Mixed weather in Daintree over the past couple of weeks, but plenty of sunny days. A great time for insects (grrr for my vegie garden!) and their followers with lots of hawking and sallying going on around the garden at Red Mill House.
Just this morning a mixed flock of Pied Monarch, Varied Triller, Cicadabird, Spectacled Monarch, Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, Macleays Honeyeater, and Little Shrike-Thrush gleaning their way through the front garden. Have even managed to catch both Black Butcherbird and Spangled Drongo working their way around my vegies and herbs, taking those pesky grasshoppers. Go boys!
Rainbow Bee-eater and Forest Kingfisher are in big numbers on the wires and fences and town plus White-bellied and Black Cuckoo-Shrike, all enjoying the increased insect activity.
Pied Monarch Fred Forsell
The rainforest Blue Quandongs and Laurels are in full fruit, attracting Wompoo Fruit-Dove, large numbers of Topknot Pigeon and Brown Cuckoo-Dove. Glimpses of Superb Fruit-Dove as well.
Topknot Pigeon Fred Forsell
The sugar cane harvest is in full swing on the coastal lowlands, bringing in lots of raptors. Black, Whistling and Brahminy Kite are all visible along the roads between Mossman and Daintree, plus Brown Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel and some accipitors. Little Eagle also out on Stewart Creek Rd.
A family of Great-billed Heron on the Daintree River and approachable Little and Azure Kingfisher most days. It is well worth doing a Daintree River cruise for birds and also reptiles at this time of year.
Southern Cassowary has been a bit more difficult as the males sit on their eggs at this time of year. Last sighting at Jindalba boardwalk a couple of days ago.
SPECIAL VISITORS*** A very pale-looking Red-backed Kingfisher has taken up residence on the power lines along Dagmar Street in Daintree Village and this morning a small flock of Channel-billed Cuckoo - - -. Does this mean summer is on it’s way????
All in all a good time for birds and birding in Daintree.
