Iron Range is one of the most famous birding sites in Australia. Dense tropical rainforest mixes with open woodland and a variety of coastal habitats to create a diverse mosaic of birding opportunities. Lakefield has a variety of habitats including gallery rainforest, open woodland and grassland, but is best known for its extensive wetlands which hold vast numbers of waterbirds.
On this trip we should see all the New Guinea/Cape York specials including: Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Red-bellied Pitta (summer), Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Tropical Scrubwren, Green-backed Honeyeater, Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Yellow-legged Flycatcher, White-faced Robin, Northern Scrub-Robin, Black-winged Monarch (from October), Black-backed Butcherbird, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Magnificent Riflebird and Trumpet Manucode. There is also a chance of seeing the three Cape York endemics, Golden-shouldered Parrot, White-streaked Honeyeater and Frill-necked Monarch.
Other birds of interest are Red Goshawk (rare), Rufous Owl, Marbled Frogmouth, Papuan Frogmouth, Red-headed Honeyeater, Broad-billed Flycatcher, White-eared Monarch, Mangrove Robin, White-browed Robin, Star Finch and Masked Finch.
From Cairns we travel to Mt Carbine, where we have morning tea and visit the bower of the Great Bowerbird.
Our next stop is Laura, and after lunch we continue on to Musgrave. The late afternoon is spent searching for the Golden-shouldered Parrot. Overnight at Musgrave Roadhouse.
We will have a full day of birding in Lakefield National Park. There are a number of lagoons with waterbirds, and the grasslands hold many finches including the Star Finch. In the evening we will do some spotlighting and return to Musgrave where we stay the night.
In the morning we bird the area around Musgrave, and then continue north to Archer River. After some birding and lunch, we travel to Portland Roads via Iron Range National Park. There is a chance of Palm Cockatoo and other specials as we travel over the rough tracks towards the coast. Late afternoon we reach our destination and will stay four nights at Portland House.
This morning we bird the tropical rainforest and woodlands around Iron Range. We can visit the nesting tree of the Eclectus Parrots, and should see many of the New Guinea specials. After a picnic lunch we bird through the afternoon, before returning to our accommodation to relax.
Again we have an early start and will spend the day birding Iron Range National Park. We visit a number of different sites in search of Green-backed Honeyeater, Northern Scrub-robin and other skulkers. Late afternoon we return to Portland House for a cold drink and a meal.
The first part of the day is spent birding around Portland Roads, where we can see the Fawn-breasted Bowerbird and Mangrove Robin. In the afternoon a visit to Chilli Beach should produce a good selection of new species, and we can observe the spectacular swirling flight of thousands of Metallic Starlings coming in to roost on dusk. After this we will do some night spotting. On our spotting trip we hope to see Marbled Frogmouth and Rufous Owl.
Today we will bird Iron Range in search of the more difficult species that may have eluded us. This may include Yellow-billed Kingfisher and Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo. There is also a chance of visiting some different habitats around Lockhart River. Mid afternoon we make our way to the airport for your flight back to Cairns.
Portland House is a comfortable beach house with composting toilet and shower. Mosquito nets are supplied. Accommodation at Musgrave is basic units with separate bathroom, on a twin share basis.
All meals and flights are included. Travel is in a comfortable air-conditioned 4WD vehicle fitted with safety equipment and satellite phone. Flights back to Cairns are with Skytrans.
It is recommended that you bring your camera, water bottle, hat, sturdy covered footwear, insect repellent and sun block. Long-sleeved shirts and trousers give good protection from the sun and also from biting insects.
Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo
Marbled Frogmouth
Red Goshawk
Palm Cockatoo
Eclectus Parrot
Yellow-billed Kingfisher
Spotted Whistling Ducks
