#5 Inala’s Cape York Specials Tour - Special and endemic birds of the Cape York Peninsula 21-28 Aug 2023 ( Fly Up - Drive Back)

Inala’s Cape York Specials Tour Trip Report - September 2019
Guided by Ben Blewitt

( slightly different order of itinerary than 2021 )

This very successful tour visited two of the best birding destinations on Cape York Peninsular, Iron Range and the Musgrave/ Lakefield area. We also had two nights at Julatten in the extremely diverse Wet Tropics region. Overall the weather was fine with fairly strong wind building up on some days.

Day 1. Friday 30 August 2019. Fly Cairns to Lockhart River, Iron Range National Park.

The group arrived on the afternoon flight from Cairns into Lockhart River and after a quick turnaround we headed to the rainforest for some birding.  Although the rainforest suffered severe damage from Cyclone Trevor earlier in the year, the birds were all still around.  We soon had views of our first of the Cape York endemics in the very showy Frill-necked Monarch. A visit to the Eclectus Parrot nest tree produced a stunning female at the nest cavity, and great excitement as two Palm Cockatoo’s gave low fly by views. A great start to the trip

Day 2. Saturday 31 August 2019. Iron Range National Park.

Early morning we drove through tropical woodland towards the community searching for Palm Cockatoo. Before too long we spotted one of these iconic birds perched up on a tall tree. We all enjoyed prolonged views and many pictures were taken. A visit to the Farm Dam was excellent with plenty of bird activity. As we observed a large Saltwater crocodile, a Yellow-billed Kingfisher began calling, and after a short battle was seen well by all the group.

Later, in the rainforest there were some good sightings including Tawny-breasted and Green-backed Honeyeater, and Lovely fairywren. Late afternoon we reached the beach where we picked up a few waders and Great Frigatebird. Around dusk the Metallic starlings put on an absolutely stunning show with thousands of birds joining a massive swirling display. After dinner at a café we drove back to the rainforest and managed to spot a Marbled frogmouth. This cryptic and often elusive bird was sitting quite low which allowed exceptional views and even some pictures.

 Day 3. Sunday 1 September 2019. Iron Range National Park

This day was spent mainly in the best parts of the rainforest in search of the local specials. It proved difficult at times, but with patience and persistence we managed our first looks at Magnificent Riflebird, White-faced Robin, Tropical Scrubwren, and Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo.  Late in the afternoon our hard work was rewarded with absolutely crippling views of a pair of Yellow-legged Flycatcher.  These tiny birds can be very hard to locate so it was a real treat to have such a close sighting.

 Day 4. Monday 2 September 2019. Iron Range National Park

There was an early morning return to the rainforest for Northern Scrub-robin. This species is a cryptic skulker and proved very difficult, with brief or obscured views only.  In the mangroves at Portland Roads we found the bower of the Fawn-breasted Bowerbird (our best sightings of this species were at the cabins). The Bridled and Black-naped Terns were a good pick up at Chilli Beach.

One of the absolute highlights of the day was encountering a pair of Spotted Whistling Duck. These have been scarce in recent times.  A return to the rainforest resulted in a number of good sightings including extended views of a male Magnificent Riflebird. We watched this bird foraging for around twenty minutes and there were some nice pictures taken.

 Day 5. Tuesday 3 September 2019. Iron Range National Park to Musgrave.

In the morning we called in to say goodbye to the Eclectus Parrots and were very lucky to have a male Red-cheeked Parrot feeding at eye level.  This was very welcome as we had only obtained flight views previously. In the hills as we left Iron Range we stopped to look for White-streaked Honeyeater, a Cape York endemic.  The birds did not disappoint with good numbers of these and other species feeding on Fern-leaved Grevillia.

We continued south on the PDR through Coen. About half way to Musgrave we found a Black-headed Python on the road. We stopped and made sure the impressive animal made it safely off the road.
Later we were welcomed to the Musgrave area by a small group of Golden-shouldered Parrot. A real treat to see this beautiful and endangered Cape York endemic.

