IRON RANGE I

Double eyed Fig-Parrot - BIRD OF THE DAY!!

Birding this morning was good. We had the typical problem of not knowing which way to go as people milled around and very soon started directing each other to new species. Magnificent Riflebird showed well as did Metallic Starlings. White eared Monarchs were seen, as were Frill necked Monarchs. White faced Robins appeared briefly as did Tropical Scrubwrens. Vince Lee found another high perching Yellow billed Kingfisher and a few got good views. Perhaps best of all we had the most patient and obliging Fig Parrot ever; who calmly sat and ate [figs of course] as we took our fill of views and pictures. Butterflies were everywhere; chief among them the Ulysses Blue and the Cape York Birdwing.

White eared Monarch

because one photo is not enough...

female fig parrot

male fig parrot

We left to meet Brian Venables near Chilli Beach and saw his amazing house and the equally amazing view from within to the waters of the Coral Sea to the east. Both Lesser and Greater Frigates soared by plus a few Brown Boobies, lower down and out to sea were seen. We also got great views of the northern race of Red browed finches with their strongly coloured black undertails. First views too of Large billed Gerygones. Brian took us to a bower of a Fawn breasted Bowerbird which was active a mere two weeks ago. Alas it had been stripped of its decorations however the main structure remained. No view of the bird but clear evidence of its existence. We’ll try again tomorrow. While looking for the Bowerbird Noisy Pitta’s noise was heard. Another species missed by the first group.

We tried for a known Eclectus nesting site on the return trip to Lockhart. We believe we found the hollow but sadly a Sulphur crested Cockatoo had claimed it. Nearby this site we saw a couple of sub adult Rose crowned Fruit Doves.

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Birding fools...

female Superb Fruit dove

Ulysses Blue Butterfly - arguably the most spectacular butterfly in our country

more insects? - Dragonfly spp?

Afternoon birding started slowly as the heat subsided and bird activity increased. No new birds were added from our morning excursion save a few people seeing the lovely Lovely Wren. We also got good views of the Canopy Goanna – a lizard whose ecology is suggested in its name. Most of the species listed above were seen again and we also got another Trumpet Manucode fly by.

Grey Whistler

Spotlighting after dinner failed to produce any mammals for our lists however we did score great views of Marbled Frogmouth. A great bird to finish our day with!

Marbled Frogmouth