Moderators' Note

The Moderators have adopted a 2 tier sightings system. All legitimate reports will be published,with some sightings which the Moderators consider to be unusual for rarity, distribution or timing being published as 'Highlights' on this page. The following link will appear after sighting submissions which contains information about the species of interest plus the Unusual Record Report Form to be completed and submitted for relevant sightings: http://www.tonypalliser.com/barc. Reports that do not meet the reporting criteria will not be published and we encourage all individuals to submit lists to ensure their sightings are included. We encourage any one with a long list of species to enter them into Eremaea eBird. The Atlas and list entry components of Eremaea Birds will move to a new site called Eremaea eBird on 1st February 2014. Birdlines will remain here. In the meantime for entering all your lists register with eBird at www.ebird.org.

• Reports
• Criteria

July 2014

Tue 29		Cotton Pygmy Goose Sandgate--Dowse Lagoon
		Now 7 Cotton Pygmy Geese plus 4 Australasian Shoveler on lagoon late this afternoon
		Chris Attewell 29/7 #218937
Mon 28		Double-banded Plover Wellington Point ( Low Tide )
		Not too much at the point this time of year but saw a few Double-banded Plovers at low tide this afternoon with this one in breeding plumage.
		Ken Doy 28/7 #218918
Sun 27		Painted Honeyeater Gregory Development Road, 22km s. of Greenvale
		Stopped to view a large feeding group of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows in an area of flowering and heard the familiar Painted Honeyeater call. Photographed (not very well) one of the birds whilst the other was calling a little way off.
		Michael Wood 29/7 #218941
		Chestnut-rumped Heathwren Girreween National Park
		Single bird
		Digby & Rose Cyrus, Steve & Tessa Blaber 27/7 #218904
		Glossy Black-Cockatoo Main Range National Park--Spicers Gap
		Four pairs feeding in trees at the camp site entrance road
		Digby & Rose Cyrus, Steve & Tessa Blaber 27/7 #218903
		Powerful Owl Sheep Station Creek Conservation Park
		Thanks to those who report the Owlet, after reading that I had to get a photo. I found the Mother Owl first all by herself and was afraid someone had scared the others off. So wasn't I relieved and jumping for joy when I found not one, but, two Owlets along with Dad. Beautiful puffs of white feathers.
		Paul Turner 27/7 #218889
Sat 26		Pale Yellow Robin Mt Tamborine
		Robin seen in good numbers at Witches Falls and MacDonald Park.
		Kim & Rachel Cumes, Pauline Brennan 26/7 #218860
		Providence Petrel Southport pelagic
		Up to 60 Providence petrels today. Also a few Aus Gannets, a few Hutton's Shearwaters and a couple of Wilson's Petrels on an otherwise quiet day.
		Rob Morris and all on board the Southport Pelagic organised by Paul Walbridge 26/7 #218859
		Tahiti Petrel Southport Pelagic
		Southport's second ever July record of this common summer petrel.
		Rob Morris and all on board the Southport Pelagic organised by Paul Walbridge 26/7 #218858
		Buller's Albatross Southport Pelagic
		2 Adult type birds (both Southern Buller's). This is the 5th record for Southport and is reportable in Queensland.
		Rob Morris and all on board the Southport Pelagic organised by Paul Walbridge 26/7 #218856
		Rose Robin Rafting Ground Reserve
		My first ever sighting of a Rose Robin, maybe others have observed this species here before? eBird checklist
		Anne Love-Hoskins 26/7 #218855
		Alberts Lyrebird Mt Tamborine--Witches Falls trail-- Seasonal Lagoon
		Male first sighted, diplaying. Later seen foraging, but bird very timid. Pita bird also seen.
		Kim & Rachel Cumes, Pauline Brennan 26/7 #218852
		Powerful Owl Sheep Station Creek Conservation Park
		Fledgeling in usual roost tree eBird checklist
		Judy Leitch, Rob Reed, Rae Clark 26/7 #218850
Fri 25		Albert's Lyrebird Witches Fall Section - Mount Tamborine
		I Male Albert's Lyrebird was pretty obliging and was able to get some decent photos in the subdued light. I eBird checklist
		Paul Turner 26/7 #218851
		Cotton Pygmy-goose Sandy Camp Rd Wetlands
		Male Cotton Pygmy-goose still in the first lagoon this afternoon
		Ken Doy 25/7 #218847
		Spotted Harrier Gold Coast - Springbrook Road, Mudgeeraba
		One adult bird walking along the edge of the rushes, possibly seeking prey. The site is immediately adjacent to Gold Coast - Springbrook Road just past the Railway Street roundabout.
