WEIPA TO IRON RANGE

Ray and Helen outside our bus outside Weipa 

An early morning excursion to a reserve adjacent to the Sewerage Ponds proved profitable. A brief view of a Palm Cockatoo, a brief view of White streaked Honeyeater [BIRD OF THE DAY], good views of Tawny breasted Honeyeaters, Magnificent Riflebird, a fly through of a Trumpet Manucode, Grey Whistlers, Fairy Gerygones, Yellow billed Kingfishers plus the confusing pair of Graceful and Yellow spotted Honeyeaters and you get the idea. It was with genuine regret I had to round the group up and shepherd them back to the bus and get back to breakfast.

Little Bronze Cuckoo

Tawny breasted Honeyeater

Post breakfast and it was time for shopping. We were caught out by the fact that in Weipa Woollies is closed on a Sunday and then it was closed again on the Monday; so Tuesday morning had, be necessity, become shopping day.

Lunch was taken at Merluna Station, a working beef station that had diversified into the seasonal tourist trade. We arranged to take lunch there in their shady surrounds. It was a great lunch and the place has real potential as a birding stop over between Iron Range and Weipa. I am looking forward to discussing the potential with Paul Jensen, a Birdlife member who has stayed there regularly, and to re-visit.

Australian Bustard on leaving Merluna Station

Group pic enroute - [ltr] Ray, Russell, Helen, Gilly, Robyn, Merryl, Steve, Russ, MAria, Tom, Berry, Reg, Vince.

Capt Steve about to take the wheel

And then on to Iron Range…. And an excellent start birding – Eclectus Parrots flying over, Trumpet Manucodes, Red cheeked Parrots, Magnificent Riflebirds – to name a few.

road side birding Iron Range

female Red cheeked Parrot

Magnificent Riflebird

Magnificent Riflebird

5-45pm and we had to leave the forest to make our dinner of Moroccan chicken at the Lockhart River Cabins.

Good day with some great birds and some excellent scenery.