Australian Good Birding Guide: Northern Queensland. Ted Wnorowski

Heron, Little Grassbird, Australian Reed-Warbler and Golden-headed Cisticola.

      Continuing on Peggy Bog Rd through a stock gate, you’ll get to the Ocean Creek boat ramp. In this last section, the road runs through the samphire flats (saltmarshes). Australian Pratincole was recorded there several times. Horsfield’s Bushlark, Brolga and Australian Bustard are also found in this area.

      On the mudflats near the boat ramp, look for Far Eastern Curlew, Common Sandpiper, White-winged Black Tern, Australian Gull-billed Tern and Whiskered Tern.

      Other birds that can be encountered along Peggy Bog Rd include Pallid Cuckoo, Black-bellied Crimson Finch, Spangled Drongo, Rainbow Bee-eater, Australasian Pipit, Australian Hobby and Nankeen Kestrel.

Duck World Wetland Lagoon

      This is a large, shallow wetland, located on a private property north of the Brandon township along Toll Rd, approximately 12 northwest of Ayr. The site is surrounded by sugar cane plantations. During the Wet, thousands of waterbirds and waders congregate here, creating an amazing picture. Especially good times are at the end of the wet season or during severe droughts inland.

      To get there, from Bruce Hwy (A1) at Brandon turn north into Spiller St. The road name soon changes to Colevale Rd. Next, turn left into Jack Rd. After approximately 1km veer left into Toll Rd. GPS coordinates at the site gate are 19^o30’03’’S and 147^o17’50’’E. Scope will be needed to scan the wetlands. The biosecurity rules now require you to call before entering: 0417 191 578. We advise to call beforehand to avoid disappointment.

      Over 150 species are on the Duck World Wetland Lagoon’s birdlist. A herd of water buffalos also frequents the wetlands. Key species are White-winged Black Tern, Pink-eared Duck, Black-necked Stork, Brolga, Glossy Ibis and Yellow-billed Spoonbill. Other birds of interest include waders, Magpie Goose, Australasian Grebe, Horsfield’s Bushlark, Brown Songlark, Little Grassbird, Black-bellied Crimson Finch, Rufous-throated Honeyeater and Swamp Harrier. Rarities include Freckled Duck, Pied Heron, Australasian Shoveler, Australian Pratincole, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Native-hen, Lesser Crested Tern and Great Crested Grebe.

      White-winged Black Terns frequently congregate here, particularly in March-April. At the end of autumn (May) the place gets covered with Tree Martins, Fairy Martins and Welcome Swallows thanks to the swarms of midges emerging from the wetland.

      The biggest flocks of Australasian Grebes in Australia (up to 11,000 birds) were recorded at this site. Other species observed in huge numbers include Pink-eared Duck, Grey Teal, Magpie Goose, Hardhead, Whiskered Tern (forming white swarms over the water), Red-necked Avocet and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Rock Doves come in droves from the surrounding farms for a drink of water.

      This massive pantry is a magnet for raptors, fourteen species have been recorded. Among them are Spotted Harrier, Swamp Harrier, Peregrine Falcon (resident), Brown Falcon, White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Wedge-tailed Eagle.

      Twenty wader species can be found here including Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Latham’s Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit and Red-kneed Dotterel. White-browed Crakes and Buff-banded Rails can be found at the edges of the wetland.

      Grassland birds include Brown Quail, Australasian Pipit, Brown Songlark, Little Grassbird, Tawny Grassbird, Zebra Finch and Black-bellied Crimson Finch. Bush bird selection includes Rufous Songlark, Black-faced Woodswallow, Great Bowerbird and Brown-backed Honeyeater.

      At times of prolonged droughts in the interior, birds such Pallid Cuckoo, Masked Woodswallow, Dusky Woodswallow, Red-backed Kingfisher and White-winged Triller appear.

      On your way to the site check these out:

       Sun Rice Mill in Colevale Rd, just out of Brandon. When we were passing the mill, thousands of Magpie Geese and Plumed Whistling-Ducks were piled on a heap of rice husks in the mill yard. That was a spectacular view. Dozens of waterbirds foraged in a rice field in front of the mill.