		Todd Burrows 25/7 #218843
		Western Gerygone Spicers Hidden Vale, Grandchester
		Two birds heard and seen well, both singing. Faint whitish supercilium, white subterminal patches in tail, no yellow in the plumage. No photo, but audio recording of the song, which was like a 'flatter' White-throated Gerygone. These may be the most easterly WGs in Australia. This is a commercial private restricted access area, with apparently no previous entries in e-Bird.
		Rod Gardner 25/7 #218842
Thu 24		White-eared Monarch Golds Scrub Lane, Samsonvale
		Single bird in woodland between the Men of Trees Track & the entrance road
		Digby & Rose Cyrus, Steve Blaber 27/7 #218902
Wed 23		Eastern Reef Egret Caloundra Headland (Wickham Point)
		Two birds seen, one grey phase, other white phase, 200m apart, not interacting
		Russ Lamb 23/7 #218817
Tue 22		Purple Swamphen- partial albinos Lake Melaleuca North Lakes
		After failing to find the Yellow Bittern [Black- backed Bittern was very active] at Wallaroo Cct, I moved about 1km south to Lake Melaleuca. Around the pond by the BBQ and children's play area on Sandpiper Av. there were 2 [maybe 3] Swamphens with some white on their heads and mainly white on their backs and wings. This site has extensive bittern habitat.
		Rob Elvish 23/7 #218810
		Yellow-billed Spoonbill Tea Tree Wetlands, Gold Coast.
		Terry Dillon 22/7 #218794
Sun 20		Leaden Flycatcher Tewantin
		Adult male heard calling and observed in trees along walking track near Dun Street, Tewantin - unseasonal record? (Moderator's note: There have been several SEQ records in the last few weeks).
		Greg Clancy 22/7 #218806
		Pacific Baza Noosa Heads
		One bird foraging in low trees above road into Noosa Heads.
		Greg & Val Clancy 22/7 #218805
		Noisy Pitta, but no White-throated Nightjar Murrumba Downs--John Oxley Reserve
		Single Noisy Pitta on the track.
		Nikolas Haass, Raja Stephenson, Kevin Bartram 21/7 #218790
		Magpie Goose, Black-necked Stork, Lesser Crested Tern Bribie Island--Buckleys Hole
		3 Magpie Geese & 1 adult male Black-necked Stork at Buckleys Hole itself. 2 Sooty and 2 Pied Oystercatchers, 1 Whimbrel, 8 Gull-billed, 2 Lesser Crested (1 ad, 1 juv) and 2 Crested Terns at the sandbank visible from the bench on the roadside at the NW end of Buckleys Hole.
		Nikolas Haass, Raja Stephenson, Kevin Bartram 21/7 #218789
		Cotton Pygmy-Goose Sandy Camp Road Wetlands
		Single male Cotton Pygmy-Goose on the first lagoon. Other birds of interest: one Glossy Ibis, one Grey Goshawk, two Brown Goshawks, one Pacific Baza, one Eastern Osprey, one Brown Falcon, one Spotless Crake.
		Nikolas Haass, Raja Stephenson, Kevin Bartram 21/7 #218788
		Alberts Lyrebird Lamington National Park--O'Reilly's
		Heard males calling in the distance. Female sighted, not timid, didnt mind being video'd or noisey bush walkers going past. Great long views, was just on the edge of track, as close as 1mtr. Just on enterance to border track.
		Pauline Brennan 21/7 #218787
Sat 19		Asian Dowitcher, Common Greenshank, but no Asian Gull-billed Tern Toorbul--high tide roost
		1 Asian Dowitcher (1st winter), 1 Common Greenshank (heard only), 1 adult Red Knot, 10+ Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Pied Oystercatcher, 1 Black-fronted Dotterel amongst numbers of White-headed Stilt, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Grey-tailed Tattler and Great Knot. 1 Australian Hobby caused some panic.
		Nikolas Haass, Raja Stephenson, Kevin Bartram 23/7 #218809
		Cotton Pygmy-goose Gold Creek Reservoir
		Two males, possibly also additional birds, in a bay on the middle of the northern side of the reservoir.
