Category: Queensland

Big Zigzag Birding

week 006 | Tropical Wet QLD – Cape York | trip list 194 – 215

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Tablelands, Daintree, Cape York

In an eggshell

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 215 (+21 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 70 (+3 this week: Bustards, Stilts and Avocets and Australian endemic White-winged Chough and Apostlebird)
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 20 (+2 this week: Little Kingfisher, Golden-shouldered Parrot )
  • Campsite Lifers: 4 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 31 (+4 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 40
  • Week’s special milestones: Trip list is over 200 species; New personal eBird days of checklist streak record

Bird(s) of the week

Golden-shouldered Parrot (Psephotellus chrysopterygius), Endangered. At one of its last refuges – Artemis Homestay, Cape York.

Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) at Julatten, Tablemountain land

Non-bird image

South Cape York

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 5250 km (this week 970 km)

eBird Checklists this week

 
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 005 | Tropical Wet QLD | trip list 165 – 194 

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Mainly Atherton Tablelands, and Cairns

In an eggshell

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 194 (+30 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 67 (+5 this week)
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 18 (+8 this week: Golden Bowerbird, Bridled Honeyeater, Atherton Scrubwren, Mountain Thornbill, Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Chowchilla, Fernwren, Rufous Owl)
  • Campsite Lifers: 4 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 27 (+10 this week)
  • New “all spices seen family” – Logrunners (Orthonychidae) with Chowcilla this week (Papuan Logrunner seen in PNG 2022 & Australian Logrunner in 2013)
  • Week’s special milestone: My Australia’s list past in over 450 species

Bird(s) of the week

Rufous Owl (Ninox rufa) – just a walk in the park.. actually Les Davie Park (Cairns North).
We parked the motorhome today afternoon at McKenzi street, a short 50 meters northbound walk to the fig tree, and here it is roosting! But… yesterday we spent the whole afternoon, checking the trees without success, only after dusk we had a quick look at the female when she left the nesting hole. And this morning, nada as well. So, not a “walk in the park” 😊

Bridled Honeyeater (Bolemoreus frenatus), Mount Hypipamee National Park, Tablelands

Tooth-billed Bowerbird (Scenopoeetes dentirostris), Lake Barrine

Non-bird image

Waiting for the Fernwren… 

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 4280 km (this week 930 km)

eBird Checklists this week

Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 004 | Tropical Wet QLD | trip list 123 – 165

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Some fruitful traditional sites along Queensland shore

In an eggshell

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 164 (+42 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 62 (+11 this week)
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 10 (+5 this week: Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Eungella Honeyeater, White-browed Crake, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, White-browed Robin)
  • Campsite Lifers: 4 (+3 this week: White-browed Crake, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, White-browed Robin )
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 17 (+9 this week)
  • Week’s special milestone: My 4500 lifer!

Bird(s) of the week

Glossy Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), Vulnerable, finally ticked at Mount Archer National Park, QLD, Australia after 3 fails last weeks at Greenmount Ct, Mt Samson (roadside birding), and no success as well on 2013. Member of family #106 Cockatoos (Cacatuidae).

Eungella Honeyeater (Bolemoreus hindwoodi), seen obviously in Eungella National Park, classified as Near Threatened, with limit range on higher elevations behind Mackay in central Queensland.
7th lifer on Big Zigzag, member of Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae), #132 on Bird Families of the World.

Two white browed birds bring me to lifer #4500 and 10th lifer on the Big Zigzag: On this photo, White-browed Crake (Poliolimnas cinereus), member of Rails, Gallinules, and Coots (Rallidae), #032 on Bird Families of the World, and White-browed Robin (waiting for better photographing opportunity).
Both from Tyto Wetlands, Ingham

Little Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx minutillus), wasn’t one of the targets in Tyto Wetlands, but I was expecting it while heading north along Queensland shore. A welcome lifer #9 of the Big Zigzag.
Member of Cuckoos (Cuculidae), #021 on Bird Families of the World.

