A little late, I know but that's OK because it's here now. You could say I've been very lazy for the last couple of months... and I have! I haven't been motivated to really write anything and I haven't been out birding as much as I would normally. Anyway, this month's port survey was relatively quiet since only a few of us turned up on the morning. Bird-wise, also quiet as although the common Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Red-necked Stints had started to return in numbers, there were next to no raptors about apart from the resident Nankeen Kestrel sitting in his favourite tree and the Brahminy Kites which you can see gliding around just about all the time anyway. The Asian Dowitcher that showed up last month was nowhere to be seen, which is odd because it had been seen throughout the month at Burnett Heads. Perhaps it has found another place to roost at high tide, along with the Bar-tailed Godwits which seemed to be absent as well. Let's just say it wasn't as productive as normal in September...
The outing this month was to Barolin Nature Reserve where it was nice to see some new faces. Whilst everyone met on the Bargara Rd entrance we watched a Nankeen Kestrel go about hunting in the early morning, meanwhile a Pacific Baza flew over the treetops in the distance. We then headed around to Davidson St where we commenced the morning. Immediately amongst the blossom of the melaleuca were Rainbow and Scaly-breasted Lorikeets, Australian Figbirds, Brown Honeyeaters, Pale-headed Rosellas and a calling male Pheasant Coucal. Further along we were surprised to find a couple of Black-faced Monarchs, as well as Leaden Flycatcher and Lewin's Honeyeater. At some point we deviated from the track to check on the Eastern Ospreys and their nest; no chicks at that point though. The parrots, such as Pale-headed Rosella, Rainbow Lorikeets, Cockatiels and Galahs, were all seen inspecting tree hollows which is nice to see. Some of us ventured along the creek to find Fairy Gerygone, Little Shrike-thrush and Grey-crowned Babblers. An overall great morning was had by everyone...
This month saw (or heard) the arrival of the PNG migrants. Dollarbirds can be seen perched on top of dead or exposed branches of trees, while the Eastern Koels are more suburban and are heard calling all over the place, and Channel-billed Cuckoos usually reside in Barolin Nature Reserve but can often be heard and seen if they are travelling from one place to another. I'm out for now... October coming soon.
Brandon
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Thursday, 24 September 2015
August 2015 in Bundaberg
The waders have returned!!! Yes, it's that time of year again when Burnett Heads becomes my happy place and where I will be spending most of my spare time. This month, Gengers Rd is still producing the goods, I take a visit down to Elliott Heads, I add a new bird to my Baldwin Swamp list and the port bird survey had some nice... you guessed it, waders!
On another visit to Moore Park, I easily spent half a day in the track on Gengers Rd. It was a marvellous morning with the morning temperatures starting to warm up a bit lately. There was still plenty of fruit available as Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves and the odd Topknot Pigeon fluttered between branches as I walked underneath them. By the causeway I had picked up some nice species of this habitat, such as Fairy Gerygone, Golden Whistler, Little Bronze-cuckoo, Azure Kingfisher, Royal Spoonbill, Branminy Kite and Spectacled Monarch. Further on, fresh-ish platelets at the buttonquails' most popular feeding area, but no birds present. Other good birds which showed well include Rufous Fantail, Mangrove Gerygone, Shining Flycatcher and White-eared Monarch. There were also a number of raptors out this morning; between home and Moore Park I saw Nankeen Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Eastern Osprey, Whistling Kite, Collared Sparrowhawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Little Eagle. What a great day...
Earlier in the month Mum joined me at Elliott Heads, but first we stopped at a small creek that I knew of for some light birding. This neat little place just produced some relatively common species including Little Shrike-thrush, Brown Honeyeater, Scarlet Myzomela, White-throated Honeyeater and Grey Fantail. We then headed to Elliott Heads where I could look for the bird I came to see, and after about 20 minutes walking about the vast sandbars of the Elliott River, a Beach Stone-Curlew just minding it's own business. Other waders that we saw on the sandbars include Grey-tailed Tattler, Red-necked Stint, Lesser Sand-Plover, Double-banded Plover, Bar-tailed Godwits and Eastern Curlew.
