re Pictorella Mannikins in Qld – thanks

Thanks for the timely suggestions, particularly to Lindsay Popple, who suggested Chinaman Creek Dam at Cloncurry, having seen large numbers in mid-August. I’m happy to report that the Pix are still on the job there, though seemingly in much less apparent numbers. This is a perfect example of how helpful Birding Aus can be. Thanks again all. John Weigel Pictorella Mannikin – any current Qld locales? BY JOHN WEIGEL, ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2014 Hi folks, My increasingly bogie-ish challenge to find is Pictorella Mannikin, which I’ve missed once this year in Gulf country and twice in NT/WA. I don’t have any other outstanding northern breeding species, and down to only a half-dozen breeding species continent-wide. For a bird that was so underfoot two years ago, I’m at a loss to explain my lack of success in finding Pix. If anyone has current sightings or knowledge of current sightings (this year only please) anywhere in Queensland besides pet shops, please let me know. Big final road-trip for the year begins tomorrow – a final long-range zig-zag throughout many wonderful regions, with exciting prospects of my first Vic Desert Neale Junction venture. Will report how I go. John Weigel jweigel@reptilepark.com.au