Another month has passed by - apologies. My very elderly mothers’ serious health decline and ultimate passing have taken up most of the available time and energy in this house for the last month. She is now at rest and we have all learned a lot more about how unsatisfactory the system for the dying is in this country, and how we need to make sure that it has improved before our own times come.
It is very nice to be back home in Daintree where early rain systems are restoring the moisture to the rainforest floor and the wildlife are just loving it! Luckily, no-one has told the mosquitoes yet that it has rained so we have the best of all worlds.
All the summer migrants apart from the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher have returned, with good sightings in Black Bittern on the Daintree River for the past couple of weeks. There have been reports of the k ingfisher being heard, but no sightings.
The big news is that there have been two very good, close views of Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo at Jindalba Boardwalk in the past fortnight, that we are aware of. We spent a couple of hours there yesterday, hoping to be lucky, but dipped out. The birdlife was excellent though, with Wompoo Fruit Dove, Superb Fruit Dove, Bridled Honeyeater, Rufous Fantail, Little Shrike-Thrush, Large-billed Scrubwren and many other species. It is always difficult birding in that tall rainforest, but well worthwhile. Shame about the Tree Roo! Good sightings of Cassowary also north of the Daintree River, although the locations have varied.
The garden at Red Mill House has been terrific for Black-faced Monarch, Satin Flycatcher, Cicadabird, Barred Cuckoo-Shrike plus all the usual suspects.
Papuan Frogmouth, Little Kingfisher, Great-billed Heron and Azure Kingfisher are all regulars on the Daintree River.
Dollarbird on the local power lines, but unfortunately our new resident Red-backed Kingfisher seems to have gone. It is mating season after all - - -
