I have travelling
a fair bit this year, as part of my goal to get to 700 on my Australian
Lifelist. As I work full time I’ve mostly
resorted to planning weekend trips heading to targeted areas where potential
lifers occur.
I was
pleased to find an excuse to go back to Julatten in Tropical North Queensland as
I was able to spend a weekend with my friend Del who is great company. I have
been really looking forward to spending some time with him again.
His knowledge
and skill in finding the local endemic species is remarkable. He makes finding
the elusive species look easy due to his observation skills and understanding
of the birds behaviour which comes from decades of experience in the field.
I had a few
potential target species and with only 24 hrs available we worked hard and were
rewarded with wonderful views of Lesser Sooty Owl, Grass Owl and
Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo.
I was also
able to photograph some species that I had not managed photos of before – as I
am also trying to photograph every species in Australia.
A whirlwind
trip but filled with wonderful memories!
Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo
Comb-crested Jacana
Green Pygmy-goose
Green Pygmy-goose
Lesser Sooty Owl
Lovely Fairy-wren
Macleay's Honeyeater
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Yellow-spotted Honeyeater
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
Little Shrike-thrush
Coffee break!
Bushy Creek
My friend Del
Lake Mitchell
Lake Mitchell
Closed-litter Rainbow Skink- Calia longipes
Red-browed Finch
Macleay's Honeyeater
Del generously gave up potential clients to assist me over the weekend and I am very grateful! If any
birders are looking for a professional bird guide in Tropical North Queensland
I highly recommend you book with Del Richards on http://www.finefeathertours.com.au/
