Southern CassowaryAustralian Brush-turkeyOrange-footed ScrubfowlStubble QuailBrown QuailKing QuailMagpie GoosePlumed Whistling-DuckWandering Whistling-DuckFreckled DuckBlack SwanRadjah ShelduckAustralian Wood DuckPink-eared DuckCotton Pygmy-gooseGreen Pygmy-gooseAustralasian Shoveler - RGarganeyGrey TealChestnut TealPacific Black DuckHardheadAustralasian GrebeHoary-headed GrebeGreat Crested GrebeRock Dove - IWhite-headed PigeonSpotted Dove - IBrown Cuckoo-DoveEmerald DoveCommon BronzewingCrested PigeonSquatter PigeonDiamond DovePeaceful DoveBar-shouldered DoveWompoo Fruit-DoveSuperb Fruit-DoveRose-crowned Fruit-DovePied Imperial-PigeonTopknot PigeonTawny FrogmouthPapuan FrogmouthWhite-throated NightjarSpotted NightjarLarge-tailed NightjarAustralian Owlet-NightjarAustralian SwiftletWhite-throated NeedletailFork-tailed SwiftAustralasian DarterLittle Pied CormorantGreat CormorantLittle Black CormorantPied Cormorant

Australian PelicanBlack-necked StorkBlack BitternWhite-necked HeronEastern Great EgretGreat-billed HeronIntermediate EgretCattle EgretPied HeronWhite-faced HeronLittle EgretNankeen Night-HeronGlossy IbisAustralian White IbisStraw-necked IbisRoyal SpoonbillYellow-billed SpoonbillEastern OspreyBlack-shouldered KiteLetter-winged Kite -RSquare-tailed KiteBlack-breasted BuzzardPacific BazaWhite-bellied Sea-EagleWhistling KiteBrahminy KiteBlack Kite Brown GoshawkCollared SparrowhawkGrey GoshawkSpotted HarrierSwamp HarrierRed Goshawk - RWedge-tailed EagleLittle EagleNankeen KestrelBrown FalconAustralian HobbyGrey FalconBlack FalconPeregrine FalconSarus CraneBrolgaPurple SwamphenRed-necked CrakeLewin’s RailBuff-banded RailBaillon’s CrakeSpotless CrakeWhite-browed CrakePale-vented Bush-henBlack-tailed Native-henDusky MoorhenEurasian CootAustralian Bustard

Bush Stone-curlewBlack-winged StiltRed-necked AvocetPacific Golden PloverGrey PloverLittle Ringed Plover - RRed-capped PloverOriental PloverBlack-fronted DotterelRed-kneed DotterelBanded LapwingMasked LapwingComb-crested JacanaAustralian Painted SnipeLatham’s SnipeSwinhoe’s Snipe - RBlack-tailed GodwitLittle CurlewCommon SandpiperCommon GreenshankMarsh SandpiperWood SandpiperRed-necked StintPectoral SandpiperSharp-tailed SandpiperCurlew-SandpiperRuff - RRed-backed Button-quailBuff-breasted Button-quailPainted Button-quailRed-chested Button-quailLittle Button-quailOriental PratincoleAustralian PratincoleGull-billed TernCaspian TernWhiskered TernWhite-winged Black TernSilver GullRed-tailed Black-CockatooGalahLittle CorellaSulphur-crested CockatooCockatielRainbow LorikeetScaly-breasted LorikeetLittle LorikeetDouble-eyed Fig-ParrotAustralian King-ParrotRed-winged ParrotCrimson RosellaPale-headed RosellaPheasant CoucalEastern KoelChannel-billed Cuckoo

