Daintree Birdwatching Bulletin Board

10 May 2012
The wonders of modern technology - running 3 computers with 3 different operating systems here at Red Mill House and the one loaded with Dreamweaver (our webpage editing program)dies. The world stops!!!
Well we're back.
Stunning weather albeit cool for this time of year has seen some excellent birds in Daintree. A visit by three leading international Birding Jouralists seemed to bring the area alive with Stewart Creek Rd producing a feast. Pied Monarch, Black-face Monarch, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Liitle Kingfisher and Buff-breasted Kingfisher to mention a few. The Buff-breasted Kingfisher was an absolute bonus as subsequent visits to the site have failed to produce sightings - the birds obviously having departed for New Guinea. Pied Monarchs and Little Kingfisher are regular visitors to Red Mill House garden. Satin Flycatcher has been spotted on serveral occasions since we last went to air. A pair of very noisy Pacific Bazza have been providing guests with good sightings. The early morning Daintree River Cruises have been spotting the usual suspects - Great-bill Heron, Pauan Frogmouth, Stiated Heron and Shining Flycatcher have given our photographer guests plenty to work with

A short break away gave Daintree Birdwatching an opportunity to test run the recently released free smart phone app for birders visting Tropical North Queensland. We thoroughly recommend that readers download this app prior to visiting our region.

01 APRIL 2012
The rain appears to have gone again, after having received 1150ml or 46 inches in the month of March. Clear, sunny days with a nice breeze and coolish nights at the
moment, to dry things up a little and get rid of the mosquitoes. This is very timely with the Easter school holidays starting on the weekend.
Good news at Red Mill House with the return of the Little Kingfisher on the pond this week. Sharing the pond with a pair of Azure Kingfishers means there is plenty of food
available for them. Plenty of Macleay's Honeyeater and juvenile Spectacled Monarch in the garden as well as Double-eyed Fig-Parrot and Wompoo Fruit-Dove, plus the usuals.
Also, lots of butterflies after the rains - Ulysses, Cairns Birdwing, Orchards and many more. It is also the time of the year for Golden Orb-Weaver spiders, with many handsome ladies spanning between the trees in the garden. Some much smarter than others with their choice of home!
Locally, Papuan Frogmouth, Rajah Shelduck and Sacred Kingfisher all on the Daintree River as well the regular kingfishers etc. Excellent conditions for taking an early morning
Daintree River cruise at present.
We had a quick trip down to Cairns on Saturday for the annual 'Wave the Waders Goodbye' information session and viewing along the Esplanade. Always a great chance to catch up
with those tricky waders, under the guidance of local experts. Also a good chance to catch up with old birding friends! Some lovely coloured Great Knot and Lesser Sand Plover,
plus godwits with a hint of breeding colours. A lovely afternoon.

19 MARCH
Did I mention rain??
Over 800ml in the last week or so - 40 inches! No flooding, which has been great, but lots and lots of water lying around. The Daintree River has been swollen,
but is easing off now. Although - - a low pressure system is in the Gulf of Carpenteria, which could bring a lot of rain this way later in the week.
Highlights for the week's birding include large and loud Channel-billed Cuckoo and Australasian Koel enjoying the fruits of the rainforest, plus our smallest
cuckoo, the Little Bronze Cuckoo calling frequently in the garden. Heavily fruiting fig trees in Daintree Village are attracting the Double-eyed Fig-Parrot,
Metallic Starling, Figbird and others.
Juvenile Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher are still being seen locally, but we haven't spotted an adult for a few days. Juvenile Great-billed Heron and plenty of Black Bitterns still
being seen along the Daintree River.

3 MARCH
At last, some reasonable rains with more than 10 inches falling over the last few days. The rainforest is looking great and the Daintree River is having a good flush-out.
Local wetlands have filled up, but no flooding at this stage. An excellent season for visiting birdwatchers.
With a newly acquired 'tinny' we have been out and about on the Daintree River, enjoying the wildlife.
Black-necked Stork (with juvenile), Great-billed Heron (with juvenile), Black Bittern (with chicks still on the nest), Shining Flycatcher (feeding babies) all show signs of
a good breeding season. There are also recent Crocidile hatchings downstream from the Daintree Village.
Also good sightings of Eastern Water Dragon, Common Green Treesnake, and numerous frog species.
Good sightings of Southern Cassowary near Cooper Creek and many successful juvenile Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers seen along Stewart Creek Rd.

It really is a great time of year to be here.

