RFI Cairns

I have heard (lots of thanks to a local birder David) that there is a Rufous Owl that sometimes roosts near the Cairns Convention Centre. David said in the big mango tree. I couldn’t find a mango tree. There is a very distinctive (fig?) tree in the (NE?) corner near the Cairns Port Authority building. Is this the tree? It certainly looks suitable. Does Mangrove Golden Whistler occur in the mangroves near Cairns? The field guides suggest it comes close, but I can’t remember seeing it near Cairns. Thanks to David for directions to see Mangrove Robin at the north end of the Esplanade. I am showing an American friend around for a week before we go to New Caledonia. A good trip so far with sensational views of a Southern Cassowary along the road into Etty Bay (just south of Innisfail). Double-eyed Fig Parrots feeding young at their nest hole near the north end of the Esplanade. Green (formerly Yellow) Orioles seem to be in big numbers. How common are honeyeaters such as White-gaped, Rufous-throated, Bar-breasted, Fuscous and Silver-crowned Friarbird in the area from Mt Molloy north (say to Mary Farms and Mt Carbine)? I can’t remember seeing them in that area before? I think I saw them further north than that. _________________________________________________________________ Frank O’Connor Birding WA http://birdingwa.iinet.net.au Phone : (08) 9386 5694 Email : foconnor@iinet.net.au