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

Riflebird. Eucalypt forest near the creek is favourite of Oriental Cuckoos that regularly visit this Park.

      The southern section is the place to look for Spotted Quail-thrush. It can be found along Centre Rd and Powerline Rd. Other birds in the area include Buff-rumped Thornbill, Leaden Flycatcher, Common Bronzewing, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Little Lorikeet, White-naped Honeyeater, Collared Sparrowhawk and sometimes Apostlebird.

      Occasionally, Powerful Owl visits the southern section of the Park, it was reported roosting near the carpark.

Lake Manchester

      Lake Manchester is located 25km west of Brisbane CBD. It was one of the first drinking water dams in the region, now serving as an emergency supply in times of drought. It is situated on the western boundary of Brisbane but has the feel of something more remote. The lake is surrounded by extended woodland. Pockets of dry rainforest and riparian vegetation grow along the creek lines. There are also large grassy areas with stands of mature forest red gums. This site has been known as a good birding spot for a long time but most of the area has not been truly explored.

      To get there, from Moggill Rd (33) turn into Mount Crosby Rd (37). Drive 9km, then turn right into Manchester Rd. Finally, turn right into a day-use area near the lake. The last section of Manchester Rd is well-maintained but unsealed. Site facilities include a carpark, picnic tables, shelter, barbecues and toilets. A network of fire trails around the lake is used as walking tracks.

      Over 200 bird species have been reported from Lake Manchester. Key species are Great Crested Grebe, Spotted Quail-thrush, Speckled Warbler, White-eared Monarch, Little Lorikeet, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Wandering Whistling-Duck and Powerful Owl. Other birds of interest include Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Striped Honeyeater, Fuscous Honeyeater, Painted Button-quail, Emerald Dove, Bush Stone-curlew, Baillon’s Crake, Rose Robin, Dusky Woodswallow and Buff-rumped Thornbill. Rarities include Glossy Ibis, King Quail, Scarlet Robin, Jacky Winter, Noisy Pitta, Red-backed Kingfisher and Little Grassbird.

      Great Crested Grebe

      The lake itself does not have an abundance of waterbirds but Great Crested Grebes are found here regularly. You will see Comb-crested Jacanas on the lily pads. Baillon’s Crakes can be found among vegetation when the lake is drying out.

      The area around the picnic site and carpark has stands of tall forest red gums and some riparian vegetation. It provides habitat to birds such as Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Australian King-Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Bell Miner, Rose Robin, Spectacled Monarch, Dollarbird, Golden Whistler and White-throated Nightjar. In an area covered with long grass near the lake, look for Brown Quail, Tawny Grassbird, Australian Red-Warbler and King Quail (occasional sightings).

      From the carpark, you can take a fire trail running on the western side of the lake. The walk can be demanding as the terrain is undulating. There is usually plenty of bird activity on the first few hundred metres of the walk, especially when the gums are flowering. You should find here a good selection of honeyeaters including Striped Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater and Eastern Spinebill.

      Other birds on the fire trail include Rose Robin, Grey Fantail, Spangled Drongo, Brush Cuckoo, Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo, Forest Kingfisher, Varied Triller, Rufous Whistler and Golden Whistler.

      When you reach the lake, check the dam wall – this is the favourite hunting spot for Peregrine Falcon. The next stop can be the kayak launching area where you will have an excellent view of the lake and may see Whiskered Terns flying over the water.

      From this point on, walking gets tougher. You will stride through the area of just Noisy Miners and Grey Butcherbirds. When you get to the third ridge, birdlife becomes very diverse again while the vegetation changes to heathy ground cover. In particular, Fuscous Honeyeater and Black-chinned Honeyeater occur here in good numbers. A good spot for the latter is the Dam Break nearby.

      Look also for Buff-rumped Thornbill, Weebill, White-throated Gerygone, Grey Fantail and Varied Sittella. You will start to see Little Lorikeets, the most common of all parrot species around the lake.

      White-throated Nightjars have been recorded several times at the access road to the picnic area. A pair of Bush Stone-curlews nest regularly near the carpark. Tawny Frogmouths roost in trees nearby. During the night, there is a chance to hear Powerful Owl, Southern Boobook and occasionally Barn Owl.

      Twenty raptor species have been recorded at Lake Manchester including Square-tailed Kite, Osprey, Pacific Baza, Spotted Harrier, Wedge-tailed Eagle and Little Eagle.

      It is also worth driving Manchester Rd further down to the crossing with Cabbage Creek, about 300m north from the turnoff to the lake. Site coordinates are 27^o29’12’’S and 152^o44’28’’E. It is a good spot for King Quails that live here in tall wet grass. In the surrounding bush look for Azure Kingfisher, White-eared Monarch, Black-faced Monarch, Common Cicadabird, Little Shrike-thrush, Varied Triller, Striped Honeyeater and Australian Owlet-nightjar.

Shelley Road Park

      This is a small park facing the entrance to Lake Manchester. The site is sandwiched between Lake Manchester Rd and Shelley Rd. A large lagoon is situated in the middle of the park. It is surrounded by wetland vegetation, open forest and pasture.

      To get there, from Moggill Rd (33) turn into Mount Crosby Rd (37). Drive 9km, then turn right into Manchester Rd. Finally, turn left into Kholo Rd and right again into Shelley Rd. Access is from Kholo Rd, Shelley Rd and Lake Manchester Rd.

      Over 160 bird species have been reported from the Shelley Road Park. Key species are King Quail, Pale-vented Bush-hen, Speckled Warbler, Little Lorikeet, Dusky Woodswallow, Wonga Pigeon and Barn Owl. Other birds of interest include Nankeen Night-Heron, White-necked Heron, Latham’s Snipe, Azure Kingfisher, Red-kneed Dotterel, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Dollarbird and Jacky Winter. Among the rarities are Red-backed Kingfisher, Masked Woodswallow, Noisy Pitta, Little Eagle, Square-tailed Kite, Black Falcon and Peregrine Falcon.

      Red-kneed Dotterel

      It is a good idea to start birdwatching from the corner of Kholo Rd and Lake Manchester Rd. You’ll have a chance to spot King Quail in the long grass. Look also for Golden-headed Cisticola, Tawny Grassbird and Buff-banded Rail in the same environment. Bush Stone-curlews are often resting under a tree near Kholo Rd.

      In the spring, flocks of woodswallows such as White-browed and Masked Woodswallow may be flying over the site while going south.

      Speckled Warbler and Jacky Winter were observed perching on the fence lines. This is an area where Barn Owls are regularly heard or seen. Check a big fig three near the Council building - it is a regular roost of Nankeen Night-Herons.

      The lagoon is another good birding spot. Look there for Latham’s Snipe, Pale-vented Bush-hen, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel, White-necked Heron, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Tawny Grassbird.

      Brown Quails are abundant in wet grassy areas.

      Bush birds in the Park include Dusky Woodswallow, Spangled Drongo, Leaden Flycatcher, Golden Whistler, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo and Southern Boobook.

      A good selection of honeyeaters can be found in the park, including Lewin’s Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill and Noisy Friarbird. During autumn and spring, migrating Yellow-faced Honeyeaters appear in large numbers.

      Besides Barn Owl, nocturnal birds at the site include Powerful Owl, Southern Boobook, Tawny Frogmouth, White-throated