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Australia from 1 July to 7 September 2001,

Clare Moger & Sean Vernon, Bratislava, Slovakia

Introduction

A move from the UK to Slovakia gave my partner and I the opportunity to take two months off work and go travelling. We chose Australia because it's too far to go for a short holiday, it's an easy place to travel and it had huge lifer potential for me.

Our trip was divided into 4 sections: SE Queensland, the Top End, NE Queensland, and the south (Sydney to Adelaide).

I've tried to include below information that will be useful for anyone else planning a birding trip to Australia. However, in an effort not to make the report too long, some detail has been left out. Therefore if there's anything else you want to know, please feel free to contact me at the email address above.

Travel and accommodation

We found travelling in Australia easy and enjoyable.  Roads were mostly quiet. There is plenty of inexpensive accommodation available and the fact that we hadn't booked accommodation in advance in the south didn't cause us any difficulties. Most of the places we stayed in NE Queensland were run by and for birders - I would advise booking at least a few days in advance for these. 

We mostly stayed in motels for £30-35/night. O'Reillys and a few of the places in NE Queensland were more expensive as was accommodation in or close to cities. Accommodation in quiet rural areas tended to be a bit cheaper. All the rooms we stayed in had an en suite bathroom. I've indicated below where rooms had cooking facilities - some places had a room with cooking facilities available for a significantly higher price, which we didn't use - these aren't indicated below. A good number of motels and lodges had laundry facilities so we didn't need to go out of our way to get washing done. All the campsites we stayed at in the Top End had decent washroom facilities, including showers. 

We used a very small 4WD campervan in the Top End to save too much driving to and from accommodation, particularly in Kakadu NP. This also enabled us to get to places like Gunlom Falls, which might have been a bit risky in a 2WD. Not having a 4WD in the south meant we missed out on a couple of places, most notably Big Billy Bore in Big Desert Wilderness. However, hiring a 4WD would have added at least £1,500 to the trip cost.

Costs

Birding

Birding in Australia is very rewarding and not too difficult. There are few species that pose identification problems and there are a significant number of really delightful, beautifully marked and brightly coloured birds. Birding in NE Queensland was particularly enjoyable due to the availability of bird guides and accommodation specifically aimed at birders. We found birding in the Top End more difficult than elsewhere, partly due to the heat which made birding during the main part of the day slow and uncomfortable, and partly due to the lack of local guidance and our own lack of experience at that stage in the trip.

I had some reservations about spending so long in the south in winter. However, we only lost one day to rain. With hindsight, we should have spent more time in the Top End and at least gone across to Kununurra. We didn't need as much time as we had in NE Queensland although this is such a wonderful area that it was nice to be able to revisit a few places in the last couple of days knowing we only had a small number of species left to find (but sadly not finding them!).

I spent what little free time I had for about 3 months before the trip planning and studying the field guide. I didn't have time to learn any songs and calls although I knew a fair few by the end of the trip - it would have been helpful to have learnt at least some songs and calls before the trip - in the rainforest especially a lot more can be heard than seen.

We used the services of a number of guides on this trip (as indicated in the itinerary). All of these were excellent and helped us to see a number of new birds, some of which we didn't see elsewhere. I highly recommend all of the guides mentioned below.

Resources

• Binoculars and scope
• Spotlight - take a reasonably powerful one, as there's plenty to see at night. We bought ours in NE Queensland but only having a small torch up until then meant we missed out on finding owls in the Top End.
• Where to watch birds in Australasia and Oceania, Wheatley - I used this to plan the trip and almost all of the sites we visited were covered in sufficient detail. 
• Various trip reports posted on www.birdtours.co.uk 
• www.ausbird.com website - this site was extremely useful - it has details of most of the guides and accommodation for birders mentioned below.
• Various other Australia links from www.fatbirder.com
• Collins Field Guide: Birds of Australia, Pizzey and Knight - excellent.
• Discover Australia National Parks, published by Hema Maps (mainly of use for the road maps, although some of the information on the national parks was helpful)
• A Photographic Guide to Mammals of Australia (Strahan), A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Australia (Swan) - both published by The Australia Museum - the mammals guide was quite useful but it was difficult to identify everything from the photographs and the limited text. Most of the reptiles we saw were not even featured in the reptiles guide so this was of very limited use.
• Checklists - I prepared checklists for each of the 4 main sections of the trip based on the expected species for these areas. If these would be helpful to you, I can email them - they are on Excel.

