Cairns Birds

RECENT SIGHTINGS OF INTEREST AROUND THE CAIRNS AREA + BIRD ROUTES FOR VISITORS
cairnzbirdz@yahoo.com.au
Cairns birdwatching site - Edited by John Seale (07) 4052 1195
In order of date seen. Only one bird seen unless otherwise indicated. (N.B.) Records included as received: Please contact observer for verification.

FUTURE TRIPS AROUND CAIRNS

BIRDING CAIRNS -

Jun 3 - CENTENARY LAKES walk. Meet at Freshwater Lake, Greenslopes St. at 0630Jun 17th
Jun 17th - Meet at 7.30am MARTYVILLE BARRA FARM (south of Innisfail). Drive south through Mourilyanafter 2klm turn left into Martyville rd.After 3klm turn left into Tawalla rd.Barra farm is straight ahead,park on grass on right at 0730.

BIRDLIFE NQBIRDLIFE NQ

** ** ** N.B. We have 2 bird blogs;
cairnsbirds.blogspot.com (this site),
birdingcairns.blogspot.com which is the official club site.



MICHAELMAS CAY
These Cay reports should start being updated soon. There have been up to 12 Red-footed Boobies out there for most of 2010 and 2011

CAIRNS AREA LIST


MAY 2012

ESPLANADE NEWS - We now have 50+ Pelicans and 60+ Great Knot, a few Red Knot, Grey-Tailed Tattlers, Godwits Whimbrel and the odd Eastern Curlew etc.


TOP-KNOT PIGEON (10; 10+; 20; 30) – Jenn Muir,16/05/12 - 8.55 am (approx 10); 18/05/12 –9.15 am (10+); 26/05/12 – 11 am (approx 20); 29/05/2012 – 11 am (approx 30) – flock with numbers increasing, loafing in emergent tree of riverine forest along Freshwater Creek near Goomboora Park.
AZURE KINGFISHER – Jenn Muir,26/05/2012 9.15 am – feeding from exposed log in partly-flooded Freshwater Creek after two days heavy rain.
PACIFIC BAZA – Jenn Muir,As at 29/05/2012, particularly over past two or three weeks, occasionally two individuals (a pair?) either gliding overhead, or perched in emergent tree of riverine forest along Freshwater Creek near Goomboora Park.
WHITE-NECKED HERON – Jenn Muir,22/05/12 (0830) - Standing on ground beside cane-field at corner Redlynch Connection Road and Cairns Western Arterial Road.
TOPKNOT PIGEON - Greg Bortolussi,21/5/12 - A few flocks (of about 20-25) of what may have been Topknot Pigeons flying around the CBD towards the sugar terminal (Portsmith area) up until lunchtime today.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO - Andrew Ford,4/5/12 - Seen on Marnane road, Tandara (???). Glided ungracefully onto road and couldn’t fly, juvenile with no red and missing all tail feathers. Scrambled off onto tall grasses….maybe was mothered by a coucal!!!! Similar sighting re Carol Iles.
GREY FANTAIL - Birding Cairns field trip,20/5/12 - Along Fassio Rd, Mareeba we saw a Grey fantail caught in a spiders web. Photos were taken of the bird before and after release.
BROLGA (7) - Carol Iles,19/5/12 Seven Brolgas gliding high up over East Mary Rd,, North of Mt Molloy, then twisting and dropping down, presumed landing near foot of mts to the north-east but lost behind trees.
BROLGA (40-100+) - Mal Macdonald,17/5/12 - 0645 hrs, Chettle Rd (off Dimbulah Rd), Arriga. Large flocks, varied in number, feeding every morning for the last week or so on a bare cane paddock that's under irrigation, just south of West Barron dam. Plus a few Sarus Cranes with them.
BLACK-BREASTED BUZZARD - Carol Iles + 2,15/05/12 - Adult bird cruising eastwards low over West Mary Rd then over Mary Creek, east of Mt Carbine
MAGPIE GOOSE - John Seale,15/5/12 - The Cemtenary Lakes nesting pair (trio) have 5 goslings and were on the grassy island in the freshwater lake.DOUBLE-BANDED PLOVER (1) – Hidetoshi Kudo,14-05-2012 - 09:00 - At the mouth of Barron River, Machans Beach
AUSTRALIAN HOBBY - Graham Winterflood,14/5/12 - Flying at tree top height over Kanimbla (Cairns)
PAPUAN FROGMOUTH - John Seale,7/5/12 - A single bird has returned to it's roost near the saltwater Creek footbridge (Cent. Lakes) and another has returned to the Podocarpus trees in the Gondwana walk area of the Botanic Gdns.
BRAHMINY KITE (2) Norton Gill,12/05/12. 1030. - LOOKS LIKE REBUILDING THEIR OLD NEST. CAIRNS PIONEER CEMETERY. S/W END PINE TREE.
CRANES - Carol Iles,10/5/12: 22 Cranes (possibly more over brow of hill) on slope up East Barron Road next to Gallo Cheese and Chocolate shop, Malanda-Atherton Raod. In heat haze all appeared to be Sarus. (Only ones we saw in 3 days meandering round Atherton/Malanda area.)
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO (Juv) - Graham Snell,5/5/12 - Japoonvale, (Near Innisfail) showing no fear of humans.V.close
STRIATED PARDALOTE - Birding Cairns croc farm visit,4/5/12 - Building a nest in a pile of soil dumped near the croc farm's overflow ponds.
RUFOUS OWL- Brian Venables, Eva Oomen.1/5/2012 - 20:30 - Boardwalk Centenary Lakes. Calling from the canopyat the Collins Ave start of boardwalk. Also Helen Venables reported tome the remains of a Striped Possum on the boardwalk yesterday the 4/5/12 on her morning walk.
OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE 1 Alan Gillanders,6/5/12 Quincan Close, Yungaburra. This immature has been hanging around for nearly two weeks now: an unusual time of year.
DOUBLE-EYED FIG-PARROT 6 Alan Gillanders 6/5/12 Quincan Close, Yungaburra.
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD 2+ Alan Gillanders 7/5/12 Mt Hypipamee, feeding on Polyscias elegans on access road, adult male at bower, young male playing with fruit on ground.
TOOTH-BILLED BOWERBIRD 2 Alan Gillanders 7/5/12 Mt Hypipamee, feeding on Polyscias elegans on access road
BLUE-FACED PARROT-FINCH 25+ Alan Gillanders 7/5/12 McKell and Kenny Roads Atherton Tablelands. Many young birds.
COLLARED SPARROWHAWK 1 Alan Gillanders,7/5/12 Stonehouse Road, Atherton Tablelands. A young male sitting on a guide posts even after I had driven past. stopped and viewed him through the bins.
SOUTHERN CASSOWARY [FRESH SCATS] Alan Gillanders ,7/5/12 Mt Hypipamee, feeding on Polyscias elegans, Aceratium doggrellii (the major food by bulk), Ficus sp. (probably Watkinsiana), Vitaceae sp
BARKING OWL - Mal Macdonald,5/5/12 - 2100 hrs, perched on my front gate in Dimbulah for an hour or so. One of a pair that I can see and hear all around the neighbourhood very often, but the first sighting actually in my own yard.
LITTLE KINGFISHER - Mal Macdonald,7/5/12 - 1645 hrs, adjacent to western branch of Centenary Lakes boardwalk, near trail marker "2," at the start of the gravel track. Fishing over the water. Used 3 different perches over a 15 minute period.
BUFF-BREASTED PARADISE KINGFISHER - Keith/Lindsey Fisher,4/5/12 - We still had a lone bird today, but haven't managed to see it since. This is quite late as the rest had all left about two weeks ago.
Also a Little Kingfisher has been seen at our ponds over the last four days.
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN (30+) - The 4 o'clock Club,4/5/12 - Esplanade, cairns. The most seen for over 2 years.
SWAMP HARRIER - Cairns Birding 4/5/12 - Wright's Ck crocodile farm.
GALAH - John Seale.4/5/12 - France Road, Edmonton. Feeding on the turf farm. (Escapee??)
CHANNEL-BILL CUCKOO - Carol Iles.03/5/12 - Immature bird (pale, no red, rufous-spotted) on ground at bird-friendly Mount Carbine Caravan Park. Apparently unable to fly. Crept into thick cover. (Resident bird-carer unfortunately away if this proved to be sick or injured.)
TATTLER ?? - The 4 o'clock Club.3/5/12 - Cairns Esplanade . 2 very brown looking tattlers with NO barring or other marks. called like a G'T Tattler. All smooth brown with white belly, yellow legs.
MASKED LAPWING - Carol Iles,20/4/12 - Leucistic (white) bird with normal birds on Golf Course, Mareeba.
RED-BACKED BUTTON-QUAIL - Carol Iles ,4/12 Male bird rescued by neighbour from cattle trough, Julatten, floating "like a little duck". Shut in a box with a hot water bottle most of day. On release, flew out like a rocket, high, far and fast.
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD - Jonathan Munro et al.22/4/12 - calling adult male at freshly decorated and refurbished bower. Near Ravenshoe.Unusual at this time of year.
NANKEEN NIGHT-HERON (5). Norton Gill. 0745..23/04/12. In Figtree across the road from RATTLE ‘N’ HUM. 67 Esplanade Cairns
SQUARE-TAILED KITE (1) - Jun Matsui.22/4/2012 Flying around Coles, Mareeba. At about 12:30 in the afternoon.
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN (1). 4 O’clock club.21/04/12. Esplanade.
BROWN QUAIL. FEMALE (1). Norton Gill.19/04/12. 1015. Corner of Lake and Smith streets, also in the roundabout
RED-NECKED CRAKE.
BUFF-BANDED RAIL. Paul Richardson, John Pearson and Norton Gill. 18/04/12. 1730. Corner of Upward and Abbott streets and Esplanade. Units called Curzon House. In their Garden
.BROWN FALCON (2) - Mal Macdonald,13/4/12 - One regular dark phase bird, but second bird had white breast, white face/head/crown with very light tan primaries, back & tail. Leadingham Ck Road, Dimbulah, at diesel tree farm next to the aerodrome. First seen perched in roadside trees, then hunting behind slasher mowing between rows in Pongamia paddock.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED MANNIKIN (2) - Greg Bortolussi,9/4/12 - Anderson Road Precinct Woree about 10am in the morning. A rare visitor to the neighbourhood with about 3 records in 4 years of rarely more than 7 birds to a flock.
BLACK-WINGED STILT - (2 + 4 CHICKS) - Pippy Cannon and Midge Bell,9/4/12 - Tingara St Portsmith,cairns. 2 adults with 4 chicks.
RED-BACKED KINGFISHER (1) - DEL. RICHARDS,04/04/12 - MOSSMAN on powerline in town on Wednesday morning. Very early record.
LITTLE KINGFISHER – Andrew & Trish Forsyth,31/03/2012 Red Mill House Pond. Daily visitor , feeding with pair of Azure Kingfishers.
DOLLARBIRD (1) - Barbara Warren,Last sighted 26/3/2012 at Pleasant Close, Mareeba
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO (7) – Jennifer Muir, birder from Perth,30 March 2012, 8.45 am – 7 scattered individuals (one after the other) flying in a south-east direction over Cool Waters Caravan Park lower level on Freshwater Creek. They were not calling, but their colour and crucifix body-shape in flight was unmistakable.
COMMON KOEL – Jennifer Muir, birder from Perth'Have heard female and male Common Koel calling (sometimes in reply to each other – female usually calling first) in Cool Waters Caravan Park, lower level, several times over the past few weeks.


MARCH 2012

ESPLANADE NEWS - A few Bar-tailed Godwits, Sand-plovers and Great Knot are beginning to colour up into breeding with very ruddy breast plumage. Some Red Knot also present.

CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO. (1) Norton Gill.,01/04/12 (1815) - Cairns esplanade Flying SOUTH.!!!
RED KNOT - BIRDLIFE Wave the Waders Goodbye happening.-31/3/12 - A bird in full breeding plumage. Next day 4 birds in full breeding and 5 more in non-breeding.
As usual, this turnout of 25+ birders attracted many questions from non-birding Esplanade users.
LITTLE KINGFISHER. Norton Gill.31/03/12. 1100. - Found stunned on Royal Harbour Driveway to Abbott st., Placed in box and released about one hour later. Left the box like a scud missile.
SQUARE-TAILED KITE (1) – Greg Bortolussi,31/3/2012 Flying around Anderson Rd Woree and the caravan park. A brief but spectacularly close look At about 14:14 in the afternoon.
FORK-TAILED SWIFT (1) – Greg Bortolussi,19/3/2012 – Single bird flying north-west over Anderson Rd Woree at about 18:00 in the evening.
COMMON KOEL (1) – Greg Bortolussi,29/3/2012 – Near Anderson Rd Woree. Male feeding on ripe palm seeds at about 13:00. Good views. This bird may have been the one calling early in the morning for the last week or so.
SATIN FLYCATCHER (Male) - carol and Andrew Iles,29/3/12 - Feeding in tree over Pinnacle Road, Julatten this morning.
PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER.(10+) Norton Gill,28/03/12. 0840 - Airport Mangrove walk Northern end first clearing from car park.
FRIGATEBIRD (30+) - Pippi Cannon,21/3/12 - Flying around Machan's Beach for 3 days. Mostly Lesser F/B
FRIGATEBIRD (6) - The 4 O'clock Club,22/3/12 - Cairns Esplanade. One Lesser and 5 Great F/B. Prob due to the secere weatehr of recent days
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE (2) - Johns, Seale and Pearson,24/3/12 - Nardello's lagoon, Walkamin.
LESSER FRIGATEBIRD X 5 – Andrew & Trish Forsyth, Red Mill House,20/03/2012 Soaring – Mossman-Daintree Road, Rocky Point
DOLLARBIRD x 2 – Andrew & Trish Forsyth, Red Mill House,20/03/2012 on power lines, Mossman-Daintree Road, Wonga Beach
Juvenile Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers still being observed Stewart Creek Road, Daintree.
BLACK NODDY (1) - Norton Gill, Darren Phillips,19/03/12. 1730. Cairns Esplanade.
BLACK-FACED MONARCH - Tom Collis,18/3/12 - Feeding on a grasshopper at Kewarra Beach (near the range)
DOLLARBIRD(2) - Tom Collis,17/3/12 - Flying overhead at Kewarra Beach
BUSH STONE-CURLEW(30+) - Paul Richardson, Norton Gill.,17/03/12. 1415. Pony club land Wright's Park). Telford st. Woree.
BROWN QUAIL. (2) - Norton Gill.,16/03/12. 0815. Corner of Lake and Smith streets. Grassed vacant block.
LARGE-BILLED GERYGONE (1) - Barbara Warren,14/3/2012 Pleasant Close , Mareeba
PEREGRINE FALCON - Norton Gill,11/03/12. 1831. Perched on the SEBEL HOTEL SIGN, Cairns city.
GREY GOSHAWK - Norton Gill,06/03/12 (0914) - Munro Martin Park, cnr Florence/Grafton St, Cairns.
CORVIDS (possibly Little Crows 40+) - Graham Harrington.3/3/12 (on dusk) - Nr Jaggan 6km south of Malanda.
STUBBLE QUAIL (2) - Viginia Simmonds,23/2/12 - I was driving into the dairy farm near Kairi and saw a pair of stubble quail. I saw them
years ago with a string (must have been about a dozen) chicks trailing behind but this time I got a
positive id when I saw the little black patch on the chest of one.
MAGPIE GOOSE (9 GOSLINGS) - Cairns Birding et al, 4/3/12 - The goslings seem to be close to the very grassy island to the west of the toilet block in the Freshwater lake.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO (1) - Greg Bortolussi,26/2/12 – flying north over the Anderson Road precinct Woree. Hear one also this morning heading north.
Migration north must be starting.

FEBRUARY 2012


MAGPIE GOOSE (9 GOSLINGS) - Pippi Cannon,26/2/12 - Cairns Birding is proud to announce the arrival of 9 goslings in the afternoon at the Freshwater Lake, Greenslopes St,Cairns. The nest has been there approx 3 weeks.
NANKEEN NIGHT-HERON (1). Norton Gill,26/02/12. 0930hrs. Figtree, Across the Esplanade from Rattle `N’ Hum.
LITTLE KINGFISHER (1). Same Tree as above, Same time. Was still there at 1100hrs.
GREY GOSHAWK. (1) Norton Gill,25/02/12. 10:15hr - Private home high up above the Tanks Collins Av.
LITTLE KINGFISHER. (1). Norton Gill,25/02/12. 14:03hrs. Lily Creek Between Minnie and Upward streets. John Egan Park.

Norton also reported a plastic bag stuck in an Esplanade tree seemed to be mobbed by Honeyeaters, Yellow, Brown and Varied. Norton could see no other cause of the birds alrms calls.

BARKING OWL (1) - Mal Macdonald,19/02/12, 2330 hrs - Dimbulah soccer grounds, perched on the top crossbar of soccer goals. Heard the bird's hissing/screeching call in the dark, returned ten minutes later with a torch. The bird allowed me to get within 5 metres and held it's position. Presumably one of a pair I've seen around the neighbourhood.
RED-NECKED CRAKES- Lin and Ron Hill.m16/2/12 5-15pm Kewarra Beach Garden. 2 adults busily feeding 4 black, fluffy, newly hatched chicks.We watched them on and off for about an hour and a quarter and have them on film.
RUFF - Graham Snell 15/2/2012 - 10:39 - Clump Point . On e bird on the rocks at Clump Point.
ESPLANADE NEWS - A few Bar-tailed Godwits are beginning to colour up into breeding with very ruddy breast plumage
RED KNOT (2) - Brian Wright.15/2/12 - Cairns Esplanade
GREAT-BILLED HERON - Frank and Di Harrison/Brian Wright14/2/12 (1845) - The Esplanade in front of the Holiday Inn.
YELLOW-RUMPED MANNIKIN - John Pearson,14/2/12 - Along Callum St, Mooroobool (a Cairns suburb)
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO (2) - Mal Macdonald,5/2/12, 1645 hrs. Two fledglings in a crow's (?) nest up high voltage tower on highway to Chillagoe, 300 metres west of Almaden aerodrome sign, or 2.5 klm east of Four Mile Creek.
LITTLE BITTERN (Adult + juv) - Tony Katon (Sydney birder)2/2/12 - Cattana wetlands approx 60m east of the southern hide on the main lake.
LITTLE KINGFISHER and RED-NECKED CRAKE – David OBrien5/2/12 Gatton Street near Cairns TAFE. Unfortunately both were dead (probably roadkills)
RED-NECKED CRAKE -Anthony Kinread.One seen daily this week (1st-4th Feb) in the courtyard of the Mental Health Unit, Cairns Base Hospital usually after heavy rain; also seen in the flowerbeds out the front and back by myself and work colleagues. I am also seeing this species regularly from the Centenary Lakes Boardwalk shortly after dawn.
PALE- VENTED BUSH HEN - Anthony Kinread. 0630am; 22nd January? One bird by a small pool at the end of the Centenary Lakes Boardwalk two weeks ago, which flew into the forest as I approached. The pool was alive with Graceful Tree Frogs after a night of heavy rain.
BLACK BITTERN -Anthony Kinread. 0640am; 28th January. Flushed from the same pool which was now full of tadpoles which it was probably hunting
SATIN BOWERBIRD - Jonathan Munro et al.02/2/12. Very new bower along my driveway since 1st Feb. All activity at last years bower appeared to have ceased by early January. The bird has now completely rebuilt his bower about 20 metres down the driveway back to his original 2010 site. The bower was completed in a single day. He also carried all his blue 'trophies' to the new bower on the same day...! This bird when active at his bowers has been filmed by about a dozen international film crews. He can easily be
identified by a mark on his right wing and is known to be at least 16 years old.
STUBBLE QUAIL (2) - Jonathan Munro et al.02/2/12. On my lawn near Ravenshoe. The birds were being harrassed by Brown Quail....!
EMU (11) - Jonathan Munro et al.02/2/12. near Ravenshoe. A group of 9 and then ten klms further on
another 2 birds.
CRANES (54) - Jonathan Munro et al.02/2/12. near Ravenshoe. All Brolgas except for a single male Sarus
paired to a female Brolga some distance away from the main flock. Very late for these birds to still be here.
PALE-VENTED BUSH HEN (many) - Jonathan Munro et al.20/1/12. At my house near Ravenshoe. Unusually high numbers of birds seen and heard and a nest located with 10 eggs very close to my house
at 1,100 metres elevation.
BAILLONS CRAKE (2) Jonathan Munro et al.14/1/12. One bird observed being harrassed by Comb-crested Jacana at a swamp near Ravenshoe and another seen around the lagoon/swamp in my garden. Many photographs.
BROWN QUAIL - NORTON GILL,4/2/12 (4:00 pm) - Working the tables with Peaceful Dove’s. The
Coffee Club, The Esplanade Cairns.

JANUARY 2012

LITTLE KINGFISHER - Norton Gill.31/01/12. 9:10am. 36 Water Street Cairns. This bird was seen by
myself in John and Sue Mitchell’s Alfa Services work shop. Flew in and landed on the rafters. I asked John if he had seen it before, he said it comes in quite often plus other Honeyeaters. Maybe he is looking for an apprenticeship
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE - Jenn Muir28/1/12 (1030) - 2 (possibly more) mixed with Green Pygmy-goose on main lake (lake with bird hides) at Cattana Wetlands.
GREAT-BILLED HERON- Brian Venables,30/1/12 -07:14 - Centenary Lakes . Saltwater Creek - Saltwater lake -  the bird flew down the creek to the junction of Lily and Saltwater Creeks.
LITTLE KINGFISHER - still in the Freshwater Lake.
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE (Pair) - Frank Harrison & Darren Phillips,29/1/12 - Hasties Swamp
TORRESIAN CROW (3) - Frank & Di Harrison,27/1/12 - Croc farm car park gate.
BROWN QUAIL - NORTON GILL,26/01/12 (0730) - CORNER OF LAKE ST AND SMITH ST, Cairns.
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE (2) - Mal Macdonald,23/1/12, 1610 hrs, old Montalbion township dam (well signposted), along Herberton to Petford Rd. A male & female. In company with hardhead and black ducks & grey teal.
CASSOWARY - John Seale/Brian ??,24/1/12 - A young bird, maybe last season's young, Walking along the track to Stony Creek swimming hole just as the track levels out after the rocky climb. The track starts at the very end of Stoney Creek Rd, Kamerunga.
LITTLE KINGFISHER - Brian Venables ,22/1/2012 - (06:10).Freshwater Lake (Centenary Lakes) My previous record for this species at this location was 12/10/2011.
(Ed. This seems that they have bred and returned to the Lakes. Good news for non-local birders))
LITTLE EAGLE (1) 22.1.12 - Mal MacdonaldWolfram Camp Rd, near corner of Fabris Rd, 1600 hrs. Riding air currents in front of thunder storm in company with whistling & black kites.
BANDED LAPWING (2) 22.1.12 - Mal Macdonald,Dimbulah to Mareeba Rd, near Borzi Rd intersection, 1815 hrs. On the roadside verge by the driveway to rural lot No. 2576. Fifty metres from last sighting.
RED-NECKED CRAKE - Ron Hill., 20/1/12 (9.00am) - Single bird foraging in our garden in Kewarra
Beach.
COMB-CRESTED JACANA - Brian Venables.20/1/2012 - (8:10 -Centenary Lakes/Freshwater Lakes - My first ever record of this species in this location notwithstanding credible records in years past.
WHITE-WINGED TRILLER (1)
TAWNY FROGMOUTH (1) - Barbara Warren,20/1/12 Pleasant Close, Mareeba
MAGPIE GOOSE (nest) - Brian Venables.On the floating vegetation (western side) in the Freshwater Lake - a trio of birds is nest building - It will be interesting if it goes full term and we eventually have goslings.
(I will alert the Botanic Gardens management to ensure it is not disturbed.)
RUFF (1) - Graham Snell.,16/1/2012 (10:57) - One female bird north of Kurramine Beach boat ramp near Innisfail.
ORIENTAL CUCKOO - Norton Gill (and others?),15/1/12 - Leafgold Weir, Walsh river, 5km west of Dimbulah.
BROWN QUAIL (2) - Brian Venables.13/1/2012 (0730) - Bushland alongside Fearnley St. drain opposite
Ambulance Station in Anderson St. Interesting to me because I've not seen this species around Cairns for some years and this is the second time in a week I've seen them in the same place.
(Ed. I have heard and seen Brown Quail at fence around Machan's Beach airport approach and also in the last paddock on the right at the end of Tingira St, Portsmith.
PAPUAN FROGMOUTH - 2 nests have been found in the Collins Ave (Botanic gdns/Lakes) vicinity, maybe explaining our lack of recent sightings.
RED-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO (4) - Dominic Chaplin
9/1/12 Little Mulgrave Valley, Gordonvale. 1st ever sighting here
NANKEEN NIGHT HERON (3) - Barbara Warren,5/1/12 Pleasant Close, Mareeba
GREAT-BILLED HERON - Brian Venables,7/1/2012 - 07:03 - Airport boardwalk carpark one bird flying over.
CHESTNUT RAIL - ???,OCT 2011 - Taylor Point (twixt Kewarra and Trinity Beaches), Cairns
with photos taken. I have only just learnt about this sighting. There was a prev sighting at lake Tinnaroo about 2 yrs ago. (It was reported on eremaea, apparently).

