I found a total of five Broad-billed Flycatchers last week in mangroves at Corio Bay near Yeppoon in central coastal Queensland. This sighting represents a southern extension of range for this species, always regarded as scarce along Australia’s eastern seaboard, with many people doubting its existence there at all. For images of these birds and further discussion, please see here:
http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com.au/
Greg Roberts
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Hi John
I had discussed this with Henry Nix and reported his observations in a previous blog post:
http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/musings-on-broad-billed-fl ycatcher.html
However I did not know about your Five Rocks observation, which of course is a good deal closer to where I saw my birds in Corio Bay (although still to the north).
All this supports my contention that these birds may not be as rare or range-restricted in Queensland as is widely considered. I recall Henry telling me that his observations were ridiculed at the time by some who should know better.
Greg Roberts
Hi Greg, In July 2010 the Qld Nats long excursion was to Byfield, Camping at Waterpark Creek. We kept the bird records for the area which including our 2 days in Shoalwater Bay Military area. Over a period from the early 1960’s when the area was first mooted as a Military area Professor Henry Nix did the original bird surveys prior to the army taking over and has been involved with the area ever since. He recorded Broad-billed Flycatchers in the Shoalwater area over that period until now. Ruth and I recorded Broad-bills (confirmed by others) both in Shoalwater and just in from the beach south of Five Rocks at aprox. S 22.48 degrees – E 150.42 Which is about 10 km north of Corio Bay. Refer to our report on the birds of Byfield in the Qld Naturalist Vol 49 4-6 December 2011. Unfortunately there is a mistake in the table and the birds did not get marked off, which is a bit of a blow, but are mentioned in the text. About 10 years ago Birds Australia had a Campout at Byfield and we did atlas surveys in Shoalwater with Henry Nix at the time and we saw the birds at Freshwater Bay. It is worth noting that Broad-bills are not always in the mangroves (Henry Nix pers. com.) And certainly the one at Five Rocks was back in the dunes about 100 m from the beach. Cheers John & Ruth Walter
Hi Greg, Nice work indeed!! There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that you’ve got yourself some Broad-billed Flycatchers. Great to see that they are found further south than previously thought. Cheers, Martin Cachard, Cairns, 0428 782 808
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