Australian Good Birding Guide: Northern Queensland. Ted Wnorowski
Turn southwest from Bruce Hwy (A1) into Kirknie Rd just before the bridge over the Burdekin River.
The first 15km of this route runs through the agricultural land, mostly sugar cane with patches of corn and other grains. When the corn has been harvested, stubble fields are regularly visited by large flocks of Brolgas (400-500 birds).
A waste transfer station is located near Home Hill, with huge flocks of Black Kites circling above. Occasionally other raptors are recorded including Black Falcon.
On the powerlines along the road, look for White-breasted Woodswallow, Pale-headed Rosella, Forest Kingfisher, Nankeen Kestrel and Brown Falcon. Check the irrigation channels where many waterbirds can be found including Great Egret, White-necked Heron, Yellow-billed Spoonbill and Royal Spoonbill.
Alligator Creek Crossing is a regular spot for Azure Kingfisher. In the bush near the crossing you may come across Yellow Honeyeater, Dusky Honeyeater, White-gaped Honeyeater and Helmeted Friarbird.
The remaining 25km of the route runs mostly through the grazing country with remnants of dry woodland. A lagoon is situated at Tompkin’s Crossing; Cotton Pygmy-geese are regularly found there.
A section of the road before Kirknie may produce Squatter Pigeons. Other birds here include Red-backed Kingfisher, Black-faced Woodswallow and Black-shouldered Kite. Autumn and winter lures huge numbers of Tree Martins and Welcome Swallows that appear along Kirknie Rd.
Groper Creek Road
Large temporary wetlands along Groper Creek Rd can quickly fill with the waterbirds and waders at the beginning of the dry season.
To get there, at the outskirts of Home Hill turn off Bruce Hwy (A1) into First St by the racecourse. Turn right at the T-junction into Groper Creek Rd and drive nearly to the coast. The wetland is located on the southern side of the road just before the junction with Fry Rd. Approximate GPS coordinates are 19o41’13’’S and 147o29’60’’E.
Large flocks of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers often use these wetlands. Look also for Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Pied Stilt, Comb-crested Jacana, White-necked Heron and Yellow-billed Spoonbill.
Other birds along the road include Australian Bustard, Brush Cuckoo, Red-winged Parrot, Varied Triller and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.
Spotswood Wetlands
These are extensive wetlands located on southern side of the Burdekin River mouth. The wetland worth visiting is located in Inkerman along Arthur Spotswood Rd. To get to there, take Wallace Rd from Bruce Hwy (A1) at Inkerman, about 10km south of Home Hill. Observations can be conducted from the main road, i.e. Arthur Spotswood Rd, further called Gladys Rd, at the GPS location 19o43’35’’S and 147o31’53’’E, and from Peak Rd that branches off Wallace Rd and leads to a private property called Spotswood Park. GPS coordinates here are 19o43’36’’S and 147o31’59’’E.
Over 160 bird species have been recorded on the wetlands. Key species are the waders, White-browed Crake, Radjah Shelduck, Glossy Ibis, Cotton Pygmy-goose and Barn Owl. Other birds of interest include Brolga, Black-necked Stork, White-necked Heron, Little Grassbird, Australian Swiftlet, Bush Stone-curlew, Azure Kingfisher and Large-tailed Nightjar. Among the rarities are Eastern Grass Owl, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Red-backed Button-quail, Squatter Pigeon, Common Sandpiper, Baillon’s Crake and White-throated Nightjar.
Wallace Rd runs through the grazing land and sugar cane plantations with a margin of tall grasses along the road. When the grasses are seeding, large flocks of often over a thousand Chestnut-breasted Mannikins descend on the area. Seeing their mini-murmuration (synchronous movement of the flock) low in the air is truly memorable.
Waders commonly found around the Spotswood Wetlands include Pied Stilt, Red-necked Avocet, Marsh Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Latham’s Snipe and Comb-crested Jacana. White-browed Crakes occur here in good numbers. You can also come across Buff-banded Rail and Baillon’s Crake.
Waterbirds congregate at the wetlands in masses, particularly Magpie Geese, Pacific Black Ducks, Australian Pelicans, Australasian Grebes, Cattle Egrets and even Glossy Ibises. Substantial flocks of White-winged Black Terns (20-30 birds) are regularly found here. Australian Reed-Warblers and Little Grassbirds can be heard from the wetland vegetation.
A group of non-breeding Australasian Grebes
Bush birds in the area include Brush Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Yellow-throated Miner, Yellow Honeyeater, Forest Kingfisher and Olive-backed Sunbird. In the grassy areas you may see Black-bellied Crimson Finch, Plum-headed Finch, Brown Quail and occasionally Red-backed Button-quail.
A good variety of nocturnal birds can be found at this site, especially on the Spotswood Park property. Barn Owls are common along Arthur Spotswood Rd. Barking Owls often roost near the entrance gate of the property. Bush Stone-curlews are common and can be seen anywhere. Other finding at this site include Large-tailed Nightjar, Southern Boobook and Tawny Frogmouth. The lucky ones have seen Eastern Grass Owl flying over the grassland at dusk.
Common raptors include Swamp Harrier, Osprey, Brown Falcon and Whistling Kite.
Wallace Creek Boat Ramp
To get there, from Bruce Hwy (A1) at Inkerman turn into Wallace Rd, then turn right into Peak Rd and drive to the end of the road where you’ll find a boat ramp on the Burdekin River. Site coordinates are 19o44’09’’S and 147o33’21’’E.
Red-chested Button-quails were recorded a few times in wet grasses along the road about 1km before the boat ramp. In the mangroves along the river look for Shining Flycatcher, Mangrove Gerygone, Mangrove Honeyeater and Brahminy Kite.
Along Peak Rd, you may come across Horsfield’s Bushlark, Australian Bustard, Pallid Cuckoo, White-breasted Woodswallow, Brown Falcon and Nankeen Kestrel.
Ayr Area
Ayr is a small sugar cane town located 110km north of Bowen and 90km south of Townsville. Most of the land has been cleared for sugar cane and other crops however there are some scattered good birding areas, mostly mangroves, saltmarshes, freshwater wetlands, beaches and estuaries. Small isolated populations of Australian Yellow White-eyes and Zitting Cisticolas can be found here. Also, a large variety of waterbirds and waders visit this region.
Plantation Creek
This is a well-known Australian Yellow White-eye site, situated on the private property just 12km from Ayr. To get there, take Queen St from Bruce Hwy (A1) in Ayr, then turn right into Soper Rd, followed by turning second left into Airdmillan Rd. Drive 12km to the site which is situated not far from the Plantation Creek. The road name will change half-way to Old Wharf Rd. Leave the car by the culvert at the start of the levee, with a freshwater pond on the right and saltmarshes on the left. GPS coordinates are 19o31’58’’S and 147o29’22’’E. Walk about 100m on the levee to the creek lined with mangroves. Find a decaying landing in the mangroves, it is not visible from the outside. The owner of this property is friendly towards the birdwatchers so please be mindful not to spoil this relationship.
This is the best spot for Australian Yellow White-eyes in the area. Look for them also further down the road, up to the boat ramp.
About 80 species are on the Plantation Creek’s birdlist. Key species are Australian Yellow White-eye, Azure Kingfisher, Shining Flycatcher and White-winged Black Tern. Other birds of interest include Collared Kingfisher, Black Butcherbird, Large-billed Gerygone, Olive-backed Sunbird, Spectacled Monarch, Glossy Ibis and Comb-crested Jacana. Rarities include Black Bittern, Mangrove Robin, White-eared Monarch, White-browed Crake, Common Sandpiper and Australian Pratincole.