Cairns Queensland (1 Viewer)

[Robert L Jarvis]

Off to Cairns in October for a few weeks. Can anyone give info on good sites or locations for:-

Southern Cassowary
Victoria's Riflebird
Beach Thicknee
Platypus

Much obliged if anyone can or are there any local birders who could assist in a little birding while I am there.

Robert

 

[albatross02]

Cairns

Hallo Robert,

You are very lucky, nice spots around Cairns.
At the coast in Cairns are some birdlife.
Better of course are Atherthons tabeland, but not to see what You recommended.
Chance for Cassuaries in the north of Cairns in Daintree nationalparc.
Chance also in south of Cairns. I saw one in Edward Kennedy nationalparc and different in Mission beach. Mission beach on the coast is very touristic, but in the rainforest, is rather empty and very nice.
In September ( 4 weeks ) I saw no Cassuary. The rangers said it is bad time.
In July ( 2 weeks ) I saw different.


Best regards
Dieter

 

[sbradfield]

Hi Robert

For an excellent local guide try Glenn Holmes - we enjoyed a great days birding with him on the Atherton Tablelands a couple of years back and we finished the day with a visit to a Platypus site. (in the pouring rain by the site of several platypus surfacing and diving on a small lake made getting wet worth it).

http://rainforest-australia.com/Bird_Guides.htm

Try Cassowary House for Cassowary and Riflebird

http://cassowary-house.com.au/index.html

A great place to stay if you haven't got your accomodation sorted yet

Have a great time I am deeply envious, won't be going back there for a while now I've sprogged!

Cheers
Simon

 

[MikeMules]

An essential book to get is Lloyd Neilson's "Birding in the Wet Tropics", invaluable for localities and identification between tricky species.

You should be able to get it from Bird Australia's online bookshop, www.birdsaustralia.com.au or through the Bird Observer's club, www.birdobservers.org.au

 

[Robert L Jarvis]

Thank you all. I have sent off for the Lloyd Neilson book, should be here in about a week's time.

Will certainly look up on the guide for a day's assistance. Have considered staying at Cassowary House but in the first two weeks of our visit to Cairns Phil Gregory is tied up with a tour for Field Guides.

Simon what month of the year was your visit?

Robert

 

[StuartReeves]

I would recommend a stay at Cassowary House even if Phil Gregory isn't present. It's an excellent place and Cassowary and Riflebird are difficult to miss there.

Stuart

 

[dogfish]

In December 1996 I had beach thickknee at the Esplanade in Cairns; not the central part, but just a short walk away from the town centre. I had Victoria's Riflebird fairly easily at one of the lakes in the Atherton Tablelands, can't remember which one and don't have my log to hand, sorry.

Had quite a good day out with a Cairns-based guide called Andy Anderson too.

Sean

 

[denlowe]

Cairns birds

OK Robert, first the Cassowary. I have seen two birds at Mission beach but that was a few years ago. I have heard that this remains one of the most likely areas. A couple of the lodges on the Atherton Tablelands also advertise the fact that the Cassowary can be seen on their grounds. These are Cassowary House and Fur 'n' Feathers Rainforest Tree Houses.

Victoria's Riflebird. I have seen this bird at Lake Barrine on the Tablelands, early morning is best.

Beach Thicknee (now called Beach Stone-Curlew). Getting v'rare have not seen this bird in years. Last time was on South Stradbroke off Brisbane.

Platypus. This little devil can be seen in many rainforest creeks but is very shy. Best to check with the local Parks and Wildlife office.

Dont restrict youself to Cairns, The Tablelands and Mossman areas are only a few hours drive. I can recomend Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge, north of the Tablelands. In the grounds there you can see, Red-Necked Crake, Lesser Sooty Owl, Buff-brested Paradise Kingfisher and platypus, just to name a few.
Good luck, Dennis.

Off to Cairns in October for a few weeks. Can anyone give info on good sites or locations for:-

Southern Cassowary
Victoria's Riflebird
Beach Thicknee
Platypus

Much obliged if anyone can or are there any local birders who could assist in a little birding while I am there.

Robert

 

[Edward]

I'll echo Dennis' advice about not restricting yourself to Cairns (the town itself is a bit of a dump, but the Esplanade must be one of the world's greatest urban birding sites), go into the Tablelands and/or go north. Port Douglas is a simply superb place to stay for general holiday making and far more pleasant than Cairns and close to birding hotspots such as Julatten/Mt Lewis. You'll be too early for Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher though in October.

E

 

[Robert L Jarvis]

Thanks for all the advice. Although we are based at an apartment in Trinity Beach, we have arranged stays at Mareeba Wetlands, Kingfisher Park and Cassowary House and perhaps one other to be fixed up.

Robert

 

[John Butler]

Off to Cairns in October for a few weeks. Can anyone give info on good sites or locations for:-
Southern Cassowary
Victoria's Riflebird
Beach Thicknee
Platypus
Much obliged if anyone can or are there any local birders who could assist in a little birding while I am there. Robert

Hi Robert.

I suggest you look at Del Richards's site http://www.finefeathertours.com.au. He is a tour guide in Daintree, not far from cairns.

Also try Chris Dahlberg's site http://www.home.austarnet.com.au. He runs river cruises from Daintree.

Either may be able to give you some help.

Regards from Doñana.

John.

 

[Edward]

Hi Robert.

I suggest you look at Del Richards's site http://www.finefeathertours.com.au. He is a tour guide in Daintree, not far from cairns.

Also try Chris Dahlberg's site http://www.home.austarnet.com.au. He runs river cruises from Daintree.

Either may be able to give you some help.

Regards from Doñana.

John.

As I had limited time up there to go birding (family holiday) I hired Del Richards for a day, a fair dinkum Aussie if ever there was one, recommended. One of the best day's birding I've ever had.
Read about my day with him and the birds you can expect here.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=27274&highlight=tropics

E

 

[fatboyfat]

Southern Cassowary
Victoria's Riflebird


Stay at Cassowary House & you won't miss them!



Beach Thicknee

Cairns Esplanade. Saw two there mid August



Platypus

Glenn Holmes will take you to see them. ALOMOST guaranteed!


Have fun. It is a fantastic place!!

FBF



Much obliged if anyone can or are there any local birders who could assist in a little birding while I am there.

Robert[/QUOTE]