       A small lagoon with an irrigation canal at the corner of Toll Rd and Drynie Rd. Cotton Pygmy-geese are regularly found there. Rufous-throated Honeyeaters live in the dense vegetation along the canal.

       It may be also worthwhile to check the sugar cane fields along Becker Rd and Jack Rd. We were surprised by the large numbers of Australian Bustards, walking unhurriedly in pairs in the breaks between the cane stands and along the road. Pheasant Coucals, Bush Stone-curlews, Black-faced Woodswallows, White-breasted Woodswallows, Red-backed Fairy-wrens and Nankeen Kestrels were also plentiful. Chestnut-breasted Mannikins were simply uncountable.

      Birds at Brandon Rice Mill

Horseshoe Lagoon Area

      This site, besides the main location of the Horseshoe Lagoon, also includes a small farm dam south the lagoon, irrigation canals and farmland along Hodel Rd as well as saltmarshes, wetlands and farmland further down along Morris Creek Rd and the mudflats around the boat ramp on the Barramundi Creek at the end of Morris Creek Rd. During the Wet, large temporary wetlands are forming along Morris Creek Rd. These are visited by thousands of waterbirds.

      Access to all these spots is from Bruce Hwy (A1), turning north into Hodel Rd about 35km northwest of Ayr and 55km south of Townsville. The turnoff is signposted simply to a ‘Bird hide’. GPS coordinates at the turnoff are 19^o32’43’’S and 147^o07’09’’E. The next two turnoffs, when driving north from Ayr, lead to Giru.

      Over 160 bird species have been recorded around the Horseshoe Lagoon. Key species are Zitting Cisticola, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Magpie Goose, White-browed Crake, White-winged Black Tern and Horsfield’s Bushlark. Other birds of interest include Black-bellied Crimson Finch, Green Pygmy-goose, Glossy Ibis, Comb-crested Jacana, Black-necked Stork, Oriental Dollarbird and Swamp Harrier. Among the rarities are Common Sandpiper, Australian Pratincole and Little Eagle.

Horseshoe Lagoon

      Horseshoe Lagoon is a permanent wetland thanks to the supply of irrigation tailwater. It is especially important to birdlife in a dry season. It is a well-known birdwatching spot, equipped with a bird hide.

      Waterbirds forming the bulk of the bird mass here include Hardheads (when water becomes deep enough, up to 3,000 birds have been reported), Magpie Geese, Eurasian Coots and Black Swans. Found in good numbers are also Cotton Pygmy-geese, Pied Stilts, Comb-crested Jacanas and Plumed Egrets. Around the bird hide, look for White-browed Crake, Latham’s Snipe and Buff-banded Rail.

      A 3m-long crocodile often rests near the bird hide.

      In the dense, tall grasses around the lagoon you may find Black-bellied Crimson Finch, Pheasant Coucal, Australian Reed-Warbler, Tawny Grassbird and Brown Quail. Swamp Harriers regularly patrol the lagoon.

      On the few scattered trees, you may see Yellow Honeyeater, Rufous-throated Honeyeater, Brush Cuckoo, Black-faced Woodswallow, Forest Kingfisher and Oriental Dollarbird.

      A small farm dam located about 200m from the corner of Bruce Hwy and Hodel Rd supports a good population of White-browed Crakes which often pop out in the open at this spot. Australasian Grebes nest here and Yellow-billed Spoonbills are found regularly. Other birds around this pond include Black-fronted Dotterel, Pied Stilt, Marsh Sandpiper, Brown Quail, Black-bellied Crimson Finch and White-breasted Woodswallow.

Hodel Road

      The road section between the bird hide and Corrick Plains is good for the grassland birds, particularly Plum-headed Finch, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Nutmeg Mannikin, Horsfield’s Bushlark, Brown Songlark and Red-backed Fairy-wren. On the powerlines should be plenty Rainbow Bee-eaters, White-breasted Woodswallows and Black-faced Woodswallows. In autumn and winter, Red-backed Kingfishers and Pallid Cuckoos appear.

      Check