Apologies for a month of silence - we seem to have been chasing our tail this last month!
Firstly - the last of the summer migrants are here in Daintree.
Sightings of the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher each day at the end of Stewart Creek Rd. They are skittish and the numbers are still low,
so presumably the main wave of breeding birds are yet to settle in to the area. Great to have them back all the same.
Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher (S Isoe)
Other migrants include Black Bittern, Channel-billed Cuckoo,and Brush Cuckoo.
Good sightings of fabulous birds like Pied Monarch, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Superb Fruit-Dove, Lovely Fairy-Wren and Great-billed Heron.
Yellow-breasted Boatbill (Fred Forsell)
A two night stay with Sean Dooley (Editor Birdlife Australia and The Big Twitch) and Stephen Moss (BBC producer, author and presenter) who had a fabulous
time with our local guides Doug Herrington and Murray Hunt showing them the area. In a few short days in TNQ they saw almost 200 birds - most of them new for Stephen.
Stephen Moss, Sean Dooley, Andrew Forsyth
The inaugural Australasian Birdfair was held in Sydney in late October, which we attended. A good venue and a good lot of exhibitors and speakers and prizes and volunteers
giving a lot of time, money and effort. Unfortunately lack of promotion meant that the numbers of visitors was not as we had all hoped, which was very disappointing. Exhibitors came from
Colombia, Ecuador, South Africa, Guyana, New Zealand and from all around Australia (including Christmas Island) and a marvellous bunch of speakers all turned up - hopefully they will be
just as keen to be involved again next year and the organisation will be better. The potential is huge.
A big time of the year here in TNQ for birdwatching groups from all around the world. Some stay here in Daintree, some don’t. Those who do certainly enjoy the birds and the hospitality
we have to offer. Those who don’t may see the error of their ways next year - - - - - !