15 FEBRUARY
Surprisingly little rain for this stage of the year. A few thunderstorms with good falls, but generally hot and dry conditions prevail. No monsoonal rains at this stage. We all
assume that the 'wet season' will be upon us soon. It certainly makes a swimming pool an attractive offer!
Some wonderful birding in Daintree this month.
Juvenile Black-necked Stork and Great-billed Heron regularly seen on the banks of the Daintree River and Azure Kingfisher, Black Bittern, Papuan Frogmouth, Shining Flycatcher
all seen from the river as well. Even the elusive group of Spotted Whistling Ducks have made an appearance.
Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher chicks are either fledged or still being fed in the termite mounds. Very good views at Jundalba Boardwalk.
Wonderful views of Southern Cassowary, both male and female, at Dubuji Boardwalk - also to the north of the Daintree River.
Metallic Starlings have bred well this year with large flocks, in varying stages of maturity, feeding on the fruiting and flowering umbrella trees. Lots of good fruiting figs as well,
so many Channel-billed Cuckoo and Australasian Koel around Daintree Village.

A great time of year!

17 JANUARY 2012
Another year gone and a great start to 2012 after a month in Sri Lanka for us.
A wonderful island to visit - small, tropical, easy, cheap, culturally and naturally diverse, with over 400 bird species including 33 endemics, and a large number of mammals
and fascinating reptiles. We took our first-ever Birding tour for 10 days and had some trepidation, but absolutely loved it. It was well-organised, well-guided, affordable
and with only the two of us,had the flexibility we wanted. We travelled with Prasanjith Caldera from Walk with Jith, and would thoroughly recommend him and his other guides
as well. http://www.walkwithjith.com/ Our Sri Lanka trip report is available on http://www.birdtours.co.uk/

Back to Daintree and stunning, dry weather with lots of birds and not many mossquitoes. We live in heaven!
Much breeding is happening at present with active Black Bittern, Shining Flycatcher, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Wompoo Fruit-Dove and Large-billed Gerygone nests all
visible from a boat on the Daintree River. The last of the Papuan Frogmouth chicks will fledge any day now. Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher nests in the termite mounds
are also seen at the end of Stewart Creek Rd. Some of these birds, near Daintree Vilage, are still actively calling, which makes us wonder if they haven't found a mate yet.
It is getting late - -

A half-day birding at Mount Lewis last week with our friends and guides, Andrew and Carol Iles, was an excellent welcome home - we found most of the endemics on the walk
and large numbers of Blue-faced Parrot-Finch and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin at the clearing. The road is in excellent condition with little or no rain in recent weeks.

The group of Spotted Whistling Ducks have still been seen recently in the Daintree Valley - it is worth trying McDowall's Swamp, near the Daintree Ferry to see if they
are there. Maybe they will breed here this year?!

Lots of nice waders at the Barramundi Farm on Daintree Rd. Please don't enter the property - you can see through the fence.

20 NOVEMBER 2011
Excellent birding locally in the last couple of weeks - it is always a great time of the year for birding in Daintree and the weather has been kind to us.
After a long, dry and cold 'winter' there have been good rains and much of the rainforest is in full flower or fruit. Exotics, as well, like lychee, mango and lilly pilly
are in good fruit, so the Spectacled Flying Foxes are having a bumper season.
Some good local sightings include:
- Green Pygmy Goose on the Daintree River, as well as Black Bittern, Papuan Frogmouth and Azure Kingfisher ( very few Little Kingfisher as they head off for breeding)
- Hundreds of Magpie Geese feeding by day in the fields and on the riverbank - flying over at early evening and early morning each day
- Spotted Whistling Ducks still at Wonga
- Pied Monarch and Yellow-breasted Boatbill at Mossman Gorge
- Southern Cassowary near Coopers Creek
- Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher along Stewart Creek Rd
- Lovely Fairy-Wren on Upper Daintree Rd.
We are sneaking off for a few weeks. Visiting family in WA, then off to Sri Lanka for a month to do some birding. Very exciting!
Red Mill House will be in good hands while we are away. We'll be back early January for the 'wet' season.

Our best to everyone for the festive season and a birdy good year in 2012.

30 OCTOBER
Apologies for the lack of updates on birding in Daintree.
It has been a huge six weeks or so locally, with all the summer migrants returning plus an added treat or two.

Previously unheard of this far south, there is now a group of 11 Spotted Whistling Ducks living in a series of ponds in the beach-side township of Wonga. A lot of birders
have managed to see over the past 5 or 6 weeks and, after a few problems with over-zealous people behaving badly, the ducks have now settled and can still often be
seen close to the road on most days. Even after good rains last week, they remain here - which is great news.

After a very dry winter and spring - almost 400ml of rain was very welcome. Everything is green again, the rainforest is fruiting, birds are building nests and the cuckoos are all calling.

Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher and Black Bittern have both returned for the breeding season, although the Kingfishers have been tricky to see to date. Several birds
calling at the end of Stewart Creek Rd, but only fleeting looks at them. The Bitterns are nesting along the river, along withPapuan Frogmouth and many pairs of Shining Flycatcher.

Lots of cuckoos about with Brush, Little-Bronze, Channel-billed Cuckoo and Eastern Koel all calling madly and being very visible. Also excellent numbers of doves/pigeons with
Wompoo, Superb and Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves all being seen lately, plus the usual Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Emeral and Bar-shouldered Doves about. Other treats include
Cicadabird and Pied Monarch.

Some nice waders at the local fish farm with Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-capped Plover, Marsh Sandpiper and Grey Tattler, among others. Beach Stone-Curlew at Newell
Beach and Yule Point.

Other oddities include Australian Bustard being seen near Mossman Golf Course.

10 SEPTEMBER
A huge month for us, including a busy month for birding in Daintree, plus preparing for, and attending, the British Birdfair.
The British Birdfair was a huge success with perfect weather and record crowds. The Australian Birdwathing stand was well manned with business-owners and
birders from around the country. We also had the opportunity this year to present three lectures on birding in Tropical North Queensland, which were really well received.
Over 400 people heard Andrew speak about the joys of our region, and many followed him back to the stand to colect information. It was also great to catch up with
old friends and clients, to research our own travel ideas, and just to a part of such a great event. Unfortunately we only went for 5 nights, so have taken another 2 weeks
to recover! All good fun though!
We also given a presentation about the Birdfair to the local Cairns Birdwatching group and, between us, have initiated a project to present to Cairns Regional Council about
publicising birdwatching sites in Cairns. The Cairns Birding Festival, although fairly small, was also a success.
A visit to Cairns has been a great excuse to do some birding on the Esplanade, at Redden Island and at Cattana Wetlands. Highlands have been Crimson Finch and
White-browed Crake at Cattana, and the range of migrantry waders (and the good company) along the Esplanade. Red-tailed Black Cockatoos have a real presence in
Cairns at the moment, which is a real treat.
Back in Daintree - - there have been good sightings of Noisy Pitta and Southern Cassowary at Jindalba Boardwalk, Little Kingfisher is a daily vistor on the pond at
Red Mill House, Double-eyed Fig Parrot and Barred Cuckoo-Shrike are enjoying the fruiting figs at present and large numbers of Pied Imperial Pigeons are joining the
Wompoo Fruit-Doves in enjoying the Blue Quandong fruits. The weather has been perfect, with just enough rain to keep things green.

15 AUGUST
A busy month in Daintree with perfect weather for visitors and many people spending time in Daintree to escape the southern winter. Foggy mornings and then
sunny days to 27 degrees is the norm at the moment.
Early arrival of some of the summer migrants this year with Metallic Starlings, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Brush Cuckoo and (a passage migrant)
Satin Flycatcher all seen locally.
Some interesting birds this month on the Daintree River include Pied Heron, Wandering Whistling Ducks, Magpie Geese and Rajah Shelduck. usual sightings of Little
and Azure Kingfisher, Great-billed Heron, Papuan Frogmouth and Shining Flycatcher on the River.
Sightings of Southern Cassowary, Noisy Pitta and Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove on Jindalba Boardwalk.
Red Mill House garden has been a haven for the Little Kingfisher, Wompoo Fruit-Dove and Double-eyed Fig-Parrot. Locals pawpaws are proving a great treat each day for the
Honeyeaters, Drongos and Friarbirds.
Other local treats include Male Cicadabird along Stewart Creek Rd and Yellow-breasted Boatbill at the end of the road. There are fields with long grass with good
seedheads along Douglas Creek Rd, so good sightings of Red-backed Fairy-Wren, Golden-headed Cisticola and Tawny Grassbird amongst them.
Andrew and Trish are off to the British Birdfair, leaving today. Should be fun, and worthwhile as we encourage the British birders to visit Australia for their next birding holiday.

