Go North -- 08 -- Lakefield National Park

Once we were out of Iron Range and had got to Musgrave Station, Erica decided to head straight back to Mossman so Ethan and I had 5 days total birding through Lakefield NP, the northern access road heading east from Musgrave. But first we checked out the dam next to the campsite at Musgrave.

Freshwater Crocodile

Not too far along is Lotus Bird Lodge, a not-inexpensive resort with a sign on the road inviting all to come in and have a look around. Which we did.

Next to the upmarket accommodation and dinning area is an excellent billabong with a walking track. Which we took. Avoiding getting too close to the water. Resident saltwater crocodile! Plenty of good birds including Black-throated and Masked Finch, Plumed and Wandering Whistling Duck, Brolga, both Kookaburras, Green Pygmy-goose [geese?], Leaden Flycatcher and Black-backed Butcherbird to name a few.

Black-backed Butcherbird Cracticus mentalis

Black-throated Finch Poephila cincta

Masked Finch Poephila personata

Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah

Whilst there we met a couple with whom we had talked in Iron Range. They casually asked us if we had seen the Red Goshawk. Well no, we hadn't and whereabouts might that be? Following specific instructions including x.x kms from an intersection and third tree back from the road, we ventured forth. Arriving at the site, Ethan got out whilst I reversed the car a few metres off the road up a sidetrack and got out to join him - without binoculars or camera. As I approached the road, Ethan [on the other side] started frantically waving and pointing to a tree on my side of the road perhaps 20 metres away. And there was the Red Goshawk sitting in full view on a horizontal branch. AAAHHH. What do you do? As I turned to make my way back to the car, off he/she flew. Darn.

However, the bird flew across the road and onto a nest! Saved. A very special birding moment. After a great view and morning tea, we left the bird to its incubating duties and ventured further east into Lakefield.

Red Goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus

Dutchman flies home

Finally, the last instalment of the trip of Robert, the vogel-meister. After leaving Heath and Robert on the Sunshine Coast, I drove back home and several weeks later, flew to Cairns to retrieve my vehicle and drive it back home.

Heath had already departed for his new job tour-guiding folk from Broome to Darwin. Robert picked me up at the airport, we chatted and slept at the YHA and arose early for a last blast of birding before his departure at noon. We checked out the Centenary Lakes, the Botanic Gardens, the cafe in the CBG for a most excellent breakfast - it can't be all work and no play - and an area to the north of the Esplanade on the foreshore.

At Centenary Lakes species included ...

Radjah Shelduck, Magpie Geese, Yellow Honeyeater, Brushturkey and Scrub-fowl, Olive-backed Sunbird, Baza, Black Butcherbird, Little Kingfisher, Bush Stone-curlew and Papuan Frogmouth.

Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi

Bush Stone-curlew
Burhinus grallarius

Little Kingfisher Ceyx pusilla

Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah

Papuan Frogmouth  Podgarus papuensis

There is always something to see on the Esplanade. Our highlights included Grey-tailed Tattler, Bar-tailed Godwits colouring up, Great Knots, Varied Honeyeater, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.. We dipped on the Mangrove Robin.

Bar-tailed Godwit Mimosa lapponica

Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris

Varied Honeyeater Lichenostomus versicolor

White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
Lonchura castaneothorax

So, a successful birding trip for both Robert and myself. The exact figure for Robert is over 400 species seen! A pretty good effort. He IS a good birder. Next trip will be the west coast! Will just have to wait.

Magic. f8 and be there.