Horsfield’s Bronze-CuckooBlack-eared CuckooShining Bronze-CuckooLittle Bronze-CuckooPallid CuckooChestnut-breasted CuckooFan-tailed CuckooBrush CuckooOriental CuckooRufous OwlBarking OwlSouthern BoobookSooty OwlMasked OwlEastern Barn OwlEastern Grass OwlAzure KingfisherLittle KingfisherBuff-breasted Paradise-KingfisherLaughing KookaburraBlue-winged KookaburraForest KingfisherRed-backed KingfisherSacred KingfisherRainbow Bee-eaterDollarbirdNoisy PittaWhite-throated TreecreeperBrown TreecreeperSpotted CatbirdTooth-billed Bowerbird - EGolden Bowerbird - ESatin BowerbirdGreat BowerbirdRed-backed Fairy-wrenLovely Fairy-wrenFernwren - EYellow-throated ScrubwrenWhite-browed ScrubwrenAtherton Scrubwren - ELarge-billed ScrubwrenWeebillBrown GerygoneLarge-billed GerygoneFairy GerygoneWhite-throated GerygoneYellow ThornbillYellow-rumped ThornbillBuff-rumped ThornbillMountain Thornbill - ESpotted PardaloteRed-browed PardaloteStriated PardaloteEastern SpinebillLewin’s Honeyeater

Yellow-spotted HoneyeaterGraceful HoneyeaterBridled Honeyeater - EYellow-faced HoneyeaterYellow HoneyeaterFuscous HoneyeaterWhite-plumed HoneyeaterNoisy MinerYellow-throated MinerBrown-backed HoneyeaterRufous-throated HoneyeaterDusky HoneyeaterScarlet HoneyeaterBanded HoneyeaterBrown HoneyeaterWhite-cheeked HoneyeaterBlack-chinned HoneyeaterWhite-throated HoneyeaterWhite-naped HoneyeaterBlue-faced HoneyeaterHelmeted FriarbirdNoisy FriarbirdLittle FriarbirdMacleay’s Honeyeater - EGrey-crowned BabblerChowchilla - EEastern WhipbirdVaried SittellaGround Cuckoo-shrikeBlack-faced Cuckoo-shrikeWhite-bellied Cuckoo-shrikeBarred Cuckoo-shrikeCicadabirdWhite-winged TrillerVaried TrillerCrested Shrike-titGolden WhistlerGrey WhistlerRufous WhistlerLittle Shrike-thrushBower’s Shrike-thrush - EGrey Shrike-thrushAustralasian FigbirdYellow OrioleOlive-backed OrioleWhite-breasted WoodswallowMasked WoodswallowWhite-browed WoodswallowBlack-faced WoodswallowDusky WoodswallowLittle WoodswallowBlack ButcherbirdGrey ButcherbirdPied ButcherbirdAustralian Magpie

Pied CurrawongSpangled DrongoRufous FantailGrey FantailNorthern FantailWillie WagtailTorresian CrowLeaden FlycatcherSatin FlycatcherShining FlycatcherRestless FlycatcherWhite-eared MonarchBlack-faced MonarchSpectacled MonarchMagpie-larkPied Monarch - EYellow-breasted BoatbillApostlebirdVictoria’s Riflebird - EJacky WinterLemon-bellied FlycatcherPale-yellow RobinEastern Yellow RobinGrey-headed Robin - EWhite-browed RobinHorsfield’s BushlarkGolden-headed CisticolaAustralian Reed-WarblerTawny GrassbirdSilvereyeBarn SwallowWelcome SwallowFairy MartinTree MartinRed-rumped Swallow - RBassian ThrushRusset-tailed ThrushMetallic StarlingCommon Myna - IMistletoebirdOlive-backed SunbirdZebra FinchDouble-barred FinchBlack-throated FinchPlum-headed FinchRed-browed FinchBlue-faced Parrot-FinchNutmeg Mannikin - IChestnut-breasted MannikinHouse Sparrow - IAustralasian Pipit

327 species

Bird watching in the tropicsThe Cairns Highlands has a wide variety of habitats such as riverine, wetland, woodland, rainforest, grassland, agricultural and parkland and also has one of the largest avifauna of any region in Australia.

It is home to over 300 species of birds and 12 of these are local endemics, being:• Fernwren: generally seen in the higher altitude rainforests.• Atherton Scrubwren: higher altitude rainforests.• Mountain Thornbill: higher altitude rainforests.• Macleay’s Honeyeater: common at lower and mid altitudes in

and around rainforest areas• Bridled Honeyeater: common, found in rainforest and adjacent

woodlands.• Grey-headed Robin: common in rainforest, generally at higher

altitudes.• Chowchilla: easiest when calling in the early morning, higher

altitude rainforest. • Bower’s Shrike-Thrush: fairly easy to find in higher altitude

rainforests.• Pied Monarch: throughout except at highest altitudes. • Victoria’s Riflebird: throughout rainforested areas and

adjacent woodlands.• Tooth-billed Bowerbird: easily seen when displaying in mid to

high altitude rainforest.• Golden Bowerbird: seen at bowers during breeding season

(Sep-Jan) at higher altitudesLesser Sooty Owl now lumped with Sooty Owl so is no longer a Wet Tropics endemic.

