Started the day at Laura early in the morning with a quick
trip out to the nearby Laura River where we were chasing two honeyeaters in
particular – Banded and Rufous throated. Happy to say we were successful.
Birding river channels in the early morning is one of life’s great little
pleasures…
Post breakfast we headed from Laura to the old Laura Station
for a brief step back in time. During the Palmer River Gold rush Laura station
was both a hub of activity and a gold mine of sorts itself as it supplied beef
to feed the hungry miners. Today its ruins produced the gold that is BIRD OF
THE DAY. Two birds in fact as we had fly overs of two separate individuals of
Black breasted Buzzards.
Lakefield National Park called next and, as you would
expect, we stopped and birded some waterholes. Catfish was perhaps the pick as
we saw some excellent birds here. The white bellied race of Crimson Finch was
my bird of the day and as good as a lifer. Steve saw and photographed Varied
Lorikeets here; a brilliant bird and an excellent record. Sadly, no-one else
managed to see them. A large crocodile [c. 3 -4 metres] was seen sailing down
the billabong reminding all, of the importance of common sense around these
waters.
The afternoon saw heat and haze and grasslands and termite
mounds.
Staking out a small wetland allowed us views of Double
barred, Black throated and Masked Finches plus Rufous throated and Rufous
banded Honeyeaters plus a range of commoner species. Brolgas and Black necked
Storks did a fly by. At the waterhole a couple of small Taipans competed with
the croc for the honour of the imaginary reptile of the day.
Musgrave Station was a welcome sight by the end of the day
with lights, air conditioning, showers, cold beer and a warm shower.
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