It is well known that summer brings a much needed downpour to the northern rainforests of Queensland. The Australia day floods of January 2019 brought about a long wet season like no other of recent times. Our little village took a beating with water threatening to lap at the front steps of our local watering hole and homes. The mighty Daintree River broke its banks at a record 12.6 metres, the highest recorded level in 118 years! Roads were completely cut off, rainfall gauges overflowed and a croc basked by the roadside near Barrett Creek. It was truly a spectacle to see such torrents of water race furiously down to the river mouth.
Image curtesy Ofer Levy
Ten months on, it is incredible to see the resiliance of mother nature as the river banks and mangrove eco systems return to their former beauty, almost as though the events of the monsoon had never occurred.
Finally by September, after a very short dry winter season, the usual spring migrants started arriving and busily began seasonal rituals.
As the days grow warmer, spring shorter and summer closer, we are excited to hear of Black Bitterns returning to the river, a family of Black Necked Storks with adorable chicks and the first adult Buff-Breasted Paradise Kingfishers returning to our local walking spots around 14th October.
Whilst we are yet to see what this green season has in store, there is certainly no doubt the birding will be great again and well worth a walk in the rain!