		Roger Jaensch, Tom Jaensch 22/7 #218808
		Asian Dowitcher Toorbul atificial roost
		One Asian Dowitcher presented extremely well at high tide to the joy of many observers.
		Bernie OKeefe 20/7 #218758
		Spotless Crake, Black-backed Bittern but no Yellow Bittern North Lakes--Wallaroo Circuit Waterhole
		Despite a number of observers looking for it, the Yellow Bittern was neither seen nor heard today. In contrast, the male Black-backed Bittern was out in the open for extended periods of time but called only once. Other birds of interest were a Spotless Crake (as usual), an Azure Kingfisher and a Little Grassbird.
		Nikolas Haass, Raja Stephenson, Kevin Bartram and many others 19/7 #218756
		Cotton Pygmy Goose, Australian Shoveler Sandgate-Dowse Lagoon
		4 Cotton Pygmy Geese, and a pair of Australian Shoveler.
		Rob Morris 19/7 #218749
		Cotton Pygmy Goose Sandy Camp Road Wetlands
		Two Cotton Pygmy Geese were in the first lagoon today.
		Eve Belisle 19/7 #218747
		Australian Shoveler, Glossy Ibis Tea Trees Wetland (Arundel)
		2 Australian Shovelers (1 male & 1 female) present with 4 Glossy Ibis. Very heartening to see none of the birds seemed spooked by our presence. eBird checklist
		David Braithwaite & Timothy Braithwaite 19/7 #218745
Fri 18		Black-necked Stork Sandy Camp Rd Wetlands
		A Black-necked Stork was present this afternoon in the first Lagoon along with several Glossy Ibis , Egrets of varying kinds, Pelicans, Jacanas ,numerous Royal Spoonbills and Australian White Ibis Photo taken from the pathway between first and second Lagoons
		Ken Doy 18/7 #218734
Thu 17		Yellow Bittern North Lakes--Wallaroo Circuit Waterhole
		Arrived around 4:50pm and walked perimeter of waterhole. YB landed at the waters edge near the northern viewing platform around 5:10pm. Quite aggressive towards the ducks.
		Stuart Cox 17/7 #218729
Wed 16		Yellow Bittern Wallaoo Circuit, North Lakes
		reported on birding aus
		Colin and Chris Fitzell via birding-aus / rob morris 16/7 #218721
Tue 15		Brolga Mazeppa National Park at 22 13 49S 147 14 59E
		In the field directly to the south of Mazeppa National Park there are about 1500 Brolgas browsing in the sorghum stubble. They have been there for about 2 weeks. The birds are on private land but can easily be seen from the Gregory Developmental road
		James Wilson 19/7 #218750
Mon 14		Yellow Bittern Wallaroo Circuit, North Lakes
		Bird still present and showing well at Wallaroo Circuit wetland early this morning. Was feeding along the row of reeds bordering eastern (bush) side of pond and easily viewable from path or viewing platforms.
		Chris Attewell 15/7 #218686
Sun 13		Asian Dowitcher, Asian Gull-billed Tern Toorbul Artificial Roost
		Both these scarce species are still present at the high tide roost. The Dowitcher was there 30 mins before high tide; the tern arrived about an hour later.
		Rob Morris, Stuart Pickering,Brian Russel, Paul Walbridge et al 13/7 #218663
		Yellow Bittern Wallaroo Circuit, North Lakes
		The Yellow Bittern (female) was visible for most the morning and again this evening. It was not being disturbed by visiting birders.
		Rob Morris, Stuart Pickering, Andy Jensen, Paul Walbridge et al 13/7 #218661
		Australian Little Bittern Wallaroo Circuit North Lakes
		The male ALB was very showy this morning and this evening.
		Rob Morris, Stuart Pickering, Andy Jensen, Paul Walbridge et al 13/7 #218659
		Powerful Owls Sheepstation Creek Conservation Park, Caboolture
		2 birds roosting by one of the tracks.
		Rob Morris 13/7 #218657
		Shining Flycatcher Burpengary Creek, Nth Brisbane
		Single male gave good close views from a kayak this morning.
		Ged Tranter 13/7 #218652
Sat 12		Brown Booby Moreton Island
		5 birds together in the bay en route to Tangalooma.
