Go North -- 09 -- Lakefield National Park

Between the Red Goshawk and our camp for the first night in Lakefield NP, Hahn Crossing, was the Nifold Plain. In the middle of the plain is a sort-of-creek that flows during the wet and had a few connected billabongs remaining. We turned off the road and drove in a hundred metres or so. As we were pulling up, we spotted a bush full of birds. There were 150 Star Finches in the bush, all immature as far as we could tell. We set up our chairs near the edge of one of the billabongs with the light behind us shining on a dead tree that had fallen at the edge of the water -- the perfect place for small birds to come to water.

Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda

A Latham's Snipe, probably hungry after a long flight, completely disregarded us as it grubbed about in the mud on the edge.

Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii

Rainbow Bee-eaters zipping around with their distinctive call.

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus

The main excitement was a pair of Spotted Harriers which flew over the top of us quite few times then landed about 30 metres away to investigate something in a pile of dead branches. Magic. It was a pretty good raptor day. Seven. Red Goshawk, Whistling Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black Kite, Brown Falcon, Spotted Harrier.

Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis

On the way there we saw an Australian Bustard in typical pose just prior to flight.

Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis

Other birds seen included ....

Torresian Crows Corvus orru

Whistling Kite, immature Haliastur sphenurus

Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata

Golden-headed Cisticola
Cisticola exilis

Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster

Sarus Crane Grus antigone

Sarus Crane, immature

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

Go North -- 07 -- Iron Range

Other beauties seen in Iron Range included ....

Starting with the shorebirds.

Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Torresian Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris

Eastern Reef Egret Egret sacra light and dark morph

Next the bush birds.

Brown-backed Honeyeater Ramsayornis modestus

Brown-backed Honeyeater Ramsayornis modestus

Spectacled Monarch  Symposiarchus trivirgatus

Shining Flycatcher, male Myiagra alecto

Varied Triller Lalage leucomela

Yellow-spotted Honeyeater Meliphaga notata

And best to last ... Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus. The female is the colourful one or though I think the bloke is pretty good too. There is a tree in Iron Range that has had a nesting pair forever It is visible from the road and an easy tick, if they show themselves. 10/10 to Erica for spotting the male on the branch as we were driving past. Additionally, Ethan and I spotted a pair of Double-eyed Fig-Parrots at Portlands Road which were the local race, Marshall's Double-eyed Fig-Parrot.

Eclectus Parrot, female Eclectus roratus

Eclectus Parrot, male

Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, female Cyclospitta diophthalma marshalli