SOME VERY OLD OBSERVATIONS

WHITE-STREAKED H/E- Harvey Rich . January 1998. While living on a
bush block on the Gillies highway some five kilometres out of Gordonvale.This honeyeater was attracted to a flowering Callistomen and stayed around the house for a week. It went away and returned for
a short time a few weeks later. Also BANDED H/E.
LITTLE BITTERN - Cairns Birding et al,30/12/11 - Wright's Creek crocodile farm, 15km south of Cairns (not open to the public)
BANDED LAPWING (1) - 01.01.2012 - Mal Macdonald. Dimbulah Rd, 100 metres west of Borzi Rd intersection (24 km west of Mareeba), right hand side, grassy road verge adjacent to farm dam
and Telecom exchange. I believe this and others (up to 10) have probably taken up residence in between the rows Pongamia pinnata diesel trees. Were previously residing on the sugar cane farm across the road, but the growing cane has crowded them out. Also both whistling ducks, bustard, both cranes, red-backed kingfisher and pratincole all appear at times in and around the Pongamia. Worth a quick stop if passing.

As an appendage to the Pied Monarch sighting mw: I was there on
Christmas Day (lovely & quiet, no-one else around all morning) and
saw the Rufous Fantail sitting on her nest. Also watched a pair of
Pied Monarchs feeding two very young, presumably newly fledged
chicks. All four were all in trees across the road from the Curtain
Fig entrance. The young kept fluffing up as they called to be fed.
(Ellen Terrell)

DECEMBER 2011


The PIED MONARCH sighting of 2 emails ago should have added that there was a nest at the Curtain Fig which has since failed. There is a Rufous Fantail nest there at present.

GREAT BILLED HERON - Brian Venables.29/12/2011 (0825) - Saltwater Lake at the junction of Lily Cr and Saltwater Cr. (Ed. Several sightings here since Xmas incl movie of bird eating a large fish)
ORIENTAL CUCKOO - Brian Venables 06:45 - 28/12/2011 - bush land next to cemetery, anderson street
NORTHERN FANTAIL- Brian Venables,Copperlode Blue - Gums Lookout - 25/12/2011 - 07:20 - Others of note were - BUSH HEN -
RED-NECKED RAIL - BUFF-BREASTED PARADISE KINGFISHER - NOISY PITTA
FORK-TAILED SWIFT - Greg Bortolussi
(12 Anderson Road Woree 18:45 on 24 Dec 2011 flying north.
(20) Barron River Bridge Kamerunga 11:00 on 25 Dec 2011
(30) Foot Kuranda Range near Smithfield Shopping Centre 11:15 on 25 Dec 2011
(55) Kamerunga (mainly near school) 15:30 on 25 Dec 2011
(8) Corner Aumuller St and Ray Jones Drive near tower 09:00 on 26 Dec 2011
(10) Between Lyons St and Chinaman Creek 09:30 on 26 Dec 2011
(8) Earlville Shopping Centre 10:00 on 26 Dec 2011
(2) Between Lyons St and Chinaman Creek 09:30 on 27 Dec 2011
WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL (2) - Greg B
Foot Kuranda Range near Smithfield Shopping Centre 11:15 on 25 Dec 2011
BLUE-FACED PARROT FINCH (2) - Heather Winsor,23/12/11 - 100m before end of Kjellberg Rd. This road starts 2km from Millaa Millaa along the Old Palmerstone Road and ends after 4km with a private property gate.
LITTLE CURLEW (A single bird) - John Seale
21/12/11 - Still at France Road turf farm, off Hill Rd,Edmonton. Walking around near the SUGAR SOUTH OF THE BITUMEN.
LITTLE EAGLE - light phase - Alan Gillanders,20/12/11 - 2 km north of Tumoulin towards Kaban
PIED MONARCH - Alan Gillanders,20/12/11 - Curtain Figtree, Yungaburra. Opposite the interpretative sign on the board walk at the tree itself.

I am away for a few days and take this chance to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year in 2012.

LITTLE CURLEW (A single bird) - Birding Cairns et al,18/12/11 - France Road turf farm, off Hill Rd,Edmonton. Walking around near the farm house and trucks.
TORRESIAN CROW (2) - Norton Gill ,17/12/11 (0715). Cairns Esplanade near CB Hospital being harassed by all the local birds.
FORK-TAILED Swift (1) – Greg Bortolussi,13/12/11 (07:45) - Les Scheu Park Goondi, Innisfail near the highway. No others sighted apart form this individual.
GRASS OWL (1 – Road kill) – Greg Bortolussi,13/12/11 Between Swan Creek crossing and start of Aloomba turn-off lane south of Gordonvale. (I have seen at least one Grass Owl road kill per year when the sugar cane is short between Edmonton and Fishery Falls over the last few years)
ORIENTAL PLOVER (1) - Stan Emmerson,8/12/11 - Musgrave Station airstrip, (300km north of Cairns)
Apparently, DERM are developing a management plan for Hastie's Swamp and is there anything we would like to do to improve the place?Please forward any ieas to me before Xmas and we'll pass them on.

RED KNOT - Graham Winterflood,4/12/11 - Cairns Esplanade, in company with several Great Knots.
BUSH HEN (3) - Birding Cairns et al 4/12/11 (0700) - Centenary lakes, freshwater Lake edge north of
Toilet Block.
BLUE-FACED PARROT FINCH (1 bird) - Andy Anderson et al 3/12/11 - 200m south of the start of Gourka Road, Lamin's Hill off the Topaz Road south of Butchers Creek.
WHITE-STREAKED HONEYEATER (1+) - Close-up Encounters (Chook Crawford),02/12/11 - MT. Molloy school grounds at 3.30pm. He then drove to Abattoir Swamp and saw another (presumably different bird) at 3.45pm.Anecdotal reports of bird around Mt Molloy for 2 weeks.

NOVEMBER 2011

BLUE-FACED PARROT FINCH (2) - interstate birder,30/11/11 - Mt Lewis (Julatten) about 100m east of clearing.
BUFF-BREASTED BUTTON-QUAIL - varoius birders,Late Nov 2011 - Reports on Birding-aus at hillside near Lake Mitchell
TAWNY GRASSBIRD - Brian Venables,30/11/2011 - 07:00 - One bird in the long grass in the vacant land at the northern end of Lake St.singing conspicuously. Other species of note were GOLDEN-HEADED CISTICOLA, CHESTNUT-BREASTED MANNIKIN and RED-BACKED FAIRY-WREN.
KING QUAIL (pair) - Kath Shircliff, Graham Snell, Dave Houghton 29/11/11 Mena creek
HORSFIELD'S BRONZE CUCKOO - As Above
ORIENTAL CUCKOO - Del. Richards.,27/11/11 - Maryfarms area- hotly persued by two Blue-faced Honeyeaters.
BROLGA(3) - Del. Richards.,27/11/11 - Maryfarms area-unusual record.
SPOTTED WHISTLE DUCK (7) - Murray Hunt (Daintree River Tours),25/11/11 - On the river at Daintree Village
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE (5) - John Seale /Eddie Smith,24/11/111 - Nardello Lagoon, access via NW road off the Kennedy Hgwy
RED-BACKED BUTTON QUAIL - rOLY // eDDIE sMITH,23/11/11 - sPRINGVALE rD, SOUTH OF wANDECLA JUST INSIDE THE sTATE fOREST PAST THE POND.
BLUE-FACED PARROT-FINCH (3) Alan Gillanders21/11/11 200 metres south of the McKell Rd, Kennedy Highway intersect near Mt Hypipamee
GLOSSY IBIS (1) Alan Gillanders22/11/11 Behind Innot Hot Springs Caravan Park along with 20 Royal
Spoonbills, 3 Magpie Geese, 1 Black Swan, 3 spp of Egret, 3 spp duck and a small dark crake which was only glimpsed at a distance.
GLOSSY IBIS (1) - Barbara Warren,16/11/11 Pleasant Close, Mareeba
GREY TEAL (1) - Barbara Warren,20/11/11 Pleasant Close , Mareeba

FOR SALE - TELESCOPE
Owner is going overseas and is wondering if anyone might be interested in buying a scope. It is in excellent condition, has only been used a handful of times, and is happy to negotiate the price. It
is a Leica Apo Televid 77 (20-60X)- Cost $2900 years ago.
Contact Robyn Wilson, phone (after hrs) : 409394801. Email: robyn.wilson@jcu.edu.au

WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL (100+) - Birding Cairns et al, 0/11/11 - Mt Haren Road (Kuranda), flying over Mt Haren itself.
RED-NECKED CRAKE,NOISY PITTA heard calling on same trip. Also a PIED MONARCH building a nest on Windy Hollow Road.
YELLOW WAGTAIL - vIA BIRDINGAUS17/11/11 - BRADY'S rD POND , 4KM NORTH mAREEBA ON LEFT.
GREY WAGTAIL(1) - Doug Herrington 16/11/2011 - Lake Mitchell on north side of causeway road in grass and reeds.
RED CHESTED BUTTON QUAIL - Hemmes Batjes (Dutch birder) 15/11/2011 - Lake Mitchell on west side of far gate of causeway.
SANDERLING (3) - Frank Harrison,15/11/11 - Opposite RSL With flock of stints & sharpies, eventually
Sanderlings alone flew south. (Ed. Another was reported today 17/11 by Graham Winterflood near the lagoon, Esplanade).
MUSCOVY DUCK (Feral ) - John Seale et al,15/11/11 - These ferals have produced 4 small yellow ducklings at Centenary Lakes. They should be ready for Christmas Day.
MARSH SANDPIPER - Frank & Di Harrison,13/11/11 - Opposite Cairns Lagoon.
WANDERING TATTLER - Frank & Di Harrison,13/11/11 - Rocks near Cairns Pier Helipad. If close enough observe scales on rear of lower leg:
On Grey-tailed Tattler, rectangular & overlap.
On Wandering, roughly circular & flush.
WANDERING TATTLER - Pippy Cannon,13/11/11 - North end of machan's Beach, on the rock wall.
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE - John Seale et al10/11/11 - East Barron water storage on Emerald Creek Rd, Mareeba
EMU (+ 6 chicks) - John Seale et al,10/11/11 - Mareeba Wetlands approx 1 km from the visitor centre.
LATHAM'S SNIPE (6) - John Seale et al,10/11/11 - Small pond just north of Brady road, approx 4kms north Mareeba, on west side. Also Spoonbills, Black-necked Stork, Glossy Ibis, White-necked Heron, Magpie Geese and both whistle ducks.
BLACK-FACED MONARCH - Brian Venables.,9/11/11 (0630) - Passage migrant?. Centenary Lakes Boardwalk one bird in feeding posse of passerines including - RUFOUS FANTAIL.
TAWNY GRASSBIRD - Brian Venables.,9/11/11 (0710) - Fearnley St. drain behind the mangroves 'twixt Grove and Gatton streets. An individual bird in full song.
RED FOOTED BOOBY (2)- David OBrien,8/11/11 Two sub-adults sitting on Ocean Spirit’s semi-sub on arrival. They took off as our tender approached and were not seen again this day.
TORRESIAN CROW - Del Richards,A pair of Torresian Crows that have borrowed an Eastern Osprey nest the last two years outside of Port Douglas. Still only a few on the coast.
BUSH HEN - Brian Venables,7/11/11 - Anderson street bush (cemetery). Two groups calling in the early morn .

