Updates 12 June 2010
The following updates apply to the third and fourth editions. The first and second editions are out of date and should be replaced.
Page 11 - Good news for Cromarty Wetlands
In late 2009 the Government announced its financial support for the purchase of the property ‘Wongaloo’. This will be managed by the Wetlands and Grasslands Foundation and in future will be open to the public. Congratulations to Mark Stoneman for his years of dedication to this project.
Page 15 - The Townsville Region Bird Observers Club (TRBOC)
New contact details: For information see www.trboc.org.au or phone 0419 475 061 (leave a message if not answered). Copies of brochures on local birds, produced jointly with the Townsville City Council, can be downloaded from http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/townsville/experience
Tonnoirs Bookshop has closed
NQCC information on local environmental issues – www.nqcc.org.au
Page 19 - Lake Ross
Major earthworks have been completed. Waterbirds can still be seen from the dam wall and also the viewing platform along the road to the right. Better still; take the 2 and a half hour boat tour on the lake with Pop Sullivans Tours, leaving from the dam wall parking area at 2.30pm every Sunday. Tell the skipper you want to see birds. Bookings: Phone (07) 4789 0774
Page 25 - Paluma Dam campground is now operated by the Townsville City Council. For bookings phone (07)4727 9000 or on line at www.townsville.qld.gov.au
Page 26 - Mt Zero and Taravale are owned and managed for conservation by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. See page 117. At present there is no access for visiting birders.
Page 47 - Cattana Wetlands NEW
This new 80ha reserve, formerly degraded by farming and sand mining, has been rehabilitated and the wetlands and lowland Feather Palm forest have been extensively revegetated. It now includes 30 hectares of regionally significant forest and several large freshwater and saltwater lakes. There are picnic facilities, a bird hide and a 300m boardwalk through the feather palm forest. There are plans to add more bird hides on other lakes, walking tracks and an elevated boardwalk through the forested areas.
On the lakes watch for Black-necked Storks and Jacanas which breed here as well as Green Pigmy Geese, egrets, cormorants and other waterbirds. Agile Wallabies can be seen on the edge of the wetlands when they come out to graze in the cooler part of the day.
The reserve is approximately 20 km north of the CDB with access via McGregor Rd or Yorkeys Knob Rd. It is open daily from 5.30-7.00. The Wetlands may be closed in very wet weather.
Page 51 - Lake Eacham
At the start of the circuit track, a path to the ranger station (no longer open to the public) leads off to the left. This can be good spot for Tooth-billed Bowerbirds. Turn right to continue the circuit track, or left to return to the car park.
Page 60 - Lake Mitchell
The woodland at the end of the causeway is on private land with no access.
Page 61At Mt Carbine the track leading to the old wolfram mine and dam is now closed but there may be Apostlebirds, Grey-crowned Babblers, Pale-headed Rosellas, Black-throated Finches and Common Bronzewings in the surrounding woodland. Australia’s only record of an Isabelline Wheatear was at the sports ground here.
Pages 68 - 113 - UPDATED NAMES
Page 69 King Quail - excalfactoria (coturnix)
Page 73 Eastern Great Egret – Ardea modesta
Page 81 The Australian Painted Snipe – Rostratula australis has been split from the Painted Snipe R.benghalensis of Africa and SE Asia making it Australia’s newest species.
Page 116 - REFERENCES
Birds - Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. (2008). Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds,CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Mammals - Jones, C. & Parish, S. Field Guide to Australian Mammals, Steve Parish Publishing.
Reptiles and Amphibians - Tyler, M.J. & Knight, F. (2009). Field Guide to the Frogs of Australia, Steve Parish Publishing & CSIRO Publishing.
Page 117 – WEBSITES – complete list revised
Andrew Isles Natural History Books carries a huge collection of new and second hand books listed on www.AndrewIsles.com
The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a non-government organisation dedicated to saving Australia’s threatened wildlife and ecosystems. Three of their many sanctuaries are in NE Qld. www.australianwildlife.org
Birds Australia, www.birdsaustralia.com.au is dedicated to conservation, study and enjoyment of native birds and their habitat. It has links to its observatories, special interest and regional groups, including the North Qld. Group which has up-to-date bird lists that can be down-loaded from www.birdsaustralianq.org/brochures.htm.
Bird Observation and Conservation Australia based in Melbourne has links to its 40 branches in south and eastern Australia and The Blue Wren Gift Shop stocks the complete set of CDs of Australian birdcalls. Visitors are welcome on outings listed on www.boca.org.au
Bird photos from Australia and overseas by local photographer Ian Montgomery. www.birdway.com
Birdwatching in Australia is a directory of Australian birding tours, clubs, freelance guides and reference information for each state compiled by Lloyd Nielsen. www.ausbird.com
Brolgas and Sarus Cranes http://ozcranes.net/ gives information on cranes in the area including the Crane Count held each year on the Atherton Tableland in September.