Additionally many distinct subspecies occur including:• Double-eyed Fig-Parrot • Crimson Rosella• Southern Boobook • Masked Owl• White-throated Treecreeper • Yellow-throated Scrubwren• Brown Gerygone • Yellow Thornbill• Yellow-faced Honeyeater • Eastern Spinebill• Pale-yellow Robin • Grey Fantail• Satin Bowerbird • Bassian Thrush

Whatever time of year you decide to visit there will always be plenty of birds to see. October to April may be our hotter and wetter months, but it is the time when the migrant species arrive from Papua New Guinea including the beautiful Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Channel-billed Cuckoo and Common Koel. Many birds such as Noisy Pitta are also breeding at this time of year and are easier to observe as they search for food. During our cooler, drier, winter months (May to September) the Victoria’s Riflebirds are displaying and winter breeders such as White-eared Monarch can be easier to see.

During this period, Brolgas and Sarus Cranes are also found on the Tableland feeding on the agricultural fields.

Cairns HighlandsThe Cairns Highlands has long been a favourite destination for locals from the coast. Plenty of quality accommodation is available to suit all styles of travel — bed and breakfast houses, self-contained cottages, motels, caravan parks and camping grounds.

Marvel at the picturesque volcanic crater lakes, cascading waterfalls, rainforest and woodland scenery. Numerous national parks provide for ample bushwalking opportunities and the rich fertile soils offer a cornucopia of local produce. Tasting rooms for coffee, tea, cheese and tropical wines welcome visitors. Other attractions abound with nature parks allowing up close viewing of native animals.

The elevation of the Cairns Highlands makes our climate very pleasant all year round. It is a place to explore and enjoy in all seasons.

For further information visit Tropical Tablelands Tourism at: www.athertontablelands.org.au

Or contact the following friendly visitor information centres:

Atherton (07) 4091 4222 infocen@trc.qld.gov.auMareeba (07) 4092 5674 info@mareebaheritagecentre.com.auKuranda (07) 4093 9311 info@kuranda.orgMalanda (07) 4096 6957 malandafalls@bigpond.comHerberton (07) 4096 3474 info@herbertonvisitorcentre.com.auRavenshoe (07) 4097 7700 info@ravenshoevisitorcentre.com.auChillagoe (07) 4094 7111 chillagoehubinfo@bigpond.com

Bird Watching Capital of Australia

Tropical Tablelands Tourism www.athertontablelands.org.au

CairnsHighlands

There are over 430 bird species in the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef

TOP BIRD WATCHING DESTINATIONS ON THE CAIRNS HIGHLANDS

Photos A, B, C, D, E, F, I, M, O, P: Keith & Lindsay Fisher © 2008 | Photos H, K, L, N: Peta Nott © 2008 | Photo G: Martin Willis © 2008 | Photo J: Ian Montgomery © 2008 www.birdway.com.au

Mt Lewis National Park

Buff-Breasted Paradise-Kingfisher

Mt. Lewis Road winds its way up to 950m where upland rainforest species such as Golden Bowerbird, Chowchilla and Blue-faced Parrot-Finch (Nov-April) are found. The road is gravel so check the conditions before you go. This birding area is part of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy property Brooklyn Nature Refuge.

Squatter Pigeon, Red-winged Parrot and Great Bowerbird are found around the township especially near the school. Bicentenary Park and Rifle Creek Rest Area are also excellent areas to bird. Bakers Road, just south of Mt Molloy, leads to the cemetery which is another good spot for bush birds.

Drive out onto the causeway at the southern end of the lake through a gate. This extensive man-made wetland attracts thousands of water birds including Black-necked Stork. The woodland at the far end of the causeway is good for dry-country birds.

