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

Area. You can also find here Green Catbird, Brown Cuckoo-Dove and Large-billed Scrubwren (always present). This site is also good for Regent Bowerbird, Noisy Pitta, Pale-yellow Robin, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Monarch, Spectacled Monarch and Paradise Riflebird.

      Thylogale Tk runs through the dry vine-infested rainforest and open eucalypt forest. Wompoo Fruit-Doves nest by the track. Paradise Riflebird, Green Catbird, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Topknot Pigeon and Spectacled Monarch are common. Occasionally found are Pale-yellow Robin, Australian Logrunner and Superb Fruit-Dove. At the Jolly Lookout’s end of the track, Crested Shrike-tits are resident. Occasionally, Glossy Black-Cockatoos visit this area.

Manorina Picnic Site

      Manorina is located 7km south of the Mount Glorious township on Mount Nebo Rd. Two walks start from here: 800m-long Atrax Circuit and 6km return Morelia Track.

      This is another good site for Greater Sooty Owl and Marbled Frogmouth. Greater Sooty Owls can often be heard screeching in the evening as soon as you get out of the car. Marbled Frogmouths are most often found on Morelia Tk. Southern Boobook can also be heard during the night.

      The daytime sound is made by Bell Miners. Flocks of Topknot Pigeons are likely to be found high in the canopy. Try to locate Red-browed Treecreepers in the trees near the picnic area. Other birds at Manorina include Eastern Whipbird, Satin Bowerbird, Regent Bowerbird, Spectacled Monarch, Green Catbird, White-naped Honeyeater and Brown Gerygone.

      A pair of Satin Bowerbirds

Westridge Outlook

      Westridge Outlook is located just 700m north of Manorina on Mount Nebo Rd. Site coordinates are 27^o21’51’’S and 152^o45’36’’E. You’ll find here a short boardwalk running at the edge of the escarpment at the tree half-height, giving a rare opportunity to observe the canopy birds at close quarters.

      In autumn 2018, this site proved to be very productive to us. A Bell Miner colony is established in the treetops surrounding the boardwalk. The Miners were constantly and viciously attacking bigger and smaller birds moving through their territory. We observed Pied Currawongs, Australian King-Parrots and Noisy Friarbirds. Even Grey Goshawk was chased away. The only bird oblivious to that commotion was a female Paradise Riflebird that proceed calmly to explore tree bark for grubs and posed for good photos.

      We struck a jackpot on the lookout. A water puddle collected in the open hollow in the crown of the tree growing beneath the lookout to the left. This was used enthusiastically as a water bath by a succession of birds. We observed Pale-yellow Robins, White-naped Honeyeaters, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Lewin’s Honeyeaters, Golden Whistlers (plenty), Varied Sittellas and Spotted Pardalotes. Even Olive-backed Oriole came to the bath.

      In the carpark, we found a family of Red-browed Treecreepers in a tree. Groups of Dusky Woodswallows were flying over the gully.

Maiala Picnic Area

      This spot is located just past the Mount Glorious township. It is probably the most productive site in the whole D’Aguilar National Park, and is particularly good for the rainforest species and nocturnal birds. The site is a very popular tourist area so, if possible, arrive early in the morning.

      Besides the very good, spacious picnic grounds, the facilities include a 2.5km Rainforest Circuit that start here to join the 2.5km Cypress Grove Track and 4.3km return Greenes Falls Track. The latter crosses Browns Rd that leads to the Mount Glorious Cottages. If you wish to visit all tracks, it will be 10km return.

      A magnificent bunya pine at the Maiala Picnic Area

      We visited this site in autumn and were amazed with the numbers of fruit-eating pigeons. In particular, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Topknot Pigeon and Rose-crowned Dove were plentiful. We also came across a couple of White-headed Pigeons and a single Superb Fruit-Dove. It was pleasing to see the numbers of Topknot Pigeons so significantly up in comparison with their status 15-20 years back.

      The next thing that got our attention was an abundance of small birds such as Yellow-throated Scrubwren, White-bowed Scrubwren, Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone and Striated Thornbill. They were everywhere, searching for juicy insects in the bushes.

      On the forest floor at the entrance to Rainforest Circuit, we spotted a pair of Russet-tailed Thrushes. Further down the path, still on the floor, there were Eastern Whipbird, Satin Bowerbird, Australian Logrunner and Emerald Dove.

      Regent Bowerbird landed on a large bunya pine, followed by colourful Crimson Rosellas and Australian King-Parrots. A flock of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos was flying over the picnic grounds, uttering their characteristic wailing call.

      This picnic area is also fantastic for the night birds. Marbled Frogmouth likes to roost in a large tree near the toilet block, Barking Owl can be heard or even seen in the upper carpark. You may also encounter Southern Boobook, Greater Sooty Owl and Tawny Frogmouth.

      Other birds regularly found around Maiala include Green Catbird, Noisy Pitta, Pale-yellow Robin, Wonga Pigeon, Lewin’s Honeyeater and Eastern Spinebill.

      Greenes Falls Tk, which connect this site with Browns Rd, is also good for Marbled Frogmouth and Greater Sooty Owl. During the day, look for Black-faced Monarch, Spectacled Monarch, Common Cicadabird and Varied Triller. Russet-tailed Thrush and Noisy Pitta occur in good numbers in this area.

Joyners Ridge Road

      This site is located just 200m south of Maiala Picnic Area. Site coordinates are 27^o20’11’’S and 152^o45’56’’E. This 2km-long road runs through the rainforest. This is another good spot for Marbled Frogmouth; they like roosting at the road entrance.

      This is also a good place for Russet-tailed Thrush, Paradise Riflebird, Regent Bowerbird and all kinds of fruit-eating pigeons.

      At about 200m from the turnoff, a very loud Bell Miner colony stretches for the next 300m. The noise is overwhelming.

Browns Road

      To get there, turn into Browns Rd from the main road just 1km north of Maiala Picnic Area. This short stretch of rainforest is popular for spotlighting, particularly nearly the point where Greenes Falls Tk crosses Browns Rd. You may find here Greater Sooty Owl, Marbled Frogmouth, Masked Owl, Powerful Owl and Southern Boobook.

      We found a patch in the forest with fruiting bangalow palms and bleeding hearts. Gorging on the fruit were Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Regent Bowerbird, Satin Bowerbird, Green Catbird, Crimson Rosella and Wompoo Fruit-Dove.

      In the vegetation around the Mount Glorious Cottages, look for Eastern Spinebill, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Golden Whistler, Pale-yellow Robin and Crested Shrike-tit.

Lawton Road

      This site is located 1.5km north of Maiala Picnic Area. Site coordinates are 27^o19’14’’S and 152^o45’00’’E. This is one of the best spots in the Park for the night birds. Masked Owls show regularly at the start of the road. Marbled Frogmouth often roosts 300m down the track. You may also have a chance to hear Greater Sooty Owl, Southern Boobook and Australian Owlet-nightjar.

      Paradise Riflebird is often found near the road entrance. Along the first 500m, rainforest species dominate including Green Catbird, Russet-tailed Thrush and fruit-eating pigeons.

      At about 600m point, vegetation changes to a drier forest. This area is good for Crested Shrike-tit, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and Red-browed Treecreeper. The second kilometre of the road is taken over by a colony of Bell Miners. Grey Goshawks are regularly found there, feeding