Binna Burra and Rufous Scrub-bird … or not.
New Mission: see Rufous Scrub-bird – arguably the hardest bird to see in Australia.
Location: Binna Burra.
Plan: Arrive Saturday, stay overnight, walk in Sunday, go home Sunday afternoon!
We arrived in BB after the 1.5 hour drive from Brisbane in S’s car at about 14.00, having had a very acceptable lunch of pie/sandwich/sausage roll & coffees at Canungra. Checking in with reception we were admitted to tent no 91 – a “4 bed permanently established tent with your own verandah” (Cost $75 a night – no fridge, cooking facilities well supplied in the campsite, but not in the tent- fireplaces available at each tent, but need to buy or bring your own firewood, washing and laundry facilities also available in the campsite) The 4 bed part boiled down to a double and a pair of bunks. I took the top bunk and let the others fight it out between them. Stuff dumped we headed off for a short walk in the forest, planning to get back before 16.00 – ‘cause the coffee shop closed then and prior experimentation had convinced us that it was worthwhile!
We had some of the usual rainforest birds, although we noted the car park area is not as ‘active’ as at Green Mtn (O’Reilly’s). We did spy a single frogmouth sitting high in a tree in the campsite – a Tawny Frogmouth we finally agreed although we tried hard to turn it into a Marbled! I personally think there are more birds in this part of the forest than at O’Reilly’s, but definitely not as much activity on the fringes. We had Regent and Satin Bowerbirds, Brown Gerygones and Thornbills, Brush Turkeys, Crimson Rosellas, White-throated Treecreepers, Grey Shrike Thrush, Eastern Spinebill, Grey Fantails, Pied Currawongs and a Wonga Pigeon called in the distance.
We were back at the coffee shop by 15.45 and sat to enjoy the brew looking over the view to the coast.
Headed up to the lodge and had a look at the views from there. Then into the main reception area and, while browsing through the small gift shop and generally poking around, S was accosted by a visitor who asked if we were bird watchers as he had seen a white-throated Lyrebird jumping up and down? R and I bid a discreet retreat leaving S as the sacrificial lamb. It was his turn this time – we all take turns or try to avoid them - discussing ‘unusual’ bird sightings with members of the public – as you do. I always seem to get the ones who want to know if I have seen the Black Swans? Next time I am asked I plan to scream hysterically, look around and call the others, shouting quick, quick, let’s go – the Swans are here and then dash madly off in the opposite direction. This time, however, it was S’s turn and he spent some time trying to convince this non-believer that what he had seen was an Albert’s Lyrebird, not a Superb, if it was, indeed, a Lyrebird at all. I think he probably saw a Whipbird as they are particularly feisty at this time of year, have a white throat and do jump up and down on the tracks as they spar over mates and territory. Rarely seen otherwise, to a non-birder they could be a novelty. Anyway, we headed back to ‘camp’ and had dinner – precooked meals Beef Stew with rice, followed by canned fruit, chocolate and coffee, accompanied by a light, 10 year old white kindly produced by R - might have been vinegar, but was in fact quite pleasant. We had brought 4 bottles of wine between us, but never got beyond the first – as drinkers we stink!
Darkness fell and we headed back into the forest, torches on head and in hand. We played tapes for response – trying for Owlet Nightjar – close response no sighting, as usual - Sooty, Masked and Boobook Owls – no response, Marbled Frogmouth – ditto. Disappointing outcome given the environment. Wandering back down the road towards the lodge, people everywhere, the campsite was extremely busy, we came across a Long-nosed Bandicoot foraging at the side of the bitumen – very close view before he ran off across the road and under a parked car.
Returned to the tent and prepared to crash – when suddenly outside very, very close a Marbled Frogmouth called – up and out again to find – a pair of Boobooks in the trees of the campsite – but no Frogmouth. R & I got some acceptable photos of the owls, but after a fruitless search we again retired for the night.
Up at 6.00, just before the dawn, and packed everything up while having a cup of coffee and various bits and pieces for breakfast. Chucked all the unnecessary gear into the car and off down the border track. We walked in for an hour and a half at a fairly quick pace to a location we knew Rufous Scrub-bird inhabited. On the way we had all the (above) birds from yesterday plus a single Spectacled Monarch, several Noisy Pittas (views of two), Green Catbirds, Yellow-throated, White-browed and Large-billed Scrub-wrens, Eastern Yellow and one single Pale Yellow Robin, Golden Whistlers, several Logrunners, Paradise Riflebirds, 3 or 4 (calling only) Albert’s Lyrebirds, 1 Fan-tailed and a pair of Shining Bronze Cuckoos.
We reached the ‘spot’ and for two hours listened as the Scrub-bird sang deep in the undergrowth, but would not come out in the open – not an unusual result. A pair of Rose Robins entertained while we waited – the male well coloured up and pretty in pink.
Heading back along the trail we stopped regularly to see various waves of birds, including a couple of pairs of Rufous Fantails and, at one point, another singing Scrub-bird.
Back at BB we took over one of the camp kitchen areas and, while R & S went to get takeaway coffees, I, as kitchen bitch, cooked eggs, bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes on Turkish bread.
After cleaning up we headed back down the mountain, arriving home around 14.00.
