Friday, November 18, 2011

New life.

Late Spring and early Summer and we are surrounded by new life. Just a short walk around Wonga which is at the start of the Daintree Valley will reveal the sounds of Double-eyed Fig-Parrot chicks begging for food, the squabbles of baby Spectacled Flying-foxes and another persistent begging sound from a Yellow-bellied Sunbird chick not far from the flying-fox camp.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Black Bittern in Wonga Beach.

This morning I saw and heard a Black Bittern at the northern end of Marlin Drive Wonga Beach. It is likely that the Black Bittern will stay and call until it takes up with a mate which could be several days.
One of the highlights in our peak birdwatching season is the arrival of Black Bitterns to nest in the fresh water areas. They arrive in late October and will be around until April.

The easiest way to see Black Bitterns is on a dawn river tour from the Daintree Village at this time of year.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Birdwatching season is in full tilt.

As a Helmeted Fiarbird chased an Eastern Koel over the house this morning I was reminded that it is birdwatching season in the Daintree.
The Eastern Koel is a very large cuckoo that migrates from up north and puts it's eggs in friarbird's nests. Both bird species have loud raucous voices and it is almost comical to see and hear the chase that goes on as the cuckoos are driven off.
It appears that my commercial colleagues are so busy with the visiting birdwatchers that they cannot keep their wildlife bulletins up to date or for that matter keep their bulletins interesting with the birdwatching season in full tilt.


Saturday, November 05, 2011

Daintree Village Heritage Walk.


Just out on the Australian Short Walks App.
The Daintree Village Heritage Walk, free after downloading the Australian Short Walks App from the App Store $1.99

Other Daintree area walks include Mossman Gorge, Mossman Historic Walk, Port Douglas Coastcare Walk and Port Douglas Historic Walk.

All walks are FREE after initial download.

Download here >