Click Here
to Translate- (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Portuguese) Australian Fauna Diversity
The Atherton Tablelands is a Fauna lovers delight, not only is the landscape and
climate diverse in a very small area, but also its inhabitants. Australian fauna icons,
such
as the platypus, cassowary, Lumholtz tree kangaroo, kangaroo,
rock wallaby, wallaby, echidna, bandicoot and kookaburra
etc, can all be found at, or within
a short drive or walk from Atherton Blue Gum B&B or
The Summit B&B. Bird life is abundant and diverse with over 40% of all
Australian species found on the Atherton Tablelands. The environmental
health of the Atherton Tablelands is verified
by the number and diversity of its Frog species. A great
place to spend half a day, is
"Platypus Bend", especially if you like walking
without the tourist "masses".
Atherton Blue Gum B&B and
The Summit B&B are situated high on the slopes of Hallorans Hill. Hallorans Hill is an extinct volcano with
Mabi
Rainforest - Type 5B within its crater. This habitat
is critically endangered and the Australian Government has
listed it as such, only 2% of the original forest remains.
John & Helen, from Atherton Blue Gum, have planted 3000 Mabi
trees on their other property
(The Summit
Rainforest Retreat & Conference Centre), to extend this threatened eco
system. Walks into this crater begin only a short distance
from Atherton Blue Gum.
Endemic Birds
There
are over 300 species of birds on the Atherton Tablelands.
When conditions are right, 240 of these species have been
recorded in 1 day by our local expert. For Birders visiting the Wet Tropics of
North Queensland, the main objective is to observe all of
the 13 bird species confined to the region. These endemic
birds are resident at sites round Atherton that are accessible
throughout the year. All species occur within and near rainforests
and most occur widely. Reliable sites for each species are
listed below. Atherton Blue Gum is only 3 - 15 minutes
drive, from all of these sites. Atherton Blue Gum B&B is
an ideal base for birding
in Queensland.
For
birding services in the Brisbane area, see Birding
Services Brisbane.
Guiding Service
Alan's Wildlife Services provides a guiding service
for half, full day and longer periods as required. Packages
are available for nocturnal spotlighting, bird guiding and
mammal spotting. Alan can
guide from your vehicle, or from his vehicle. This service
is available throughout North Queensland for birds and other
native animals. Please contact us,
if you require his rates or more information. Bookings are essential for
this service. Alan is an
excellent guide with an exceptional knowledge of fauna sites
on the Atherton Tablelands.
Species restricted to higher elevation
- Golden Bowerbird... The Crater, Baldy Mt Walk, Bartle
Mt Walk, Hallorans Hill Crater
- Tooth-billed Bowerbird... Lake Eacham, The Crater,
Hallorans Hill Crater
- Mountain Thornbill... The Crater, Baldy Mt Walk,
Hallorans Hill Crater
Species absent from lower elevation
- Fern wren... The Crater, Kauri Creek Walk, Lake Barrine,
Baldy Mt Walk
- Atherton Scrub wren... The Crater, Lake Barrine
- Bridled Honeyeater... Atherton [winter], The Crater, Lake
Eacham, Hallorans Hill Crater
- Grey-headed Robin... Lake Eacham, The Crater, Hallorans
Hill Crater
- Bowers Shrike-thrush... Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, The
Crater, Hallorans Hill Crater
Species unrestricted by elevation
- Lesser Sooty Owl... all sites
- Macleay's Honeyeater... Lake Eacham, Hallorans Hill
Crater
- Chowchilla... The Crater, Lake Barrine, Hallorans Hill
Crater
- Pied Monarch... Lake Barrine, Lake Eacham, Curtain Fig,
Wongabel Botanical Walk, Hallorans Hill Crater
- Victoria's Riflebird... all sites
Other Sites
- Nardello's Lagoon - Birds of permanent wetlands.
- Bromfield Swamp - Regular roost site of Sarus Crane and
Brolga [best June - November].
- Mareeba Wetlands - The Gouldian Finch. (see photo above)
- Hallorans Hill Crater -
Mabi
Rainforest species
Below are listed
some of the Species of Birds & Butterflies spotted in
the garden at Atherton Blue Gum. About 140 species
have been seen in the immediate area by Glenn Holmes, who
was a neighbour and a highly regarded birding expert. We are
continually adding to our list.
|
