Australian Good Birding Guide: Northern Queensland. Ted Wnorowski

Baza is quite common in this reserve; the birds can be spotted moving between branches of paperbark trees. Tawny Frogmouths often roost at the entrance to the track.

      Three species of bronze-cuckoos (Little, Shining and Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo) are regularly found here in summer. Other bush birds common here include Leaden Flycatcher, Rufous Whistler, Little Shrike-thrush, Varied Triller, Spangled Drongo, White-breasted Woodswallow and Forest Kingfisher. Occasionally, Australian King-Parrot, Rufous Fantail, White-eared Monarch (breeding in the reserve), Satin Flycatcher and Grey Goshawk have been recorded.

Slade Point Nature Reserve

      The reserve is located in north Mackay in the vicinity of Keeleys Road Wetland. It protects 73ha of nearly vanished costal dune vegetation and paperbark wetland typical of the Mackay region.

      To get there, from Slade Point Rd turn east into Teal St. At the end of this street you’ll find the start to one of the walking tracks through the reserve. Another entry is from the end of Pacific Esp at Lamberts Beach. There are three circuit walks through the reserve. Good facilities can be found in Ran Chandra Park along Lamberts Beach.

      Over 130 species have been recorded in the Slade Point Reserve. Key species are Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Black-faced Monarch, Black Butcherbird, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove and Barred Cuckoo-shrike. Other birds of interest include Yellow Honeyeater, Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Fairy Gerygone and Torresian Imperial-Pigeon.

      The main attraction of the Reserve is Orange-footed Scrubfowl; their mounds are scattered through the area.

      Fruiting trees lure Barred Cuckoo-shrikes, Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves, Torresian Imperial-Pigeons, Channel-billed Cuckoos and Australasian Figbirds.

      Torresian Imperial-Pigeon

      Birds found along the walks include Forest Kingfisher, Varied Triller, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (rare), Dusky Honeyeater, Olive-backed Sunbird and Fairy Gerygone. Three species of butcherbirds can be found side-by-side in the reserve (Pied, Grey and Black Butcherbird).

      Check terns on Lamberts Beach. Among Greater Crested Terns, Lesser Crested Terns and Roseate Terns can occasionally be found. In the Ran Chandra Park, enjoy flocks of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos demolishing wild almond nuts.

      Waders can be found on the west side of the peninsula outside the reserve. Turn west into Swallow St from Slade Point Rd and observe the waders on the mudflats from the Slade Pt Swallow St Park. Large numbers of common migratory waders can be seen feeding there. A giant fig tree stands at the end of Swallow St. Inspect it for the presence of Barred Cuckoo-shrikes, Torresian Imperial-Pigeons, Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves and Brown-capped Emerald-Doves.

Harbour Road Wetland

      This wetland is located at the corner of Harbour Rd and Slade Point Rd, just south of Keeleys Road Wetland. This is a good site for the waterbirds and waders. A large, shallow lagoon is situated just next to Slade Point Rd. The only access to the site is through the Big 4 Caravan Park; you’ll need to ask for permission to explore the property.

      To get there, from Mackay CBD take Harbour Rd and stop near the caravan park. Site coordinates are 21^o06’39’’S and 149^o12’30’’E.

      Over 100 bird species have been recorded at the Harbour Road Wetland. Key species are Glossy Ibis, Brolga, Black-necked Stork, Marsh Sandpiper and Torresian Imperial-Pigeon. Other birds of interest include Magpie Goose, Buff-banded Rail, Latham’s Snipe, White-necked Heron, Olive-backed Sunbird, Yellow Honeyeater and Bar-breasted Honeyeater.

      The site is known for good numbers of Glossy Ibises; up to 100 birds can be seen feeding in the lagoon near the caravan park. The lagoon is often filled to the brim with Magpie Geese, Plumed Whistling-Ducks, Eurasian Coots, Grey Teals, Australian Pelicans, Royal Spoonbills and Radjah Shelducks. In the caravan park, you may come across several families of Bush Stone-curlews. Watch out for Buff-banded Rails skulking under the caravans.

      Common waders here include Pied Stilt, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel, Comb-crested Jacana and Latham’s Snipe. The latter is regularly found at the lagoon’s edge.

      Australian Reed-Warblers and Tawny Grassbirds will be calling from the reeds and cumbungi. Bush birds found around this site include Forest Kingfisher, Olive-backed Sunbird, Varied Triller, Rufous Whistler, Helmeted Friarbird, Little Friarbird, Dusky Honeyeater, Yellow Honeyeater, Brown Goshawk and Black Kite.

East Point

      This site is located on the north head of Pioneer River. The estuary, mangroves and coastal dune vegetation in the river mouth provide excellent habitats for a range of birds, particularly for the waders, waterbirds and seabirds. Hundreds of pelicans, cormorants and terns can be seen here feeding in the shallows.

      To get there, from Harbour Rd take Ron Searle Dr and drive to the coast. Turn right into East Point Dr which leads to the tip of East Point. From Mulherin Park on, this is a deep sand 4WD track. The only facilities in the area are located in Mulherin Park.

      Over 90 bird species have been recorded at East Point. Key species are the waders, Lesser Crested Tern and Beach Stone-curlew. Other birds of interest include Little Tern, Striated Heron, Little Bronze-cuckoo, Rainbow Bee-eater, Mangrove Honeyeater and Brown Quail. Rarities at this site include Great-billed Heron, Masked Booby and White-winged Black Tern.

      Mangrove Honeyeater

      Flocks of up to 15 Lesser Crested Terns have been reported. Other terns here include Little Tern, Caspian Tern and Australian Gull-billed Tern. Lesser Sand Plovers are being counted here in huge flocks, up to 1,300 birds in a flock. Other common waders include Whimbrel, Greater Sand Plover, Far Eastern Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Red-necked Stint, Bar-tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwit. Rarer species include Beach Stone-curlew, Wandering Tattler, Grey Plover and Sooty Oystercatcher.

      It should be plenty Australasian Pipits and Brown Quails in the dunes. Rainbow Bee-eaters breed here regularly. Other birds in the area include Varied Triller, Oriental Dollarbird, Dusky Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo and Silvereye.

      Occasionally, Great-billed Heron takes temporary residence in the Pioneer River mouth, moving between the Bassett Basin and the mouths of Barnes Creek and Vines Creek.

Padaminka Wildlife Refuge

      This 72ha private property is located 2km south of Walkerston and 15km west of Mackay. It was originally a dairy farm but in the year 2000 the wetland was restored and native bushes and trees planted. The site is now listed as the Nature Refuge and Land for Wildlife. It protects a large area of locally endangered bimble box woodland. The refuge can be visited by appointment only. Please call the owners, Ian and Andrea Gottke, on [phone] or 0459 362911. The kind hosts are wildlife carers specialising in rescue and rehabilitation of koalas.

      To get there, from Bruce Hwy(A1) in Mackay take Peak Downs Hwy (70) to Walkerston. In Walkerston, take Kellys Rd and when the road turns sharply west continue straight to the property. GPS coordinates are 21^o10’43’’S and 149^o03’26’’E.

      Over 160 bird species have been found in Padaminka Wildlife Refuge. Key species are Pale-vented Bush-hen, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, White-browed Robin, Large-tailed Nightjar and Powerful Owl. Other birds of interest include Australian Swiftlet, Red-chested Button-quail, Helmeted Friarbird, Yellow Honeyeater, Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Spectacled Monarch, White-eared Monarch and Torresian Imperial-Pigeon. Rarities include Black Bittern, Lewin’s Rail, Red-backed Button-quail, Buff-breasted