Cape York (yet again)

I am off to Cape York again (this time with my parents and some of their birding friends) in early October. I have been up that way a number of times, though always in November so I have a few questions (though reading my previous notes I think I have answered two already). Is the McIvor River Crossing worth visiting in October (and even if going to Iron Range)? I think the answer is yes as this seems like the best spot for White-browed Robin though not certain how visible it will be at this time of year (any other potential sites would also be appreciated). I am assuming I am going to struggle some of the summer migrants (definitely Red-bellied Pitta, probably Buff-breasted Paradise-kingfsher) but what of the chances of some of the others such as Black-winged Monarch and even Pied Imperial-pigeon? (I have seen Metallic Starlings in Cairns in June so I am assuming that I will be able to find them). Are there any other species that are likely to be more difficult to find at that time in the dry that I should make certain I pay attention for? Finally, is there anything that is unliekly to be calling (particularly at Iron Range) that may be harder to find – my past experience there is that some species are easier to hear than see and if they are not calling they might be very difficult. Any comments on on peoples experiences on the Cape at that time of year would be greatly appreciated. I will send another post closer to the time for more up to date info on some species like Spotted Whistling Duck and Rufous Owl in Cairns, but any comments appreciated. Thanks, Peter


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1 comment to Cape York (yet again)

  • mcachard

    Hi Peter, You will be too early for migrants such as Black-winged Monarch, Paradise-Kingfisher, and Red-bellied Pitta. But Pied Imperial-Pigeons will be here as they arrive early to mid August at latest here and up the Cape. Metallic Starlings will be here too – in fact the numbers of wintering starlings seems to be increasing rather quickly – I’ve some here right through the winter this year at home in Trinity Beach numbering about 500 birds or so! I’ve even had my first ever Aust wintering Imperial-Pigeons stay at Trinity Beach this year, just a pair though!! But migrants being migrants, u could be very lucky and chance upon an over-wintering individual or 2 of BW Monarch, RB Pitta, and Paradise-Kingfisher…but u would have more chance of winning lotto, I’m afraid!! I’d love to recommend that u do go to the McIvor River causeway Peter, because it is me who put that spot on the birding map – BUT it is a long way off-course from the Cape road and given that the BW Monarchs won’t be there, and you can get White-browed Robins just as easily elsewhere, then I’d recommend that u give the site a miss and spend more time looking at birds in other places along the Cape road like Musgrave-Morehead River for GS Parrots and Black-backed Butcherbirds etc… I hope that helps, martin cachard, trinity beach, cairns.


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