News from Mount Isa: December 2024

Rex Whitehead | Guest Contributor

We have had a very good start for the up and coming wet-season, with more than last year’s rain total so far. Let’s hope it continues.

The count of visiting migratory birds appears to be down on other years. I hope there are a few late arrivals.

The wader species I have recorded so far are: Sharp-tailed, Wood, and Marsh Sandpipers; Swinhoe’s Snipe; and Red-necked Stint. I think the water rise in Lake Moondarra may have convinced them to go elsewhere, as have many of the local water birds.

A Wood Sandpiper on a very overcast day. Photo by Rex Whitehead.

The Chanel-billed Cuckoos and Eastern Koels are in reasonable numbers though….

Channel-billed Cuckoo. Photo by Rex Whitehead.

I was lucky enough to meet up with well-known travelling birders Daniel Terrington and Lucy Coleman. They have been travelling through Western Queensland, and have recorded some amazing species. Daniel Terrington gave me his approval to include his and Lucy’s sightings here.

In the Boulia area, they came across a huge flock of Oriental Pratincoles in their thousands. While in the Bedourie area, they recorded many species including Yellow Chats, Grey Grasswrens, Inland Dotterels, Gibberbirds, and many others. One bird was so far from its usual habitat (being the sea shores): a Ruddy Turnstone. They have the photo to prove it. Both Daniel and Lucy have made entries in eBird Queensland, which is worth checking out.

At my place, there has been quite a lot of Spotted Bowerbird activity. I counted six in my back yard at one time. My wife suggested they must have a bower close by. She was right: in my neighbour’s back yard, just through our fence.

Prior to the rain, we were visited every day by Varied Lorikeets as my neighbour has hanging bird baths from one of his Gum Trees. They were there every morning drinking and bathing, and fighting of course.

“Me - fight? Well, yes. I like a good dispute”: one of our visiting Varied Lorikeets. Photo by Rex Whitehead.

Varied Lorikeets in a mutual preening “chill-out” session. Photo by Rex Whitehead.

Last week, I went out on one of the bush tracks in the area to see what Owls I might find. I was lucky enough to see both Boobooks and Barn Owls, along with Spotted Nightjars.

Barn Owl with a rat dinner. Photo by Rex Whitehead.

Barn Owl with grasshopper, or locust: whichever it may be. Photo by Rex Whitehead.

Also, there were Bustards and Bush Stone-curlews in reasonable numbers.

May you all have a good year in 2025.

Cheers, Rex

Mount Isa