Bureau of Meteorology Weather Forecasts – www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld/
Cairns and Tableland sightings John Seale records local recent sightings on www.cairnsbirds.blogspot.com/
Eremaea Birds is a free birding records, database and atlas, covering the eastern states and NT. Birdlines for each state can be checked for unusual and interesting observations. www.eremaea.com
Pages 129 - 130 - GUIDING
Ben Blewitt Contact PO Box 65. Malanda Qld 4885 (07)4095 1316
Peter Cooper – no longer guiding
Phil Gregory – www.cassowary-house.com.au
Lloyd Nielsen is no longer guiding but still based in Mt Molloy and produces Birding Australia which covers most things to do with birding throughout Australia and is updated every year – details on his website. Contact: (07) 4094 1549. lloydnielsen@westnet.com.au, www.birdingaustralia.com.au
Pages 131 – 132 - ACCOMMODATION
Daintree
Red Mill House - E-mail info@redmillhouse.com.au Website www. daintreebirdwatching.com.au
Julattten
Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge, Check the weekly blog for news of birds seen in the park and nearby. www.kingfisherparkbirdwatchers.blogspot.com
Mareeba
NEW Jabiru Safari Lodge at Mareeba Wetland Reserve has accommodation in eco cabins or safari style tents, with breakfast provided. Tours of the property and surrounding areas with resident guide David ‘Chook’ Crawford, including boat or canoe tours are available. Closed Feb-March Contact: Phone: 1800 788 755 info@jabirusafarilodge.com.au www.jabirusafarilodge.com.au
Paluma
Hidden Valley Cabins operates with 100% solar power and is now for guests only.
NEW - Rainforest Inn has comfortable motel style accommodation and a restaurant. Bird feeders attract some of the birds from the nearby rainforest. Contact (07) 4770 8688. Fax: (07) 4770 8655. rainforestinn@bigpond.com www.rainforestinnpaluma.com
Earlier Updates
Page 68 - The New Checklist of Australian Birds
The long awaited Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds by Les Christidis and Walter E Boles, published by CSIRO Publishing came out in December 2007.
The new checklist adds 64 species to the old list, mainly vagrants especially those to Australian offshore island territories and has removed four species for taxonomic reasons. There are considerable changes to the position in which the Orders and Families now occur. There have also been changes to both common and scientific names but it will probably take a while for the changes to appear in field guides.
In north Queensland the main changes are that Gould’s Bronze Cuckoo has been lumped with Little Bronze Cuckoo and Lesser Sooty Owl is now lumped with Sooty Owl. Slightly further afield, Buff-sided Robin usually seen at Lawn Hill NP has been split from White-browed Robin and Kalkadoon Grasswren found in the Cloncurry-Mt Isa area has been split from the Dusky Grasswren.
The new checklist of Birds of North Queensland (common names) is on the Birds Australia Group www.birdsaustralianq.org For the full updated Australian List with scientific names go to Bill Jolly’s www.abberton.org which is also a great resource for birding in southern Queensland.
Page 23. The Inland Route to Paluma
For a full day’s birding in a wide range of habitats, take the longer alternate route to Paluma. This can be especially good for honeyeaters with a possible 30 species. From Townsville travel via Ross River Road to the Hervey Range Development Road. From the top of the range the road passes through open eucalyptus woodland with some cattle grazing and the Defence Department Training Area. Possible stops include Keelbottom Creek and anywhere there are flowering eucalypts. Just after the Star River turn right at the multi-signed turn-off to Paluma. It is worth spending some time here for the first of the dry country birds such as Apostlebirds, Brown Treecreepers, Grey-crowned Babblers and Squatter Pigeons. This road leads to a mine and will eventually be used by trucks carrying ore but some sections are under construction and care should be taken.
After 10 Km, the dam on the right is a good place to stop and check on either side of the road for more dry country birds such as Singing Honeyeaters, Grey-crowned Babblers, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Weebills, White-winged Trillers and Striated Pardalotes. Another dam, which can be equally productive, also on the right, is about 8km further on, just before the remnants of a railway line. If there are cattle near either dam take care not to disturb them.
Approximately 47km further on is the turn-off to Hidden Valley and Paluma. From here travel will be slower as the road is narrow, winding and not in good condition. It is definitely not suitable for caravans.
Guiding and Tours
Page 38 Wooroonooran NP
Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway
On a fine day this new 350m walkway, and the 37m tower provide stunning views of the North Johnstone River Valley. On the sunny afternoon that I visited there were only a few birds around but the guides assure me that in the mornings there are plenty of the typical rainforest species. Unfortunately it does not open until 9.30am but as it is cool at that altitude the birds would still be active then. For more information:
Website: www.epa.qld.gov.au/mamu