RE: previous sightings of Black-breasted Buzzards in the Cairns area. I have seen them on the Tablelands before: Tinaroo, Yungaburra and Evelyn that I can recall off the top of my head.
I believe Jonathon Munroe has recorded them from Smithfield.
Alan Gillanders
BLACK-BREASTED BUZZARD - Jack Leighton,2/11/11 - Seen flying around Pelican Point, Lake Tinaroo. Are there any records of BBB around the Cairns area from the past??
BUFF-BREASTED PARADISE K/F - Graham Snell ,2/11/11 Mena Creek First for season. Five days later than last year
TORRESIAN CROW-Harvey Rich,1/11/11- Bird and nest seen electricity pylons Lake Placid turnoff
GREAT-CRESTED GREBE - Frank Harrison et al,28/10/11 - Over the ponds just south of the polo crosse site. at 1500. tHESE ARE AT wRIGHT'S cREEK JUST SOUTH OF THE CROCODILE FARM AND SOUTH OF THE POLOCROSSE GROUND. tHESE PONDS BELONG TO THE CROCODILE FARM
Does anyone else know of Cairns area records of this species at sea level.

RED-FOOTED BOOBY - Peter (SEASTAR skipper),31/10/11 - Several sitting on the tenders when they get to Michalmas Cay.
GREY PLOVER - Hidetoshi Kudo,30-10-2011 15:30 North Esplanade - One moulting bird flew in.
TORRESIAN CROW (2) - Greg Bortolussi,28/10/11 - Cement silos on Dutton St. Spent most of the day hanging about the towers as if inspecting the site for nesting.
(The communications tower used at the Portsmith Rd railway yards is within eyeshot of these silos and was used for breeding last year)
TORRESIAN CROW (2) - Greg Bortolussi,30/10/11 - near Yarrabah Intersection flying over harvested sugar cane paddocks northwards.
TORRESIAN CROW (2) - Greg Bortolussi,31/10/11 - Anderson Rd Woree. First sighting west of the highway. Have been heard over on the golf course and seen near the water treatment works.
BRUSH CUCKOO (2) - Greg Bortolussi,31/10/11 - Anderson Rd Woree. First ones for the season calling and seen at this location. Others seen later this morning on edge of CBD. Are these a wave on passage south perhaps?
WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN (2) -Anthony Kinread, Frank Harrison.,28/10/11 -Over the ponds just south of the polo crosse site. at 1500. tHESE ARE AT wRIGHT'S cREEK JUST SOUTH OF THE CROCODILE FARM AND SOUTH OF THE POLOCROSSE GROUND. tHESE PONDS BELONG TO THE CROCODILE FARM


OCTOBER 2011

ESPLANADE - Broad-billed Sandpiper reported recently. Little Terns have returned. Most waders present.
wHISKERED tERNS ON 12/10 at 1630

PIED HERON (3) - Croc farm visit,28/10/11 - Wright's creek croc farm.
RED-BACKED BUTTON QUAIL - Pippy Cannon,27/10/11 - Pippy has an army of hospital patients and workers informed and the bird has been seen twice this week, usually about 0730 in the little garden on corner Kerwin and Esplanade.
TORRESIAN CROW - Andrew P Anderson,19/10/11 - Flying west along Hartley St.
SHARPTAILED SANDPIPERS - Andrew P Anderson,20 - 23/10/11 - up to 50, on the largest saturated playing field between Lake St and the mangroves, Nth Cairns.
WANDERING TATTLER - John Seale,24/10/11 - First and Second Beaches on Yarraba Road. Lone birds on rocks
PIED HERON - John Seale,22/10/11 - Kate St STW, Portsmith by looking thru the southern gate.
WANDERING TATTLER - Brian Venables and Steve Murphy.22/10/11 - 09:30 - At the mouth of the Johnstone River at Flyingfish Point - - One bird on the rocks with a Common Sandpiper identified on call when it flushed. This bird (sometimes two individuals) comes every year to the same rocks.
AUSTRALIAN PRATINCOLES- Ron Hill, Terry Laws.21/10/11 - Chewko Road, half a K beyond the turn off for Granite Gorge on the field behind the small lake opposite the sand pits.
8/10 birds. Also 4 AUSTRALIAN WOOD DUCK
POTENTIAL SOUTH ISLAND OYSTERCATCHR- Ron Hill, Terry Laws (Visiting UK birder)
19/10/11 (0800)- TaylorPoint/Kewarra Beach. 1 bird with 2 Australian birds
WANDERING TATTLER- Ron Hill, Terry Laws (Visiting UK birder)19/10/11 (0845)- Trinity Beach. Single bird on rocks at end of Ron McCaugh track
MARSH SANDPIPER - John Seale18/10 - Cattana Wetlands, Yorkey's Knob, Cairns.
COMMON STARLING - Ron Hill, Terry Laws (Visiting UK birder)
16/17/10/11- Cattana Wetlands, Single bird seen on two days feeding with Spoonbills and Glossy Ibis
Potential AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER- Ron Hill, Terry Laws (Visiting UK birder)
18/10/11- Southern end of Cairns Esplanade. Single bird with dark head/crown and much extended primaries.
BUFF-BREASTED PARADISE-KINGFISHER (1) - Andrew Forsyth and Tropical Birding group
15/10/2011 - Stewart Creek Rd, Daintree.( Ed. This seems to be a very early record)
GLOSSY IBIS (1) - Mal Macdonald17/10/11 - corner of Dimbulah Rd & Chettle Rd, about 19 west of Mareeba. Lone bird feeding in irrigation ditch on the edge of sugar cane paddock
MARSH SANDPIPER - 4 o'Clock Club,6/10 (0700) - Esplanade, Cairns.
GLOSSY IBIS (9)--Harvey Rich,3/10/11- Cattana Wetlands. Along with two species of spoonbill other Ibis several species of Egret, the most waterbirds I have ever seen feeding together at Cattana.
LITTLE KINGFISHER [1] - Brian Venables,4/10/11 - Centenary lakes 05:50 - Just to make a record of when it disappears from and returns to theLakes (as has been its custom in previous years).
(Ed. We are trying to record whent he birds leave for nesting so all L/K sightings are requested)
LITTLE BITTERN (1) -Harvey Rich,2/10/11-South of Cairns. Startled from reeds where it climbed to the top of the reeds giving me a good brief view then flying to a thicker clump.First time for me for this bird a very special moment.
(Ed. I'll try and find out the location of this sighting)
DOLLARBIRD - David Anderson12/10 11 Thala Beach Lodge Captain Cook Hwy Oak Beach
First sighting this spring
WHISKERED TERN (31) - John Seale12/10 (0700) - Wright's Creek croc farm outside water tanks.
QUAIL UNIDENTIFIED (1) -Brian Venables.06:15 - 11/10/11 .Centenary Lakes (Freshwater Lake) on Greenslopes St. side - One small Quail (or Button-Quail) shot across the grass into a stand of palms. Most likely suspect is male King Quail on colour and jizz.
My reason for mentioning this is so others can keep an eye out for this bird. (It could of course be an scaped aviary bird.)
SUPERB FRUIT DOVE - (2) David Anderson11/10 11 Thala Beach Lodge Captain Cook Hway Oak BeachFeeding on fruit of Carallia brachiata (Corky Bark) The fruit of this tree is good bush tucker but must be fully ripe ie black
DOLLARBIRD - Brian Venables and Graham Snell.9/10/11 - Our first record for the coming summer - one bird sitting on the power lines on Mena Cr. Road near the start of the Misty Mountains walking trail.
HORSFIELD'S BRONZE-CUCKOO - Was another noteworthy which was heard and seen once and heard a second time along the creek lines in the farming land.

** Misty Mountains trail is open once again since the damage of cyclone Yasi.

WHITE-STREAKED HONEYEATER -(1)- Del Richards.03/10/11- Mt. Molloy. Observed on Monday, photographed by David Crawford on Tuesday morning and judged by Lloyd Nielsen as a first year bird. About eighty kilometres south of nearest population at Shipton's Flat, south of Cooktown.
DOLLARBIRD -(1)- Del. Richards.7/10/11 -Julatten, season's first record.
WANDERING TATTLER (1)WHITE EARED MONARCH (1) David Anderson,6 / 10 11 Thala Beach Lodge Capt Cook Hway Oak Beach
Alan Gillanders - Toothbill Bowerbirds are active across the Tablelands. Black-faced Monarchs are back throughout their Tablelands range and calling.

LITTLE TERN (31) - John Seale,3/10/11 - Cairns Esplanade, flying over the high tide and fishing.
SATIN FLYCATCHER - David Anderson,3/10/11 Thala Beach Lodge Captain Cook Hway Oak Beach
YELLOW CHAT BOTH MALE AND FEMALE (1) – John and Lourdes Frois,03/10/11 – Forty Mile Scrub NP along 300 m circuit walk
SPOTTED BOWERBIRD – John and Lourdes Frois,03/10/11 – Forty Mile Scrub NP along 300 m circuit walk
DIAMOND DOVE - Jonathan Munro et al,01/10/11. Near Walkamin feeding with Peaceful Doves.
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD (4) - Jonathan Munro et al,29/9/11. Warrigal Preserve, Ravenshoe. The birds were refurbishing and attending bowers about a month ago but only heard calling on 29th September.
SATIN BOWERBIRD (2) - Jonathan Munro et al.9/9/11. My garden in Ravenshoe. Two bowers refurbished and/or constructed about a month ago and now with displaying/calling males.
TOOTH-BILLED BOWERBIRD - Jonathan Munro et al.29/9/11. Warrigal Preserve, Ravenshoe. Several males calling for the past week here at Ravenshoe and one heard at Lake Barrine.
GRASS OWL - Jonathan Munro et al19/9/11. Pair on road near Malanda at 22:00hrs

