After starting in Cairns we travelled to the Atherton Tablelands and made a brief stop at Mt Hypipamee. We then left the rainforest behind and crossed the Great Dividing Range. There was a chance to stretch the legs at Forty Mile Scrub and Silvereye was spotted. The tour continued through the Lynd and on to Hughenden, in this section we saw Black-breasted Buzzard, Squatter Pigeon, Australian Bustard and Emu.
There was morning birding at the Flinders River Hughenden where highlights included Spotted Bowerbird, Red-backed Kingfisher and Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo. On our drive to Winton we encountered heavy rain but managed scope views of White-winged Fairy-wren and good flocks of Cockatiel. After a great lunch at the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton we headed for the excellent Bladensburg NP. Spinifex Pigeon were common and our first location was jumping with great birds. We quickly found Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, and Spinifexbird co-operated by sitting up nicely for everyone, close eye level views of Little Woodswallow were enjoyed. There were many active Honeyeaters here including Grey-headed and Spiny-cheeked.
The next morning saw us at the old Winton Sewage Ponds, where highlights included Plum-headed Finch and Little Grassbird. We then had a long drive to Mt Isa with the best birding stop being Clem Walton Park. Here we soon had fantastic looks at Varied Lorikeet and Spotted Bowerbird at the Bower. Grey-crowned Babblers entertained us and Red-backed Fairy-wren was seen.
Our destination for the morning was McNamara Road, North West of Mt Isa. After trying a couple of locations we decided to give the traditional site a go, and soon the whole group were treated to clear and repeated views of Carpentarian Grasswren. There were 3 birds working the small gullies approx. 100 m WNW of the Cairn. Other good birds seen in the area were Australian Owlet Nightjar, Crested Bellbird, Black-tailed Treecreeper, and the Cloncurry race of Australian Ringneck.
Back in town we visited the water treatment plant and observed many waterbirds including Wood Sandpiper, Pink-eared Duck and Hoary-headed Grebe.
There was a short drive to Mica Ck and after a little work, and a few tense moments, a party of Kalkadoon Grasswren showed nicely. Shortly after at Sybella Ck we ran into another pair of Kalkadoon Grasswren which were calling. In response to a little pishing the female sat up and allowed crippling views. Other good birds at Sybella Ck were Painted Finch and Diamond Dove. Later at Lake Moondarra we encountered good numbers of Pictorella Mannikin.
After some early birding we started our drive to Lawn Hill. We stopped for our picnic lunch at the O'Shannassy River and enjoyed watching many species of finch and honeyeater drinking and bathing. Soon after lunch the Gregory River was forded and here we saw Purple-crowned Fairy-wren and Buff-sided Robin. At the Riversleigh D fossil site there were again good numbers of Pictorella Mannikin. Whilst cooling off in the creek at Adels Grove an Arafura Fantail appeared.
A breathtaking climb onto the plateau at Lawn Hill NP was worth it when a Sandstone Shrike-thrush popped up onto a rock to give fantastic views. The afternoon was spent cooling off in the creek and watching the birds come into the dripping tank at Adels Grove. Black-chinned (golden backed), Yellow-tinted, Brown, White-throated, Rufous-throated and White-gaped Honeyeater all came in, plus Long-tailed Finch and many others.
One keen member of the group joined the early morning walk and was rewarded with great views of Northern Rosella. It was then time to travel on to Karumba via the Bourke and Wills Junction. There were few highlights during the long drive until just past Normanton where we saw great numbers of Brolga and Sarus Crane. At Karumba we saw some waders including Black-tailed Godwit and Red Knot, and some handsome Radjah Shelduck.
The Ferryman took us birding on the Norman River in the morning. A pair of White-breasted Whistler performed well, with a supporting cast of Broad-billed Flycatcher and Mangrove Robin. After the boat trip we visited another mangrove area and had good views of Yellow White-eye. The tour then continued East to Georgetown. As always there were plenty of birds at Cumberland Dam including Banded Honeyeater and good numbers of waterfowl.
There was some excellent birding early in the Durham Dam area, with Black-throated Finch, Red-browed Pardalote and White-throated Gerygone giving excellent views. Later at Waruma Swamp, Mt Garnet we managed to pick up some Cotton Pygmy-geese. Forty Mile Scrub produced a young Fan-tailed Cuckoo begging and being ignored by White-browed Scrubwren. We called at Mt Hypipamee again and a Bridled Honeyeater came onto the picnic table. Tour finished in Cairns late afternoon.
Paperbark Flycatcher
Purple Crowned Fairy Wren
