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

freshwater wetlands near Nathan Rd, a large pond near Wattle Rd, a paperbark swamp, casuarina forest and mangroves.

      To get there, exit Bruce Hwy (M1) at Anzac Ave (71) and travel in the easterly direction for 7km. Turn right into Deception Bay Rd (26), then left into Nathan Rd. The reserve is on the left, about 500m from the turnoff. Site coordinates are 27^o12’44’’S and 153^o04’13’’E. A walking track that runs along Morris Rd has several entrances. There are no other facilities.

      Over 200 bird species have been recorded in the Nathan Road Reserve. Key species are the waders, Lewin’s Rail, Glossy Ibis and Little Grassbird. Other species of interest include Australian Spotted Crake, Spotless Crake, Baillon’s Crake, Mangrove Gerygone, Mangrove Honeyeater, Black-faced Monarch, Rufous Fantail and Little Wattlebird. A long list of rarities includes Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Australian Painted-snipe, Long-toed Stint, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Brolga, Black-necked Stork, Freckled Duck, Pale-vented Bush-hen, Black-tailed Native-hen, Red-backed Button-quail, Oriental Cuckoo and Black Falcon.

      Altogether, thirty wader species have been recorded in this suburban location. Among the common species are Latham’s Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Marsh Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Pied Stilt. Ducks occurring here include rarer species such as Australasian Shoveler, Radjah Shelduck, Pink-eared Duck, Freckled Duck, Wandering Whistling-Duck and Plumed Whistling-Duck.

      The reserve is an excellent spot for crakes and rails. The best area for them is a large pond along Wattle Rd. Lewin’s Rails are found regularly in the vegetation in this location. Also, check a concrete drain at the end of Wattle Rd. You may come across Buff-banded Rail there. In some years, crake numbers in the reserve increase dramatically. Then you can just walk into the wetland, stop and observe three crake species in numbers of 10-20 each, particularly Baillon’s Crake. Such situation is an effect of a ‘big dry’ in the interior, forcing birds to move to the coastal area.

      Glossy Ibis occurs in flocks of up to 50 birds (count of 2018). Australian Reed-Warbler, Tawny Grassbird, Golden-headed Cisticola are common and very noisy. Even Little Grassbird is found regularly.

      Australian Reed-Warbler

      Bush birds are plentiful and diverse. You may see Dollarbird, Collared Kingfisher, Forest Kingfisher, Striped Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, White-breasted Woodswallow, Pheasant Coucal, Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo, Mangrove Gerygone, Rainbow Bee-eater and Black-faced Monarch.

      Sixteen species of raptors have been recorded including Swamp Harrier, Spotted Harrier, Black-shouldered Kite, Brahminy Kite and Peregrine Falcon.

John Oxley Reserve

      This small, 10ha reserve is located along the banks of Pine River in the suburb of Murrumba Downs, 24km north of Brisbane CBD. It comprises public parkland, bush reserve and mangrove-covered banks of Pine River. The best way of exploring the area is via the 1.3km-long Carole Green Walkway. It winds through the bush to the riverbanks where a short boardwalk has been constructed through the mangroves. Site facilities also include picnic tables, shelters, barbecues and toilets.

      To get there, from the direction of Brisbane City drive north on Bruce Hwy (M1) and cross the bridge over the Pine River. Take the first exit to Murrumba Downs, turning west into Dohles Rocks Rd. Turn left into Ogg Rd which will get you to the carpark outside the Reserve.

      From the direction of Sunshine Coast, the access is via Anzac Ave (71), turning west first, then soon after left (south) into Brays Rd. Next, turn right into McClintock Dr then right again into Dohles Rocks Rd. Turn left into Ogg Rd and drive to the carpark at the end of the road.

