Helpful advise on where to take folks looking for Fig-Parrots and enjoying the rainforest
By donaldgkimball, on June 14th, 2014
Thank you so much for the great replies to my former post. I would reply to that one directly but am a bit challenged when it comes to I.T. One other question guys. Has anyone stayed at Chambers Lodge? I thought it might be a great place and so close to Lake Eacham. Also seems there are some platypus ponds too. Not sure if its easy to see the little creatures though. The folks that come with me are going to be from overseas so I suspect Platypus and other creatures are going to be hits. The main focus will be on Aussie parrots though. I know that Fig-parrots can be seen at the lodge. By the way I did definitely enjoy Kingfishers Lodge at Julatten when I was there in 2008. Great folks and Keith was super patient with my questions etc. Great fun. Anyone ever visit Chambers Lodge and have some feedback? Thanks _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
G’day Don, I don’t see when you are coming back to this part of the world. At the moment the Fig-Parrots are feeding on Ficus copiousa near the nursery at Lake Eacham and on Ficus obliqua near the toilets at the Lake itself. You are welcome to call me when you are up on the Tablelands for up to date information on what’s around. A Pair were feeding two days ago in the F. hispidula near the entry to the boardwalk at the Curtain Fig. F. benjamina in the school grounds in Yungaburra are not yet mature. You are welcome to call me when you are up on the Tablelands for up to date information on what’s around, particularly other parrot species. Quite a lot of my guests stay at Chambers Wildlife Lodges. It is a good place to base your self if you are into nature and wish to self cater. In the wet weather we have been having it is best to have rooms at the end of the buildings as they get more air flow. The rainforest surrounds the buildings and that is great for wildlife but some do not like the smell of it. The Pademelons (not Potaroos) have suffered from cat predation and they have suspended the nightly talks but still paint honey on two trees for gliders and other visitors. At Chambers look for the parrots in the Cellerywood between unit 7 and the office and on the F. septica below the pool area. Other great places to stay for birders can be found at For people with a more general wildlife interest Lumholtz Lodge, http://www.lumholtzlodge.com.au/ is a wonderful spot as Margit often has animals in care which are hard to see in the wild. Closer to Lake Eacham and more up market than Chambers is Crater Lakes Rainforest Cottages, http://www.craterlakes.com.au Platypus do inhabit the small creek at Chambers but are easier to see in Yungaburra, along Petersen Creek and at Winfield Park on the North Johnstone River on your way to Malanda. For a day time population head to Tarzalli Lakes where they charge $5 for life time reentry. Best from mid morning (10 am opening) until about 2 pm but I’ve never taken paying customers there at any time and not seen Platypus. Sometimes one has to wait for them to come close. If you have a polarising filter it is worth using, and video usually works better than stills because of the fine fur which remains wet and looks out of focus. Regards, Alan Alan’s Wildlife Tours 2 Mather Road Yungaburra 4884 Phone 07 4095 3784 Mobile 0408 953 786 http://www.alanswildlifetours.com.au/ —–Original Message—– Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2014 3:20 PM Fig-Parrots and enjoying the rainforest Thank you so much for the great replies to my former post. I would reply to that one directly but am a bit challenged when it comes to I.T. One other question guys. Has anyone stayed at Chambers Lodge? I thought it might be a great place and so close to Lake Eacham. Also seems there are some platypus ponds too. Not sure if its easy to see the little creatures though. The folks that come with me are going to be from overseas so I suspect Platypus and other creatures are going to be hits. The main focus will be on Aussie parrots though. I know that Fig-parrots can be seen at the lodge. By the way I did definitely enjoy Kingfishers Lodge at Julatten when I was there in 2008. Great folks and Keith was super patient with my questions etc. Great fun. Anyone ever visit Chambers Lodge and have some feedback? Thanks _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org —– No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG – http://www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4592 / Virus Database: 3964/7674 – Release Date: 06/13/14 _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
G’day Don I stayed there a few years ago. It is a nice place. There were little netting bags hanging on the verandahs. The idea was that you put a bit of fruit in them and the birds would come in an feed on them (riflebirds, catbirds, honeyeaters etc). They had a presentation on the local potoroos each evening and they had a viewing area where they put honey on trees to bring in the sugar gliders and bandicoots. They also had CCTV cameras on the feeding trees so you could watch the gliders from your unit. I remember seeing a birding guide setting up a tripod in the carpark for his clients – they may have been focusing on the Macleays Honeyeaters … The accommodation is surrounded by rainforest and there were short walks through the forest. Regards, Laurie. On 14 Jun 2014, at 3:20 pm, Donald G. Kimball < ibwonet1@gmail.com> wrote: _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org