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 129 - Peter Cooper of Mangroveman Tours has taken a break but is back in business, this time away from the water. He is now running bird watching and nature trips from the coast up into the Carbine Tableland (Mt Spurgeon to be exact). It involves a full day’s driving and walking and the new website will be up and running soon.
Phone: 07 4098 2066 (+61 7 4098 2066 International)
E-mail: peter@mangrovemantours.com.auPage 130 - Ian (Sauce) Worcester operates the latest purpose built boat for birders and photographers on the Daintree River. Taking a maximum of 8 people, he runs both early morning and evening cruises starting at Barratts Landing.
Phone: 07 4098 7480 (+61 7 4098 7480 International)
Website: www.daintreecruises.com