Non-bird image

Pioneer Valley, from Sky Window Lookout, Eungulla National Park 

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 3350 km (this week 1480 km)

eBird Checklists this week

  • 1314. 10 Aug 2024 253 Wallaman Falls Road, Lannercost, Queensland, AU (-18.631, 146.007)
    Hinchinbrook
  • 1313. 10 Aug 2024 Tyto Wetlands (Ingham) Hinchinbrook
  • 1312. 09 Aug 2024 Tyto Wetlands (Ingham) Hinchinbrook
  • 1311. 09 Aug 2024 Bushland Beach Townsville
  • 1310. 09 Aug 2024 Bowling Green Bay National Park–Alligator Creek Campground, Townsville
  • 1309. 09 Aug 2024 Home Hill, Burdekin
  • 1308.  08 Aug 2024 Bowen Golf Club, Whitsunday
  •  1307. 08 Aug 2024 Airlie Beach, Whitsunday
  • 1306. 08 Aug 2024 60 Yakapari Seaforth Road, The Leap, Queensland, AU (-21.064, 149.011), Mackay 
  • 1305. 08 Aug 2024 The Leap, Mackay
  • 1304. 07 Aug 2024 Eungella National Park–Diggings Rd, Mackay 
  • 1303. 07 Aug 2024 Eungella National Park–Diggings Rd, Mackay
  • 1302. 07 Aug 2024 1 Dalrymple Street, Pinnacle, Queensland, AU (-21.147, 148.714) ,Mackay 
  • 1301. 06 Aug 2024 Flaggy Rock, Isaac
  • 1300. 05 Aug 2024 Milman Road, Milman, Queensland, AU (-23.138, 150.408), Rockhampton
  • 1299. 05 Aug 2024 Rockhampton
  • 1298. 05 Aug 2024 Mount Archer National Park. Rockhampton
  • 1297. 05 Aug 2024 Thangool, Banana
  • 1296. 04 Aug 2024 Cania Gorge Caravan and Tourist Park, North Burnett
     
     
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 003 | SE QLD | trip list 103 – 123

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Starting actually heading north!

In an eggshell

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 123 (+10 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 51 (+6 this week)
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 5 (+1 this week: Ground Parrot)
  • Campsite Lifers: 1 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 8 (+1 this week)

Bird of the week

White-cheeked Honeyeater, was the most common bird at Great Sandy National Park — Teewah Pump Station Road. The target, Ground Parrot was achieved, but was to quick to be photographed.

Non-bird image

Week's Key Location

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 1870 km (this week 1025 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1293. 03 Aug 2024 8:32 AM Cedars Road, South Kolan, Queensland, AU (-24.973, 152.185), Bundaberg
1292. 02 Aug 2024 12:01 PM  Maryborough, Fraser Coast
1291. 02 Aug 2024 6:29 AM Inskip Point Road, Inskip, Queensland, AU (-25.81, 153.051)
1290. 01 Aug 2024 12:31 PM Great Sandy National Park–Teewah Pump Station Rd at -26.04694, 153.03806
1289. 01 Aug 2024 9:57 AM Inskip Point Road, Inskip, Queensland, AU (-25.81, 153.051)
1288. 01 Aug 2024 7:46 AM Gympie – Six Mile Rest Area
1287. 31 Jul 2024 5:01 PM Noosa National Park
1286. 31 Jul 2024 3:23 PM Coolum Experimental Farm Wetlands, Sunshine Coast 
1285. 31 Jul 2024 1:43 PM Dunethin Rock, Sunshine Coast
1284. 31 Jul 2024 7:00 AM Dunethin Rock, Sunshine Coast
1283. 30 Jul 2024 9:48 PM Dunethin Rock, Sunshine Coast
1282. 30 Jul 20249:23 AM Gerrards Lookout (Montville), Sunshine Coast
1281. 29 Jul 20249:17 AM Glass House Mountains National Park–Mt Tibrogargan
1280. 29 Jul 2024 7:34 AM Cruice Park, Woodford, Moreton Bay
1279. 28 Jul 2024 3:41 PM Lake Samsonvale–Golds Scrub Lane (some areas restricted access), Moreton Bay
1278. 28 Jul 2024 3:01 PM Greenmount Ct, Mt Samson (roadside birding), Moreton Bay
1277. 28 Jul 2024 1:38 PM Dayboro Showgriunds
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 002 | SE QLD | trip list 039 – 103

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Lamington, still some setups and Dayboro

In an eggshell
  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 103 (+64 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 44 (+11 this week)
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 4 (+2 this week: Albert’s Lyrebird & White-throated Gerygone)
  • Campsite Lifers: 1 (+1 this week: Albert’s Lyrebird)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 7 (+5 this week)
  • New Bird Family for Australia: Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
  • New “all spices seen family” – Lyrebirds (Menuridae) with Albert’s Lyrebird this week (Superb Lyrebird seen already in 2013). This is also the second “all seen Australian endemic”. The first White-winged Chough and Apostlebird (Corcoracidae) completed in 2018.
  • Week’s special milestone: Australia is now second in my nations list with 434 species passing Brazil (432)

Bird of the week

White-throated Gerygone, Nindooinbah Dam, QLD

3 Days in Lamington Park, success with Albert’s Lyrebird (seen once crossing the road at dusk, second time in the forest near the boardwalk). Other target without success – Paradise Riflebird (heard only, seen by others shortly on that time. Back to Explorer Motorhome at Clontarf for some issues to be fixed. One more day around Dayboro with Tom Tarrant (Thanks Tom!).

