Bladensburg Birding Adventure 15 - 29 June 2021

A trip to Bladensburg National Park, near Winton, provided an opportunity to get out and photograph birds.  A Birds Queensland survey was part of this trip.  Here are some of the images captured during this expedition. 

Striated Grasswren (Rowleyi)

Rufous-Crowned Emu-Wren

Both of these special birds were found at Opalton, south of Bladensburg National Park.  This Striated Grasswren is one of three species and found in two isolated locations in western Queensland.  It is said to "hop and run", an ability it showed off to great advantage.

The Emu-wren was at the eastern limit of its distribution and only appeared momentarily- from its spinifex hiding-place or in rapid retreat through the sparse open space.

Spinifex Pigeon

This Spinifex Pigeon beat a hasty retreat- a quick run and then flight, with much whirring of wings - typical pigeon behaviour.

Varied Sittella (White-winged)

Varied Sittellas come in a species of five (or six) distinctive geographic races around mainland Australia.  Mostly seen in clans, the sittellas were constantly on the move, spiraling down the trunk in their search for food.  

Pink-eared Ducks

A visit to a waterhole near Winton, rewarded us with a sighting of 30+ Pink-eared Ducks, Hardheads, Grey Teal and the elusive Freckled Duck.

Hall's Babbler

A family group of Hall's Babblers, where one conveniently posed for a photo, allowed the wide white-brow and shorter, distinct bib to be seen.  Also constantly on the move, Babblers provide a challenge when trying to get that clear photograph.

Little Eagle (pale morph)

Described as uncommon, a sighting of a Little Eagle very was welcome.

Splendid Fairywren

Splendid Fairywren (Male Eclipse)

In breeding plumage, the male Splendid Fairywren provided a splash of colour in the landscape.  This fully coloured up male was found near Barcaldine whilst the eclipse males were in a busy family group at  Winton and had not yet coloured up.

Red-capped Robin (Female) 

A sighting of a female Red-capped Robin is so often overshadowed by the colourful male strutting his stuff.  This Robin was enjoying her moment in the spotlight.  The distinctive robin shape and behaviour, plus her rusty cap, made id easy.

Hooded Robin

The white wing bars, robin shape and black hood make the Hooded Robin a distinctive sight in the landscape.  A typical pose showed the Robin busily watching the ground for its prey.  A nearby female, less distinctively coloured, also searched for food in the late afternoon.

Hooded Robin (Female)

Spinifexbird

As it appeared from the Spinifex to spy out a human intruder, this Spinifexbird took on the pose of a trapeze artist.  Typical behaviour is to run for cover in nearby spiifex clumps.

Variegated (Purple-backed) Fairywren

Males of race assimilis, from Central and Western regions of Queensland, have a crown and back with a distinct purple tinge.  Some birders prefer the term "Purple-backed" for birds in this group.

Weebill

Holding the title of the smallest Australian bird, Weebill are often difficult to locate at their favourite location, near the top of trees.  Their distinctive call makes the task a little easier.  A very small bill completes their list of unique properties.

Zebra Finches

I believe not as wide-spread as they used to be, zebra finches appeared in good numbers.

Budgerigar and juvenile in nest

The Budgerigar, in the nest, displayed the barred forehead and more muted colouring of a juvenile.  Those on a quest for large flocks of Budgies were disappointed.

Red-backed Kingfisher

Sporting a grey-green streaked crown, a pale orange-tan lower back and a bandit's mask, the Red-backed Kingfisher's habit of perching on dead trees made it relatively easy to spot.  A distinctive call also aided in locating and identifying this species.

Red-browed Pardalote

A Red-browed Pardalote appeared at the camp site early morning and late evening each day, calling continuously and just too far away.  One appeared at another site and posed gracefully.

Diamond Doves

Not one of Cameron's images but it had to be included.  A particular favourite species for many: small, timid birds with a far- carrying voice.  With their distinctive red eye-ring and fine white spots on their grey-brown wings, Diamond Doves are found in the drier parts of all mainland states.  

Living dangerously

The Australian Ringneck moved close and closer to the Brown Falcon.  We were not able to stay around to see what eventuated.  Is it a bluff, very bad eyesight or has the Falcon already eaten.

Many more species have not been included- perhaps another time.

Images:  Cameron Whiley

                with a couple of ring-ins.
















