Situated in the rainforest-covered mountains of World Heritage Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's has long been regarded as a bird lovers paradise and is renouned as one of Australia's premier birding areas with over 232 recorded species.
O'Reilly's offers a range of dedicated birding activities on a weekly basis and throughout the year to cater for all types of 'birdos', from novice to professional. View more information on the Birds of Lamington National Park.
Early Morning Bird Walk:
A short walk around the Guesthouse and the surrounding rainforest provides the perfect opportunity to 'meet the locals'. Our Early Morning Bird Walk operates daily at 6:45am, and is a great introduction to birding and the birds of the surrounding area.
Private Guiding Services:
Our expert guides are available for private guiding. We'll will take you to all the hot spots and hopefully find that one special bird that's been eluding you.
Birding Activities:
As part of our daily Discovery Program, we lead dedicated birding activities on a weekly basis throughout the year. While some months are better than others for certain species, every month has its advantages and will provide its own particular mix of birds. View this week's program.
Autumn Birdwatching Week:
The comfortable conditions in Autumn make for pleasant outings as we explore this famous birding area. View the current program and reports from previous weeks.
O'Reilly's Famous Bird Week:
Started in 1978, O'Reilly's famous Bird Week runs each November, and attracts bird observers from Australia and overseas. O'Reilly's Bird Week is Australia's longest running birding event. With help from our team of expert guides, we regularly spot over 200 species of birds during this week. View the current program and reports from previous weeks.
Bird Update: Posted 18 January 2008
While it wasn’t that long ago we were crying out for rainfall, now we’re crying out for it to stop! Or at least for it to move a little north to the Brisbane dam catchments. We’ve had half our average annual total in the first fortnight in January, and the ground is well and truly saturated. The birds are happy though, with the wet conditions bringing out insects in numbers to feed hungry nestlings. The abundance is such that some species are nesting again at this late stage in the season. But I’m sure even they would appreciate a little bit of sunshine by now.
Here’s a brief summary of recent sightings:
Albert's Lyrebird:
Not much calling going but still reasonably regular sightings for those hardy enough to brave the conditions. The male that lives along the first section of the Border Track / Booyong Walk still appears reasonably regularly and allows a close approach. Sightings in the other usual territories (Elabana Falls junction, Python Rock track) have also been quite frequent. A female on the Duck Creek Road, just after Ray Stephens Lookout, seems to be a regular and would be worth looking for in the early morning.
Paradise Riflebird:
Becoming quiet now, especially in the gloomy conditions. The usual haunts on the Python Rock track (near the Stinging Tree sign and the seat) as well as just before the Mick’s Tower turnoff on the Wishing Tree track are as good a spot to search as any. They aren’t particularly shy birds and can be very active when feeding, so persistence will often reward the diligent observer. Look for falling material as they tear into epiphytes and rotting limbs.
Noisy Pitta:
Quite rarely seen this year, even through the spring when they’re usually most vocal. It was dry early on which may have dampened their spirits. Still possible now (as at any time) on any rainforest tracks but luck is required.
Regent and Satin Bowerbirds:
Still appearing in reasonable numbers but starting to dwindle, and Satins are already showing signs of moult. From now through the autumn they become a relatively rare sight (certainly compared to their spring abundance) but there are always some around. If not seen outside Reception at breakfast time, the very tops of the Hoop Pines are a favourite perch.
Rose Robin:
They’ve been very quiet in the wet conditions making sightings infrequent. They still call occasionally though during dry patches, and there’ve been quite regular sightings of a male around the road just beyond the day visitor carpark.
Grey Goshawk:
Occasionally around the guesthouse and reasonably frequently in the area of the flying fox, but always hard to predict. Always look up when the parrots go into a panic!
White-headed Pigeon:
Have been in reasonable numbers of late, flying past the Guesthouse and sometimes at puddles on the Duck Creek Road.
Topknot Pigeon:
After an uncharacteristically quiet spring, Topknots are currently a very regular sight, flying over in flocks of half-a-dozen or so.
Australian Owlet-nightjar:
After being very reliable in early spring, the birds of our local stakeouts suddenly became tired of the attention come November (just in time for Bird Week!). They’re still putting in infrequent appearances, so check with the guides in the Discovery Centre for the most recent. Guide Chris O’Neill saw one (just!) through the mist on the bird walk on the morning of January 13th at the Tree-top Walk / Booyong Walk junction.
Tawny Frogmouth: 
Five birds seen today at Luke’s Bluff (that pair had three young this year). I don’t know of any attempts at Marbled Frogmouth during the recent wet conditions.
Spotted Quail-thrush:
Very infrequent sightings in the last six months, the most recent being at the start of the new year near the quarry on the Kurrajong Lookout road.
Glossy Black-Cockatoo:
Sightings have been very frequent in recent months with plenty of ripe fruit on the Forest Oaks, both on the Duck Creek and Canungra roads. Look for recently-chewed fruit and listen for the soft cracking sound of them eating.
Previous Bird Sighting Reports:
