Birding On My Own - Australia and New Zealand 2002
Emmalee Tarry 		Comments | Table of Contents

Lamington National Park

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Birding the Campground
This was by far the best birding campground of all. A flock of Bush Turkeys make their home here although I didn't see any mounds or notice any of them being territorial. The Bush Turkey was my first mound builder of which there are three in Australia. Most Australians consider them a nuisance as they are very common and like to build their mounds in gardens and parks. One woman told me she had to quit using mulch in her garden because the Bush Turkeys loved it. Adult males have a large yellow collar which may hang down several inches. This bird is apparently a female or young male. Brush Turkey
Lewin's Honeyeater Lewin's Honeyeater was very common in the campground and even came into my van to sit on the table while I was eating breakfast. They love fresh oranges. Notice the crescent shaped yellow mark on the face. The cream colored gape extends under the eye. There are two very similar honeyeaters which you will see further north: Yellow-spotted and Graceful Honeyeater. At the Kingfisher Lodge you can see all three at the same time.

The honeyeaters comprise a large group of Australian birds. They all have a downcurved bill and feed on nectar. Many Australian bushes and trees flower in the winter providing ample food for this large group of birds.
The Yellow Robin was at home here and also very friendly. This guy is expecting a handout. Can you see why I am excited about the Australian Robins. The yellow is the most common and has a yellow rump. Unlike some of the others he hangs around feeders and people.

Wonga Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Yellow-throated Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Eastern Whipbird, Satin Bowerbird, Grey Shrike-thrush all made the campground list numerous times.		 Yellow Robin
Regent Bowerbird Obviously many people feed the birds here despite the Ranger's campaign. Here the male Regent Bowerbird is tempted by a sunflower seed. I did not feed although I kept a pan of water outside my van. I did take advantage of other people feeding to get some nice photographs and I think the reason the campground is such good birding is because of the feeding.

O'Reilly's uses the Regent Bowerbird (left) as their logo. You will also see the Satin Bowerbird. male and female.
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