 

                                         

Goomboorian National Park - Birds & Plants in focus

Goomboorian National Park, in two sections, was gazetted in 2008 due to the area’s high conservation values.  The national park covers an area of 1,828ha.  The park is located 15km east of Gympie.

Recently, the Field Nats, on a Thursday excursion led by Lionel and Jeanette Muir visited the Park and enjoyed some interesting discoveries.

Six regional ecosystems are represented on the two parks with two listed as endangered and  two of concern.  These ecosystems contain several listed plant species, Vulnerable: Quassia (Samadera bidwillii) Mangroves to Mountains p414),  Ball Nut (Floydia praealta) M to M p344), Deep Creek Fontainea (Fontainea rostrata) M to M 305,  Near threatened: Rainforest Senna (Senna acclinis) M to M 415,  Hairy Hazelwood (Symplocos haroldii) M to M 346,  Symplocos stawellii var montana.  Around 50 per cent of the park is dominated by Gympie messmate, (Eucalyptus cloeziana) forest.  Gympie messmate was heavily logged in the past due to its valuable properties as a timber product.

The listed animal species are, Endangered: Giant Barred Frog

, Vulnerable: Tusked Frog

 Koala 

Grey Goshawk (White Morph) - Vince Lee

 Near threatened: Grey goshawk

Grey goshawk - Stephen Hey

 Black-necked Stork.

Facebook - Public

The parks are covered by a native title claim on behalf of the Kabi Kabi First Nation. 

Goomboorian National Park can be easily accessed and holds lots of interest for bird and plant enthusiasts.   Birds species to be sighted can include:

Brown Cuckoo-Dove

White-browed Scrubwren

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Spangled Drongo

Rufous Whistler - Kevin Bowring

Wonga pigeon

The far-carrying call of the Wonga Pigeon is repeated continuously particularly during the breeding season which extends from October to January.  The white underparts of its body show a series of attractive tiny arrowhead shapes in a series of rows - all part of its camouflage.  Often seen on the ground, the Wonga seems to take to flight as a last resort.

A migratory species, the Yellow-faced Honeyeater migrates, in Autumn, in large numbers from the southern states to the north and completes a return journey in the Spring.  The broad yellow face stripe, bordered with black, enables it to be recognized.

The distinctive fish tail and red eye, identify the hyper-active Spangled Drongo when in pursuit of insects (or small birds) dashes through the bush, often in a noisy family group.

Lurking in the undergrowth, a White-browed Scrubwren cannot resist the temptation to dress down any intruder and will often make a brief appearance.  They can also be spotted on the forest floor, among the leaf litter searching for food.

Brown Cuckoo Doves often feed on the introduced Tobacco Bush (Solanum mauritianum), inkweed and lantana when native fruits and berries are scarce.  Seen in the sunlight, their brown feathers take on an iridescent sheen.

With a wide variety of songs, the Rufous Whistler is often heard before it is seen, inconspicuous in the foliage.  The male's white throat, black head and rufous breast is distinctive when the bird is spotted often high in the tree canopy.

Goomboorian NP is a repository for a wide range of interesting flora.  A recent excursion resulted in the discovery of fruiting Fontainea rostrata trees.  This phenomena has been noted as occuring in the Gympie district on different sites.

Some local nurseries have plants propagated from local stock.  Fresh, treated seed has been identified as germinating in a matter of weeks. Good news for the future of this species. 

                                         

Prickly Heath (Leucopogon juniperinus)

The 6mm tubular flowers on the Prickly Heath develop into small, sweet, creamy fruit much enjoyed by wildlife:  a good habitat shrub which grows to 1m tall and can provide shelter for small critters.

Box-leaved wattle (Acacia buxifolia)

The countryside is experiencing the joy of the Acacias flowering.

Red Ground Berry (Acrotriche aggregata)

This dense shrub to 1m produces tiny white flowers (Spring to Summer) which are followed by small red berries which are quickly eaten by wildlife.  

Currant Bush (Carissa ovata)

The black fruit produced by this prickly shrub are also relished by wildlife.  The thickets of Currant Bush are a refuge for small birds, lizards, small mammals.

 Boobialla (Myoporum acuminatum)

There is some discussion about the status of this plant - Coastal, Forest or Montane. Better informed plant oficianodos will need to decide unequivocally.

Cyclophyllum comprismoides

 Thanks Bev and Wendy for the definitive identification of this plant.

Myrsine angusta

Please comment on Facebook post re identification of plant species.