Abundant waterbirds with White-breasted Sea-Eagle and Swamp Harrier in the dry season (September – December). Location off Chewko Road at Walkamin. Opportunity to see flocks of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in the surrounding paddocks and woodland forest.

A tiny national park also known as Nyleta Wet-lands is home to more than 220 bird species. The two-storey bird hide is the perfect place to spot wetland species. Located 5 kilometres south of Atherton off Herberton Road. Bird highlights are Magpie Goose, Plumed Whistling Duck, Pink-eared Duck and White-headed Stilt.

A special piece of remnant rainforest harbours many rainforest birds from Emerald Dove and Wompoo Fruit-Dove to White-throated Treecreeper, Fernwren and Bower’s Shrike-thrush along the one hour walk (2.6 kilometre circuit). Only 8 kilometres south of Atherton on the Kennedy Highway.

A boardwalk and bird hide overlook the swamp. The woodland area around the car park is often productive and when the paper bark trees are flowering, large numbers of lorikeets and honeyeaters are attracted to the area. Crakes and rails can be seen around the swamp, Northern Fantail in car park.

The car park and walk offers good viewing of several endemics, including Fernwren, Bridled Honeyeater, Grey-headed Robin, Chowchilla (best early in the morning) and is habitat for Golden Bowerbird. Keep a lookout for the occasional Southern Cassowary. A popular place for spotlighting possums as well.

Davis Creek flows over huge granite boulders surrounded by eucalypt forest. There is a picnic and camping area and walking tracks. Pale-headed Rosella, White-cheeked Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater and Lemon-bellied Flycatcher are found here. Access is by a corrugated gravel road unsuitable for caravans.

Drier western edge of the Tableland. Opportunities are Painted Button-quail Little Lorikeet, Fuscous Honeyeater, Varied Sittella, Crested Shrike-tit, and Eastern Yellow Robin. From Wondecla travel two kilometres on Herberton-Longlands Gap Road. Turn right onto Flaggy Creek Road. Follow 15 kilometres of unsealed road to Kaban. Go straight ahead to Ravenshoe.

The Barron Falls Lookout and Wrights Lookout, a short drive from Kuranda, both provide good birdwatching opportunities giving access to rainforest overlooking spectacular views. Interpretive signage and displays along the boardwalk at the Barron Falls describe the park’s natural and cultural heritage. Look for Pied Monarch and Yellow-breasted Boatbill.

Two short circuit walks wander through dense rainforest, where mound builders Australian Brush Turkeys and Orange-footed Scrubfowl are common. Atherton Scrubwren, Macleay’s Honeyeater and Eastern Whipbird are often spotted. Ask at the information centre for the latest tree kangaroo sightings.

The crater lakes, Eacham and Barrine, are tiny national parks with three to 4 kilometre walks around them. More than 180 bird species are recorded. Double eyed Fig-parrot are sometimes seen in small flocks. Tooth-billed Bowerbird build courts close to the track in the breeding season (September – January). Look for Victoria’s Riflebird.

This unique extinct volcanic crater is a roosting site for hundreds of Sarus Crane and Brolga in winter (April — November). Best viewing is at dusk when the birds fly in for the evening after feeding in the nearby paddocks, or early morning.

The rainforest surrounds of this iconic waterfall is home to Yellow-throated Scrubwren and Bower’s Shrike-thrush along the 200 metre track.

This beautiful rainforest road has abundant rainforest birds such as Pale-yellow Robins. Spectacular views over the Tully Gorge and lovely picnic areas for bird watching.

Abattoir Swamp

Bird hide

Davies Creek Falls National Park

Lemon-Bellied Flycatcher

Barron Falls National Park

Barron Falls in flood

Mt Molloy

Great Bowerbird

Lake Mitchell

Black-Necked Stork

Nardello’s Lagoon

White-Bellied Sea-Eagle

Mt Hypipamee National Park

The Crater

Hastie’s Swamp

Bird hide

Wongabel State Forest

Emerald Dove

Kaban

Eastern Yellow Robin

Tully Falls Road

Pale-Yellow Robin

Millaa Millaa Falls

Millaa Millaa Falls

Bromfield Swamp

Sarus Crane

Crater Lakes National Park

Lake Eacham

Malanda Falls Conservation Park

Macleay’s Honeyeater