I’ve been corresponding with a South African birder that is planning a first visit to Australia and is looking for some advice. This man literally wrote the book on South Africa’s little brown birds and is a keen and qualified birder. He’s traveling with his wife and 8-month old baby to visit his brother in Brisbane. I’ve already given him some advice on apps and field guides and he’s been going through the new T&T and studying up on our birds.
Can anyone that knows the Brisbane area well offer suggestions on good spots in your area? I’ve recommended a few but figured it would be better to ask the list. Given there isn’t a site guide for Brisbane, comments to the whole list for the archives would also serve future visitors well . Private replies are also okay, of course.
Here’s a bit more info from Faansie:
So I’ve been reading in that guide [the new T&T] about some of the sites and checking them out in Google Earth. However, as you also said, we will have a 8-month old baby with us, so we won’t be able to bird non-stop and in difficult forested habitats for too long. I think it would perhaps be wise to concentrate on sites that are relatively easy in terms of access and facilities and birds, and perhaps also focus on grassland, water and more open woodland sites rather than rainforest. That being said, I will never forgive myself if we didn’t at least try one or two sites for lyrebirds, pittas, catbirds, riflebirds etc. I think it is also easy to bite off too much, and underestimate the size of Australia! We will probably concentrate on the area within, say, 300-400 km of Brisbane and rather work that properly. Given the information above, do any sites come to mind? Thanks for any suggestions, I’ll forward them all along. ===============================
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Another possibility is Victoria Park, not far from Alstonville.
Jill Dark
Rocky Creek Dam, north of Lismore – http://www.visitlismore.com.au/see-do/scenic-drives/rocky-creek-dam-minyon-falls/p/341 creek in 8/11
Richmond Range National Park, west of Casino – http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0110 – Noisy Pitta + Green Catbird also 8/11
Coffs Harbour gardens – Noisy Pitta in 6/11, better sightings & pics and the walking is easier!
I no longer live in the area so cannot comment on current sightings
Peter Crane
Another site question: Some years back I visited a reserve that I can’t remember the name of. I’m hoping that someone can tell me where I’m thinking of based on my (admittedly) shoddy memory:
* Around/behind Lismore somewhere. * A small fragment of Big Scrub. * Dark, deep forest. * Teeming, absolutely teeming with Pittas and Pademelons.
Does that ring a bell? If so, is the spot still a good place to try for Pittas? ===============================
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Thanks to everyone for the quick replies! I’ve already forwarded them on so Faansie ought to see them when he gets up, I’d hope. I’m glad I asked for my own sake as I’ve always loved birding around Brisbane + environs and I was unaware of Chris Sanderson’s guide or the Birds Queensland brochure.
Question: What do people think about O’Reilley’s? I’ve got mixed feelings about recommending it to a first-time visitor. On the plus side:
* You’ve got access to some great habitat and some really great birds. * It’s lovely. * Helpful staff/residents/family. * Birding-oriented….and there’s very little of that in Australia.
On the down side: * Expensive and fattening, unless you camp I suppose. * The road up is a shocker, unless it’s improved (?) * The bird list is special but is also short. When all of the birds are new, it can be hard to know how special the ones you’re seeing are.
Opinions? ===============================
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Hi David,
I actually put together a site guide for Brisbane a while back. It doesn’t have everything (ie. Dowse Lagoon has become popular again since I wrote this), but it has many of the iconic spots.
http://bird-o.com/south-east-queensland-birding-guide/
Cheers, Chris
Sent from my iPhone
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Try the Birds Queensland website
http://birdsqueensland.org.au/bird_places.php
I know Birds Queensland are updating this booklet. Many of the places are very worthwhile especially with an 8 month old baby.
In particular Oxley Common Sandy Camp Road Wetlands (very easy access) Sherwood Forest Park Minnippi Parklands
Eagleby Wetlands is also not far from Brisbane City and has good access.
Regards, Judy Leitch
Have a look at http://birdsqueensland.org.au/downloads/birdplaces.pdf
Regards Grahame Rogers
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David Taylor who contributes regularly to a bird photography forum I belong to, has a website http://www.davidsbirdingimages.com/Australian_bird_images/Home.html which gives some good bird photography sites around Brisbane. I imagine they would be quite good for someone who has a baby to consider, but haven’t tried them myself.
O’Reilly’s would be another spot which might be suitable.
Sonja
On 30/06/2013, at 8:55 AM, David Adams wrote
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