Photo by Red Mill House guest Yoshi Tanaka
Birdwatching Daintree
Red Mill House Daintree Tropical Queensland
Daintree in Tropical North Queensland is internationally recognised as one of Australia's premier birdwatching locations.
Over 430 species of birds have been recorded in the area encompassing the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef region of Australia. This is more than half the bird species for the entire continent. By combining visits to Daintree on the coastal lowlands, the upland rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands and the drier country of Mareeba and beyond, plus the off-shore islands, birders can appreciate the great diversity and number of the region’s birds within only 1 ½ hours drive from Cairns.
Queensland Wet Tropics has 12 endemic species and of these, Macleay's Honeyeater, Pied Monarch, and Victoria's Riflebird can be seen in and around Daintree. Also of enormous interest to birdwatchers are the Great-billed Heron, Black Bittern, Mangrove Robin, Lovely Fairy-Wren, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Red-necked Crake and of course, the Southern Cassowary which may be seen on the northern side of the Daintree river in the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park. Birdwatchers can see 8 out of 10 of Australia’s Kingfisher species, including the Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher and the Little Kingfisher in Daintree. The Daintree area has a variety of habitats with coastal lowland rainforest, riverine, wetlands, mangroves, open farmland and the Daintree River. The Daintree River is well known for early morning birdwatching, with several specialist birdwatching cruises available. Birders are encouraged to drop into Red Mill House for local "Mud Maps" and advice when visiting Daintree.
Target species for the Daintree area include:
Great-billed Heron
Little Kingfisher
Azure Kingfisher
Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
Southern Cassowary
Red-necked Crake
Pale-vented Bush Hen
Spotted Catbird
Wompoo Fruit-Dove
Black Bittern
Papuan Frogmouth
Double-eyed Fig-Parrot
Lovely Fairy-Wren
Mangrove Robin
Pied Monarch (endemic)
Victoria’s Riflebird (endemic)
Macleay’s Honeyeater (endemic)
(Lesser)
Sooty Owl
Summer migrants including Black Bittern, Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Channel-billed Cuckoo and Metallic Starling are seen from October/November until March/April, making it the best time of year for Daintree birdwatching, despite the chance of rain.
Autumn and Winter visitors include White-eared Monarch, Lewin's Honeyeater,Satin Flycatcher, Rufous Fantail, Dollarbird, Sacred Kingfisher and Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike. Conditions are perfect at this time with clear warm days and cooler nights with low humidity. Daintree is at it's best at this time of years.
Daintree is an ideal location as a base for a birding holiday in Far North Queensland or can be an important addition to a birding itinerary which may include Cairns, Julatten, Mareeba and the Atherton Tablelands.
For further information about birdwatching in Daintree:
Weekly sightings, birdwatching locations and a regular updated bulletin board, plus detailed information about various bird species.
www.daintreebirdwatching.com.au
Accommodation for birdwatchers of all levels. Local up-to-date birding information, ‘mud maps’, downloadable Daintree Birds checklist, wildlife library, binoculars and field guides for loan. Packages and guiding available.
www.redmillhouse.com.au 07 4098 6233
Daintree Birdwatching Red Mill House
Red Mill House is owned and operated by Andrew and Trish Forsyth, two enthusiastic birders who have been in Daintree since 2003. Along with our long-term resident guide Ellen Terrell, we are keen to help birders, from beginners to the serious, to get the most from their visit to the area. Daintree Birdlist, local maps, regular sightings reports and daily garden list are all available to visitors. Good working relationships with local residents and tour operators keeps us up-to-date with the latest bird movements and locations.
Located in Daintree and internationally recognised as birdwatching accommodation, Red Mill House accommodates up to 12 people in four ensuite rooms, all with wide verandahs overlooking the garden, and a two bedroom family unit downstairs in the original house. There is a communal lounge and reference library, the full range of field guides and binoculars and telescopes for guest use. Local Daintree guided birdwatching walks are available or full or half day guiding with Ellen can be arranged. Check the Red Mill House website www.redmillhouse.com.au for accommodation details. The fabulous Full Cooked Breakfast accompanied by home made yogurt, breads and jams is famous at Red Mill House and can be arranged for before or after early-morning Daintree birdwatching river cruises or land-based activities.
The garden at Red Mill House is famous for birds and specials include Little Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Red-necked Crake, Pale-vented Bush Hen, Double-eyed Fig-Parrot and Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. There is a large fresh water pond and the garden has a variety of rainforest trees, fruit orchard, flowering shrubs, ferns, palms and other ornamentals plus an ever-growing re-vegetation patch providing a corridor from the surrounding forest to the pond. There are several birdwatching walks from the gate of Red Mill House. Contact Red Mill House
DAINTREE BIRDWATCHING BULLETIN BOARD