Along the “Bird Trails of Cooloola”
With COOLOOLA NATURE
“COOLOOLA NATURE is a “Not for Profit” Entity operating in the Field of Environmental Education”
Periodically, from the 1st of October, 2016, COOLOOLA NATURE will be posting notification of Tag-along Excursions “Along the Bird Trails of Cooloola”
as part of our Environmental Education activities, so that you may experience firsthand the Amazing & Diverse variety of Birdlife & Habitat
to be found in the Cooloola region.
Morning and Afternoon Tea will be provided, (please advise of dietary requirements), while we ask of Participants to provide their own Lunch
and Liquid Refreshments.
By necessity, a fee of $20.00 per person, (payable on the day), is required to cover the cost of fuel and catering. Donations to COOLOOLA NATURE,
(at the Discretion of Participants), would be Much Appreciated, so assisting us in the Continuation of our Educational Activities.
*To fulfill Public Liability requirements, & for their own Personal Safety, it is advisable that all Participants in COOLOOLA NATURE activities wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt, jeans/long pants, & fully covered footwear; in addition to providing their own insect repellant, sunscreen, & water.
*Please find further necessities and precautionary measures outlined in
“Your Health and Safety while Birdwatching”, linked below.
Please Refer to the Web Page “Your Health and Safety while Birdwatching” –
http://www.birdingcooloola.org.au/the-ethics-of-birdwatching--other-aspects.html
Eastern Yellow Robin (Courtesy of Amelia Nielsen)
Please Refer to the Web Page “The Ethics of Birdwatching and Other Factors” –
http://www.birdingcooloola.org.au/the-ethics-of-birdwatching--other-aspects.html
http://www.birdingcooloola.org.au/the-ethics-of-birdwatching--other-aspects.html
Scarlet Honeyeater (Male) (Courtesy of Amelia Nielsen)
All Excursions depart from the lakeside Car Park adjacent to the Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum, (Brisbane Road entrance) (Refer Link Below)
http://www.birdingcooloola.org.au/along-the-bird-trails-of-cooloola---lake-alford.html
Hoping that you all may Enjoy the “Birding” Experiences we offer as Detailed Below
Kelvin & Amelia Nielsen
COOLOOLA NATURE
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Excursion 8/10/16 – A Full Day Tag-along Excursion along a Selection of “Bird Trail”
Sites through the Mary Valley as a Component of MRCCC’s Celebration of “Mary River Month”
Click Here to Print "Flier"
http://www.birdingcooloola.org.au/along-the-bird-trails-of-cooloola---lake-alford.html
Hoping that you all may Enjoy the “Birding” Experiences we offer as Detailed Below
Kelvin & Amelia Nielsen
COOLOOLA NATURE
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Excursion 8/10/16 – A Full Day Tag-along Excursion along a Selection of “Bird Trail”
Sites through the Mary Valley as a Component of MRCCC’s Celebration of “Mary River Month”
Click Here to Print "Flier"
Regent Bowerbird (Male) Courtesy of Adam Marlow)
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Excursion 17/3/18 – A Full Day Tag-along Excursion along a Selection of western “Bird Trail” Sites.
Click here to Print Flier
Please Note - This Excursion is now fully booked
Watch for Notification of our June Excursion along a Selection of "Bird Trail" Sites through our beautiful Mary Valley!
White-throated Gerygone ( Courtesy of Amelia Nielsen)
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Excursion Report for 17/3/18 – (Western Excursion)
Eleven participants gathered at “Lake Alford” at 7.30am for the first Seasonal Excursion “Along the Bird Trails of Cooloola” for 2018, (Western Sites),
on a clear, and what turned out to be, a very warm day for March, our first site for exploration being “Milima” at Lower Wonga, near Kilkivan.
Meaning “Hills” in Swahili, “Milima” is a 2,000 acre cattle property with habitat types ranging from Grasslands to Riparian, Dry Rainforest and Wetlands.
With admittedly too much area to cover in a short stay, our host for the morning, Gillian provided a great service in leading our group of “Birders” to various sites throughout “Milima”, after all the rain appearing un-characteristically very green for this time of year. “Milima” is a “Land for Wildlife” reserve,
with Gillian taking a great deal of care and attention in maintaining, preserving and improving the great range of habitats existing there.
