Australian Good Birding Guide: Southern & Central Queensland. Ted Wnorowski
Many of them such as Brown Goshawk, Osprey, Collared Sparrowhawk, Brahminy Kite and Whistling Kite, breed here. You also have a chance to see Pacific Baza, Grey Goshawk, Square-tailed Kite, Australian Hobby, Little Eagle or Peregrine Falcon.
Occasionally, mountain rainforest species descend here from the hills in winter including Noisy Pitta, Russet-tailed Thrush, Rufous Fantail, Rose Robin and Black-faced Monarch.
Redcliffe Peninsula
Redcliffe Peninsula is located at the northern end of Moreton Bay, 25km north of Brisbane CBD. It is bound by the Hays Inlet to the south and Deception Bay to the north. The coastline of the peninsula, in particular its rocky platforms, provide suitable habitat for many wader species. Several birding spots located in the area are good for the observation of both feeding and roosting birds. Unfortunately for the birds, the same areas are very popular with the picnickers, boaters and dog walkers.
To get there, turn of Gateway Mwy (M1) into Deagon Deviation (26) and follow this road for 5km to Clontarf where birdwatching begins. Explore esplanades and parades along the coast. Good picnic facilities are scattered along the foreshore.
The list of wader spots includes:
Haysmouth Parade, site coordinates are 27o15’46’’S and 153o04’34’’E.
Pelican Park, Clontarf, site coordinates are 27o15’40’’S and 153o05’05’’E.
Crockatt Park, Woody Point, site coordinates are 27o15’45’’S and 153o06’09’’E.
Woody Point Jetty, site coordinates are 27o15’53’’S and 153o06’09’’E.
Redcliffe Point, site coordinates are 27o14’06’’S and 153o07’00’’E.
Scarborough Point, site coordinates are 27o11’27’’S and 153o06’46’’E.
Over 120 bird species have been recorded in this area. Key species are Wandering Tattler, Sooty Oystercatcher, Ruddy Turnstone and Common Tern. Other birds of interest include Little Tern, Australian Gull-billed Tern, Buff-banded Rail, Collared Kingfisher, waders and Osprey. Among the rarities are Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher, Lesser Crested Tern, Kelp Gull and Franklin’s Gull.
Ruddy Turnstones
Haysmouth Parade
Haysmouth Pde is a small street located near the bridge over the North Pine River. The turnoff is from Elizabeth Ave. Drive to the end of the street to Hays Inlet and check the birds feeding on the mudflats along the mangroves. You may be able to walk north along the mudflats almost to the water outflow pipe where the biggest bird groups tend to forage. Wader species most common in the area include Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Great Knot, Common Greenshank, Eastern Curlew, Whimbrel, Pacific Golden Plover and Red-necked Stint.
Asian Dowitcher as well as Grey Plover and Lesser Sand Plover were recorded here.
In the mangroves, you’ll find plenty of Collared Kingfishers and Mangrove Gerygones. Other birds in this area include Little Tern, Australian Gull-billed Tern, Little Egret and Striated Heron.
Pelican Park, Clontarf
After Haysmouth Pde, the next worthwhile stop is Pelican Park. To get there, turn right into Pelican Park from Hornibrook Esp. You’ll find here a large carpark, a canal, a boat ramp and a walking trail. Check the rock wall at the boat ramp; it is often used as a high tide roost. Species regularly found here are Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Pacific Golden Plover and Curlew Sandpiper but you can occasionally find Wandering Tattler, Sooty Oystercatcher and Eastern Reef Egret here. Also, inspect the rocky reefs off the boat ramp on the falling tide. Ruddy Turnstone is often found there. South Island Pied Oystercatcher was once recorded in this location. Other birds in this area include Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Lesser Sand Plover, Royal Spoonbill, Little Egret and Great Egret.
Crockatt Park, Woody Point
Crockatt Park is located 2km further down Hornibrook Esp, past the Humpybong Yacht Club. To get there, from Hornibrook Esp (27) turn right into Oxley Ave (still 27) and immediately right on the roundabout into the drive to Crockatt Park.
The waders often roost on the beach in front of the Yacht Club. Expect to find Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Pacific Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel. Ospreys can be observed fishing along the coast.
Woody Point Jetty
This spot is just 500m east from the previous location. Continue south on Oxley Ave (27) to the end of the road.
A rocky beach to the east of the jetty is good for Ruddy Turnstone, Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Great Knot, Red Knot, Red-necked Stint and Bar-tailed Godwit. Sooty Oystercatcher can also be found here. You may also see a large variety of terns such as Australian Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern and Common Tern. In bad weather, other terns may seek shelter to the side of the jetty. Black Noddy, Common Noddy and Bridled Tern have been recorded. Kelp Gull was reported from this location a few times.
Redcliffe Point
To get there, drive north along Oxley Ave (27), then turn east into Anzac Ave (71) and on the roundabout turn south into Marine Pde. A carpark is available near the Redcliffe Surf Life Saving Club.
Rocky beaches around the Point may produce Wandering Tattler, Sooty Oystercatcher and Ruddy Turnstone. On the reef, you may also find Pied Oystercatcher, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Eastern Reef Egret, Striated Heron, Little Tern and Australian Gull-billed Tern. A flock of Common Terns is regularly seen in summer.
Rarer waders reported from this location include Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper.
Occasionally, Peregrine Falcon and Osprey may be patrolling the area.
Scarborough Point
This site includes Jamieson Park and Tingira Park and boat harbour. To get there, from Landsborough Ave (27) turn right into Reef Point Esp and drive to the end, passing on your way Jamieson Park and boat harbour on the left and Tingira Park on the right.
Rocky beaches, reefs and mudflats are all good habitats for the waders which often can be found roosting on the spit. This is a regular spot for Ruddy Turnstone and Sooty Oystercatcher. The most common wader here is Red-necked Stint (500-600 birds have been reported). Other shorebirds include Great Knot, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover and Grey-tailed Tattler. Common Terns spend summer here and can be observed between November and March. Look also for Little Tern, Caspian Tern and Arctic Jaeger.
The boat harbour is also worth checking, particularly at high tide in bad weather. The waders are sheltering at such times on the northern wall of the harbour. Rarer species that have been spotted there include Broad-billed Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Wandering Tattler, Franklin’s Gull and Kelp Gull.
In the vegetation near the boat harbour look for Sacred Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher and Spangled Drongo.
Raptors seen in this area include Osprey, Swamp Harrier, Australian Hobby and Brahminy Kite.
Seventh Brigade Reserve, Chermside
The reserve consists of two parks, Marchant Park and 7th Brigade Park, located on both sides of Murphy Rd in the suburb of Chermside, 10km north of Brisbane CBD. Dawnfall Creek runs through the reserve. A large waterhole, surrounded by scrub and long grass, is located in the south of the 7th Brigade section. Old fig trees are scattered through the reserve.
To get there, from Gympie Arterial Rd (A3) turn east into Murphy Rd near the Chermside Shopping Centre. The turnoff to the reserve is 300m from