Sleeping sites:

  • O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat campground
  • Canungra
  • Pelican Park Redcliff
  • Dayboto Showgrounds 
 

Non-bird image

Some other birds:

Australian Logrunner at 1/60 speed, 8000 ISO. Typical Lamington trails photo at the darkness of the rainforest.

Australian Brushturkey, Typical O’Reilly gardens photo

Week's Key Location

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 845 km (this week 505 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1277. 27 Jul 2024 2:54 PM Dayboro Showgriunds
1276. 27 Jul 2024 1:56 PM Lake Samsonvale–Golds Scrub Lane (some areas restricted access)
1275. 27 Jul 2024 1:21 PM Samford Eco Corridor
1274. 27 Jul 2024 12:10 PM John Scott Park, Station Road, Samford
1273. 27 Jul 2024 11:18 AM Greenmount Ct, Mt Samson (roadside birding)
1272. 27 Jul 2024 7:30 AM Lake Samsonvale–Kobble Creek BBQ Area
1271. 26 Jul 2024 10:41 PM Dayboro Showgriunds
1270. 26 Jul 2024 7:24 AM Pelican Park (Clontarf)
1269. 25 Jul 2024 10:42 AM Nindooinbah Dam
1268. 25 Jul 2024 7:25 AM 33-35 Settlers Drive, Kalbar, Queensland, AU (-27.937, 152.627)
1267. 24 Jul 2024 2:41 PM 58 Kulgun Road, Kulgun, Queensland, AU (-27.93, 152.684)
1266. 24 Jul 2024 12:31 PM Canungra
1265. 24 Jul 2024 8:48 AM O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
1264. 23 Jul 2024 2:55 PM O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
1263. 23 Jul 2024 8:12 AM O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
1262. 22 Jul 2024 9:36 AM O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 001 | SE QLD | trip list 000 – 039

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RV Handover, setup, first birds of new adventure

In an Eggshell

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 39 (+39 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 23 (+23 this week)
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 2 (+2 this week: White-eared Monarch & Russet-tailed Thrush)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 2 (+2 this week)

Bird of the week

White-eared Monarch, Dayboro, QLD – first Big Zigzag lifer

New adventure commenced – 3 years of the planning stage done – the Big Zigzag Birding is starting! 

First days back in Australia, still tiered from the long flight and jetlag,  “Plains-wanderer”, our new home on wheels handed over to us at Explorer Motorhome factory in Redcliffe, Queensland. 

Three pre-motorhome nights at Baringa B&B, walking distance from the factory and Kippa-Ring mall.

Other sleeping sites this week:

  • Wescloude Lodge Fare Stay
  • Dayboro Showgrounds
  • Tully Memorial Park

 

 

Non-bird image

“Plains-wanderer”

Week's Key location

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 340 km (this week 340)

eBird Checklists this week

1261. 21 Jul 2024 3:36 PM Lamington National Park–Green Mountain Campground
1260. 21 Jul 2024 1:30 PM O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
1259.  21 Jul 2024 11:29 AM Lamington National Park–Kamarun Lookout
1258. 21 Jul 2024 9:22 AM Tully Memorial Park, Logan River, Logan City
1257. 20 Jul 2024 8:00 AM Dayboro Showgriunds
1256. 19 Jul 2024 3:53 PM Mt Mee State Forest–Falls Lookout
1255. 19 Jul 2024 3:19 PM 391-481 Sellin Road, Mount Mee, Queensland, AU (-27.095, 152.703)
1254. 19 Jul 2024 12:05 PM Strong Rd, Dayboro
1253. 19 Jul 2024 10:38 AM Wescloude Lodge Fare Stay
1252. 18 Jul 2024 3:00 PM North Lakes
1251. 17 Jul 2024 9:45 AM Clontarf Environment Reserve
1250. 16 Jul 2024 7:02 PM 220 Elizabeth Avenue, Clontarf, Queensland, AU (-27.244, 153.086)
Big Zigzag Index