds with no owls calling, I called it a night. The showers were an interesting experience as sharing the shower with me were White-lipped Tree Frog, Northern Dwarf Tree Frog and two other litoria spp.

Day 10 – Sunday 1 December

Was up bright and early this morning ready to go to Mt Lewis for some more endemic bewilderment and was delighted by a Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher perched in the open just outside the bunkhouse. Though, it would be pointless going to Mt Lewis too early and not wait for the mist to clear so, more time was spent wandering along the road adjacent to the park. This was quite successful as an Oriental Cuckoo surprisingly made an entrance and Emerald Dove was seen. As soon as the mist cleared a bit we headed up the mountain, stopping part way up to check out some low-level rainforest… here were the usual suspects except for one lifer; Yellow-breasted Boatbill. Anyway, we soon arrived at the grassy clearing which indicated the start of the walking track, but no sight of parrot-finches or even Red-browed Finch. At the very start of the track there was plenty of noise coming from Chowchillas and Tooth-billed Bowerbirds, which was promising. Birding in general was superb, but it wasn’t until further on it got serious… you know, actually trying for stuff. A good kilometre or so into the track both Dad and I had excellent views of Chowchilla and Fernwren foraging side-by-side around a fallen branch, seemingly not bothered by our presence as we were allowed a generously close distance. At various places where the track bended around a ridge gave a nice view of some canopy, which were particularly good places to see Mountain Thornbill and Brown Gerygone well. After about 4km we reached the dam, and here Yellow-throated, White-browed and Large-billed Scrubwrens were abundant. I decided to head back from here after a while and on the way back I coincidently bumped into the same South African couple I met the other day in Cairns… fancy that! Back at the start of the track I managed to positively identify an Atherton Scrubwren, which was a relief after searching for them the whole time. After getting back to the car and having a bite to eat, I was kicking myself realising I couldn’t leave here without seeing a Golden Bowerbird. So I went back into the forest and past the same couple again with their guide and asked them if they saw Golden Bowerbirds. They had, and gave me some directions, so I headed off. On the way back up, I took more notice of worn trails leading into the forest… I followed one and it lead straight to a Tooth-billed Bowerbird’s stage! Also, I was surprised by a view of what I now believe was a female Golden Bowerbird! These concealed trails are probably where local tour guides take people as reliable sites to see such secretive birds. With the given directions I went past the dam and onwards to find a telecom tower, but with limited time I decided to go no further than I did and just search the immediate area. Here birds include Bower’s and Little Shrike-thrush, Bridled Honeyeater, Grey “Mountain” Fantail and Rufous Fantail. By this time of day the Bowerbirds would be spread out foraging rather than attending their bowers, so chances were slim. So, I headed back to the car for the second time, almost stepping on two Red-bellied Black Snakes. As we drove back down Mt Lewis we decided to kill the rest of the afternoon we would drive to Mt Carbine and visit some sites on the maps given to us at the lodge. Apparently Banded Honeyeater and Black-throated Finch have been sighted near Mt Carbine, but west of the range it was ridiculously dry that chances didn’t seem likely. With not much being seen here apart from an Australian Bustard, we headed back to the lodge to relax. I went to meet everyone at the crake pool and what a surprise it was to meet fellow Bundaberg birders, Kevin and Jane Barker, who have just come back from Iron Range. The crake had already appeared and didn’t seem to re-emerge, and everyone started to leave. I asked about the Papuan Frogmouth around the orchard and a fellow guest was kind to show me the female sitting on a nest! The following night again heard no Lesser Sooty Owl, which is disappointing, although needless I complain as I needed to sleep.

