Timid Birds
You'll have to venture into the rainforest to spot some of our more elusive species. The Albert's Lyrebird is a rainforest skulker and can be difficult to observe despite its considerable size. They are most easily seen during their winter breeding season when the males display at favoured sites.
Noisy Pittas and Paradise Riflebirds are most often found in spring and summer when their distinctive calls advertise their presence, while the elusive Rufous Scrub-bird and the Olive Whistler are restricted to temperate forests, requiring a return hike of about twelve kilometres.
Other species that are readily found:
- Logrunners seem oblivious to human presence as they scratch busily amongst the leaf litter, and are often followed by Yellow-throated and White-browed Scrubwrens in search of a free meal.
- Whipbirds, Golden Whistlers and Eastern Yellow Robins are joined in spring and summer by Black-faced Monarchs, Rufous Fantails and Rose Robins as birds that usually present themselves on a local rainforest stroll.
- You may even have the chance to separate two similar species, the Bassian and Russet-tailed Thrushes.
Fruiting trees attract many birds, especially Fruit Pigeons. White-headed and Topknot Pigeons and the spectacular Wompoo Fruit-Dove are likely to appear whenever suitable fruit becomes available.
The migratory Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove will do likewise, but only in spring and summer. Wonga Pigeons prefer a more terrestrial existence, and are commonly seen feeding on the lawns around the guesthouse.
Raptors such as the Grey Goshawk and Collared Sparrowhawk are often observed terrifying the parrots around the guesthouse, while a trip out to Luke's Bluff should produce Peregrine Falcons and Wedge-tailed Eagles.