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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

What would you recommend if I try to see these main objectives? (1 Viewer)

Glimmer

Well-known member
I'm starting to look for a route than can cover most of my iconic australian birds and animals and I'm wonder if it is possible to see the next list in one month or is just a f***ing dream...

  • Major Mitchell's Cockatoo
  • Cassowary
  • Platypus
  • Koala
  • Kangaroo
  • Gouldian Finch
  • Rainbow lorikeet
  • Rosella
  • Spinifex pigeon

Thanks!
 
I'm starting to look for a route than can cover most of my iconic australian birds and animals and I'm wonder if it is possible to see the next list in one month or is just a f***ing dream...

  • Major Mitchell's Cockatoo
  • Cassowary
  • Platypus
  • Koala
  • Kangaroo
  • Gouldian Finch
  • Rainbow lorikeet
  • Rosella
  • Spinifex pigeon

Thanks!
The first thing to do, I would suggest, is to look up the distributions of the species, as shown here for Major Mitchell's Cockatoo: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Bear in mind there are 6 species of Rosella, some confiding, 4 species of Kangaroos (2 Wallaroos and about 30 Wallabies); Grey Kangaroo should turn up without too much difficulty. Rainbow Lorikeet may join you at cafes in State Botanic Gardens, always on the scrounge.

I would further suggest that the cockatoo, Gouldian Finch and Spinifex Pigeon are arid country specialists and can be elusive: Platypus has become locally extinct in more than a few areas, but I've met many people in Australia who have dipped on this species for years!; Koala in the wild has taken a considerable hit with last year's bush fires.

If you had been considering driving, a cursory look at some of the species' distributions needs to take in that Australia is vast and the last thing the authorities need is someone trying to cover 10,000km in a month!

Australian members of Bird Forum doubtless can give advice on how to maximise your chances for some of your species, but I think you'll find they'll be vocal in discouraging from confining yourself to a single vehicle! Many people use the internal flights to spend, say, a week in one area, renting a vehicle at each location, but remember that the wet season is November to April and travel in the north and from time to time in in the centre and in eastern Queensland roads are impassable.
MJB
 
Cassowary is only found in FNQ from Mission Beach northwards. Easiest spots are Mission Beach, Etty Bay (probably the easiest site), Mount Hypipamee and Daintree Forest.
Platypus can be found at Tarzali Lakes and Yungaburra on Atherton Tablelands (do-able in the same day as Cassowary). Tarzali Lakes you do have to pay to get into but they are easily seen there.
Rainbow Lorikeet are everywhere up in FNQ.
Gouldian Finches are a Top End specialist. Traditionally around Katherine and Pine Creek but this year has been a huge increase in sightings in and around Darwin particularly Casuarina Coastal Reserve and Lee point. There is a small population in arid parts of FNQ but they are not necessarily easy to see.
Koala many places - easiest I have found them was around the Fort on Magnetic Island near Townsville.
Roo's and Wallabies virtually anywhere
Multiple species of Rosella. I live in Weipa and see Pale Headed on the drive into Cairns most trips. Northern Rosella can be found across the Top End whilst looking for Gouldian Finches
Major Mitchells and Spinifex Pigeon in the arid areas and southern states in case of Major M's (doesnt extend up into the Top End in the NT probably around Alice is the best bet in the NT easier in other states I think)
Distances are huge and you will spend days driving on remote roads trying to get all these so internal flights probably the way to go. Base yourself around Cairns, Darwin for the northern species. I cant offer much help for anything southern as only know parts of the north
 
The first thing to do, I would suggest, is to look up the distributions of the species, as shown here for Major Mitchell's Cockatoo: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Bear in mind there are 6 species of Rosella, some confiding, 4 species of Kangaroos (2 Wallaroos and about 30 Wallabies); Grey Kangaroo should turn up without too much difficulty. Rainbow Lorikeet may join you at cafes in State Botanic Gardens, always on the scrounge.

I would further suggest that the cockatoo, Gouldian Finch and Spinifex Pigeon are arid country specialists and can be elusive: Platypus has become locally extinct in more than a few areas, but I've met many people in Australia who have dipped on this species for years!; Koala in the wild has taken a considerable hit with last year's bush fires.

If you had been considering driving, a cursory look at some of the species' distributions needs to take in that Australia is vast and the last thing the authorities need is someone trying to cover 10,000km in a month!

Australian members of Bird Forum doubtless can give advice on how to maximise your chances for some of your species, but I think you'll find they'll be vocal in discouraging from confining yourself to a single vehicle! Many people use the internal flights to spend, say, a week in one area, renting a vehicle at each location, but remember that the wet season is November to April and travel in the north and from time to time in in the centre and in eastern Queensland roads are impassable.
MJB
Thanks! We are two people and the idea is moving by plane+car, of course!
 
Cassowary is only found in FNQ from Mission Beach northwards. Easiest spots are Mission Beach, Etty Bay (probably the easiest site), Mount Hypipamee and Daintree Forest.
Platypus can be found at Tarzali Lakes and Yungaburra on Atherton Tablelands (do-able in the same day as Cassowary). Tarzali Lakes you do have to pay to get into but they are easily seen there.
Rainbow Lorikeet are everywhere up in FNQ.
Gouldian Finches are a Top End specialist. Traditionally around Katherine and Pine Creek but this year has been a huge increase in sightings in and around Darwin particularly Casuarina Coastal Reserve and Lee point. There is a small population in arid parts of FNQ but they are not necessarily easy to see.
Koala many places - easiest I have found them was around the Fort on Magnetic Island near Townsville.
Roo's and Wallabies virtually anywhere
Multiple species of Rosella. I live in Weipa and see Pale Headed on the drive into Cairns most trips. Northern Rosella can be found across the Top End whilst looking for Gouldian Finches
Major Mitchells and Spinifex Pigeon in the arid areas and southern states in case of Major M's (doesnt extend up into the Top End in the NT probably around Alice is the best bet in the NT easier in other states I think)
Distances are huge and you will spend days driving on remote roads trying to get all these so internal flights probably the way to go. Base yourself around Cairns, Darwin for the northern species. I cant offer much help for anything southern as only know parts of the north

Many thanks for the detailed info, much appreciated. I thought the Platypus was more difficult!
 
Many thanks for the detailed info, much appreciated. I thought the Platypus was more difficult!
They can be but there are a couple of reliable places in the Tablelands. Tarzali Lakes is a certainty. Been there in truely horrendous conditions when my sister was over once and saw five individuals I think
 
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