Day 6. Wednesday 4 September 2019. Musgrave area and Lakefield National Park.

We took a morning walk and saw Golden-shouldered Parrot and a variety of tropical woodland species. Of particular interest were Masked Finch, which is usually in small groups, and the Black-backed Butcherbird, one of the New Guinea/ Cape York specials.

By late morning we were heading for the areas east of Musgrave and the northern section of Lakefield National Park.  Just before Musgrave we had a Black-breasted Kite soaring above the trees, with the distinctive wing markings showing well. The next great sighting was a stunning male Red Goshawk perched nicely in the vicinity of an active nest. We had fantastic looks at this rare raptor without risking any disturbance to the sitting female.

Our lunch stop was at a beautiful lagoon where a good selection of wetland species put on a show. The cast included Magpie Goose, Green Pygmy-goose, Radjah Shelduck, Comb-crested Jacana, Wandering Whistling-duck, and many others. Later we reached Nifold Plain within the park. This is an amazing landscape dominated by cool shaped termite nests. Birds seen here included Australian Bustard, Black-necked Stork, and Brolga. We got back to the roadhouse for dinner and then managed to call up an Australian Owlet-nightjar.

Day 7. Thursday 5 September 2019. Musgrave to Julatten.

Today was a big travel day as we had decided to head down through the National Park to increase our chance of finding finches. We retraced our path and were rewarded with a small flock of Star Finch coming in to drink at a dam. A little further south there were several species of Honeyeater, including Rufous-banded, and Double-barred Finch bathing and drinking at the river crossing.

As we reached Laura, there were good flight views of a male Red-winged Parrot. We discovered a nice shady garden area with bird baths and feeders attracting Great Bowerbird, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Black-backed Butcherbird and others.

We arrived at our accommodation late in the afternoon and soon had our first Wet Tropics endemic, Macleay’s Honeyeater on the feeders. A walk around the grounds and down to Bushy Creek produced Grey Whistler, Pale-yellow Robin, and much to the astonishment and delight of our international visitors, a Duck-billed Platypus.

 Day 8. Friday 6 September 2019. Julatten and surrounds.

This was an exceptional birding day with sightings of all but two of the Wet Tropics endemics plus many of the special birds of the North East. We started with a noticeably quiet Noisy Pitta in the lodge grounds, where we also saw Rufous Fantail, Spectacled Monarch, Scarlet Honeyeater, Emerald Dove and many others. We then drove to an environmental park and were entertained by a pair of Northern Fantail feeding in the car park. In Mount Molloy we observed the antics of several Great Bowerbird around a very well built and decorated structure, and also found a party of Red-backed Fairy-wren with a very dashing male giving great views.

It was then time to try our luck on Mount Lewis. As we wound our way up into the ancient forest a Victoria’s Riflebird called and we soon had views of this endemic Bird of Paradise. We reached the famous clearing and had our lunch, listening to the calls of our target birds inside the forest. As we made our way out on the track we saw Atherton Scrubwren, and Grey-headed Robin. Then Mountain Thornbill and Bridled Honeyeater, soon followed by our first party of Chowchilla. A little further along we encountered Bower’s Shrike-thrush and Spotted Catbird, another party of Chowchilla, this time with a pair of Fernwren in attendance. There were no decorations on the bower of the Golden Bowerbird and we had to retreat after only hearing the strange call.  Back at Julatten we tried an area for Pied Monarch, and within minutes a quite animated individual was showing extremely well. To top it all off the elusive Red-necked Crake came for an evening bath at the feeders back at the lodge.

Day 9. Saturday 7 September 2019.  Cairns and airport.

This morning it was time to travel to Cairns to meet our conections.
We managed to add a few waterfowl and some more bush birds,including finally catching up with White-browed Robin which we had heard on the Peninsular.  We finished with the Rufous Owl at the roost in Cairns.

An absolutely great way to finish an excellent tour.
Thanks to the guests for their enthusiasm, humour, and help finding the birds.