Birds and Birding

Being situated in the ecotone between tropical rainforest and open woodlands, we get the best of both worlds.

The tall sclerophyll forest has a more open canopy, with an understorey of small trees and flowering shrubs. Birdwatching here is  easier than in  rainforest.

The Atherton Tablelands/ Wet Tropics are home to more than 320 species of birds, including 16 endemic species.

Of these endemics we have at least 13 on our property (see our bird list below).

Victoria’s Riflebirds can be seen all year round, and between August and December males take turns to display/dance on a tree trunk near the cabin. Often they even start displaying as early as April.

Macleay’s and Bridled Honeyeaters, Mountain Thornbills and Bower’s Shrike-thrushes are also regular visitors. 

Grey-headed Robins and Atherton Scrubwrens are regularly encountered along our creek.

Cassowaries often wander through the forest and along the creeks and sometimes right past the cabin. 

Victoria’s Riflebirds  and Crested Shrike-tits can be seen foraging for insects amongst loose tree bark.

Pied Monarch Flycatchers spiral around tree trunks like tree-creepers, Grey Fantails are never far away as they opportunistically feed on insects disturbed by the other birds.

Apart from the regular visits by King Parrots, several species of lorikeets are making their presence known with their noisy chatter when trees are flowering.

During those periods, the numbers of resident honeyeaters (about 9 species) increase substantially by an influx of seasonal visitors.

Our forest seasonally produces bumper crops of berries and other juicy fruits, which attract flocks of Superb Fruit-doves, Topknot Pigeons, Satin Bowerbirds and other frugivores. In winter the odd Tooth-billed and Golden Bowerbirds join the foraging.

Nearby birding hot spots are
– Mt Hypipamee (“The Crater”) National Park for upland rainforest species,
–Hasties Swamp, with its 2-storey bird hide, for waterbirds, raptors and open forest species,                                                        – Bromfield Swamp, where Brolgas and Sarus Cranes fly in to roost in the late afternoon in the winter months (June to   November) and                                                                                                                                                                                         -Kaban/Springvale Roads in dry, open forest for Pale-headed Rosella, Little Lorikeet, Fuscuos (or is this the “Herberton Honeyeater”?) and Banded Honeyeaters, Common Bronzewing Pigeon, Varied Sitella, Crested Shrike-tit, quails and other dry country species. 

We can provide you with additional information on birding and wildlife areas in the Atherton Tablelands and along the coast, and also help with guided tours.