Richard’s Pipit, Double-barred Finch, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Varied Sittella and White-winged Chough were among the species recorded in the Grasslands
and more Open Forest habitats, while a Wedge-tailed Eagle and small flocks of Rainbow Bee-eater were noted flying above.
Eleven participants gathered at “Lake Alford” at 7.30am for the first Seasonal Excursion “Along the Bird Trails of Cooloola” for 2018, (Western Sites),
on a clear, and what turned out to be, a very warm day for March, our first site for exploration being “Milima” at Lower Wonga, near Kilkivan.
Meaning “Hills” in Swahili, “Milima” is a 2,000 acre cattle property with habitat types ranging from Grasslands to Riparian, Dry Rainforest and Wetlands.
With admittedly too much area to cover in a short stay, our host for the morning, Gillian provided a great service in leading our group of “Birders” to various sites throughout “Milima”, after all the rain appearing un-characteristically very green for this time of year. “Milima” is a “Land for Wildlife” reserve,
with Gillian taking a great deal of care and attention in maintaining, preserving and improving the great range of habitats existing there.
Richard’s Pipit, Double-barred Finch, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Varied Sittella and White-winged Chough were among the species recorded in the Grasslands
and more Open Forest habitats, while a Wedge-tailed Eagle and small flocks of Rainbow Bee-eater were noted flying above.
Double-barred Finch
(A. Nielsen) |
Leaden Flycatcher (Male)
(A. Nielsen) |
Varied Triller (Male)
(A. Nielsen) |
A walk along an excellent Riparian corridor gave us the highlight of the morning with Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Varied Triller,
Leaden Flycatcher, Spectacled Monarch, Golden Whistler and Little Shrike-thrush all providing good views in the one tree.
Other species notable by their numbers here were flocks of White-throated Honeyeater and Yellow Thornbill.
Leaden Flycatcher, Spectacled Monarch, Golden Whistler and Little Shrike-thrush all providing good views in the one tree.
Other species notable by their numbers here were flocks of White-throated Honeyeater and Yellow Thornbill.
A pleasant morning tea was had under a large, fruiting, Cluster Fig (Ficus racemosa), after which we bid farewell to Gillian and “Milima” before departing
for our next site, and lunch spot, Mt Clara, (The Chimneys).
We wish to express our sincere thanks to Gillian for allowing us access to her property, along with acting as our host for the morning.
Fifty species in total were recorded there during our stay. It is a Site we will be visiting at a later date to explore further, with Gillians’ permission.
(Click Here to View & Print List)
for our next site, and lunch spot, Mt Clara, (The Chimneys).
We wish to express our sincere thanks to Gillian for allowing us access to her property, along with acting as our host for the morning.
Fifty species in total were recorded there during our stay. It is a Site we will be visiting at a later date to explore further, with Gillians’ permission.
(Click Here to View & Print List)
Dusky Honeyeater
(A. Nielsen) |
Red-browed Finch
(A. Nielsen) |
Scarlet Honeyeater (Male)
(A. Nielsen) |
Mt Clara, (“The Chimneys”), is a relic of the early mining days of Kilkivan, habitats ranging from Open Forest to Sclerophyll and Riparian.
(For Some History of Mt Clara, Click Here, Here & Here)
After lunch among a stand of Spotted Gum, (Corymbia maculata), an afternoon walk was taken to “Bird” the stands of Riparian Forest bordering Fat Hen Creek.
While species were not as abundant on this occasion as other visits we have made here, there was still variety with White-faced Heron and Azure Kingfisher
at the creek crossings, while Pheasant Coucal and Red-browed Finch were sighted in the low vegetation.
A feature here were a number of Spotted Pardalote calling, in the distance sounding reminiscent of Bell Miner.
(For Some History of Mt Clara, Click Here, Here & Here)
After lunch among a stand of Spotted Gum, (Corymbia maculata), an afternoon walk was taken to “Bird” the stands of Riparian Forest bordering Fat Hen Creek.
While species were not as abundant on this occasion as other visits we have made here, there was still variety with White-faced Heron and Azure Kingfisher
at the creek crossings, while Pheasant Coucal and Red-browed Finch were sighted in the low vegetation.
A feature here were a number of Spotted Pardalote calling, in the distance sounding reminiscent of Bell Miner.
