Birdline North Queensland Weekly Update

Birdline North Queensland Published sightings for the week ending 21 Sep 2014. Sat 20 Sep Black-chinned Honeyeater Orient Station, Ingham Five or six Black-chinned Honeyeater active and noisy in gums beside mangroves at end of Orient Road this morning. One or two immature birds. Perhaps a family group? First time I have seen or heard species at site – or anywhere near Ingham. Also, close by in tidal pool, five Common Greenshank. Again, first sighting of species at the Orient. Tony Ashton Peregrine Falcon Highway beside Ingham airstrip Peregrine Falcon ripping into remains of Masked Lapwing on ground alongside Bruce Highway at Ingham airstrip this morning. Flew into nearby trees. No way of telling if prey was struck by Falcon or maybe road victim. Blood and feathers visible on talons in picture. Tony Ashton Dollarbird Bamaga–Muddy Bay 10 43S 142 33E 1′ Cell, Queensland, AU 1. First noted for the season and only otherwise reported on e-bird from NT for the last month; first QLD returnee? Rob Reed Broad-billed Flycatcher Bamaga–Muddy Bay 10 43S 142 33E 1′ Cell, Queensland, AU 2. Heard flycatcher but call not necessarily totally reminiscent of leaden or shining. Located bird and came to 3m above with Audubon caller. Bill shape, graduated tail feathers and white eye ring noted readily distinguishing it from female leaden (per Graeme Chapman’s website). White edging to outer tail feathers also seen well. Followed this bird for a few minutes flitting about crowns of mangroves feeding; soon joined by a second also calling. 2 records on e-bird for the area – 2007 Horn Island and 1994 Somerset on mainland nearby. Although well noted in WA and NT surveys, is also represented in atlas and on Klaus Uhlenhut’s “Bird Week” cumulative list over some 20 years-plus. Again probably reflects an under-surveyed area plus an easily overlooked bird when assumptions are made on call. Rob Reed Thu 18 Sep Australian Pratincole Bamaga: Back track to airport military encampments 10 55S 142 26E 1′ Cell, Queensland, AU 4. Appeared to all be adults in breeding plumage. Scoped nicely in bright sunlight coming from behind me. On runway edge and sauntering over runway chasing insects on foot and on the wing at low level. Nearest other sightings I can find records for are Weipa, Iron Range and PNG on e-bird. However, I note Draffan et al (EMU Dec. 1983) article on “Birds of the Torres Strait” has records for 6 islands of the mainly western areas being a “winter visitor on open swamps and airstrips”. Again this sighting will likely reflect chronic under-reporting from the northern Cape York area. Rob Reed Wed 17 Sep Pectoral Sandpiper Normanton Town Common Single bird photographed with other sandpipers, at dam in town common on northern edge of town. Paul Richardson & Phillip George Mon 15 Sep Rajah Shelduck Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, North Queensland Confirming Tony Ashton’s sighting of the Rajah Shelduck at the Ingham Tyto Wetlands. I saw the bird paddling serenely across one of the waterways 20 metres away from me late that same afternoon – and, darn it, I hadn’t brought my camera with me! I’m not a dedicated birdwatcher as such, but I visit the wetlands on almost a daily basis. I was delighted to find this species in my bird book when I got home shortly afterwards and then emailed Tony about it. He told me of his posting in Eremaea (which I’d never heard of before). Robert Charles Norman King Oriental Plover Cook Rd (Atherton area) Two Oriental Plover flew over me in good light about 8.30am, circling over a field of corn stubble before heading in the direction of Atherton. John Grant Sun 14 Sep Radjah Shelduck Tyto Wetlands (Ingham) Radjah Shelduck spotted making low flight almost circling eastern end of main lagoon; bird appeared almost brilliant black and white in morning sun; no sign of it after it turned and headed west over northern side of lagoon. Can’t recall ever seeing the species in Tyto, though no unknown in other wetlands around Ingham. no picture Tony Ashton