Day 11 – Monday 2 December

Another early start this morning to head south through the Tablelands, firstly stopping at Abattoir Swamp just 6km from Kingfisher Park. Not many “swampy” birds as the swamp was overgrown with rushes and vegetation and no open water… supposedly not the best time of year. As we drove through Mt Molley a Barn Owl was seen returning to roost, then it was southwards for a brief stop at Lake Mitchell where scoping from the road produced Cotton Pygmy-Geese as well as the usual waterbirds. But the habitat was also suitable for button-quails and grass owls and obviously has some ecological significance. On the way to Mareeba we detoured into Mareeba Wetlands hoping for some cranes, button-quails and Black-throated Finches, but to find all of those in a couple of hours would be miraculous, so I had my doubts. Just the usual birds were seen upon scanning the main wetlands. Walking around the wetlands saw Emu, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and Brown Treecreeper as new birds for the list, but by that time it was after 10am and was obviously not the best time of day for this habitat. Apparently the cranes hung out on the other lagoon however they were nowhere to be seen. The button-quails would probably require a week’s searching and early mornings for a good chance of them, so no surprise I dipped on them. Although, I noticed that Double-barred Finches were quite active so I definitely kept an eye out, but despite my best efforts I dipped on Black-throated Finch as well… again, not the best time of day and late afternoon would probably be best to see them drinking at water troughs. Probably not appropriate, but as the amenities was elevated over the edge of the marsh, from inside the toilet I could hear a White-browed Crake beneath the decking. As we were leaving, though, a flock of 13 or so Squatter Pigeons were seen alongside the road. From there we continued to Mareeba and stopped for a light lunch at the revered Coffee Works which we would definitely recommend, and without further to do headed straight to Atherton where we detoured again to Hasties Swamp; a nice lagoon with an outstanding bird hide. From the bird hide and around the carpark Red-kneed Dotterel, Pink-eared Duck, Common Sandpiper, Australasian Grebe and Eurasian Coot were seen. Not far from the swamp the road swerved around Mt Hypipamee, and armed with directions to another Golden Bowerbird bower, couldn’t resist stopping at Dinner Falls to have a final look. Eventually I found the concealed trail into the forest alongside the road and located the untidy bower (seemed unused), yet no bowerbirds in sight again assuming they would be foraging during this time of day. As I made it back to the road, however, a female Satin Bowerbird attended to her nest in an Elkhorn Fern. After, we spared the time to walk to the falls, on the way seeing Fernwren and Chowchilla again foraging together just as we saw them at Mt Lewis. We headed off and arrived at Ravenshoe in time for dinner so we used a barbeque in the local rotary park before travelling to an overnight rest stop some 60km south of Ravenshoe. While it was dark I decided to search the nearby creek which would entertain me before going to bed. The creek was flowing and was full of interesting creatures, such as spiders, resting dragonflies, moths, dwarf tree frogs and rocket frogs, and also Barn Owls screeching in the distance.

Day 12 – Tuesday 3 December

It was another early start today, waking up at first light and packing up swags and heading off. We planned on arriving in Charters Towers at the end of the day, some 400km away, but we rose early so we could visit Undara Volcanic NP which is a short detour from the Savannah HWY and conveniently not far from this rest stop. I was really looking forward to birding here, however it was again ridiculously dry, which is expected at that time of year, so none of the trees were blossoming and some areas appeared to be burnt from the start of the dry season. The only birds here were close to the buildings where there is food and were mainly common species Despite there being none of my target birds here, taking a walk around one of the walking tracks in the park provided fantastic 360 degree views of the landscape dominated by tropical woodland and rocky outcrops that are the volcanic plugs. After some photos we headed off to begin the 4 hour drive to Charters Towers. Not much birding was done between here and our destination and eventually we arrived in Charters at around 1630 where we were accommodated by more relatives. In the cool afternoon we went to Towers Hill and explored the WWII artillery bunkers, but while there I flushed a pair of Stubble Quail which was a surprise and a nice ~lifer to finish off the day.

Days 13-16 – Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 December

The following days, as we were finally heading home, were not filled with much birding. However, while we were still in Charters Towers we went to the weir for a stickybeak only to find an Australian Bustard by the road. I also found a couple of lagoons on Google Maps worth checking out, so we sussed out these lagoons mainly just for something to do… just the usual birds here, but also some Chestnut-breasted Mannikins. The rest of the day was spent trying to find a cool breeze. The next day we left Charters reasonably early en route to emerald, keeping my eyes peeled for Ground Cuckoo-shrikes. We overnighted at Emerald with more of the family before heading to Rockhampton on the 15^th to finally visit my grandparents. We eventually made it home on December 16 with a total of 258 species on the list and 50+ lifers.