Spotted Pardalote (Male) (A. Nielsen)
Twenty eight species in total were recorded during our stay, (refer list)
Hoping that all who attended may have enjoyed the “Birding” Experience we provided,
Kelvin & Amelia Nielsen. COOLOOLA NATURE
www.birdingcooloola.org.au [email protected]
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Hoping that all who attended may have enjoyed the “Birding” Experience we provided,
Kelvin & Amelia Nielsen. COOLOOLA NATURE
www.birdingcooloola.org.au [email protected]
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Excursion 10/6/18 – A Full Day Tag-along Excursion along a Selection of “Bird Trail” Sites
in our Beautiful Mary Valley!
Click here to Print Flier
Watch for Notification too of our September Excursion along a Selection of Cooloola Coast "Bird Trail" Sites!
in our Beautiful Mary Valley!
Click here to Print Flier
Watch for Notification too of our September Excursion along a Selection of Cooloola Coast "Bird Trail" Sites!
Rufous Fantail ( Courtesy of Amelia Nielsen)
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Excursion Report for 10/6/18 – (Mary Valley Excursion)
Seven participants gathered at “Lake Alford” at 7.30am for the second Seasonal Excursion “Along the Bird Trails of Cooloola”, (Mary Valley Sites),
for 2018 for an enjoyable, and very productive day of “Birding”
Morning Tea was had at “Stirlings’ Crossing”, widely recognised as one of the best “Birding” Sites in South-east Queensland, with habitats ranging from
Open Forest to Rain Forest, Sclerophyll, and Riparian.
As is usual, Stirlings’ offered a diverse range of species for viewing, with New Holland Honeyeaters being most noticeable by their numbers.
Brown Honeyeater, Lewins' Honeyeater, Dusky, and Scarlet Myzomela were also sighted, along with Little Lorikeets and White-naped Honeyeater,
while a number of participants had good views of an Eastern Spinebill,
A highlight here was an excellent view and chorus of song given by a Crested Shriketit right above our cars!
Next stop was Amama Picnic Area for lunch, where we added a few more species to our list, among these being White-eared Monarch, (late in the season),
Large-billed Scrub-wren, and Satin Bowerbird.
Afternoon Tea was had at Amamoor Creek, after which the next stop was home after a great days “Birding”!
Seven participants gathered at “Lake Alford” at 7.30am for the second Seasonal Excursion “Along the Bird Trails of Cooloola”, (Mary Valley Sites),
for 2018 for an enjoyable, and very productive day of “Birding”
Morning Tea was had at “Stirlings’ Crossing”, widely recognised as one of the best “Birding” Sites in South-east Queensland, with habitats ranging from
Open Forest to Rain Forest, Sclerophyll, and Riparian.
As is usual, Stirlings’ offered a diverse range of species for viewing, with New Holland Honeyeaters being most noticeable by their numbers.
Brown Honeyeater, Lewins' Honeyeater, Dusky, and Scarlet Myzomela were also sighted, along with Little Lorikeets and White-naped Honeyeater,
while a number of participants had good views of an Eastern Spinebill,
A highlight here was an excellent view and chorus of song given by a Crested Shriketit right above our cars!
Next stop was Amama Picnic Area for lunch, where we added a few more species to our list, among these being White-eared Monarch, (late in the season),
Large-billed Scrub-wren, and Satin Bowerbird.
Afternoon Tea was had at Amamoor Creek, after which the next stop was home after a great days “Birding”!
