Birdline North Queensland Weekly Update

Birdline North Queensland Published sightings for the week ending 14 Dec 2014. Sat 13 Dec Sooty Oystercatcher Weipa Harbour 2 birds flying over ahead of monsoon storms Ben Bright Fri 12 Dec Spotted Whistling-Duck Cattana wetlands First noticed by Jacqui Bennett and Michael Chapman, a group of 10 Spotted Whistling-Duck was resting on the north-western shore of the large lagoon (Jabiru Lake) in the late afternoon. Good views through our binoculars and scope. Photo from the back of my camera attached; full eBird list to follow once I’m back home. Elliot Leach; Jacqui Bennett; Michael Chapman; Bill McDonald Red-necked Crake Abergowrie State Forest–Broadwater Whilst watching some honeyeater take a bath in a small stream on the rainforest track. I heard a noise behind me, only to find a single Red-necked Crake trying to slink away undetected. Andrew O’Brien Thu 11 Dec Gouldian Finch Field Road – Woodstock Locality One only Gouldian Finch (Black-headed form) It was about 1.5 off the ground on a fence near the road on the corner of Field Road and the Flinders Highway, near the bus stop. I watched it for about 2 minutes. It was Thursday morning at about 7:45am. This beautiful bird had a black head with blue around it, a purple chest and yellow under-belly. The bird flew in to about 1 metre distant and did not seem phased by its proximity to a human. (Moderator’s note: – Most likely an aviary escapee) Jessie (surname withheld on request – per Len Ezzy) Wed 10 Dec Beach Stone-curlew Cungulla Spotted a pair of Beach Stone-curlew’s hanging out with a multitude of small waders on the bank across from the boat ramp. Andrew O’Brien Sun 7 Dec Blue-faced Parrot-Finch Mt Lewis, (Julatten)–10km clearing Single bird seen at around 7:30am in the grasses at the clearing. Difficult to find as there were at least a couple of dozen Red-browed Firetail feeding there as well. It’s call gave it away. Hickson Fergusson Oriental Cuckoo Riverside Gardens, Douglas, Townsville 3 maybe more OCs high in raintrees, rarely left tree tops, many other cuckoos present Ed Pierce Fri 5 Dec Broad-billed Sandpiper Cape Bowling Green One, with Red-necked Stint, in the pools on top of the spit. Niel Bruce Mon 1 Dec Long-Tailed Finch Belleview and Nichum Stations northwest from Chillagoe. Individual birds and three flocks up to 20-30 birds on dams over a period of two weeks in November/December 2014. Dick Eussen – Wayne Peacock