Speaking of waders, there was certainly a lot of wader activity at the port survey. There was everything from Sharp-tailed and Curlew Sandpipers to Bar-tailed Godwits and even an Asian Dowitcher all feeding like crazy. Before the survey, I spent the first hour of the morning parked beside Hermans Rd, and from the car I had good views of Buff-banded Rail, Latham's Snipe and Spotless Crake.
One afternoon I was riding through Baldwin Swamp when I swear I heard Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos... pretty unusual for this habitat, so I went to the source of the sound and sure enough half a dozen or so were mucking around in the casuarinas. This is a new bird for my Baldwin list so I was very happy and on that note, I'm out.
Brandon
On another visit to Moore Park, I easily spent half a day in the track on Gengers Rd. It was a marvellous morning with the morning temperatures starting to warm up a bit lately. There was still plenty of fruit available as Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves and the odd Topknot Pigeon fluttered between branches as I walked underneath them. By the causeway I had picked up some nice species of this habitat, such as Fairy Gerygone, Golden Whistler, Little Bronze-cuckoo, Azure Kingfisher, Royal Spoonbill, Branminy Kite and Spectacled Monarch. Further on, fresh-ish platelets at the buttonquails' most popular feeding area, but no birds present. Other good birds which showed well include Rufous Fantail, Mangrove Gerygone, Shining Flycatcher and White-eared Monarch. There were also a number of raptors out this morning; between home and Moore Park I saw Nankeen Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Eastern Osprey, Whistling Kite, Collared Sparrowhawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Little Eagle. What a great day...
Earlier in the month Mum joined me at Elliott Heads, but first we stopped at a small creek that I knew of for some light birding. This neat little place just produced some relatively common species including Little Shrike-thrush, Brown Honeyeater, Scarlet Myzomela, White-throated Honeyeater and Grey Fantail. We then headed to Elliott Heads where I could look for the bird I came to see, and after about 20 minutes walking about the vast sandbars of the Elliott River, a Beach Stone-Curlew just minding it's own business. Other waders that we saw on the sandbars include Grey-tailed Tattler, Red-necked Stint, Lesser Sand-Plover, Double-banded Plover, Bar-tailed Godwits and Eastern Curlew.
Speaking of waders, there was certainly a lot of wader activity at the port survey. There was everything from Sharp-tailed and Curlew Sandpipers to Bar-tailed Godwits and even an Asian Dowitcher all feeding like crazy. Before the survey, I spent the first hour of the morning parked beside Hermans Rd, and from the car I had good views of Buff-banded Rail, Latham's Snipe and Spotless Crake.
One afternoon I was riding through Baldwin Swamp when I swear I heard Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos... pretty unusual for this habitat, so I went to the source of the sound and sure enough half a dozen or so were mucking around in the casuarinas. This is a new bird for my Baldwin list so I was very happy and on that note, I'm out.
Brandon
Tuesday, 18 August 2015
July 2015 Birding
This post is only a short one, though not because nothing happened this month. Oh no. July was not a boring month for birding. However the reason why I'm being very brief has to do with where I've been. I left Bundaberg for most of the month to join in on a trip to Kakadu in search of White-throated Grasswrens with Bill and Jack Moorhead! This was an unforgettable and unbelieveable opportunity to travel across half of the country birding every day for three weeks. I won't be writing all about it in this post otherwise you'd be reading this all day, though I will be uploading a trip report soon which shall go into some detail about the whole experience. Keep posted!
In the few days before we left there was still some local birding opportunities to be had. Jane and I spent a half day down near Coonar, specifically the Wildflower Reserve and Sharks Nest. It was a fairly relaxed morning with no real focus, except that Jane wanted to check out the Sharks Nest area - an area along the Elliott River popular with fishermen but also productive for birds in the remnant coastal vine-scrub. The Wildflower Reserve has suffered a major burn, which is a disappointment. The birdlife has completely diminished from the area apart from the Brown Honeyeaters returning to the new Banksia bloom. Towards the far end of the reserve is less damaged and produced some nice bush birds, such as Red-backed Fairywren, White-browed Scrubwren, Golden Whistler, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Eastern Whipbird. The rest of the morning was spent at Sharks Nest which was quite productive with honeyeaters and friarbirds and up to five Shining Bronze-Cuckoos. Nothing particularly special but it was a nice morning out.
