RANGER'S NOTES           

The Eucalypt forests surprised us with some uncommon dove sightings including beautiful Brown Cuckoo Doves (Macropygia amboinensis) and Emerald Doves (Chalocophaps indica). These forests were also filled with the chittering of Brown Thornbills (Acanthiza pusilla) and the odd Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae). Joining the spring party were Forest Kingfishers courting and mating, alongside some nesting Laughing Kookaburra's, as well an abundance of Leaden Flycatchers (Myiagra rubecula) with their delightfully quirkey little calls!

Joining in on the fun were Dollarbirds (Eurystomus orientalis), bomb-diving in the wallum swamps, in what looked like a fun-filled activity! The wallum area also saw an abundance of Tree Martins (Petrochelidon (Hirundo) ariel) and Welcome Swallows chatting, nesting and also entering the bomb-dive competition alongside our friendly Dollarbirds! The Dollarbirds proving their entertainment value to all our new twitchers around the resort!

The resort grounds also enjoyed some fabulous views of Red-browed Finches (Neochmia temporalis) and Red-backed Fairy Wrens nest building and dancing up a storm in the hope to attract some lucky ladies!

Dotted along the beach this month were Eastern Curlews, Whimbrels and even Little Egrets (Egretta (Ardea) garzetta) probing the Great Sandy Strait for brekkie, lunch and dinner! Whilst roaming the sky high above, visits from Brahminy Kites, Whistling Kites and White-bellied Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) kept all our new bird watchers in awe of their majestic beauty.

A wonderful month of bird watching was enjoyed by all, with excitement for a warm and bright summer ahead.

BIRDWATCH REPORT OCTOBER 2008

The resort is pulsing with new life this month as we say goodbye to our humpback whales and hello to a sticky sunny summer, its arrival signalled by the return in number of Eastern Curlews (Numenius madagascariensis) , Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus), Beach Stone-curlews (Esacus neglectus) and Striated Herons (Butorides striatus) to the productive sand flats of the Great Sandy Strait.

In the Eucalypt forests fringing the resort, the trees are humming with thousands of cicadas and their attendant Cicadabirds (Coracina tenuirostris). And Dollarbirds (Eurystomus orientalis) have arrived, chirruping through the morning from high bare perches. Their sound is matched in volume by the shrieking laughter of young Forest Kingfishers (Todiramphus macleayii) advertising their suitability for mates as they set up residence in mature termite nests high in Swamp Mahogany trees.

Hatching is in full swing for our Little Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) pair, along with Rufous Whistlers (Pachycephala rufiventris) and Red-browed Finches (Neochmia temporalis) all through the Wallum, not to mention Rainbow Bee-eaters (Merops onrnatus) deftly catching mid-air butterflies for their broods nestled deep in the coloured sands by Dundonga Creek. And our month was topped off by the appearance of a White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina papuensis) trilling - what a summer we have to look forward to!