Autumn arrives with birds on song and waterfalls flowing

After one of the wettest summers on record the Lamington rainforest is at its lush and luxuriant best to welcome the change of season and a new program of activities at O’Reilly’s from birdwatching to photography, along with a menu that warms up as the weather chills.

As the temperatures dip and the days shorten the coming months are perfect for combining outdoor pursuits with lots of relaxing by the fire at night – a reconnect with nature that is both active and passive and always reinvigorating.

Autumn Birding Week (9-14 March) ushers in what is perhaps the perfect period of the year for enjoying the rainforest and wildlife, thanks to comfortable conditions, lush foliage after recent rains and some happy and well-fed birds and their nestlings who’ve feasted on all the insects out and about since the wet weather.

A diverse program will take birders from the heights of the cool sub-tropical rainforest to coastal swamps and lagoons and with smaller numbers than during the annual November Bird Weeks, participants are sure of even more personal assistance in spotting maximum numbers.

For a bird enthusiast, this means the opportunity to spot a diverse range of birds, from the raptors who enjoy the lofty heights almost 1km above sea level, to the birds of the eucalypt forests, such as the famous Glossy Black Cockatoo and those that make the coastal swamps and lagoons their home.

Every year brings a new focus to the program, and this year it is the Great Thornbill Challenge with the aim of sighting all of southeast Queensland’s five thornbill species in a day.

The active program sees participants out and about from warming up with a walk at dawn to enjoying dusk listening to the chorus in the canopy of the rainforest and then joining the night owls for some spotlighting.

Autumn Birding Week leader Tim O’Reilly believes conditions this year should be good with the bonus of seeing spectacular waterfalls in full flow.

“With so much rain the wildlife will be keen to get active as the rainforest dries out,“ Mr O’Reilly said.

“Even the eucalypt woodlands should be a hive of activity thanks to much needed rain after months of dry weather.”

O’Reilly’s other ‘birdman’ and resident film-maker Glen Trelfo will also be there in person and in the form of his unique slide-shows and documentaries on the Bowerbirds and Lyrebirds that are iconic in the area.

The first wild and wet week of the year saw almost half the annual rainfall pour down on O’Reilly’s, with the biggest overnight deluge devastating the Canungra Valley Vineyards below.

A big clean-up followed at the vineyard, and, with the help of members, O’Reilly’s was able to bring in a harvest of Chambourcin last month.

The focus is now moving forward to the launch of three new varieties in mid-April and the replanting of the vineyard with Semillon and possibly some new varieties in August.

A celebratory function for members on April 19 will see the Lona Sparkling Semillon 2007 uncorked as a new variety, along with the release of perennial red favourites from the 2006 vintage - the Shane Reserve Shiraz 2006 and the Viola Reserve Cabernet 2006.

An autumn menu entices in the Vintage restaurant at the vineyard and new seasonal fare will also be added to dining room menu at the Rainforest Retreat as temperatures cool.

The season will roll into winter with the click of many cameras as amateurs and budding professionals train their lenses on the late autumn scenery for Lamington Light Photography Week (25 – 30 May).

World Heritage listed Lamington National Park is a true photographic wonderland, with over 500 waterfalls, 220 species of birds and 66 species of mammals.

Expert leaders Darren Leal and Glen Trelfo bring their infectious enthusiasm, experienced eyes and passion for photography to teach photographers of all levels how to use the light to capture Lamington in all its glory.

Resident snappers Trekabout Photography also plan several weekend workshops over coming months.

For further information, or to make a booking, contact O’Reilly’s Reservations on 1800 688 722 or e-mail reservations@oreillys.com.au. 

ENDS.

Further information on O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.
Further information on O'Reilly's Discovery Weeks.
Further information on O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards.

MEDIA:
For further information on this press release, please contact:
Amanda Tidmarsh
Phone: 07 5502 4900
Fax: 07 5502 0988
E-mail: amanda@oreillys.com.au
Or
Kathy Bourke
Phone: 07 5539 9883
Mobile: 0419 757 622
E-mail: kathy@articulatecommunications.com.au