Ground Parrot, Grass Owl, Lewin's Rail: Coast and Hinterland

Ground Parrot - Picture by Graeme Chapman

I've been endeavouring to survey Ground Parrot numbers in the remnant Sunshine Coast population of this rare species. I was delighted a few nights ago to hear 3 birds calling at dusk in wallum heath near Castaways Beach. Two birds were calling together, indicating a possible pair. At another site 1km north of here, I recently heard no parrots calling (see here).

Eastern Grass Owl - Picture by Jim Sneddon

As occurred recently, while playing a Ground Parrot call, an Eastern Grass Owl appeared from nowhere and was clearly interested in the sound. The owls appear to be resident in wallum heath in this area. Calling in an area of creekside marshland at the same site were two Lewin's Rails but they failed to show.

Yellow-billed Spoonbill

Swamp Harrier

Elsewhere about the coast, a Yellow-billed Spoonbill and several Swamp Harriers were seen on River Road, Yandina Waters.

Freckled Duck with Great Cormorant, Australasian Darter, Hardhead

The Freckled Duck is still hanging about the Noosa Botanic Gardens on Lake Macdonald, sitting on the same pipe over the water.

Emerald Dove

In the home garden, an Emerald Dove has appeared at the seed feeder for the first time. A Pale-vented Bush-hen is still vocalising noisily at the bottom of the garden.

Southern Logrunner

During a run out to Charlie Moreland Park yesterday, I managed a half-decent shot of a logrunner but the little buggers are not easy to get a grip on. The weather is warming up quickly and there was evidence of breeding underway with Logrunner and Noisy Pitta in particular being very vocal.

Crested Shrike-tit

Crested Shrike-tit is always nice to see in south-Queensland and a pair showed yesterday.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

A large group of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos was feeding roadside on the way to Charlie Moreland.

Carpet Python

A nice 2m Carpet Python is a sign of summer coming.