From one morning in Hervey Bay a Red-capped Robin was reported this month, which is an unusual sighting this close to the coast. Though, such a record of this bird is not a first and can be explained by the drought conditions currently affecting the interior.
This month at the Port survey the morning was lovely and crisp, we had beautiful home-made muffins for smoko and there were birds aplenty. Some of the overwintering waders present were Curlew Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Common Greenshank, Eastern Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit, and among them were the resident waders - Red-capped Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel and Pied Stilt. The most special bird during this time of year is Double-banded Plovers which escapes the New Zealand winter on the south-east coasts of Australia... we saw two this morning. Other recurring birds at the port include Gull-billed and Caspian Terns, Chestnut Teal, Mangrove Gerygone, Nankeen Kestrel, Spotted Harrier and Brahminy Kite. What a month this was...
Happy birding;
Brandon
In the few days before we left there was still some local birding opportunities to be had. Jane and I spent a half day down near Coonar, specifically the Wildflower Reserve and Sharks Nest. It was a fairly relaxed morning with no real focus, except that Jane wanted to check out the Sharks Nest area - an area along the Elliott River popular with fishermen but also productive for birds in the remnant coastal vine-scrub. The Wildflower Reserve has suffered a major burn, which is a disappointment. The birdlife has completely diminished from the area apart from the Brown Honeyeaters returning to the new Banksia bloom. Towards the far end of the reserve is less damaged and produced some nice bush birds, such as Red-backed Fairywren, White-browed Scrubwren, Golden Whistler, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Eastern Whipbird. The rest of the morning was spent at Sharks Nest which was quite productive with honeyeaters and friarbirds and up to five Shining Bronze-Cuckoos. Nothing particularly special but it was a nice morning out.
From one morning in Hervey Bay a Red-capped Robin was reported this month, which is an unusual sighting this close to the coast. Though, such a record of this bird is not a first and can be explained by the drought conditions currently affecting the interior.
This month at the Port survey the morning was lovely and crisp, we had beautiful home-made muffins for smoko and there were birds aplenty. Some of the overwintering waders present were Curlew Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Common Greenshank, Eastern Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit, and among them were the resident waders - Red-capped Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel and Pied Stilt. The most special bird during this time of year is Double-banded Plovers which escapes the New Zealand winter on the south-east coasts of Australia... we saw two this morning. Other recurring birds at the port include Gull-billed and Caspian Terns, Chestnut Teal, Mangrove Gerygone, Nankeen Kestrel, Spotted Harrier and Brahminy Kite. What a month this was...
Happy birding;
Brandon
Sunday, 5 July 2015
June 2015 in Bundaberg
I'd hate to sound repetitive, but I'm afraid that this post will probably sound vaguely familiar to last month's... I went for another visit to Gengers Rd one bliss morning to try again for the Black-breasted Button-Quails. Gengers Rd is a reliable site close to Bundaberg were to see rainforest species amongst the other usual birds. Regularly seen here are Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves, Spectacled Monarch and Rufous Fantail, and birds seen by others include Noisy Pitta, Pale-vented Bush-hen, Topknot Pigeons and White-eared Monarch. The most surprising birds of this visit was a pair of Satin Flycatchers and a Little Eagle along Moore Park Rd. Since I first reported the button-quails at Moore Park, most of the locals have been visiting the site quite regularly over the last few months, which has produced some good records during this short period of time. This is, I think, very important data as the area is very close to residential land which is susceptible to development and is probably the last patch of sufficient coastal rainforest scrub in the region. The silver lining of this site is that Black-breasted Button-Quails are in fact endangered species and are very habitat-specific.