17 JULY
While the winter months may not be the best for large numbers of species in Daintree, they are often the best for seeing some of our more elusiive avian friends.
Less water lying around means a greater concentration of birds and colder weather means less rainforest flowers and fruits, so urban gardens are more attractive to
the nectar-feeders, particularly.
The gardens at Red Mill House have been great for Little Kingfisher, Spotted Catbird, Wompoo Fruit-Dove and Double-eyed Fig-Parrot - all sought-after Daintree birds. Other
regular visitors include Macleay's Honeyeater, Yellow Oriole, Vaired Triller, Grey Whistler and Little Shrike-Thrush.
Wonderful reports of Noisy Pitta at Jindalba Boardwalk, north of the Daintree River, as well as Southern Cassowary.
Some early returns of summer migrants this year with Metallic Starling, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Channel-billed Cuckoo and Common Koel all seen locally. A sign that
the winter is almost over for us. (Miserable down south, but fabulous weather here in the tropics)
Other birds of note include a sighting of Sooty Owl on Stewart Creek Rd, plus Yellow-breasted Boatbill and Pied Monarch at the end of the same road. Tawny Grassbird,
Golden-headed Cisticola, Red-backed Fairy-Wren and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin all seen in close proximity to each other along Douglas Creek Rd.

20 JUNE
Apologies for my tardiness. A short trip to Lockhart River and Iron Range National Park on Cape York, (Palm Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Magnificent Riflebird, Trumpet
Manicode and others) and a visit to South West WA (my first Emu-Wren!) plus the usual goings on in Daintree have got in the way.
Cool to cold nights, but glorious sunny days in Daintree with no rain. Things are drying out, with local wetlands and dams losing their water until next wet season. Interestingly
though, the much diminished pond in the garden at Red Mill House is keeping our Little Kingfisher happy, and he is spending hours each day in town. Double-eyed Fig-Parrot,
Wompoo Fruit-Dove and Brown Cuckoo-Dove are also enjoying the garden each day.
Nice sightings of Southern Cassowary at Jindalba Boardwalk, plus Noisy Pitta in the picnic area of the same walk.
The cane harvest has started, so large numbers of kites are following the harvesters in the fields - Black Kite, Whistling Kite, Brahminy Kite are all commom.
(Lessor) Sooty Owl heard each night at Barratt Creek.
The local Pied Currawong is still hanging around town.

12 MAY
The gorgeous weather continues with cool nights, misty mornings and warm, sunny days.
The cooler months are always good for raptors and there have been nice sightings of Pacific Baza, Osprey, Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Whistling Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle,
Nankeen Kestrel and Grey Goshawk . Also a report of Wedge-tailed Eagle around Daintree Village. An odd vistor in town has been a lone Pied Currawong, who has been
hanging around town with Figbirds, andwho has been around for several weeks now. Barking Owl heard early mornings in the village.
Cassowary sightings on both Jindalba and Maardja boardwalks north of the Daintree River.
Little Kingfisher is a daily visitor to the pond in the garden at Red Mill House - feeding on tiny fish.
The Daintree River has been excellent for Great-billed Heron in recent weeks and Papuan Frogmouth are becoming more regularly seen on the river cruises.

17 APRIL
At last - - beautiful weather for the last week and perfectly in time for the Easter school holiday period. 30 degrees by day and 22 at night. The ground has finally dried out,
the Daintree River is back to normal levels, the crocs are coming out to sun themselves on the banks, and lots of birds to be seen. Perfect conditions for visiting the
Great Barrier Reef as well. Everyone is happy!
The last of the summer migrants seem to have headed north, but some notable 'winter' species have arrived. Good sightings of White-eared Monarch at Barratt Creek, Sacred
Kingfisher, Satin Flycatcher, more obvious Spotted Catbird and Lovely Fairy-Wren in Daintree Village, and a family of Papuan Frogmouth also in Barratt Creek. An odd time
of the year to see see a fluffy chick, but it has been an odd season.
There have been good sightings of Little and Azure Kingfisher, both on the river and in the garden of Red Mill House. Great-billed Heron is often seen and heard in Barratt Creek.
We are still having nice looks at Yellow-breasted Boatbill at the end of Stewart Creek Rd.
Cassowary sightings have not been reliable as of late.

1 APRIL
Some finer weather in Daintree, but still some rain, most;y overnight. The days have been good for birdwatching though!
Rufous Owl in the garden at Red Mill House - mostly noticed in the early part of the evening when a poor figbird or oriole meets its demise. This yard hardly seems big
enough for this sized predator but, with plenty of trees for cover for roosting birds, he seems to do pretty well.
We have probably seen the last of the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher for this season - it has been several days now since any younsters have been seen here
in the valley. There are good numbers of Forest, Azure, Little and Sacred Kingfisher s though, as well as both Laughing Kookaburra and Blue-winged Kookaburra.

An odd addition to the Daintree birdlist of late is a Pied Currawong heard chortling away and seen on Upper Daintree Rd. It has been around for a couple of weeks.
Red-backed Fairy-Wren on the fences along Douglas Creek Rd and lots of Rainbow Bee-eaters about. Always a treat!