SEPTEMBER 2011

SPOTTED WHISTLING DUCKS (13) - Back at the ponds at Wonga Beach. This location is

private property so:-
** COULD BIRDERS PLEASE NOT DRIVE OR WALK ON PRIVATE PROPERTY nor LEAVE
ADVERTISING MATERIAL AT THIS AND OTHER BIRDING SITES. **
SUPERB FRUIT DOVE - Greg Clancy (Grafton birder)27/9/11 - centenary lakes, Cairns
LITTLE EAGLE - Frank Harrison26/9/11 - Heavey Cres. Whitfield. Light morph. Only the 2nd I've seen in Cairns since 1979
SPOTTED WHISTLING DUCKS (13) - I heard that they have left the pondas at 28/9/11
BLACK-FACED MONARCH - Greg Clancy (Grafton birder),28/9/11 - Lake Morris road, Kanimbla, Cairns.
NOISY PITTA - Tom Collis,27/9/11 - In my backyard at James Cook Drive, Kewarra Beach on the western side of the highway.
RED-NECKED CRAKE - Anthony Kinread.,23/09/11. 16.30. Feeding with Feral Pigeons in the main courtyard of the Mental Health Unit of the Cairns Base Hospital. Kerwin St. It retreated under the unit when approached by a staff member. Another member of staff said afterwards that she had seen it there before.
SPOTTED WHISTLING DUCKS (13) - John Grant,21/9/11 Wonga Beach. Turn off the Cook highway at the Telstra tower just beyond the Wonga servo then first left onto Snapper Island Drive.Almost at the end and on the second-last property on the right (vacant, with a for sale sign) there is a pond with lilies etc. The ducks were in the tree at the end of the pond nearest the road, and then in the water.
MANGROVE ROBIN (3) - Andy Anderson,18/9/11 (1800) Nth Cairns, mangrove side, sifflaying (going out to feed, from Watership Downs) onto the grass up to 10m out, at dusk.
RED-TAILED COCKATOOS (12) - Andy Anderson,17/9/11 (0730) Nth Cairns, beside largest playing field east of Lake St., eating kernels of the fruiting Terminalia ?sericocarpa beside the bike path.
BANDED LAPWING (9) - Mal Macdonald,16/9/11 (1600) - corner Borzi Rd & Dimbulah Rd at Arriga (24 km west of Mareeba). Feeding in the closest corner of freshly plowed paddock on left of Borzi Rd, immediately over the railway tracks. Some birds also visiting drainage ditch opposite. First sighting on the farm. Have a look, but please respect the privacy of the nearby farm house.
WHITE-WINGED TRILLER - Brian Venables,16/9/11 (0613) In the stand of Melaleucas between Cominos House in Greenslopes ST. and the back of the Anderson St. Cemetery - One male singing insistently and gleaning insects.
AUSTRALASIAN PIPIT - Andy Anderson,14/9/11 (0730) Nth Cairns, on largest playing field east of Lake St.

** FESTIVAL CAIRNS BIRDING - Comp results/ Big day scores -
First to see a Torresian Pigeon - John Grant, at Wonga Beach 9th August.
First to see a Beach Thicknee - Frank & Di Harrison
Best photo - Cate Small, second - Odd Kristensen (Sydney)
Best drawing - Theresa McLoud
Big Day winner - The A Team; Anderson, Anderson, & Armstrong - 146
Short Day winner - John Seale & Darren Philips - 136
BLACK BITTERN - Brian Venables,15/9/11 One male bird in the drain next to Anderson St. Cemetery behind houses in Little St. - - 17:45hrs. flushed up with a few Sacred Ibis.
GREY GOSHAWK (White Form) David Anderson,15/9/11 - Rex Lookout Captain Cook Hwy
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE (5+) - John Seale,15/9/11 - Re the reports of a week ago from McDougal road, Julatten. There are several lakes along the road. I saw them at the lake next to No 154 McDougal Rd on the north side of the road.
LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (1) - Mal Macdonald,6/9/11 (2100) - Black Mountain Rd, near Mona Mona turn off. Flushed from the roadside. Another calling from forest near Bridge 4 at 2200.
RED-BACKED KINGFISHER (1) - Mal Macdonald,9/9/11 (1700) - Borzi Rd, Arriga (25 km west of Mareeba). Hunting from power line. First time one has ventured into my yard. Probably, usually kept away by resident pair of Sacreds.
NOISY PITTA - Brian Venables.11/9/11 (0630) - Centenary Lakes Boardwalk - Seen but not calling.
I find it interesting that this species seems to be present at this location for a 3/4 month period only and very furtive and reluctant to call when it is there.
SANDERLING - Frank Harrison, Darren Phillips.,10/9/11 - Esplanade opposite RSL.Single bird with mix of sharpies, stints & sand plovers.Look for large stint with bright white plumage like a "walking snowball".
If close enough, Sanderlings lack a hind toe.
SHINING BRONZE CUCKOO (Several) - Johns Seale and Crowhurst,10/9/11 - calling in the tree tops around Mt Hypipamee.
BLACK-FACED MONARCH - Steve Murphy Calling every day since Monday 5th Sept) at Topaz via Malanda.,
EASTERN SPINEBILL- Dominic Chaplin,7/9/11. - Little Mulgrave Valley. My first sighting in 13 years in the valley.
RED-BACKED BUTTON-QUAIL- Dominic Chaplin,7/9/11 - Little Mulgrave Valley. My fourth sighting in 13 years in the valley.
,WHITE-FACED HERON (14) - Del. Richards.04/08/11 Cooya Beach. Unprecedented number feeding on mudflat. Food rescource unknown.
RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO -(60+) - Del. Richards.04/08/11 Cooya Beach.
EMERALD DOVE (2) - Brian Venables5/9/11 - Centenary Lakes - on the path alongside Saltwater creek downstream from footbridge. One bird normal emerald winged and the other off white where it should be green.
LESSR FRIGATEBIRD (F) - Graham Snell30/8/11 Kurrimine beach NEAR iNNISFAIL
GLOSSY IBIS (4) - Graham Snell 31/8/11 Barra farm Martyville Innisfail
Fan Tailed Cuckoo (1) -Harvey Rich18/8/11-Cattana wetlands- Feeding in Low shrubs trees. Next evening Brush Cuckoo working the same area. (photos taken)
Laughing Kooaburra (1) - Harvey Rich28/8/11- Taking insects bugs of the road under street lights Anderson St roundabout 4am. Have seen wagtails, swallows, mynas use artificial lights
but never a Kookaburra.
SARUS CRANES/BROLGAS (639) - Dominic Chaplin,4/9/11 - Ploughed paddock near Mt Uncle, Chewko Road, Mareeba.Pehaps the same 600 recorded roosting at Mareeba Wetlands the night before at the BANQ Crane Count
OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE - Brian Venables,3/9/11 - 11:00 hrs - Cemetery Bushland in Anderson Street.Singing - In profuse strains of unpremeditated art. That time of year again. (ED. MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE A BIRD POETRY COMP IN NEXT YEAR;S FESTIVAL)
BANDED LAPWING (1) - Doug Herrington,02/09/11 - 1100hrs, Cooya Beach - on vacant land at the corner of Cooya Beach Rd and Bonnie Doon Rd.
PLUM-HEADED FINCH - Anecdotal reports,1/09/11 - Cattana wetlands, (Yorkeys Knob) flying with Chestnut-breasted Mannikins.

AUGUST 2011

CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO (1) - G Bortolussi,31 Aug 2011 - Between Gordonvale and BSES Meringa (ca. 5pm) flying south.
BUSH STONE CURLEW - Bot gdns walk,30/8/11 - The nesting bird of 4 weeks was found dead with a broken egg-shell and dead chick.
WOOD DUCK - John Seale29/8/11 - Yorkeys Knob golf lagoon, Wattle St.
FRIGATEBIRD (6 of both species) - The 4'o clock club,28/8/11 - Esplanade. The birds were flying above the dredge "Brisbane" which has been dredging the main shipping channel for the past few weeks.
TOPKNOT PIGEONS (30+) - The 4'o clock club27/8/11 - Esplanade, flying north.
PTED OYSTERCATCHER (1Pr + 2chicks) - Graham Snell24/8/11 Kurrimine Beach
FAN-TAILED CUCKOO - GraHAM Snell 25/8/11 - Mena Creek
HORSFIELDS BRONZE CUCKOO (1) - Barbara Warren,8/8/11 Pleasant Close, Mareeba
SQUARE-TAILED KITE (1) - Mal Macdonald,20/8/11 - 1030, Springvale Road, Wondecla. First forestry track on right. Hunting over woodland canopy.
WHITE-WINGED TRILLER (2) - Mal Macdonald,19/8/11 - 1600 hrs, Lake Mitchell causeway. Male and female feeding on insects in melaleucas near waterline. Also scarlet honeyeater (1).
RUFOUS WHISTLER (female) - John Seale16/8/11 - Cattana wetlands.
SCARLET HONEYEATER - Frank Harrison16/8/11 - Centenary Lakes.Male seen, others calling.
Greg Bortolussi - 13 Aug (0900) Pied Imperial Pigeon (1) seen near Anderson Rd Woree. 1st for the
season.
A quick visit to Redden Island this afternoon (13 Aug @ 1630) turned up the following WADERS;
Bar-tailed Godwit (2),Eastern Curlew (1),Greater Sand Plover,Great Knot (11)
Grey-tailed Tattler (5)Red-capped Plover (20)Red–necked Stint (22)
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (1). Some were in residual breeding plumage ...early arrived.
In the scrub lining the beach front east of the car park, I turned up a lone Large-tailed Nightjar
PIED-IMPERIAL PIGEONS - (6) - Frank Harrison, Tony Kinread, Dave (??)12/8/11 - Cairns Esplanade, flying south.
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN - (5) - Frank Harrison, Tony Kinread, Check-in Brian12/8/11 - Cairns Esplanade.
UNIDENTIFIED GULL WITH BLACK HOOD - Tony Kinread12/8/11 - Cairns Esplanade, flying north (keep your eyes peeled).
OWLET-NIGHTJAR - (2) - Brian Venables,Hidetoshi Kudo,Darren Phillips and Isabelle Blackman.
Spotlighting at Copperlode last Thurs. night 11/8/11 - two birds calling insistently at the "Blue
Gums Lookout" but not seen.
SOUTHERN BOOBOOK - calling but not seen on the same excursion.
COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE - (4) - Kim & Dave (visiting UK birders).
4/8/11 - MacDougal Rd Ponds (Near Julatten)
TOPKNOT PIGEONS - (75) - Frank Harrison
8/8/11 - Cairns EsplanadeFlying north.
POGONOMYS SPP. - Mikey & Brian Venables.Centenary Lakes boardwalk. New and rare mammal found in our locality; the Prehensile-tailed Rat.
RUFOUS SONGLARK - (1) Mal Macdonald,6/8/11 - 1700 hrs. Silo Shopping Centre carpark, Atherton. Perched 2 feet off ground in small bare frangipani in a garden bed, singing continuously for over five minutes. Was able to stand within 6 feet without the bird being disturbed.
LITTLE FALCON - (2) Mal Macdonald,7/8/11 - 0800 am. Tolga markets at the racetrack. Chasing pigeons overhead and perching in the timber mill next door at intervals. Same bird noted by J Munro on 03/7/11?
BRUSH TURKEY - (2) Mal Macdonald,7/8/11 - 1800 hrs, Walsh River causeway on Price Ck Road, Mutchilba (40 km west of Mareeba). Foraging below the riparian leucadendra paperbarks.
COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE - (4) - Kim & Dave (visiting UK birders).4/8/11 - MacDougal Rd Ponds
TOPKNOT PIGEONS - (75) - Frank Harrison8/8/11 - Cairns EsplanadeFlying north.
TOPKNOT PIGEON - Brian Venables.Centenary Lakes - 6/8/11 - 07:30 - A flock of 50+ flew over the Freshwater Lake heading in the direction of the Whitfield Range.
RED-NECKED RAIL - Regularly (at this time of day) on the Boardwalk at the Collins Ave end.
TEREK SANDPIPER (12)
GREATER SAND PLOVER (3)
GREY-TAILED TATTLER (4)
RED CAPPED PLOVER (c.20)
RED NECKED STINT (20+) - Kim Taylor & Dave Preece (visiting UK birders).
3/8/11 - Redden Island. Numbers increasing.JULY 2011