There are fewer and fewer waders at the port during our survey this month, however there is still some Red-necked Stints and Curlew Sandpipers flying about erratically, presumably ready to take off on migration. Just as well too because the Peregrine Falcon seems to have claimed the observation platform as its own. Raptors are generally easily come across at this time of year, and some that were about the port were Nankeen Kestrel, Australian Hobby, Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Swamp Harrier and Spotted Harrier. Also at this time of year we can focus on some of our resident waders and appreciate them more than we do during summer - residents such as Red-capped Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel as well as the Double-banded Plovers which reside away from the NZ winter.
A local birder, John Hall was out and about this month and saw a couple of nice records for the region - Fairy Prions offshore from 1770 and a Red-backed Kingfisher, usually an inland inhabitant, on the way to Elliot Heads. I decided to check out a little conservation park in Bullyard as I'd never been there before, and it was quite interesting. The habitat featured eucalypt and stringybark dominated woodland that followed a rocky ridge which gave way to sclerophyll at the bottom and also had patches of brigalow woodland. Some of the highlights include White-throated Treecreeper, Varied Sittella, Variegated Fairy-wren and a calling Australian Owlet-nightjar.
Jack, Jane and I spent a day at Stockyard Crk and Cordalba SF. It was relatively quiet throughout the morning, particularly around Stockyard Crk where only the usual suspects seemed to be around. At Cordalba, however, we were able to add a few more species to the list, such as Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Little Lorikeet, Dusky Woodswallow, Fuscous Honeyeater, Jacky Winter and Buff-rumped Thornbill. Overall a great day to be out birding, and a great month for birding...
Brandon
There are fewer and fewer waders at the port during our survey this month, however there is still some Red-necked Stints and Curlew Sandpipers flying about erratically, presumably ready to take off on migration. Just as well too because the Peregrine Falcon seems to have claimed the observation platform as its own. Raptors are generally easily come across at this time of year, and some that were about the port were Nankeen Kestrel, Australian Hobby, Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Swamp Harrier and Spotted Harrier. Also at this time of year we can focus on some of our resident waders and appreciate them more than we do during summer - residents such as Red-capped Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel as well as the Double-banded Plovers which reside away from the NZ winter.
A local birder, John Hall was out and about this month and saw a couple of nice records for the region - Fairy Prions offshore from 1770 and a Red-backed Kingfisher, usually an inland inhabitant, on the way to Elliot Heads. I decided to check out a little conservation park in Bullyard as I'd never been there before, and it was quite interesting. The habitat featured eucalypt and stringybark dominated woodland that followed a rocky ridge which gave way to sclerophyll at the bottom and also had patches of brigalow woodland. Some of the highlights include White-throated Treecreeper, Varied Sittella, Variegated Fairy-wren and a calling Australian Owlet-nightjar.
Jack, Jane and I spent a day at Stockyard Crk and Cordalba SF. It was relatively quiet throughout the morning, particularly around Stockyard Crk where only the usual suspects seemed to be around. At Cordalba, however, we were able to add a few more species to the list, such as Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Little Lorikeet, Dusky Woodswallow, Fuscous Honeyeater, Jacky Winter and Buff-rumped Thornbill. Overall a great day to be out birding, and a great month for birding...
Brandon
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
May 2015 in Bundaberg
The weather this month has been getting ever cooler, but is still rather mild pleasant. On the most part this is a brilliant time of year for bush birds, however I hadn't been out much at all. Some interesting news has came out this month... two migratory waders which are generally numerous Australian visitors have been listed as critically endangered and endangered in their breeding ranges - Curlew Sandpiper and Eastern Curlew. The Curlew Sandpiper suffering an 80% decline in only recent years!
I didn't make it to the port survey this month (mainly because I was lazy and slept in), and after hearing the report from the morning I was kicking myself for not being there. 7 Red-necked Avocets showed up as they seem to do at the same time every year. I'd be interested to know where else they go in the region. One of the avocets however fell prey to the juvenile Peregrine Falcon, which would no doubt be a spectacular show of nature. A few other raptors were about also that morning, including Swamp Harriers, Brown Falcon and Brown Goshawk. The most exciting bird from the survey is the site's first record of Plum-headed Finch!
