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Saturday 16 July 2022

Kingfisher Lodge, Lake Mitchell, Big Mitchell Creek Reserve, Mareeba Golf Club, Track at Lake Mitchell, Mcleod River in Mount Carbine,

Doing some mopping up before we move on tomorrow.
Australia, Day Thirty One.
 
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii).
We headed off out through Mount Molloy and down to Lake Mitchell where we had been given some information about Black-throated Finch (Poephila cincta) which was a species we all needed.
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii).
As we approached we made a stop to scan the lake but it was surprising empty and we only saw several Magpie Geese (Anseranas semipalmata), Great White Egrets (Ardea alba) and a passing Eastern Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) but we did better just along the road at Big Mitchell Creek where we parked and walked out to a clearer area below the Pylon's.
Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus).
We walked along the track there adding Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum), Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster), White-bellied Cuckooshrike (Coracina papuensis), Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Chestnut-breasted Munia (Lonchura castaneothorax), Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii), Red-backed Fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus), Australian Swiftlet (Aerodramus terraereginae), Brown (Lichmera indistincta), White-cheeked (Phylidonyris niger) and Yellow Honeyeater (Stomiopera flava), Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii) x4, Scarlet Myzomela (Myzomela sanguinolenta) and Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus).
Eastern Grey Kangaroo's (Macropus giganteus).
Eastern Grey Kangaroo's (Macropus giganteus).
Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus).
We returned to the without seeing the Finch we were hoping for and drove south to Mareeba, on the way we had a flock of over 100 Black Kites (Milvus migrans), Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) and White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus).
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster).
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster).
At Mareeba we drove out along the side of the Golf Course but the spot were hoping to visit was covered in vehicles as there was a Rodeo event on so we returned to the Golf Course were we found large numbers of Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) as well as Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata), Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys).
Lesser Wanderer (Danaus chrysippus).
Lesser Wanderer (Danaus chrysippus).
We decieded to head back North to Mount Molly adding Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos) before we turned off onto one of the side roads where we were again trying and ultimately failing to see the Finch, however we did have brief views of a pair of Pale-headed Rosella's (Platycercus adscitus) alomg with Double-barred Finch (Stizoptera bichenovii), Chestnut-breasted Munia (Lonchura castaneothorax), Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster), Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus) and the first of many Lesser Wanderer (Danaus chrysippus).
White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica).
We continued on North through Mount Molloy to Mount Carbine, on the way we saw Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) x3, Torresian Crow (Corvus orru) and a couple of Black Kites (Milvus migrans) feeding on what Ian tells me was a Black-headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus).
Sapphire Flutterer (Rhyothemis princeps).
Sapphire Flutterer (Rhyothemis princeps).
Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes).
On the Northern side of Mount Carbine we parked at the Mcleod River where we walked up and down stream seeing White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica), Great Bowerbird (Chlamydera nuchalis), Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula), Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta), Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes), Sapphire Flutterer (Rhyothemis princeps) and lots more Lesser Wanderer's.
Lesser Wanderer (Danaus chrysippus).
After we returned to the car we started back towards the Kingfisher Lodge but had a look along another likely looking trak getting much better views of the Pale-headed Rosella's, Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis) and a Brown Quail (Synoicus ypsilophorus).

We returned to Kingfisher Lodge and arranged to go out spot lighting with two American Birders that were staying, before we did this we had some fruit for our evening meal and I soon found out that I have a bit of an intolerance to Pawpaw when my face swelled up and I felt none to good. 
Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen).
I didn't go Spot lighting unfortunately as the others saw a few bits I didn't.

Friday 15 July 2022

Daintree River, Stewart Creek, Daintree Ferry area, Abattoir Swamp, Mount Molloy School and back to Kingfisher Lodge, Queensland.

A few hours on a River Cruise and then a whizz around a few other spots.
Australia, Day Thirty.
 
