Birdwatching
Cape York - Iron Range - Georgetown
Jonathan Munro's birding excursions for
individuals and groups are conducted Australia wide.
|
The Cape York Peninsula is a vast wilderness area that contains a variety of habitats from floodplain and mangrove swamp to
heathland and monsoon forest. The Iron Range is a must for the serious birdwatcher and is particularly noted for its spectacular species. These include Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus and
Red-cheeked Parrots, Magnificent Riflebird, Trumpet Manucode, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Red-bellied Pitta, Northern
Scrub-robin, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird and many other species. Marbled and Papuan Frogmouths, nightjars and Rufous Owls are frequently seen at night while spotlighting. |
|
The Lakefield and Musgrave area
also
provide excellent birdwatching
opportunities. Species of note include Golden-shouldered Parrot, Star Finch, White-streaked Honeyeater,
Black-backed Butcherbird, Black-breasted Buzzard, Red Goshawk, Grass, Barn, Boobook and Barking Owls, Pratincoles and occasionally Oriental Plover.
Georgetown and the Gulf
country, 450 kilometres west of Cairns, is another region of particular interest to the keen birdwatcher. Habitats include savannah woodland and freshwater lagoons. |
|
Species often seen include Pictorella Mannikin, Masked, Black-throated, Plum-headed, Double-barred, Zebra, and occasionally Gouldian Finches, Red-browed Pardalote, Varied Lorikeet, Cockatiel, Budgerigar, Banded, Rufous-throated and Grey-fronted Honeyeaters, Spinifex Pigeon, Bustard and
Emu. In addition, we have seen some interesting waterfowl on the lagoons, including Pink-eared and Shoveler Duck and the rare Freckled Duck. |

|