Nev and I decided to go out to Stockyard Crk since we were bored at home, though we managed to pick one of the windiest days of the month. Bird activity was pretty light-on and quiet. Despite the circumstances we still saw Azure Kingfisher, Common Bronzewing, Spectacled Monarch, Golden Whistler, Fuscous Honeyeater and Wedge-tailed Eagle. Also while driving around trying desperately add birds to the list were Brown Falcons, Australian Hobby and Nankeen Kestrel.
Chris Barnes visited Cordalba again this month, which always produces nice birds. Along with the usual birds such as Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, a Speckled Warbler made an appearance as well as a single Little Woodswallow amongst flocks of Dusky Woodswallows and Tree Martins. One of the Square-tailed Kites of the area showed up and disturbed a Glossy Black-Cockatoo from its feeding.
The club's campout this month was around the Mount Perry region, in the brigalow country north-west of Bundaberg. Some birds that are generally brigalow specialists seen on this trip include White-eared Honeyeater, Speckled Warbler and Varied Sittella. At night the only thing around was a calling Australian Owlet-nightjar. Overall 77 species were seen on the outing, which isn't impressive but not as disappointing considering blossom in the trees was minimal.
I didn't make it to the port survey this month (mainly because I was lazy and slept in), and after hearing the report from the morning I was kicking myself for not being there. 7 Red-necked Avocets showed up as they seem to do at the same time every year. I'd be interested to know where else they go in the region. One of the avocets however fell prey to the juvenile Peregrine Falcon, which would no doubt be a spectacular show of nature. A few other raptors were about also that morning, including Swamp Harriers, Brown Falcon and Brown Goshawk. The most exciting bird from the survey is the site's first record of Plum-headed Finch!
Nev and I decided to go out to Stockyard Crk since we were bored at home, though we managed to pick one of the windiest days of the month. Bird activity was pretty light-on and quiet. Despite the circumstances we still saw Azure Kingfisher, Common Bronzewing, Spectacled Monarch, Golden Whistler, Fuscous Honeyeater and Wedge-tailed Eagle. Also while driving around trying desperately add birds to the list were Brown Falcons, Australian Hobby and Nankeen Kestrel.
Chris Barnes visited Cordalba again this month, which always produces nice birds. Along with the usual birds such as Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, a Speckled Warbler made an appearance as well as a single Little Woodswallow amongst flocks of Dusky Woodswallows and Tree Martins. One of the Square-tailed Kites of the area showed up and disturbed a Glossy Black-Cockatoo from its feeding.
The club's campout this month was around the Mount Perry region, in the brigalow country north-west of Bundaberg. Some birds that are generally brigalow specialists seen on this trip include White-eared Honeyeater, Speckled Warbler and Varied Sittella. At night the only thing around was a calling Australian Owlet-nightjar. Overall 77 species were seen on the outing, which isn't impressive but not as disappointing considering blossom in the trees was minimal.
Sunday, 24 May 2015
April 2015 in Bundaberg
This month saw the weather finally start to cool down and bush birds become more active, which gave me the motivation to get away from the waders for a while. I decided to return to Gengers Rd earlier in the month to look for the button-quails again. Not far past the causeway where the habitat turns to coastal rainforest scrub, fresh platelets and a slight rustle gave away the presence of feeding button-quail! This is probably the easiest way to find them. Sure enough, a couple of Black-breasted Button-Quails took to cover allowing me a quick look. Other birds seen this morning were Rufous Fantail, Spectacled and Black-faced Monarch and a fruit-dove (presumably Rose-crowned) as well as the Australian Owlet-nightjar calling again.
