TRIP #1 - A SUMMARY

BIRD OF THE TRIP - YELLOW BILLED KINGFISHER

The first trip has been completed and despite a few small reservations I think that it went very well. Thanks are due to the participants whose enthusiasm and energy and patience were very much appreciated. Thanks are due especially to Steve Grainger for his leadership, experience and endurance! I truly hope to have the opportunity to travel with you all again.

On this trip we saw a great range of bird species – 261* to be exact. [Thanks to Gary Davidson for taking responsibility for the daily math.]

* originally the total was thought to be 259 however there was one addition error plus Mr and Mr Davidson added Black tailed Godwit on the last day in Weipa!

For a quick qualitative description of our trips birds I will present two pieces of information.

First the list of Birds of the Day. Every day each person voted for their bird of the day – the criteria being determined by each person.

Day 1 [22/09/19] – Great Frigatebird

Day 2 [23/09/19] – Double eyed Fig-parrot

Day 3 [24/09/19] – [tie] Yellow breasted Boatbill & Victoria’s Riflebird

Day 4 [25/09/19] – Golden Bowerbird

Day 5 [26/09/19] – Squatter Pigeon

Day 6 [27/09/19] – Great billed Heron

Day 7 [28/09/19] – Red tailed Black Cockatoo

Day 8 [29/09/19] – Black breasted Buzzard

Day 9 [30/09/19] – Golden shouldered Parrot

Day 10 [01/10/19] – Frill necked Monarch

Day 11 [02/10/19] – Palm Cockatoo

Day 12 [03/10/19] – Yellow legged Flycatcher

Day 14 [04/10/19] – Yellow billed Kingfisher

Day 15 [05/10/19] – Red headed Honeyeater

At the end of the trip we determined the birds of the trip. Each person had to nominate their best three birds in order. Each bird was given points 3 for their best, 2 for their second best etc. After all nominations scores were determined for each nominated bird.

So the birds of the trip;

1.        Yellow billed Kingfisher

2.       Golden Bowerbird

[Paul Fraser]

3.       Palm Cockatoo

4.       Magnificent Riflebird

[Paul Fraser]

5.       Golden shouldered Parrot

6.       Frill necked Monarch, Red cheeked Parrot, Crimson Finch [white bellied race]

[Paul Fraser]

9. Varied Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Superb Fruit-dove, Brown Treecreeper [melanotis sub sp] Yellow legged Flycatcher.