Some Great Birds

Wednesday Oct 5

Not such a long day to-day, still a very enjoyable one. Bundaberg has a flourishing bird group of which Trevor Quested is President. He and his wife Annie offered to accompany us to-day, we met them at 7.30 a.m and drove to an area near Smith’s Crossing. Off-road, on a private track through the forest which led uphill to a couple of dwellings (we had permission), before parking and walking down 50 metres to view a Square-tailed Kite sitting high in a tree. Before it could be scoped, it sailed off over the treetops giving us great flying views. A world tick, excellent. Trevor then set his scope up on the nest where we could see the sitting female’s head. Even better. A Dollarbird sat nearby.

It was a longish drive round to the other side of Smith’s Crossing - which isn’t. The bridge was washed away several years ago and isn’t being replaced. Good birding area of riverine forest.

Trevor called up Little Shrike-Thrush, then we spent some time calling Fairy Gerygone before they responded. Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove took even longer, he thought we’d failed. Absolutely superb looking birds and we had our best and longest view ever, despite it being perched amongst leafy branches. Spectacular.

Rose-crowned Fruit-doves. Taken by Trevor Quested

Time for smoko....morning tea. We’d turned down Tina’s biscuits last night so, she hadn’t brought any. Good job too ! We had a cold drink - a Bundaberg Peachie which was delicious - whilst admiring Scarlet Honeyeater and Mistletoe Bird feeding on a splendid Callistemon tree. A majestic White-bellied Fish-Eagle perched in a bare tree on the other side of the river, a black and white composition against the light.

Last trick was to call in a Brush Cuckoo which was very obliging, swooping in almost immediately - but didn’t pose in the open for me to photograph well.

Another longish drive to Norval Park. It was a planned visit until the local news told of several bush fires there and Tina decided, with Trevor, not to risk it. Plans were changed back again this morning when there was no mention of further outbreaks. We birded our way in along a dusty gravel road, everywhere is very dry. Indeed there were large burnt areas coming down to the road in.We picked up Tree martins, White-breasted Wood-Swallows and a male Varied Triller before reaching the camping ground at the edge of the ocean. Leaving Tina to lay out the lunch, we walked to the sea, having excellent views, at last, of a male Red-backed Fairy-Wren. Trevor was very surprised to see a group of seven Black Swans way out on the sea. he’d never seen them off fresh water before. We had. In both Tasmania and Bribie Island.
A lovely lunch of egg, blue cheese, ham, salad and potato salad followed by fruit. Tina is an excellent host, cook and provider. Very independent too, we’ve only been allowed to wash up!
Trevor then drew us a map of Inskip Point, our planned destination to-morrow, and gave us a few other pointers before he and Annie made their farewells. Lovely to meet such nice people and good birders who were prepared to give us their time so willingly.
Via a riverside stop where we saw a Pheasant Coucal, we returned to Bundaberg and a driving tour of the Hinkler Botanic Gardens. There we saw the usual suspects plus nesting Spoonbills and Plumed Whistling Ducks.
After photographing Tina’s lovely garden,

 on what had become a very overcast and dull afternoon, a cup of tea and Tina’s delicious almond biscuits and then Apple Cake was very welcome. She made four of the latter for her grandson during her recent visit to Perth, it’s his favourite.

Tina is coughing less to-day and says she’s feeling better. I’m sure that she could have done without entertaining us so royally. We shall leave after breakfast to-morrow, thinking of Bridget who is due her first lot of chemotherapy. May it all go well.