Around the house Square-tailed Kites have been occurring regularly and have also been recorded in Bargara. At the port the waders have depleted as they prepare to migrate north again, although a Glossy Ibis and a pair of Black-necked Storks briefly stopped by. Chris was very lucky with Black Bitterns this month, flushing a juvenile at the Barolin Nature Reserve and an adult at Stockyard Creek. I went to try my luck at the Barolin Reserve but only managed to flush a Buff-banded Rail and a possible Bush-hen but also seen was Pacific Baza, White-throated Gerygone and Grey-crowned Babbler. Chris also had a more thorough morning at Gengers Rd as well... reporting Rose Robin, Noisy Pitta, Topknot Pigeon, Shining Flycatcher and White-eared Monarch.
I also decided to do a day outing to Meadowvale and Sharon Gorge this month, which was quite a productive morning with 89 species recorded. Grey Fantails had returned with force for the winter ahead. Birds that were seen at Meadowvale include Little Lorikeet, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, White-throated Treecreeper, Forest Kingfisher, Little Wattlebird and Cicadabird. Sharon Gorge produced the usual, such as Golden Whistler and Rufous Fantail, but also surprisingly a Dusky Myzomela. I also stopped at a roadside dam, and later the Botanic Gardens which saw a Swamp Harrier, Collared Sparrowhawk and Azure Kingfisher as well as Brown Goshawk and Great Cormorant at the gardens.
There was only one Birdlife Bundaberg outing this month as it was their annual week-long camp, this year to Currawinya NP. I could not come on this trip, although I wanted to, however those that did had a blast. Not much has been said about the trip since then, but apparently a trip report was being written and I will post that when it's finished...
Around the house Square-tailed Kites have been occurring regularly and have also been recorded in Bargara. At the port the waders have depleted as they prepare to migrate north again, although a Glossy Ibis and a pair of Black-necked Storks briefly stopped by. Chris was very lucky with Black Bitterns this month, flushing a juvenile at the Barolin Nature Reserve and an adult at Stockyard Creek. I went to try my luck at the Barolin Reserve but only managed to flush a Buff-banded Rail and a possible Bush-hen but also seen was Pacific Baza, White-throated Gerygone and Grey-crowned Babbler. Chris also had a more thorough morning at Gengers Rd as well... reporting Rose Robin, Noisy Pitta, Topknot Pigeon, Shining Flycatcher and White-eared Monarch.
I also decided to do a day outing to Meadowvale and Sharon Gorge this month, which was quite a productive morning with 89 species recorded. Grey Fantails had returned with force for the winter ahead. Birds that were seen at Meadowvale include Little Lorikeet, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, White-throated Treecreeper, Forest Kingfisher, Little Wattlebird and Cicadabird. Sharon Gorge produced the usual, such as Golden Whistler and Rufous Fantail, but also surprisingly a Dusky Myzomela. I also stopped at a roadside dam, and later the Botanic Gardens which saw a Swamp Harrier, Collared Sparrowhawk and Azure Kingfisher as well as Brown Goshawk and Great Cormorant at the gardens.
There was only one Birdlife Bundaberg outing this month as it was their annual week-long camp, this year to Currawinya NP. I could not come on this trip, although I wanted to, however those that did had a blast. Not much has been said about the trip since then, but apparently a trip report was being written and I will post that when it's finished...
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Batrachotoxins in Birds!
I got really excited when I found out that birds of a whole genus, as well as some other species, had batrachotoxins in their feathers... have a read of this and see what you think:
Avian chemical defense: Toxic birds not of a feather
This certainly raises a lot of questions, but nonetheless is very interesting. There seems to be few articles or scientific journals about this on the internet, and I haven't had a chance to read many, but I am keen on developing some sort of bigger picture myself for my own interest. I will definitely post anything else that I find.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC34071/#__ffn_sectitle
Brandon
Avian chemical defense: Toxic birds not of a feather
This certainly raises a lot of questions, but nonetheless is very interesting. There seems to be few articles or scientific journals about this on the internet, and I haven't had a chance to read many, but I am keen on developing some sort of bigger picture myself for my own interest. I will definitely post anything else that I find.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC34071/#__ffn_sectitle
Brandon
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