Brief itinerary

1^st July - 3^rd July - Depart London, arrive Australia
4^th - 6^th July - O'Reilly's, Lamington National Park
7^th - 8^th July - Birding Services Brisbane
9^th July - Flight to Darwin, late afternoon Howard Springs
10^th July - Howard Springs, Fogg Dam, Kakadu NP
11^th & 12^th July - Kakadu NP
13^th July - Katherine Gorge
14^th - 15^th July - Chinaman Creek, Cutta Cutta Caves, Victoria River Roadhouse
16^th July - Litchfield NP, Darwin
17^th - 19^th July - Darwin area
20^th July - Cairns
21^st & 22^nd July - Cairns and Atherton Tablelands
23^rd July - Great Barrier Reef
24^{th -} 29^th July - Tablelands
30^th July - Cairns
31^st July - 2^nd August - Daintree
3^rd August - South Mission Beach
4^th August - Cairns
5^th August - Tablelands
6^th August - Flight to Sydney
7^{th -} 8^th August - Blue Mountains, Capertee Valley
9^th August - Dharug NP
10^th August - Royal NP
11^th August - Sydney pelagic
12^th & 13^th August - Barren Grounds
14^th - 17^th August - Chiltern Box NP & Beechworth area
18^th & 19^th August - Deniliquin area with Phil Maher
20^th August - Various sites between Crosby SF (nr Tooleen) and Ferntree Gully
21^st August - Ferntree Gully, Yellingbo Nature Reserve, Wilson's Promontory NP
22^nd August - Wilson's Promontory NP
23^rd August - Wilson's Promontory NP, Avalon, You Yangs FR, Brisbane Ranges NP
24^th August - South Coast from Torquay to Warrnambool
25^th August - Port Fairy, Grampians NP
26^th August - Grampians NP, Naracoorte Caves, Bool Lagoon
27^th August - Little Desert NP, Hattah-Kulkyne
28^th August - Drive from Mildura to Kinchega NP
29^th August - Kinchega NP, Hattah-Kulkyne
30^th & 31^st August - Hattah-Kulkyne
1^st - 3^rd September - Wyperfeld NP
4^th September - Lake Alexandrina, Waitpingi Beach
5^th September - Port Gawler, Sandy Creek Conservation area
6^th & 7^th September - Depart Adelaide, arrive Bratislava

Diary

1^st - 3^rd July
We flew from London Heathrow to Sydney with Malaysian Airlines via Kuala Lumpur, departing London at 10pm on the 1st. We then flew from Sydney to Brisbane arriving at 9.30am on the 3^rd.  All flights were on time.

I saw quite a few birds on the drive from Brisbane to O'Reilly's, LNP (partly because the directions we got from Hertz were wrong so it was a long drive!).  On arrival at O'Reilly's we were dismayed to see a long line of coaches outside. However, we soon discovered that the vast majority of visitors stay in or very close to the lodge and the coach parties arrive late and leave quite early each day. O'Reilly's was in fact a wonderful place - amazing food, great hospitality, interesting history and a fantastic location.

We had time to walk the Wishing Tree Trail before the jet lag got too much for us. We also saw plenty of Satin and a few Regent Bowerbirds from the balcony of our room, together with Crimson Rosellas, King Parrots and Pied Currawongs.

Overnight: O'Reilly's (we got a Bithongabel room which was pretty luxurious)

4^th July

We were out at dawn this morning to walk the first part of the Border Trail and get a few lifers before breakfast. This included an all too brief look at an Albert's Lyrebird as it crossed the trail ahead of us. After breakfast we walked the first part of Duck Creek Road. Later we walked round the area near the guesthouse, including the campground.

We did a guided spotlighting walk in the evening. However, there were around 30 people on the walk, which meant we didn't see very much and what was around was quickly frightened off. This put us off doing any more guided activities although I've since heard that the pre-breakfast walk is worthwhile as a number of birds come in to be hand fed.

Overnight: O'Reilly's

5^th July

We got up too early this morning and had to wait at the entrance to Python Rock trail listening to yowling Catbirds until it got light. We'd been told that Python Rock trail was the best place to get good views of Albert's Lyrebird. Although we heard a couple we didn't see any there. It was a nice walk but not particularly birdy.