Crested Shriketit
(A.Nielsen) |
Eastern Spinebill
(A. Nielsen) |
New Holland Honeyeater
(A. Nielsen) |
Seventy Species in all were recorded for the day. (Please refer to the List below – st = Stirlings Crossing, ama = Amama, - ack = Amamoor Creek)
Maned Duck ack, Straw-necked Ibis st ama, Eastern Cattle Egret st, White-faced Heron st, Black-shouldered Kite st, Pacific Baza st, Whistling Kite st, White-bellied Sea Eagle st, Masked Lapwing st, White-headed Pigeon st, Brown Cuckoo-Dove st, Wonga Pigeon st, Peaceful Dove st ama, Bar-shouldered Dove st, Fan-tailed Cuckoo st, Laughing Kookaburra st ack, Azure Kingfisher st, Rainbow Bee-eater st, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo st, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo st, Rainbow Lorikeet st, Little Lorikeet st, Pale-headed Rosella ack, Australian King Parrot st, Regent Bowerbird st, Satin Bowerbird ama, White-throated Treecreeper st ama, Variegated Fairy-wren ack, Dusky Myzomela st, Scarlet Myzomela st ama, Eastern Spinebill st, Brown Honeyeater st, New Holland Honeyeater st, Noisy Friarbird st, White-naped Honeyeater st, Yellow-faced Honeyeater st ack, Bell Miner st ack, Noisy Miner ack, Lewin's Honeyeater st ama ack, Spotted Pardalote st, Striated Pardalote st ama, White-browed Scrubwren st, Large-billed Scrubwren ama, Brown Thornbill st, Eastern Whipbird st ama ack, Dusky Woodswallow st ack, Australian Magpie st ack, Pied Currawong st ama, Black-faced Cuckooshrike st, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike st, Varied Triller st, Crested Shriketit st, Australian Golden Whistler st ama, Little Shrikethrush st ama, Grey Shrikethrush st ama, Spangled Drongo am, Willie Wagtail st, Grey Fantail st ama ack, Spectacled Monarch st, White-eared Monarch ama, Magpie-lark st, Restless Flycatcher st, Torresian Crow st ama, Eastern Yellow Robin st ama ack, Rose Robin st, Welcome Swallow st, Silvereye st, Russet-tailed Thrush st, Red-browed Finch st ama, Double-barred Finch st
Eastern Yellow Robin
(A. Nielsen) |
White-eared Monarch
(A. Nielsen) |
Peaceful Dove
(A. Nielsen) |
Hoping that all who attended may have enjoyed the “Birding” Experience we offered,
Kelvin & Amelia Nielsen. COOLOOLA NATURE www.birdingcooloola.org.au
[email protected]
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Kelvin & Amelia Nielsen. COOLOOLA NATURE www.birdingcooloola.org.au
[email protected]
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Excursion 9/9/18 – A Full Day Tag-along Excursion along a Selection of Coastal “Bird Trail” Sites.
From Wetlands to Rainforest to Wallum, experience the Diversity of “Birding” that Coastal “Bird Trail” Sites offer!
(Click here to print Flier)
From Wetlands to Rainforest to Wallum, experience the Diversity of “Birding” that Coastal “Bird Trail” Sites offer!
(Click here to print Flier)
Bar-tailed Godwit
(A. Nielsen) |
Wompoo Fruit Dove
(A. Nielsen) |
Ground Parrot
(D. Glover) |
Watch for Notification too of our January Excursion along a Selection of Gympie City & Surrounds "Bird Trail" Sites!
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Excursion Report for 9/9/18 – (Coastal Excursion)
Though only two Participants attended this Excursion due to cancellations, the day was, considering the number and quality of Bird sightings, a great success!
At Mullens, Morning Tea stop), an early flock of eighty Far Eastern Curlew and Whimbrel were sighted, (noting that a number of Far Eastern Curlew overwinter at this Site), while resident Red-capped Plover were also present. Other Species recorded here were Black-faced and White-breasted Woodswallow, (overhead), Varied Triller, and Leaden Flycatcher.
Leaving Mullens, we travelled to our next Site, and Lunch Spot, Bymien Picnic Area.
Noticeable by their calls immediately on alighting from our vehicles were Rose-crowned and Wompoo Fruit Dove, (Wompoo later sighted). Of particular interest here was an Albino Olive-backed Oriole. On the walk to Lake Poona, Noisy Pitta and Green Catbird were heard, while good views were had of Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Rufous Fantail and Pale Yellow Robin. At Lake Poona itself were Brown Falcon, Topknot Pigeon, and Darter among others.
Onto the Teewah Plains for Afternoon Tea while waiting for Sunset, and the much anticipated Ground Parrot chorus, (well worth waiting for)! This was not the only highlight here though, for in addition earlier were a large mixed flock of White-browed, Black-faced and Masked Woodswallow, along with a lone
White-winged Triller, (non-breeding male).
Though only two Participants attended this Excursion due to cancellations, the day was, considering the number and quality of Bird sightings, a great success!
At Mullens, Morning Tea stop), an early flock of eighty Far Eastern Curlew and Whimbrel were sighted, (noting that a number of Far Eastern Curlew overwinter at this Site), while resident Red-capped Plover were also present. Other Species recorded here were Black-faced and White-breasted Woodswallow, (overhead), Varied Triller, and Leaden Flycatcher.
Leaving Mullens, we travelled to our next Site, and Lunch Spot, Bymien Picnic Area.
