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Survey trip

The Palms National Park

The Palms is a tiny patch of rainforest surrounded by farmland and woodland just north of Cooyar.

A profusion of palms (if that’s not a botanical phrase it needs to be) Photo: Scot McPhie
Categories
Survey trip

Prince Henry Drive

Wrapped around the edge of the escarpment Prince Henry Drive has a reputation as one of the best birding spots in Toowoomba, and certainly lived up to that when we visited.

Regent bowerbird (male) – Sericulus chrysocephalus Photo: Mike Ford
Categories
Survey trip

Jondaryan and surrounds

Painted honeyeater – Grantiella picta Photo: Roger Jaensch

Only half an hour north-west of Toowoomba, Jondaryan is a birding hotspot and well known as a reliable site to see Painted honeyeaters at the end of the year.

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Survey trip

Cooby Dam

Cooby Dam is a popular recreational water spot just north of Toowoomba. To say it was low on water at the time of our visit is something of an understatement. It was around 35% full!

This is normally all water! Photo credit: Scot McPhie

Despite the lack of water the site still supports a vast array of birdlife, and is one of the best birding sites around Toowoomba, and we had a very enjoyable time on the day we visited.

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Survey trip

Lake Broadwater

Black swans (Cygnus atratus) Photo credit: Mike Ford

Ten determined members and friends of the Darling Downs group ventured to Lake Broadwater, south-west of Dalby at the western edge of the main cropping belt, on 24 July 2021.

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Other

Rainbow Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome

Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_lorikeet#/media/File:Rainbow_Lorikeet_(Trichoglossus_moluccanus)_at_Adelaide_Airport_1.jpg

The University of Sydney has launched a citizen science project to help solve the cause of Rainbow Lorikeet paralysis. Toowoomba and the Darling Downs is in the region where this disease is occurring.

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Survey trip

Irongate Conservation Park

Irongate is a gorgeous little conservation block just outside of Pittsworth, and it is mainly surrounded by farm land. This was our second visit to the site, almost a year to the day after our first visit, and we found an abundance of birdlife.

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Survey trip

Crows Nest National Park

It was a cold morning (four degrees) when we set off but it turned out to be a very enjoyable and eventful morning.

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Report

The Birds of Central Redwood Park – a report from a 12 month study

Rufous fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) photographed in Redwood Park. Photo: Sue McIlwraith

In February 2020 we started a series of regular surveys at seven sites in Redwood Park, to gain an up to date base line knowledge of the birds present in Redwood Park. This was particularly important because of the proposed developments in Redwood.

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Survey trip

Ravensbourne National Park

Black-faced monarch (Monarcha melanopsis) Photo: Tony Bond

Ravensbourne National Park consists mainly of rainforest with some sections of emerging eucalypt forest as well. This was our first group excursion into a rainforest area and it didn’t disappoint.