News from Mount Isa

Rex Whitehead | Guest Contributor

Birding in Mount Isa has been a little quieter of late due to the amount of water still around, along with recent good rainfall in the desert around the Birdsville area. However, I notice some of the water birds are returning to Lake Moondarra, where the water level is still quite high.

It has been a good breeding year as the pair of local Black-shouldered Kites has raised two youngsters.

One of the local young Black-shouldered Kites with a mouse in its talons, with one of the adults looking on from above. Probably wanting the mouse. Photo by Rex Whitehead.

One of the Black-shouldered Kite adults hovering and looking at me as if to say, What are you doing here? Photo by Rex Whitehead.

Other birds that have bred, and/or are still breeding, are Red-backed Fairywren, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Striated Pardalote, Varied Sittella, plus both the Black and Whistling Kites. Many more species have probably bred also.

In the last couple of weeks, I have identified two species I haven't recorded here before: Tawny Grassbird and Golden-headed Cisticola. This appears to be outside their normal range. I guess the good rain events may have contributed to this record.

Tawny Grassbird. I haven't recorded this species here before. Photo by Rex Whitehead.

Golden-headed Cisticola: the other species I haven’t recorded here before. Photo by Rex Whitehead.

I have taken one visit to one of my favourite Carpentarian Grasswren sites, but they disappointed me as I only got a brief sighting of one bird. Oh well, next time. No trouble in getting the Kalkadoon Grasswrens though.

I was meant to do a trip south of Isa a couple of weeks ago, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to cancel. My two friends went, with both getting lifers.

I have noticed there have been some birders through Isa, but there doesn't appear to be the numbers of other years. Although, I have noticed the caravan traffic has recently increased. So, there may be some late starters: while the weather is fine, it's quite cold here at the moment: for us locals, anyway.

Happy birding to you all.

Rex Whitehead.