May 10th to May 17th 2008
Bird Week Information and Bookings
2007 Trip Report
Forest Kingfisher
@ Fraser Island
Fraser Island lies at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, just a 35-minute boat ride from Hervey Bay and a 45-minute flight (or a three and a half hour drive) from Brisbane, Queensland. It has a World Heritage Listing and is in fact, the largest sand island in the world.
Our sea crossing was calm, transfer to the hotel was expertly handled and we were welcomed to the hotel and familiarized with the layout of the complex.
Almost the entire Fraser Island attained World Heritage Listing in 1992. This recognizes the island's aancient & complex dune systems up to 240 metres above sea level and still evolving, its unique rainforest system growing in sand, and its beautiful 'perched' freshwater lakes.
The island spans 125 km in length and is 30 km wide. It hosts approximately 300 species of birds, some resident and others migratory. There are also wallabies, possums, flying foxes, echidnas and Australia's purest population of dingo. In addition, unique species of freshwater tortoise's can be found in some of the lakes, while surrounding the island, you may see dugongs, dolphins, turtles and in July/August, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to breed in the area.
A full program of activities was planned including the Art Workshops that I was Presenting. But one could be as busy as one chose to be; join in the scheduled activities or relax. Coast, swamp and heath-lands & tall rainforests support abundant birds. There are also a number of different species of beautiful dragonflies attracted to the still waters of the 'Wallum' heath-land. (I took plenty of photos and got a lot of mosquito bites for my effort).
The boardwalks and sign-posted pathways through the local wetlands made it easy to explore and admire the subtle charms of the many wildflowers. Red-backed Fairy-wrens flitted in the Banksias, while many small birds such as Scarlet Honey-eaters, Mistletoe Birds and White-throated Honeyeaters enjoyed the flowers and kept us busy tracking their movements. Although it was autumn a Lewin's Honeyeater was nesting and Blue-faced Honeyeaters very active with their young. There are so many honeyeaters that the Fan-tailed Cuckoo we saw quietly sunning itself, must have a hard time deciding which of the 12 species of Honey-eater's nest to use. The Rainbow Bee-eaters delighted us with their swift, darting flight and the Azure, Sacred and Forest Kingfishers kept watch beside a pool, not far from our room. Collared or Mangrove Kingfishers were seen near the mangrove lined creek and of course the largest kingfisher, the Kookaburra, was about.
One of the highlights for us was the cruise to the RAMSAR site. First of all a family of dugongs entertained us, then a group of dolphins held us entranced. As well as numerous waders sighted, my best sighting was the Beach Stone-curlew; it is a magnificent bird.
The Rainbow Lorikeets were always around and would give a noisy warning of any raptor that appeared. Pale-headed Rosellas and King Parrots were seen. But they are much shyer than the raucous Lorikeets.
As the week was all about Bird Watching, each day started with a 'Bird Walk' at 6am, with various activities, excursions to participate in and Presentations to watch throughout the day, concluding at 8.30pm with the evening presentation on a bird related topic. At 6pm each day, we gathered for the daily 'Bird Count'. While we relaxed with a glass of wine or beer, Clive Allen took us through an always gently informative Power Point presentation, with summaries of all birds seen and heard by the various groups.
Where else can one see so many birds in such friendly and pleasant surroundings?
From my Fraser island Sketch Book.
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