News for Winter 2011

Mike & I have been fortunate to have participated in a birdwatching tour with guide, Ben Blewitt of Cassowary Tours to Iron Range, nearly at the top of Cape York Peninsular. Ben is an excellent guide. His knowledge of the areas visited was extraordinary. The weather was not kind to us in that it was very cold in the latter part of June and showery and overcast. Ben  was very skilled at finding the birds in dense rainforest in the gloomy conditions and getting the scope set for us all to get good views. The golden shouldered parrots, the palm cockatoo, the electus parrots, both male & female and the rifle bird were very special.

Janet & Les were visiting us from the UK and were interested in the changing landscapes and the elusive birds. We all enjoyed a wonderful day with 'birding' overtones at Wetherby Station with John & Kathy Colless. Janet and Les marvelled at the fact that the billabongs full of wildlife were found on a private property and not only in the National Parks!

Birding discussions were held here with Del Richards of Fine Feather Tours.  Del is an expert on the north Queensland birds and is particularly interested in the habits of the gouldian finches.

The highlight of the visit to Kingfisher Park Lodge with Lindsay and Keith Fisher was a night walk with good views of the Eastern Barn owls in the park  and the nocturnal marsupials feeding on the feeders while we had dinner on the verandah.

A great trip for the memory archives!

Janet & Les were happy to rest a while at Eastwood Farm, after their busy northern Queensland trip and Brisbane conference. Visits to the Sandblow at Rainbow Beach, a day meandering around the Mary Valley including lunch at the Bellbird cafe and a visit to a private wildlife refuge made for an interesting time.

They are sure to return to Australia  and Eastwood Farm another time.