Australian Good Birding Guide: Southern & Central Queensland. Ted Wnorowski

Restless Flycatcher and Grey Goshawk. Among the rarities are Oriental Cuckoo, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Noisy Pitta, Pale-yellow Robin and Square-tailed Kite.

      Striped Honeyeater

      Powerful Owls breed in the Park. Swift Parrots are usually found in the flowering gums near the Williamson Rd carpark and along the main trail leading from the Phelps Rd entrance.

      During our visit in winter 2015 we were amazed with the intensity of breeding activity in the area. Black-chinned Honeyeaters were nesting near the Phelps Rd entrance. Fuscous Honeyeaters nests were scattered all over the Park. Little Lorikeets and Scaly-breasted Lorikeets were vigorously inspecting hollows in the ironbark trees while a pair of Long-billed Corellas were feeding their young in a hollow nearby. We also found nests of White-naped Honeyeater, Dusky Woodswallow and Spotted Pardalote.

      Fan-tailed Cuckoos were calling everywhere. Two Painted Button-quails were foraging on the Ironbark Ridge Trail. Azure Kingfisher was hunting along the creek. Flowering gums near the Williamson Rd entrance were covered in lorikeets. We found four species including five Musk Lorikeets and a large flock of Little Lorikeets.

      Other birds likely to be encountered in this Park included Rose Robin, Varied Triller, Little Shrike-thrush, Restless Flycatcher, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Crested Shrike-tit, Tree Martin and Brown Quail.

North Lakes Wetlands

      North Lakes, situated 25km north of the CBD, is one of the newest suburbs of Brisbane. Several wetlands were left alone during the development and now serve as recreational parks. Most of them, such as Lacebark Street Lake, Wallaroo Circuit Waterhole and Whitebeech Crescent Hole, are located on the periphery of the North Lakes Environmental Park. Lake Eden, the prime recreational area, is located in the southern part of North Lakes, behind the shopping malls.

      To get there, from Bruce Hwy (M1) take Anzac Ave offramp and drive east.

       To Lake Eden, turn into Discover Dr. From there, take Lakefield Dr and follow the route around the water back to Discovery Dr. Excellent site facilities include carparks, cafés, picnic tables, a walking loop, park benches, viewing platforms and toilets.

       To Lacebark Street Lake and Whitebeech Crescent Hole, drive Discovery Dr to the end, then continue on Satinay Pde which will take you to a T-junction with Lacebark St. If you continue right on Lacebarks St, it will lead you onto Staghorn Pde, from which you’ll turn left to Whitebeech Ct.

       To Wallaroo Circuit Waterhole, drive Discovery Dr to the end, then turn left into Bounty Blvd, followed by right into Echidna Pde which leads oto Wallaroo Circuit.

      Over 150 species are on the North Lakes’ birdlist. Key species are Australian Little Bittern, Baillon’s Crake, Spotless Crake and Azure Kingfisher. Other birds of interest include Tawny Grassbird, Comb-crested Jacana, Latham’s Snipe, Wandering Whistling-Duck, Magpie Goose and Striped Honeyeater. Rarities include Yellow Bittern, Oriental Cuckoo, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Pink-eared Duck, White-browed Crake, Black-necked Stork and Little Eagle.

      This is a very reliable site in Brisbane to find Australian Little Bittern. It is also known for many rarities. In particular, Yellow Bittern was a temporary resident for six months in 2014, mostly on Wallaroo Circuit Waterhole but also spotted on other swamps in the area and on the golf course. Countless birders, us included, visited Wallaroo Circuit and watched this surprisingly tame and calm bird sunbathing at the edge of the sedges.

Wallaroo Circuit Waterhole

      This is the best wetland for a chance sighting of Australian Little Bittern. Other waterbirds here include Spotless Crake, Baillon’s Crake, Azure Kingfisher, Magpie Goose and Wandering Whistling-Duck.

      Wandering Whistling-Ducks

      Bush birds in the area include Leaden Flycatcher, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, White-winged Triller, Scarlet Honeyeater and Striped Honeyeater.

Lacebark Street Lake

      Australian Little Bittern is frequently reported from this location. In the surrounding bush, look for Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Dollarbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Forest Kingfisher and Australian Owlet-nightjar. Striped Honeyeaters regularly breed here.

      This small waterhole has a long list of rarities such as Freckled Duck, Black-necked Stork, White-browed Crake and Oriental Cuckoo.

Whitebeech Crescent Hole

      Latham’s Snipes like this spot. You may also encounter Comb-crested Jacana, Azure Kingfisher, Little Egret and Great Egret here.

Lake Eden

      This is the largest and most suburban wetland. Lake Eden is a good place for the crakes; Spotless Crake and Baillon’s Crake are often observed from the footbridges or from the viewing platform at Lochside Dr. Expect a wide variety of common waterbirds, many breed happily on the lake. Australian Reed-Warblers and Tawny Grassbirds are common in the fringe vegetation. Look also for Superb Fairy-wren, White-breasted Woodswallow, Little Wattlebird, Little Friarbird and large flocks of Little Corellas.

Deception Bay

      The extensive sands and mudflats of Deception Bay are important feeding grounds for many waders. The area adjacent to the southern section of the Esplanade is very productive. On the turning tide, the best vantage point is a small park located at Esplanade South.

      The site is located 35km north of Brisbane CBD. From Bruce Hwy (M1) exit at Boundary Rd and travel in the easterly direction. The road name changes to Lipscombe Rd. Next, turn right into Deception Bay Rd (26), then left into Webster Rd which will lead you to the waters of Deception Bay. Turn right into Esplanade South and park about 10m past the turnoff. This is the place you are looking for. Site coordinates are 27^o11’51’’S and 153^o02’07’’E. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues and toilets.

      Over 100 bird species have been recorded here. Key species are the waders such as Red-necked Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Marsh Sandpiper and Terek Sandpiper. Other notable birds include Little Tern, Common Tern, Australian Gull-billed Tern, Little Egret, Striated Heron, Collared Kingfisher and Mangrove Honeyeater. Rarities include Asian Dowitcher, Common Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone and Peregrine Falcon.

      This site is very good for Red-necked Avocet which is otherwise rare on the South-East QLD coast. Flocks of up to 500 birds are regularly recorded between June and October. Both Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits occur here in good numbers, giving birdwatchers a chance to compare their identification features. Other wader species include Red-necked Stint, Whimbrel, Pied Stilt, Grey-tailed Tattler, Common Greenshank, Great Knot, Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Curlew Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper and Marsh Sandpiper.

      Great Knots (front) and Bar-tailed Godwits

      Other birds at this site include Chestnut Teal, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, White-breasted Woodswallow, Rainbow Bee-eater and occasionally Peregrine Falcon.

Nathan Road Wetlands Reserve

      Nathan Road Wetlands Reserve is a very good wader site in the Brisbane region. The site is located on the west side of Nathan Rd in the suburb of Rothwell, 25km north of Brisbane CBD. The area is bordered by Morris Rd from the south and Redcliffe Aerodrome from the north. This small, 45ha parcel of land was purchased by the local City Council for conservation and tourism. The reserve is linked to a large, nearly 100ha State-owned wetland in the north with extensive mangroves, that border with the Ramsar site of Moreton Bay.

      Nathan