Big Zigzag BirdingQueensland

week 008 | Cape York to Tablelands | trip list 242 – 248 

Back from the tip to tablelands

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 248 (+6 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 73 (+1 this week: Sittellas)
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 30 (+3 this week: Red Goshawk, Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, Black-throated Finch
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 55 (+3 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 54
  • Week’s special milestones: Clean-up Poephila genus with Black-throated Finch

Bird(s) of the Week

Black-throated Finch is north-east Queensland endemic which seems not easy to find. I received information about a flock seen regularly at Mareeba Rodeo showground which is perfect for me as it is a camping site as well and very birdy place. 2 weeks ago, I tried hard long afternoon and morning hours without success. This week almost the same 2 days story, but when we were packed and ready to leave, I noticed 10 little birds flying above my head to the horses water trough. Bingo! Here there are drinking quickly and disappearing after a few minutes.

Following PNG memories: Black-backed Butcherbird seen a few different locations in the peninsula. 

Common and beautiful: Blue-winged Kookaburra 

Non-bird image

Week's Key location(s)

Red Goshawk site

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 7930 km (this week 1450 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1372. 07 Sep 2024 4:13 PM Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park
1371. 07 Sep 2024 9:13 AM Mareeba Rodeo Grounds
1370. 06 Sep 2024 4:18 PM Mareeba Rodeo Grounds
1369. 06 Sep 2024 12:57 PM Barron Falls Railway Station and Walkway 
1368. 06 Sep 2024 8:30 AM Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park
1367. 05 Sep 2024 10:51 AM Mowbray River Viewing Platform
1366. 05 Sep 2024 8:58 AM Rifle Creek rest area–Mount Molloy
1365. 04 Sep 2024 11:41 AM Peninsula Developmental Road, Laura (-15.498, 144.281)
1364. 03 Sep 2024 4:34 PM Peninsula Developmental Road, Laura (-15.498, 144.281)
1363. 03 Sep 2024 1:17 PM Lilyvale Road, Yarraden, Queensland, AU (-14.727, 143.639)
1362. 03 Sep 2024 6:56 AM Coen River Rest Area
1361. 02 Sep 2024 1:08 PM 25 Mile Lagoon, Peach Creek
1360. 02 Sep 2024 7:37 AM Loyalty Beach campground
1359. 01 Sep 2024 8:06 AM Loyalty Beach campground