EASTERN CURLEW - (8) - Frank Harrison,2/8/11 - Cairns Esplanade.All Adult females flying south, more early returns.
EASTERN CURLEW - (2) - Frank Harrison,2/8/11 - Cairns EsplanadeAdult female & immature female feeding.
NANKEEN NIGHT HERONS - (6) Paul Richardson2/8/11 - Cairns Esplanade Tree opposite MacDonalds (an american hamburger chain shop).Adults & juveniles.
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN - (7) Frank & Di, Paul Richardson, Brian the Check-in & Jim the Taxi.
1/8/11 - Cairns Esplanade.
COMMON BRONZEWING - (12+) - Jonathan Munro et al.31/07/11 - 6 pairs in 8 kilometres, near Ravenshoe.
LITTLE FALCON - Jonathan Munro et al.30/07/11- chasing Australian Pratincoles near Tolga.
COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE -(48) - Jonathan Munro et al.30/07/11 - near Ravenshoe.
EASTERN CURLEW - (2) Frank Harrison29/7/11 - Cairns Esplanade.
Pair of mature adult femaSQUARE TAILED KITE (1) David Anderson,17/7/11 Gordonvale
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN (8) - Kath/Dave Cooktown),22/6/11 - A group of 8 pelicans flying in formation on the eastern edge of Trinity Inlet on 22 June (spotted from our room balcony at the Cairns Plaza on Esplanade).
BROWN-BACKED H/E, Wayne Lind,29/7/11 - last seen in Feb. Very vocal and busily feeding.
AUSTRALIAN REED-WARBLES (3) Brian Venables.27/7/11. In the cane fields along Lower Freshwater Rd. - 08:10/08:30 - I tracked 3 down (more there) thinking I was dealing with a TAWNY GRASSBIRD but all three turned out to be the Reed-warbler they were calling a "tuk-tuk-tuk" alarm call but not the usual Reed-Warbler call.
BAILLON'S CRAKE (1) - Anthony Kinread and Mike Blair (visiting UK birder).
26/07/11- Cattana Wetlands. c.10.30am; emerged briefly from vegetation on island on main lake before disappearing back into cover. Several minutes later flew across open water to more cover on lake edge.
TOPKNOT PIGEONS - (38) Frank, Di & Paul Richardson,26/7/11 - Cairns Esplanade.
AUSTRALIAN PRATINCOLE - (40+) - Jonathan Munro et al.,26/07/11 - near Tolga.
RED-BACKED KINGFISHER - (2) - Jonathan Munro et al,26/07/11 - near Yungaburra.
LITTLE KINGFISHER - Jonathan Munro et al.26/07/11 - with Azure Kingfisher near Atherton
EMU - (14) - Jonathan Munro et al.25/07/11 - near Ravenshoe.
LONG-BILLED-CORELLA (2) Ota Yu,23/07/2011 Yorkeys Knob, Wattle street
SQUARE TAILED KITE (1) David Anderson,17/7/11 Gordonvale
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO - Heather Winsor11/7/11 - Kewarra Beach, (northern suburb of Cairns). ( Ed. A late/early bird?)
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CUCKOO - Neville James (interstate birder),9 & 10/7/11 - Lower Mt Lewis near the cassowary sign.
PIED HERON - ANGUS ? (of Angus and Jan fame),11/7/11 - Townsville sewage works. is this unusual, he asks??
RESTLESS FLYCATCHER (1) - Mal Macdonald.9/7/11 - Collins Weir, off Springmount Road, Arriga, (Between Mareeba and Dimbulah). Hawking among
trees immediately adjacent to dam wall and river bank.
GIANT PETREL - Seastar skipper/owner,Early July, Micahalmas cay - Photo sent.
KING QUAIL - John Seale/Neville James,4/7/11 - Dead male hanging on a barb of a barbed wire fence on the western side of the road approx 400m before the far bridge before entering Goldsborough Nat Park.


HARDHEAD - (1 male) - Hidetoshi Kudo (Mikey)15/07/11 - 14:30 - Centenary Freshwater lake. (Ed. I've not seen one in last 7 years).
WHISTLING KITE (10+) - Mal Macdonald14/7/11 - Bruce Weir, Bruce Weir Rd, Dimbulah. Group of birds in various stages of plumage, feeding
on large fish kill (50+ catfish) strewn along dam wall. Accompanied by Pacific Heron, Great Egret, Torresian Crow, Black Kite. Two juvenile Wedge-tailed Eagles a few hundred metres back along the road.
TORRESIAN CROW (9) David ANDERSON
14/7/11 On a high voltage line pylon KamerungaBUSTARD (10) - Mal Macdonald
12/7/11 - approx 6 pm, corner Dimbulah & Borzi Roads, Arriga, 24 km west of Mareeba. Feeding in freshly cut sugar cane paddock. Can see smaller groups along this stretch of highway most days.
SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO- (200+)- Del. Richards,01/07/11 - Holmes Creek, near Mt. Carbine.Unusually large number. There is a strange dispersal with many species due to cold.
LESSER SAND PLOVER - John Seale/Darren,2/7/11 - Redden Island, 2 birds in breeding plumage.

I HAVE HAD 2 PHONE CALLS THIS WEEK ABOUT CRAKES/RAILS IN HOTEL GARDENS. MORE LATER

3/7/11 - Cairns Birding et al = 59 species incl 6 species of kingfisher(No Forest) and no Stone Curlews. (In Centenary Lakes)

TORRESIAN CROW (5) - David Anderson
2/7/11 - Anderson Street Manunda I have noticed an increase in numbers in the Cairns area over the last few years.
BRIDLED HONEYEATER - Kath Hirsch,1/7/11 - Vico Road, 3 kms west of Gordonvale, being chased by a Macleay's H/E. First sighting in this area by observer who is a local resident.
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD - Jonathan Munro et al,01/7/11 - female coloured bird feeding on Syzygium australe berries along Vine Creek, in Blue Gum woodland many kilometres from climax rainforest.
PIED CURRAWONG (300+) - Jonathan Munro et al,24/6/11 - Large flock observed foraging at Kaban/Tumoulin accommpanied by 100+ Satin Bowerbirds.
CRESTED SHRIKE-TIT (3) - Jonathan Munro et al,23/6/11 - feeding on Casuarina seeds, near Ravenshoe.
GULL-BILLED TERN - Sandra Christensen,19/6/11 - Tern swoop down and tOOK a mud-skipper from A Striated Heron.

JUNE 2011

FUTURE TRIPS/EVENTS

GREAT FRIGATEBIRD (1) - Ron and Lin Hill,01/07/11 - Over Taylor Point/ Kewarra Beach this afternoon. Very rough conditions.
PIED CURRAWONG (2) - Dominic Chaplin,21/6/11 - Chewko Road, Mareeba. 1st Record here
PIED CURRAWONG (30) - Dominic Chaplin,19/6/11 - Little Mulgrave Valley. 30 Currawongs all in the same tree beside our house. There seem to . Is it my imagination or do they have a plan to take
over the world?
DIAMOND DOVE (1) - david Anderson,22/06/11 - Thala Beach Resort just south of Port Douglas.
JACKY WINTER (1) - Alan Gillanders,21/06/11 Atherton, north of High School on Tower Avenue. My first sighting in Atherton.
WHITE-WINGED TRILLER (1 adult male in eclipse) - Alan Gillanders,22/06/11 Yungaburra in my garden. Not seen here since 2002
RED-BACKED KINGFISHER - two reports per Alan Gillanders,18-22/06/11 Kairi, 40 to 100 metres along the road to Tolga sitting on power lines
AUSTR. BRUSH TURKEY - Birding Cairns et al,19/6/11 - late record - not often seen at Redden Island. (Not on BANQ Redden Island List)
BLACK-WINGED STILT - Birding Cairns et al,19/6/11 - late record - not often seen at Redden Island. (Not on BANQ Redden Island List)

ESPLANADE 4'o Clock Club - Red-necked Crake heard several times 23/5
- 2 Royal Spoonbills, the first for a few months.

DOUBLE-BANDED PLOVER - Birding Cairns et al,19/6/11 - South end of Redden island,sea side. Other notables included Rose-Crowned Fruitdove and the Noisy Pitta.54 species seen in outing.
NOISY PITTA - Pippy Cannon,17/6/11 - At end of Cinderella St, Machan's Beach, Cairns
RADJAH SHELLDUCK -(4)- Del. Richards.,17/06/11- Port Douglas.
NOISY FRIARBIRD -(1)- Del. Richards.,17/06/11- Port Douglas- First local record in sixteen years.
OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE - David Anderson,14/6/11 - Thal beach Resort south of Port Douglas
PLUMED WHISTLE DUCK (100+)- Harvey Rich
13/6/11 - Yorkeys Knob golf course swamp. Also seen (1) Grey teal, (1) Wood duck , a number of nesting Darter some with large young.
WHITE-BREASTED SEA-EAGLE - Jonathan Munro et al,May-June - reports of a pair of adult birds regularly hunting (and sometimes catching Platypus). These observations were made from a private house/garden bordering the confluence of two creeks. There are many Platypus visibly active in the daytime at the moment. I have seen Sea-eagles take Platypus on a number of occassions in various locations across the tablelands.also Sea-eagles and Wedge-tailed Eagles feeding on the all too numerous dead cranes that were reported earlier.
BLACK FALCON - Alan Gillanders,10/06/11 Barron River Bridge, Gillies Highway west of Yungaburra
SWAMP HARRIER - Alan Gillanders ,10/06/11 Atherton Airstrip
SQUARE -TAILED KITE - Alan Gillanders ,10/06/11 east side of Hallorans Hill, Atherton
HELMETED FRIARBIRD - Chook Crawford et al,11/6/11 - LAKE EACHAM. (not common on the tableland.
BROWN-BACKED HONEYEATER (2) - Brian Venables,10/6/11 - A pair feeding in a flowering Melaleuca in the bush land between the Cemetery and the Ambulance In Anderson Street, having been absent from this area for some months.
BUSTARD (2) - Chook Crawford et al,10/6/11 In a cane paddock opposite Newell Beach golf club, Mossman
RADJAH SHELDUCK (+ 8 very small young) - Chook Crawford et al,9/6/11 - 5km north of Mareeba
WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (1) Alan Gillanders,09/06/11 A melanistic bird sitting on a wire in Millaa Millaa in the morning. The bird was all plain blue-black. The other unlikely alternative is it could have been a visitor from the north.
MAGPIE GOOSE ( + 7 non-flying young) - Chook Crawford et al,8/6/11 - Lake Mitchell
SQUARE-TAILED KITE (1) Alan Gillanders,008/06/11 Atherton, northern end of main street. Seen on almost every trip through the town in the last two weeks but mostly on the southern side of town.
SACRED KINGFISHER - Many more on the Atherton Tablelands than normally to be found at this time of year. Forests are still around.
GREY TEAL -(2)- Del. Richards,04/06/11- Port Douglas, unusual sighting.

Brolga and Sarus Cranes - Jonathan Munro et al.

12/06/11. At 14:00 hrs today we observed at least 15+ recently dead cranes (there were almost certainly others that we could not see) visible from the roadside and on the same property as the last report of dead birds. These new birds were not there a few days ago when I drove the track. Photographs were taken. In addition to the cranes we also saw dead Torresian Crows. How many more birds will 'die' on this property before any action is taken.....? This observation, like the last two, will be reported to the Environment Protection Authority and DERM
FAN-TAILED CUCKOO - Birding Cairns et al (54 species seen), 5/6/11 - Park opposite the Freshwater lake, Greenslopes St. plus 4 species mobbing an Amethystine Python in the Saltwater Creek mangroves, south of Greenslopes St.
I have had another report of injured/damaged cranes/birds from the Innot Hot Springs area. Johnathon Munro reported similar happenings about 2-3 weeks ago and another birder has reported same in the last 2 days. I'm not sure if DERM (Old Nat Parks) have been informed. All I can do is report these happenings to our email list and hope that those that need to know are informed. Does anyone know how to go about ensuring that those who can investigate these bird deaths/injuries are informed??