		Rob Morris 12/7 #218639
		Eastern Grass Owl Kedron Brook Wetlands
		Along with several other birders, we saw a pair of grass owls, one pale and one darker flying across the grassland under full moon light. Later, we saw three owls overhead and when shone with torch light, all with pale underparts. Good views were gained when two owls landed on the burnt patch in front of us.
		Rick Franks & Felicia Chan 12/7 #218638
		Yellow Bittern Wallaroo Circuit Wetlands, North Lakes
		Bird displayed well this afternoon to 10 Birders. Unlike Australian Little Bittern which was absent, this bird has been foraging along the reeds and in the reeds both sides of the swamp collecting mostly insects and minnows. Several residents and children were shown good views of the bird. Photographers obtained excellent shots from the car park side with the bird approaching to within 5m of spectators. All spectators behaved well.
		Dezmond Wells 12/7 #218634
		Brolga Dohles Rocks Rd & Henry Rd Griffin QLD 4503
		Kind Lady at Osprey House put me on to them. The birds are located on Private Property, so no trespassing. The Brolga's are also wary, so please ensure you don't scare them off, so other people can get a chance to take photos. The property is the one on the left if you turn from Dohles Rock Rd into Henry Rd.
		Paul Turner 12/7 #218625
Fri 11		Yellow Bittern North Lakes Golf Course
		Arriving approx. 12.45pm I was directed from the previous reported (Wallaroo Court Circuit ponds) across the Bounty Boulevard to a pond centred in the Golf Course. After a few minutes the Yellow Bittern came onto the lily pads and continued to feed and frolic in the sun for all the surrounding birders. I have been informed that the owners and management team of the golf course are extremely displeased by birders trespassing to view this bird - please keep this in mind. EREMAEA EDS: PLEASE DO NOT TRESPASS ON THE GOLF COURSE SHOULD THE BIRD MOVE TO THIS LOCATION Further information
		James Mustafa 11/7 #218613
Wed 9		Buff-rumped (Varied) Thornbill Lake Maraboon (Fairbairn Dam), Emerald
		Single Buff-rumped Thornbill showing quite bright yellow underparts, a feature of Varied Thornbill, a subspecies that is reported further to the north from Eungella. Maybe it is a winter visitor here or overlooked/clinal event. Poor photo attached, the yellowness lost a bit in the dying afternoon light.
		Dion Hobcroft 11/7 #218612
		Yellow Bittern, Australian Little Bittern Wallaroo Circuit,wetlands, North Lakes
		Yellow Bittern showing well this morning, rarely hiding in reeds, more often walking on low vegetation and stalking prey items . Interesting to watch interactions with male Australian Little Bittern which appeared not to tolerate close proximity and would chase Yellow Bittern around wetland. A total of 11 birders enjoyed views between 10.30 & 11.30am.
		M.Dam,K.Cross & R.Lamb 9/7 #218584
		White-gaped Honeyeater Campgrounds - Capricorn Caves via Rockhampton
		4 or 5 birds present in vine scrub here - at least 2 adults and the rest being imm.s. Totally unexpected - they seem to be well south of normal range. Calling freely and chasing others - esp. Lewin's H/E.
		Brian & Meg Johnson 9/7 #218582
Tue 8		Yellow Bittern North Lakes SE Queensland
		Still present this morning. Paul Walbridge & Brian Russell found a female Ixobrychus Bittern on Sunday which was far more prone to fly around and its call was different to another Australian Little Bittern present. Photos were sent down south for analysis and the immediate response was that it was probably a Yellow Bittern; this has since been confirmed by J.Davies, D.Rogers & M.Carter and an expert based in Asia. Paul will now write up and submit the record as the first live mainland sighting. Paul will give out further details. Contact him on: Paul.Walbridge@health.qld.gov.au The particular lake is in a rather peaceful section of the complex and we expect visiting birders to show respect for the local residents e.g. with Parking. The streets are rather narrow and won't stand up to large numbers of extra vehicles. Also one would expect observers to keep to the footpaths and observe the birds from a respectful distance. Can the local 'Photographers' please respect all the birds present, stay on the path and not disturb the area, and refrain from cutting vegetation down to get good shots.
