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| 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.
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| Little Bronze Cuckoo |
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| 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.
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| Australian Bustard on leaving Merluna Station |
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| Group pic enroute - [ltr] Ray, Russell, Helen, Gilly, Robyn, Merryl, Steve, Russ, MAria, Tom, Berry, Reg, Vince. |
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| 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.
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| road side birding Iron Range |
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| female Red cheeked Parrot |
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| Magnificent Riflebird |
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| 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.
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