      Over 180 bird species are on the Reserve’s birdlist. Key species are Grey Goshawk, Osprey, Rose Robin, Spectacled Monarch, Common Cicadabird, Collared Kingfisher and Forest Kingfisher. Other birds of interest include Azure Kingfisher, Rufous Fantail, Little Shrike-thrush, Leaden Flycatcher, Spangled Drongo, Buff-banded Rail, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brush Cuckoo, Pheasant Coucal and Pacific Baza. Among the rarities are Emerald Dove, Large-billed Scrubwren, Noisy Pitta, Eastern Rosella, Russet-tailed Thrush, Painted Button-quail and Black-necked Stork.

      In the dense riparian forest along the track look for Eastern Whipbird, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Scarlet Honeyeater, Varied Triller, Spectacled Monarch, White-browed Scrubwren and Australian Owlet-nightjar. Pacific Baza is nesting there.

      The best birding area is along the boardwalk. Common birds here include Sacred Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Mangrove Honeyeater and Dollarbird. Rose Robins are very vocal. Occasionally, you may find Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Noisy Pitta and Russet-tailed Thrush here. Australian Gull-billed Terns, Caspian Terns, Brahminy Kites or Ospreys may be flying over the river. On the mudflats look for Pied Stilt, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Striated Heron, Little Egret and Royal Spoonbill at low tide.

      Plenty of parrots are in the parkland such as Pale-headed Rosella, Little Corella, Australian King-Parrot and Little Lorikeet. Eastern Rosella was reported from this location several times.

Black Duck Reserve

      Black Duck Reserve features a series of six lagoons fringed with a belt of paperbark trees. The site is located at Murrumba Downs, just north of John Oxley Reserve (see above), about 26km north of Brisbane CBD. Although it is a part of a residential estate, it attracts a large variety of birds. It has a good walkway with several viewing platforms spaced at regular intervals.

      To get there, from Bruce Hwy (M1) turn west into Anzac Ave (71), then soon after turn left (south) into Brays Rd. Next, turn right into McClintock Dr. Four of the lagoons are located along this road, while two more are on the southern side of Dohles Rocks Rd. Site coordinates are 27^o15’44’’S and 153^o00’46’’E.

      Over 130 bird species have been recorded around the lagoons. Key species are Wandering Whistling-Duck, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Magpie Goose, Azure Kingfisher, Spotless Crake and Buff-banded Rail. Other notable birds include Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Forest Kingfisher, Comb-crested Jacana, Striped Honeyeater, Little Wattlebird, Eastern Whipbird and Dollarbird. Among the rarities are Latham’s Snipe, Glossy Ibis, Freckled Duck, Australian Little Bittern, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Dusky Honeyeater, Square-tailed Kite and Grey Goshawk.

      Buff-banded Rail with chick

      Small breeding colonies of cormorants, darters, egrets and Australian White Ibises are established on the lakes. Nankeen Night-Heron is also nesting here. Many other waterbirds nest in the lake vegetation including Australasian Grebe, Dusky Moorhen, Black Swan, Comb-crested Jacana and several duck species.

      The north lakes attract large concentrations of waterfowl, particularly coots and ducks. Among them, look for Cotton Pygmy-goose, Magpie Goose and Glossy Ibis.

      Bush birds around the lake include White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Striped Honeyeater, Olive-backed Oriole, White-throated Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Forest Kingfisher and Grey Goshawk.

      Baillon’s Crakes are frequently seen among the sedges at the south viewing platform. Australian Little Bittern was observed a few times in the same location. You can hear Little Grassbirds and Australian Reed-Warblers from the reeds.

      Look for Wandering Whistling-Ducks on the two lakes on the southern side of Dohles Rocks Rd. Pink-eared Ducks were also seen here several times. A big nest of Square-tailed Kite is located in a tree next to the lake. Also occurring in this area are Little Egret, Australasian Grebe, Royal Spoonbill, Latham’s Snipe (occasionally), White-breasted Woodswallow and Black-chinned Honeyeater.

Osprey House Environmental Centre

      Osprey House is one of the best wildlife attractions in