D'Aguilar National Park on the North-West of Brisbane

D'Aguilar National Park protects 36,000 ha of the D’Aguilar Range’s vast bushland. It has sub-tropical rainforest and eucalypt woodlands set in a rugged backdrop of rivers and gorges. There is easy access from the city, especially to the Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre on the shores of the Enoggera Resevoir, a back up water supply for the city.

This Bush Stone-curlew was part of a family of three feeding in the car park at Bellbird Grove in D’Aguilar National Park.

Not far from the parklands of Bellbird Grove were a selection of bush birds, including this Lewin’s Honeyeater.

This Brown Thornbill was seen near to the Bellbird Grove carpark.

About a kilometer along the Araucaria Walk at Enoggera Resevoir, a large group of Bell Miners were calling.

In the same area there was a pair of Olive-backed Orioles and also Lewin’s Honeyeaters..

And this Noisy Friarbird was feeding nearby in a patch of Lantana.

There were several Eastern Yellow Robins feeding on the walking track at various stages along the Auracaria Trail.

Minnippi Parklands in Brisbane

A worthwhile place to visit in central Brisbane is the Minnippi Parklands and the areas surrounding. They are located on Bulimba Creek which flows into the Brisbane River near its mouth in Moreton Bay. The Parklands contain one of the few remnant lagoons of this area, with woodlands, mangroves as well as open fields used for sport and paths for running and cycling.

The Minnippi Parklands are home to many species of water birds and woodland birds. This Sacred Kingfisher was active on Bulimba Creek near the the head of the lagoon.

Among the waterbirds was this Cattle Egret, evidently regular visitors to the Minnippi Parklands.

Bulimba Creek is tidal shown here with the tide coming in.

An Australian Hobby was patrolling the creek line, hawking then using this high tree as a vantage point.

A family of Australian Hobbys were using the high-tension power pylons as their super-high lookout. I spotted three birds at one time, working from the pylons. This bird was feeding on a captured bird judging by the shower of feathers beneath it. They may be using the crude nest to the left, Hobbys usually use the old nest of other raptors.

A wide range of bush-birds were around, this Spangled Drongo was chasing insects in the woodland bush.

A female Rufous Whistler photographed close to Bulimba Creek.

This Common Tree Snake, about one metre long, was crossing one of the concrete paths in the Parkland.

The Birds of Maleny

Maleny is a peaceful farmland village in hills above the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. During a recent stay, our cabin on the Maleny - Montville road was surrounded by an extensive garden with large gum trees in a park-like setting. At the foot of an extensive lawn was a swampy field formed by drainage from a natural basin.

This Wonga Pigeon reflects the peaceful vibe of the garden, designed in memory of the Australian landscape designer – Edna Walling.

The garden was home to many bird species but parts were dominated by the unholy trio of Noisy Miners, Rainbow Lorikeets and the Grey Butcherbird (above).

Parrot species included the Blue-chinned Rosella (pictured), King Parrots, Galahs and Scaly-breasted Lorikeets as well as Rainbow Lorikeets.

Magpie-lark parents were regularly changing over nest duties, the nest was close to a large farm dam.

The swampy paddock at the bottom of the garden is grazed by cattle, accompanied by numbers of Cattle Egrets. Welcome Swallows swooped across the wet areas and a Lathams Snipe flushed and crossed the paddock.

After making numerous calls during the morning this Buff-banded Rail finally put it’s head up above the vegetation..