Noticeable by their calls immediately on alighting from our vehicles were Rose-crowned and Wompoo Fruit Dove, (Wompoo later sighted). Of particular interest here was an Albino Olive-backed Oriole. On the walk to Lake Poona, Noisy Pitta and Green Catbird were heard, while good views were had of Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Rufous Fantail and Pale Yellow Robin. At Lake Poona itself were Brown Falcon, Topknot Pigeon, and Darter among others.
Onto the Teewah Plains for Afternoon Tea while waiting for Sunset, and the much anticipated Ground Parrot chorus, (well worth waiting for)! This was not the only highlight here though, for in addition earlier were a large mixed flock of White-browed, Black-faced and Masked Woodswallow, along with a lone
White-winged Triller, (non-breeding male).
Brahminy Kite (A. Nielsen)
|
Australasian Grebe (A. Nielsen)
|
Mangrove Honeyeater (A. Nielsen)
|
Sixty Seven Species in all were recorded for the day. (Please refer to the List below – (mu = Mullens, blp = Bymien-Lake Poona, tpl = Teewah Plains) –
Australian Brushturkey (blp), Australasian Grebe (blp), Australian White Ibis (mu), White-faced Heron (mu), Australasian Darter (blp), (mu), Whistling Kite (mu), Brahminy Kite (mu), Pied Oystercatcher (mu), Red-capped Plover (mu), Whimbrel (mu), Far Eastern Curlew (mu), Gull-billed Tern (mu), Caspian Tern (mu), Bar-shouldered Dove (tpl), Wompoo Fruit Dove (blp), Rose-crowned Fruit Dove (blp), Topknot Pigeon (blp), Shining Bronze Cuckoo (blp), Laughing Kookaburra (tpl), Forest Kingfisher (mu), Rainbow Bee-eater (mu, tpl), Brown Falcon (blp), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (mu, blp), Rainbow Lorikeet (mu), Eastern Ground Parrot (tpl), Noisy Pitta (blp), Green Catbird (blp), Red-backed Fairywren (mu, tpl), Scarlet Myzomela (mu), Brown Honeyeater (mu, tpl), White-cheeked Honeyeater (tpl), Noisy Friarbird (mu, tpl), Blue-faced Honeyeater (tpl), White-throated Honeyeater (blp), Little Wattlebird (tlp), Mangrove Honeyeater (mu), Lewin's Honeyeater (mu, blp, tpl), Striated Pardalote (tpl), Large-billed Scrubwren (blp), Brown Gerygone (blp), Eastern Whipbird (blp), White-breasted Woodswallow (mu), Masked Woodswallow (tpl), White-browed Woodswallow (tpl), Black-faced Woodswallow (mu, tpl), Pied Butcherbird (mu, tpl), Black-faced Cuckooshrike (mu, tpl), White-winged Triller (n br male (tpl)), Varied Triller (mu), Australian Golden Whistler (blp), Rufous Whistler (mu, tpl), Little Shrikethrush (mu, blp), Grey Shrikethrush (blp), Olive-backed Oriole (blp), (albino), Willie Wagtail (mu, tpl), Rufous Fantail (blp), Spectacled Monarch (blp), Leaden Flycatcher (mu), Torresian Crow (mu), Pale Yellow Robin (blp), Eastern Yellow Robin (mu, blp), Welcome Swallow (mu), Tawny Grassbird (tpl), Silvereye (blp), Mistletoebird (mu), Red-browed Finch (tpl), Australian Pipit (tpl)
Masked Woodswallow (A. Nielsen)
|
Woodswallow (Mixed Flock) (A. Nielsen)
|
White-throated Honeyeater (A. Nielsen)
|
Hoping that all who attended may have enjoyed the “Birding” Experience we offered,
Kelvin & Amelia Nielsen. COOLOOLA NATURE www.birdingcooloola.org.au
[email protected]
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kelvin & Amelia Nielsen. COOLOOLA NATURE www.birdingcooloola.org.au
[email protected]
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Excursion 13/1/19 – A Full Day Tag-along Excursion along a Selection of “Bird Trail” Sites in Gympie City & Nearby Surrounds!
(Click Here to Print Flier)
(Click Here to Print Flier)
Intermediate Egret (A. Nielsen)
|
Cotton Pygmy goose (A. Nielsen)
|
Nankeen Night-Heron (A. Nielsen)
|
Watch too for Notification of an up-coming Excursion along a Selection of Western "Bird Trail" Sites!
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