O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat has been a sanctuary for bird lovers since the early part of last century, and enjoys international recognition as one of the premier birdwatching locations in Australia.
More than 160 species of sub-tropical birds make their home in the rainforest and our expert guides will help you find them.
Our Rich Habitats
The World Heritage listed rainforest surrounding the guesthouse is home to a spectacular array of birds, including many that are highly prized by birdwatchers. In addition the nearby eucalypt forest holds a number of interesting species that won't venture into the rainforest habitat.
Many of the special birds of Lamington may be found in the gardens and rainforest within a few hundred metres of your room:
- Regent and Satin Bowerbirds, and Green Catbirds appear every day at feeding trays beside the dining room
- Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots wait in nearby trees to ambush you if they suspect you are carrying food
- Lewin's Honeyeaters, Eastern Spinebills and Superb Fairy-wrens are common in the gardens within the guesthouse grounds
- Australian Brush-turkeys are conspicuous in the picnic areas, and you may see them working on their incubation mounds in spring.
Shyer 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 rainforest 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.
Eucalypt Forest species
If you manage to discover most of the birds already mentioned, you might like to try a short drive into the eucalypt forest along the Duck Creek Road (4WD access only). An extensive range of interesting birds may be found here, including the Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Red-browed Treecreeper, Spotted Quail-thrush, Variegated and Red-backed Fairy-wrens and an array of Honeyeaters and Thornbills.
Painted Button-quails are occasionally spotted in this open country, while the rare Black-breasted Button-quails live in adjacent patches of dry rainforest and lantana.
Nocturnal Species
Finally, if you haven't had enough birding by day's end, you might like to try your luck with a few nocturnal species. The Tawny Frogmouth and Boobook Owl are usually not difficult to locate, while the rainforest dwelling Marbled Frogmouth and Sooty Owl are much harder to find.
More Information for Birders:
O'Reilly's runs specific birding activities as part of our weekly 'Discovery Program' as well as a number of special interest weeks such as Autumn Birdwatching or our annual Bird Week (Australia's longest running birding program).
For more information on birding at O'Reilly's, click here.
Links:
The Best of Lamington National Park
Lamington National Park (UQ Site)