MAY 2011

CASSOWARY - Doug Herrington,24/5/11 - Seen early Tuesday afternoon in Thomson Low Drive, Shannonvale (near Mossman) by Anita Meyer.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO - Brian Venables.23/5/11 -07:00 - One bird calling on the Airport Mangrove Boardwalk. Also I was struck by the rainforest species in the mangroves including - RUFOUS FANTAIL - SPECTACLED MONARCH - LOVELY FAIRY-WREN - DUSKY HONEYEATER - GRACEFUL HONEYEATER - SHINING FLYCATCHER - FAIRY GERYGONE - as well as the mangrove usuals - MANGROVE ROBIN - AZURE KINGFISHER - VARIED HONEYEATER.
PIED IMPERIAL PIGEON - (1) - Andy Anderson.,23/5/11 - Perched on power line Sheridan St north, late afternoon. Just flew in from Les Davie Park, probably from a feeding tree. New tail feathers still incomplete.
EASTERN KOEL - David Anderson,29/5/11 - In a Kanimbla (Cairns Suburb) garden. Unusually late for this time of year.
FAN-TAILED CUCKOO - Brian Venables.Red Arrow track in the more open woodland with grassy understory - 07:45 - 28/5/11. Also great views of 2 NOISY PITTA in little rainforest patch on the track which links the Red and the Blue Arrow walking tracks.
GULL-BILLED TERN-(9)-Del. Richards.25/05/11 - Lake Mitchell with below.
WHISKERED TERN-(13)- Del. Richards.25/05/11- Lake Mitchell.
PLUMED WHISTLING-DUCK -(11)- Del. Richards.
25/05/11- Port Douglas - My first record for area.FAN-TAILED CUCKOO - Birding Cairns et al (54 species seen)5/6/11 - Park opposite the Freshwater lake, Greenslopes St. plus 4 species mobbing an Amethystine Python in the Saltwater Creek mangroves, south of Greenslopes St.

N.B. I am having trouble updating the blogspot website which is read by many birders around the
globe. So here is something that I would normally only put on the website.
I have had another report of injured/damaged cranes/birds from the Innot Hot Springs area. Johnathon
Munro reported similar happenings about 2-3 weeks ago and another birder has reported same in the
last 2 days. I'm not sure if DERM (Old Nat Parks) have been informed. All I can do is report these
happenings to our email list and hope that those that need to know are informed. Does anyone know how
to go about ensuring that those who can investigate these bird deaths/injuries are informed??

RED-BACKED KINGFISHER (2) Jonathan Munro et al.23/5/11, East Evelyn near Ravenshoe. (Ed. This is a winter visitor to the local inland area)
CASSOWARY - Jonathan Munro et al.21/5/11, large adult female along my driveway at 1,000 metres elevation, near Ravenshoe.
SQUARE-TAILED KITE - Wayne Lind,20/5/11 (1620) Along Wiseman Road West , Edmonton . Caused panic with the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Rainbow Lorikeets and Pied Currawongs as it soared above the tree canopy.
CRIMSON FINCH (1) - Brian Venables.08:15 - 19/5/11.(0815) - One bird seen with mixed flock of NUTMEG MANNIKINS and CHESTNUT-BREASTED MANNIKINS feeding on Guinea grass seed in Pease Street behind IGA. (Cairns)
LITTLE CORELLA-(20+)- Jack Leighton.15/05/11- Flying flock near Lake Tinaroo.(Is this an indication of a change in distribution?)
GLOSSY IBIS - (9) - Del. Richards.16/05/11 - In flight southward at Saltwater Creek along Newell Beach, Mossman.(At this time of year where from and where to????).
DIAMOND DOVE -(1)- Del. Richards.17/05/11 - Maryfarms near Mt. Carbine.
SARUS CRANE - Del. Richards.17/05/11 - Maryfarms near Mt. Carbine.
EMU - (14) - Jonathan Munro et al.,17/5/11. 17:00hrs. A group feeding with cranes and bustards. Near Ravenshoe. Also noted (and
photographed) with same were 10-12 cranes freshly dead in paddock near track. This observation was
reported to DERM on the 18/5/11.
RADJAH SHELDUCK (7) - Greg Bortolussi & Florence Hemsley,17/5/11 (17:00) Found the flock sitting quietly on the western bank near the bridge over the Cairns Centenary Lakes saltwater lake. Were able to be approached within 10m for good views. (Ed. 5 young were hatched about 3 months ago and are regularly seen as a family of 7).
LITTLE CORELLA-(20+)- Jack Leighton.15/05/11- Flying flock near Lake Tinaroo.(Is this an indication of a change in distribution?)
GLOSSY IBIS - (9) - Del. Richards.16/05/11 - In flight southward at Saltwater Creek along Newell Beach, Mossman.(At this time of year where from and where to????).
DIAMOND DOVE -(1)- Del. Richards.17/05/11 - Maryfarms near Mt. Carbine.
SARUS CRANE - Del. Richards.17/05/11 - Maryfarms near Mt. Carbine.

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Adam Peter Cardilini

To: "banq@birdsaustralia.com.au"

Sent: Tuesday, 17 May 2011 12:13 PM

Subject: Starlings in North Queensland





Dear Ivor,



I am a student at Deakin University, Victoria, studying the common starling, Sturnus vulgaris. I am


trying to collect information on starlings from the enge of their range, first by looking at bird
data (Birds Australia) and then contacting people in the region. I thought you might be able to help
me by confirming sightings in Mount Isa (recorded on ebird.org 2009) and around Cairnes and Port
Douglas. Any information would be greatly appreciated, thank you for your time.
Kind regards,
Adam Cardilini
0431 566 340

GREAT-BILLED HERON - Sandra Christensen,15/5/11- Johnstone River, Coquette Point area (Innisfail area)
RADJAH SHELDUCK - Sandra Christensenk,15/5/11-2 flying in Nind's Creek area of Johnstone River
NOISY PITTA - Jonathan Munro,13/5/11 - Feeding with a pair of Fernwrens and a Bassian Thrush along my driveway (elevation 1,000 metres) at Ravenshoe. Very unusual at this time of year and also after two frosts.
LITTLE KINGFISHER (1)- Steve Murphy,9th-15th May; Location – Topaz; Time of day – most mornings within these dates, for about 1hr from first light feeding on tadpoles in artificial frog pond.
HORSFIELD'S BRONZE CUCKOO - Birding Cairns et al, /15/5/11 - Lake Mitchell, past the second gate.
BLACK-FACED MONARCH - Birding Cairns et al,15/5/11 - Lake Mitchell, past the second gate. unusual location and late in the season.
NORTHERN FANTAIL - Brian Venables 14/5/11 - 07:10 - Copperlode Road blue gums lookout forest. This species used to be a regular in this location a few years ago - good to see it back.
SATIN FLYCATCHER - David Anderson,13/5/11 - Thala Beach resort, just south of Port Douglas
PIED CURRAWONG - Andrew and Trish Forsyth,8/5/11 - Daintree Village - An unusual visitor - has been here for several weeks, hanging out with Figbirds.
RED-NECKED CRAKE - The 4 o'clock Club (Esplanade birders),7/5/11 (1730) - Opposite the Holiday Inn, jumped into a tree and perched in the branches. It seemed to have a sick-looking right eye.
PACIFIC BAZA (4) - Brian Venables,7/5/11 - 08:30 - Four birds soaring over suburbia in Collins Ave and interacting with each other. A prelude to nesting perhaps?
GOLDEN WHISTLER - David Anderson,5/5/11 - Thala Beach Lodge grounds (10kms south of Port Douglas). In a feeding party of about half a dozen species.
FOREST KINGFISHER - Brian Venables.5/5/11 - 07:30 - Saltwater Creek - one bird perched low in mangroves just upstream of Collins Ave. bridge. This species has been scarce in this vicinity since the population disappeared from the Freshwater Lake some years ago.
STORM PETREL sp - Del Richards03/05/11 - I was reef fishing at Batt Reef off Port Douglas. In the afternoon a storm-petrel approached the boat. It appeared all black and from Pizzey & Knight identified it as dark morph of a White-bellied Storm-petrel.
I have seen Wilsons on the reef three times before.
SPOTTED CATBIRD (2) - David Anderson,4/5/11 i Thala Beach Resort, just south of Pt Douglas. Feeding on fruit of ATRACTOCARPUS FITZALANII ( BROWN GARDENIA ) at edge of mangrove forest have been here for about 4 weeks.


APRIL 2011
.
RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOOS - Lots of observers,30/4/11 - Still being seen in many areas of suburban Cairns.
BLACK BITTERN (1) - Barbara Warren,12/4/2011 near drain at intersection of Pleasant Close and Coolamon Close, Mareeba
SPINIFEX PIGEON (2) - Visiting tourists,7/4/11 - A report of 2 birds seen at Granite Gorge cakping area was recd. Other birders have been informed but keep your eyes out for these birds.
WOMPOO FRUIT DOVE - Ron and Lin Hill,12/04/11 In our garden on Deep Creek, Kewarra Beach. Very scruffy bird.
CATTLE EGRET- 350+ ----Del Richards,12/04/11 - Julatten- Large dam near McDougall Road.
ROSE-CROWNED FRUITDOVE (1) John Frois,25/04/11 - Sawpit Creek, Forest Gardens. Flying from the dry creek bed on the high branch of tree.
RED NECKED CRAKE (1) - John Frois,17/04/11 Top of Forest Gardens, edge of rainforest. (Southern Cairns suburb)
SUPERB FRUIT DOVE (1 JUVENILE) - John Frois,20/04/11 Forest Gardens, found in someone's front yard, uninjured and in apparently good health, Handed over to carer with other fruit doves for later release.
SATIN FLYCATCHER (M) - Grahame Finnigan,20/4/11. On migration. My back yard at Kewarra Beach (northern Cairns suburb).
    Re the Toothbill sighting at Lake Morris Road, Del Richards sent the following:
A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK A RESIDENT FROM CARDWELL TOLD A BOWERBIRD EXPERT THAT A TOOTH BILL CAME TO HER FEEDER. WITH THE EXPERT DISCOUNTING THE POSSIBILITY, SHE SENT HIM AN IMAGE OF THE BIRD.No surprises are there?.
TOOTH-BILLED BOWERBIRD - Cairnsbirds outing to Copperlode Dam at Kanimbla,17/4/11 - One bird feeding on figs (09:30) with BARRED CUCKOO-SHRIKES. Gps reading S16.96599 E145.71164. This was at an altitude of 460 m approx. which is unusually low for this species
RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO (3) - Frank & Di Harrison,17/4/11 - Beside R.S.L. Cairns Esplanade
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO (2) - Frank & Di Harrison et al,16/4/11 - In fig tree adjacent to Cairns Hilton Hotel

I have been away in Sydney for a week, my home phone is broken and I am in Paluma for Easter. Happy Easter to all !!