		Rob Morris & Andrew Jensen 8/7 #218571
		Noisy Pitta John Oxley Reserve, Murrumba Downs
		I was on my morning walk when I stumbled across a Noisy Pitta, it was on the edge of the mangrove's, close to the track on the south east corner of the reserve
		John Dennison 8/7 #218569
Mon 7		Grey Falcon Winton-Hughenden Road
		Single female Grey Falcon caught a Willie Wagtail and plucked it mid-air flying in ever higher spirals. Managed a couple of poor photos.
		Dion Hobcroft 11/7 #218611
		Grey Goshawk Wittonga Park, The Gap
		Grey Morph bird,being mobbed by Cockatoos in flight
		David Redhead 8/7 #218562
Sun 6		Striated (Rusty) Grasswren (2) Rufous-crowned Emu-wren (2) Opalton, Qld
		Hard work to see in the dry conditions prevailing currently, grasswrens especially low profile taking thirty minutes from when heard to getting a good view.
		Dion Hobcroft 11/7 #218610
		Albert's Lyrebird Tamborine Mountain National Park (Witches Falls Section)
		Lots of Lyrebirds calling but not so easy to see. Further information
		Ross Monks & James Lagden 6/7 #218541
		Red-necked Avocet, Asian Dowitcher Toorbul Artificial Roost
		Two Red-necked Avocet flew-in as we were leaving, not often seen at Toorbul. Dowitcher remains.
		Russ Lamb, Maria Dam 6/7 #218538
		Cotton Pygmy Goose Dowse Lagoon, Sandgate
		8 Pygmy Geese on the water this morning, a group of 5 plus a further 3, the most I've seen here. Also 2 Mangrove Gerygones still present at the southern end - heard calling this time to confirm ID.
		Ged Tranter 6/7 #218530
		Speckled Warbler J C Trotter Park, Burbank
		At the western end of the power pylon line, by the water. Uncommon in this area. Also "raft" of 88 Coots on the water (swimming in very tight formation).
		George Chapman 6/7 #218529
Sat 5		Grey Goshawk Bli Bli-Yandina rd
		single male bird seen observing road side of large paddock
		James Lee Fong 5/7 #218520
Fri 4		Painted Honeyeater Cuttaburra Crossing, Eyre Developmental Road
		One bird sighted from the southern bird hide.
		S and S King 6/7 #218539
		White-eared Monarch Samsonvale cemetery and surrounds
		First sighted by Ross Smith st midday. Great views of two active birds along the Men of the Trees track that goes to the big fig tree.
		Julie Sarna 5/7 #218509
		Little Eagle Tingalpa Creek Reserve, Chandler
		One pale morph bird circling above creek.
		Christian Perrin 4/7 #218492
Thu 3		Yellow Chat Cheetham Salt Works, Port Alma Road
		Single male seen well.
		Dion Hobcroft 11/7 #218609
		Asian Dowitcher Toorbul Artificial Roost
		Still present 1400 at the high tide roost. Full list on Eremaea eBird.
		Sarah Beavis 3/7 #218478
		Powerful Owl Sheepstation Creek Conservation Park, Caboolture
		One sitting high up on branch of a tree in full view at about 0830. Directions from Phelps Road entrance: walk the Grey Gum Circuit in a clockwise direction as far as the first intersection of the Ironbark Ridge Trail on the right. Pass this turn off, over a dry gully approx. 100m and bird was on the left. Nearest access is Tinney Road entrance: then turn right when at Grey Gum Circuit path and bird would be on the right of the path before gully. Full list on Eremaea eBird.
		Sarah Beavis 3/7 #218477
Tue 1		Noisy Pitta Sheep Station Creek Environmental Park , Upper Caboolture
		After looking for the Powerful Owls, unsuccessfully, my wife and continued our walk and came across this Noisy Pitta about 1k east of the Williamson Road turnoff. A dry forest
		John Dennison 28/7 #218911

June 2014

Mon 30		Albert's Lyrebird Tamborine Mountain National Park (Witches Falls Section)
		I walked the track from around 6AM and saw two male Albert's Lyrebird displaying, with others heard in the distance. At least 4 individuals seen over the course of the morning. Also many Noisy Pittas and Australian Logrunners seen.
		Jon Spicer-Bell 30/6 #218443
		Topknot Pigeon Chevallum, Sunshine Coast
		Small flock of 6 flying across road whilst driving
		Russ Lamb 30/6 #218442