Along Barratt Creek just of the main river.
We were out early as we had to be at Daintree Village Boat Ramp by 07.30 to meet Murray Hunt from Daintree Boatman Wildlife Cruises, on the way there we saw Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) and Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis) as it got light.
Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus).
Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus).
We parked just above the river but we were a little early so we scanned the water as while we waited seeing Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus), Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) and Australian Swiftlet (Aerodramus terraereginae).
Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusillus).
Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusillus).
Once out on the water Murry gave us a good amount of info as we headed down stream, we soon had a smallish Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) out in the main flow in an area he was not expecting to see one, a good start.
Further up Barratt Creek.
As we cruised slowly along w had the first of several
Azure Kingfishers (Ceyx azureus), a stunning bird but not quite as nice as the Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusillus) which we had views of next, the light was not great so the pictures were not the best but still great to get something.
Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis).
White-throated Nightjar (Eurostopodus mystacalis).
White-throated Nightjar (Eurostopodus mystacalis).
As we left the main river and turned into Barrot Creek we had a Great White Egret (Ardea alba) in a small reed bed on the corner and as we went passed this spot a Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis) flushed up from cover and dived back in a short way along the bank.
Common Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis punctulata).
As we headed along the Creek, Murry called several interesting species including a roosting Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) and White-throated Nightjar (Eurostopodus mystacalis), the latter was another Lifer I had not expected.
Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae).
As we continued on we saw and heard Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti), Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus), Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos), Large-billed Gerygone (Gerygone magnirostris), Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis), Macleay's (Xanthotis macleayanus) and Bridled Honeyeater (Bolemoreus frenatus), Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto), Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Grey Whistler (Pachycephala simplex) but heard only, Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt) and on the way back we had a calling Spotted Catbird (Ailuroedus maculosus), a flyby pair of Double-eyed Fig-Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma) and another much larger Saltwater Crocodile.
Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto).
Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto).
Once we were back at Daintree we went into the Bakery were we had Coffee and a sort of Cream Tea and the went for a walk along Stewart Creek Road but we only saw
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) and Yellow-spotted Honeyeater (Meliphaga notata).
Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).
Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis).
Barratt Creek.
We decided to go and have a look around the forest and Mangroves near the slip of the Daintree ferry, we parked in a rest area just short of the queue waiting to cross the river and walked along a track near there and then later we walked up to the river, along the track we saw Spectacled Monarch (Symposiachrus trivirgatus), Cryptic Honeyeater (Microptilotis imitatrix), White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica) and Fairy Gerygone (Gerygone palpebrosa).
Painted Grasshawk (Neurothemis stigmatizans) teneral female.
Painted Grasshawk (Neurothemis stigmatizans) teneral male.
Painted Grasshawk (Neurothemis stigmatizans) teneral male.
Skipper species.
Skipper species.
Orange Bush Brown (Mycalesis terminus).
White-banded Line-blue (Nacaduba kurava).
As we walked to and around the Ferry area Deb and I spent some time looking at several Dragonflies and Butterflies including White-banded Line-blue (Nacaduba kurava), Orange Bush Brown (Mycalesis terminus) and Painted Grasshawk (Neurothemis stigmatizans).
Common Cicadabird (Edolisoma tenuirostre).
Common Cicadabird (Edolisoma tenuirostre).
Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus).
We walked into the Mangroves on the edge of the river where Deb was very pleased (as was I) to see an unexpected Common Cicadabird (Edolisoma tenuirostre) as well as Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus) and on the way back to the car a passing Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus).
White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris niger).
White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris niger).
Little Shrikethrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha).
We returned to the car and then made our way south to Mossman where we had some lunch and then we continued on to Kingfisher Lodge seeing Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia), Eastern Cattle Egret, Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus) and Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) on the way.
Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura).
At the Lodge we had a quick look out back finding Chestnut-breasted Munia (Lonchura castaneothorax), and Red-browed Firetail (Neochmia temporalis) before we made our way just down the road to Abattoir Swamp where we walked out to the hide again but there was no sign of the Scrub Python (Morelia amethistina) after it was disturbed by another visitor after we laft it on our last visit.
Abattoir Swamp.
Species seen were White-throated (Melithreptus albogularis), Brown (Lichmera indistincta) and White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris niger), Scarlet Myzomela (Myzomela sanguinolenta), Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula), Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum), Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus), Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris), Little Shrikethrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha), Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) and a very smart fly over Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura).
Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina).
Squatter Pigeon (Geophaps scripta).
Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida).
Our next stop was at the School in Mount Molloy where we walked around the grounds, it was nice to see a sign on the gate to the fields saying birders welcome, as we walked we found Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Great Bowerbird (Chlamydera nuchalis), Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina), Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus) and Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis).
Black Rat (rattus rattus).
Northern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus).
We returned to Kingfisher and had a short walk in the grounds seeing Cryptic (Microptilotis imitatrix), Macleay's Honeyeater (Xanthotis macleayanus), White-lipped Tree Frog (Nyctimystes infrafrenatus) and later I sat outside after dark and saw Northern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus) and Black Rat (rattus rattus).