BLACK-FACED MONARCH (Juvenile) - Mabel's Mates + Cairns Birding,10/4/11 - Cattana Wetlands (Cairns)
AUSTRALIAN GREBE - Mabel's Mates + Cairns Birding,10/4/11 - Cattana Wetlands (Cairns)
RUFOUS FANTAIL - Brian Venables,7/4/11 - 06:20 - Boardwalk - Cairns' Flecker Botanic-Centenary Lakes.A first since late last year - another returning migrant from the south ?
SPECTACLED MONARCH - Brian Venables,7/4/11 - 06:20 - Boardwalk - Cairns' Flecker Botanic-Centenary Lakes.Not often seen on Boardwalk.
RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO (8) -Helen ??,6/4/11 - Flying along the Cairns Esplanade in the morning.
AUSTRALIAN WHITE IBIS (24) - Norton Gill,4/4/11 - Flying the Esplanade last night.
RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO (7) - Tina Redmond, Jan o'Sullivan, Dawn Magarry
3/4/11 - Two groups of 3 or 4 birds have been hanging around Edgehill, Whitfield and Pease Street opposite the Ten Pin Bowling site) for a week or so.
RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO - Midge,1/4/11 - A big flock of 30-40 Red Tailed Black Cockatoos here at Machans Beach. I heard them before I saw them! There were flying about – roosted in trees down the street from me – and then took off again after 10 minutes of so – heading to Cairns. Two other friends also saw them – none of us had seen them on the coast here before.
WHITE-BREASTED SEA EAGLE Imm. 3 - Graham Snell,26/3/11 Flying Fish Point, Innisfail. I saw these birds at 4pm displaying and interacting with each other for 15 mins. At one stage one bird was carrying a 2ft long stick. they were also rolling in flight and extending talons upwards.
GREY GOSHAWK (Grey Morph) - Graham Winterflood,2/4/11 - Being harried by Common Mynas in a tree at upper Mooroobool.
EASTERN GREAT EGRET - NORTON GILL,02/04/11 1730. ON SAND NEAR ESPLANADE LAGOON. (1st egret seen this year, I think)
PIED IMPERIAL-PIGEON (7),02/04/11- OVERFLYING ESPLANADE CITY END. (Most seem to have gone back to PNG)
AUSTRALIAN WHITE IBIS (7),02/04/11 1800 - OVERFLYING ESPLANADE CITY END SOUTH BOUND. (Been absent for a long time)
PEREGRINE FALCON. (1),SEBEL HOTEL SIGN (Opposite the Casino).
EASTERN OSPREY (2) Norton Gill,01/04/11 0800 - Standing on nest at the Cairns Wharf, No 7, on top of old grey triangular crane..
FIG- PARROTS (2) - Norton Gill,01/4/11 in trees between road and the Fertilizer shed of INCITEC PIVOT.

MARCH 2011

AUSTRALIAN HOBBY (male) - Frank & Di Harrison,29/3/11 - Hawking starlings @ dusk.Cairns R.S.L Esplanade.
EMERALD DOVE - Grahame Finnigan,17/3/11. Feeding on spent canary seed in my back yard at Kewarra Beach. A first for my back yard.
BARKING OWL - Grahame Finnigan,19/3/11 Kewarra Beach roundabout. Pair sitting on over hanging street light. One flew down onto fence beside road. I stopped and walked to within 3 metres of it before it returned to the light pole.
BLUE-FACED HONEYEATER (2) - Mal Macdonald,28/3/11 - about 1815, on Esplanade, opposite Acacia Court, in crown of coconut palms, calling repeatedly
LONG-BILLLED CORELLA (1) with LITTLE CORELLA (9) - Dominic Chaplin,26/3/11 - Mareeba Pony Club
LEADEN FLYCATCHER - Brian Venables,26/3/11 - 09:30 - In my yard opposite Flecker Botanic Gardens - First for many months - perhaps a returning migrant ?
SPOTLESS CRAKE (1) - Greg Bortolussi,20/3/2011 - Southern approach to Bushy Creek, Julatten at ca. 12 midday. The bird was standing/feeding in a pond of water on the side of the road. It seemed undisturbed by the traffic
GOLDEN PLOVER (80+) - Birding Cairns apres Croc farm group.
25/3/11 - France Road turf farm, Edmonton. About 20 in full breeding plumage
COMMON KOEL - Esplanade 4 o'clock Club,24/3/11 - Male in street tree opposite RSL club, Esplanade
(An Immature Koel was in Centenary lakes on 22/3/11)
GREY GOSHAWK - Norton Gill,,22/3/11 (0730) - In large tree opposite Night Markets Esplanade.
GREY GOSHAWK (WHITE PHASE (1) - Del. Richards.21/03/11. Flying adjacent to Clifton Beach Shopping Centre. Only my 6th sighting of white phase in 16 years in FNQ.
PIED OYSTER CATCHER (1) - Del. Richards.21/03/11 - Ellis Beach., CAIRNS
COMMON MYNA - 2 Birds were seen at Lockhart River (next to Iron Range) recently. I believe these were a first for the area. Persons travelling up Cape York or anywhere remote should be reminded to keep forever vigilant in the field.
BROWN CUCKOO-DOVE - Brian Venables 19/3/11 - 07:30 - Centenary Lakes - on the path behind mangroves between footbridge and Collins Ave. bridge - The EMERALD DOVE has been there too over the last week.
GREATER SAND PLOVER (49) - Graham Snell,18/3/11 Kurrimine Beach, near Innisfail. Many birds in breeding plumage
LESSER FRIGATEBIRD (1) - Dominic Chaplin,14/03/2011 - Flying at Barron River Mouth, Off Redden Island, CAIRNS
RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO (20) - Sandra Christensen,14/3/11 - Flying Fish Point, NNISFAIL. Eating rotten Indian almond friut from ground.
WHITE-HEADED PIGEON - Sandra Christensen,14/3/11 - Just inland from The Coconuts, an Innisfail suburb on way to Flying fish Pt.
SQUATTER PIGEON - Heather Winsor 2/3/11 (1030) - Butler Drive, Kuranda (opposite No 17). Feeding on grass seedson the verge. Unusual in rainforest??
BLUE-FACED PARROT FINCH - John Seale12/3/11 (1100) - At McKenzies Pocket (4.5 kms up Black Mountain Rd), Kuranda.

BEWARE!! I was attacked by a black bull at McKenzies Pocket, 4.5 kms up Black Mtn Rd, Kuranda. This bull is NOT afraid of people and I did nothing to antagonise it. I was lucky to escape serious injury. I've reported it to Cassowary House and will also inform Parks and Wildlife

PAPUAN FROGMOUTH - (4 at least) -Brian Venables - 9/3/11 - 0630.Three birds (family group) at usual spot near footbridge (saltwater lake side) over Saltwater Cr. in Centenary Lakes. Also one Juv calling on the other side, suggesting 2 family groups in close proximity. I
On a sad note I have to report a Striped Possum roadkill in Collins Ave. earlier this week. This was reported
to me by one of the Botanic Gardens workers and I have written to the Mayor asking if the proposed canopy bridge in Collins Ave.was any closer to installation. I would urge everyone to write to their councillors as well.
BLACK-FACED MONARCH (1) - Barbara Warren,10/3/11 Pleasant Close, Mareeba
AZURE KINGFISHER - LITTLE KINGFISHER - (1 each) - Brian Venables.7/3/11 (1645) - The two species cheek by jowl it the Centenary Lakes on mangrove roots in Saltwater Cr. at the outflow of the Freshwater Lake.
BROWN CUCKOO-DOVE (1) - Barbara Warren,6/3/11 Pleasant Close, Mareeba

I had a report of 40+ Red-tailed Black Cockatoos from Kurramine Beach near Innisfail on Mar 24 2011. Is this an unusual sighting?? Apparently not, also at Mission beach feeding on Casuarinas

FEBRUARY 2011
MARSH SANDPIPER - (1) Brian Venables.28/2/11 - 06:45 - Vacant land at the northern end of Lake Street - one bird in small pool of water with BLACK-FRONTED DOTTEREL - Its call gave it away when it flushed. Also in same patch - BLACK BITTERN - BUFF-BANDED RAIL - BUSH HEN.
RADJAH SHELDUCK (6) - John Frois24/2/11 - Macnamara St, Outside Cairns Police-Citizen Youth Club feeding in grassy area.(Ed note - A pair raised 5 ducklings in the lakes area this season)
BEACH STONE-CURLEW (2) - Del. Richards.22/02/11- Ellis Beach, (north of Palm Cove). Pair near the stinger net location

EYEBROWED THRUSH Terry & Michelle Heidenreich, Alan Gillanders

7&8/02/11 in Heidenreirch's Garden, 370 Stonehouse Road, Malanda. This is the road which come to Bromfield Crater from the north. This bird is from SE Asia. For more info use Google
AZURE KINGFISHER - (1) - Brian Venables19/2/11 - 0745Centenary Lakes (Freshwater Lake) near "T" intersection of boardwalk (NW) - Also LITTLE KINFISHER t spillway of Freshwater Lake
SUPERB FRUIT-DOVE (1im.) - Barbara Warren19/2/11 Pleasant Close, Mareeba
WANDERING WHISTLING DUCK (7) - Barbara Warren19/2/11 Pleasant Close, Mareeba
PLUMED WHISTLING DUCK(2) - Barbara Warren19/2/11 Pleasant Close, Mareeba
PAINTED BUTTON QUAIL (3) - Dominic Chaplin,16/2/11. Springvale Road, Wondecla, 1 km before causeway. Whilst driving along slowly hoping for button quail amazingly three flew in and landed on the road in front of me.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO (20) - Stan Emmerson
14/2/2011 - Sims Road Atherton - all in one very small fruiting fig tree
SULPHUR-CRESTED WHITE COCKATOO (800+) - Stan Emmerson
14/2/2011 - Sims Road AthSims Road Atherton - on ground in recently harvested paddock

ORIENTAL CUCKOO (1) - Brian Venables,13/2/11 0645 - Cattana Wetlands - also KOEL - CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO - BRUSH CUCKOO - LITTLE BRONZE CUCKOO and
LITTLE KINGFISHER.
CRIMSON FINCH - (1m) - Brian Venables 8/2/11 0730 - One male with spice finchs in unmowed grass in sports field behind PCYC in MacNamara st oppositeCentenary Lakes

Some Interesting seabird records from Yungaburra area due to Cyclone Yasi
Some more interesting seabird records from Yungaburra area
COMMON TERNS (2) Alan Gillanders,05/02/11 Tinaburra, on buoys out from boat ramp.
LESSER FRIGATEBIRD (1 adult male) (4) Alan Gillanders ,05/02/11 Tinaburra, roosted for the night in a bloodwood where the canoes are lashed to the trees.
SACRED KINGFISHER - Brian Venables. Saltwater lake Centenary Lakes
7/2/1117:15. This species seems to be absent from the lakes for the same period as the Little Kingfisher
LITTLE KINGFISHER - (2) ~ Brian Venables ,7/2/11 0645 - Saltwater Cr. at the spillway of the freshwater lake in the Centenary Lakes.
LITTLE KINGFISHER - (3) - Martin Cachard - Centenary lakes in the freshwater lake - 6/2/11 - reported to "cairnsbirds" members
(Ed Note - These were seen in the north western arm of Freshwater Lake)
SHINING FLYCATCHER (1female) - Barbara Warren.5/2/11 Pleasant Close, Mareeba
PETREL SP (1) Alan & Maria Gillanders,03/02/11 Yungaburra 6 pm A large dark petrel with long, thin wings, a shortish rounded tail and the 'wrists' held well forward. First I called 'shearwater' then 'Great-winged Petrel'. That is still my best guess but am not at all sure.
COMMON TERNS (4) Alan Gillanders,04/02/11 Tinaburra, on buoys out from boat ramp.
LESSER-CRESTED TERN (1) Alan Gillanders ,04/02/11 Tinaburra
CRESTED TERN (1/2) Alan Gillanders 04/02/11 Tinaburra
GULL-BILLED TERN (5) Alan Gillanders ,04/02/11 Tinaburra
CASPIAN TERN (1) Alan Gillanders 04/02/11 Tinaburra
COMMON SANDPIPER (1) Alan Gillanders 04/02/11 Tinaburra
PIED CORMORANT (1) Alan Gillanders 04/02/11 Tinaburra
Just had a report of a small tern at Lake Eacham.
GREAT FRIGATEBIRD(4) Ota Yu,04/02/11 Esplanade 06:40 After severe cyclone. Adult male & female, imm, & juv. Adult female was trying to catch something in front of observation deck on mudflat. Some more unusual birds may turn up.

PAPUAN FROGMOUTH - John Seale,3/2/11 - A lone female at the usuual perch near the footbridge in Centenary Lakes. This was about noon after Cyclone Yasi had hit about midnight.
BROWN GOSHAWK - Frank & Di Harrison,,26/1/11 - Edmonton CBD chasing starlings
MARSH SANDPIPER - Frank & Di Harrison,1/2/11 - Beside Cairns Pier helipad
RADJAH SHELDUCK - Kelvin Turner,28/1/11 - A pair in pooled water at the Smithfield tip and for several days previous.