After breakfast we took a huge picnic lunch supplied by O'Reilly's and walked the Border Trail to Bithongabel Lookout. We looked for Rufous Scrub-bird but to no avail (not surprising given they weren't calling). We did however get good views of a male Albert's Lyrebird as it walked through the Antarctic Beeches and we heard several more. 

Overnight: O'Reilly's

 
6^th July
The weather was very dull this morning so we just did some birding round the guesthouse before breakfast. We also went up Mick's Tower on the Wishing Tree trail (and didn't see any birds from up there!).

The weather improved after breakfast and we drove down Duck Creek Road and saw a lot of new birds in the more open areas. 

Later we drove to Brisbane, stopping at a reservoir with areas of flooded land surrounding it, where we saw a good number of wetland species.

This evening we met Roy Sonnenberg of Birding Services Brisbane at Brisbane Airport. Overnight: Roy and Helen Sonnenberg's house, Brisbane

7^th July

Before breakfast Roy took us birding in parkland close to his house. After breakfast we went to various locations west of the Great Dividing Range. One of the highlights was seeing thousands of wildfowl on a couple of lakes at a university campus, including several hundred Pink Eared Ducks - one of my best birds of the trip. Other birds of note included Musk Lorikeet and Red-browed Treecreeper.

Roy and Helen looked after us really well and we got breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner each day.

Overnight: Roy and Helen Sonnenberg's house, Brisbane

8^th July

Roy took us north and north west of Brisbane today. One of the first stops was to look for Koalas - we got a great view of one sleeping in a tree. We also saw a Speckled Warbler and got excellent views of two Tawny Frogmouths. Later we saw Flying Foxes leaving their roost. 

Overnight: Roy and Helen Sonnenberg's house, Brisbane

9^th July

After some final birding near Brisbane, Roy took us to the airport for our morning flight to Darwin. We arrived in Darwin at 1.30pm and, after collecting our campervan from Britz (depot is about 10 minutes from the airport by taxi), we drove to Howard Springs.

We walked the trail at Howard Springs late in the afternoon and saw a few new birds but no Rainbow Pitta. We then went to Howard Springs Campsite where there were quite a few honeyeaters.

Overnight: Howard Springs Campsite

10^th July

Hot and sunny again today. We went to Howard Springs first thing, but still no Rainbow Pitta.

We then went to Fogg Dam where we got very close views of a Brown Goshawk perched at eye-level in a tree near the car park (there were quite a few birds around the car park). We also found a Rainbow Pitta about 300m down the Monsoon Forest Walk. It was totally silent and I could easily have overlooked it if I hadn't been so intent on trying to find one.

Mamukala Wetland was a little disappointing and we didn't see much there. We then drove to Merl campsite. This was an amazing place in my opinion (Sean was less keen due to the mosquitoes - he didn't come off too well in that respect). When we came out of the bathroom it was dark and after wandering around for a while we still couldn't find our camper. We weren't the only people the camp attendant had to rescue either! The place was wonderfully remote and quiet and the campsites were well spaced (unlike any other campsite we came across). I would have liked another night here but Sean was not keen.

Overnight: Merl Campsite

11^th July

I did some birding round the campsite this morning. We then went to Ubirr and after that to Nourlangie where we did the walk round the Aboriginal rock paintings. It was very hot and sunny and we didn't see many birds there. Afterwards we drove to Cooinda stopping to look at a few creeks on the way, including one where we saw a Black Bittern.

Overnight: Cooinda Campsite

12^th July

We did the Yellow Waters boat trip departing at 6.45am. Even at this time there were 4 large boats full of people. We saw plenty of water birds but the main focus was on Saltwater Crocodiles. We later found out that one of the boats focuses on birds - the birders who came up to us afterwards and told us they'd seen four Black Bitterns and a Great-billed Heron were presumably on the birders' boat. The boat trip was fantastic though - watching the sunrise and going through a paper-bark swamp were particular highlights. Great-billed Heron proved to be the bogey bird of the trip as we didn't see it in NE Queensland either despite a lot of trying.

When we got off the boat we did a bit of birding near the car park before going to the Old Darwin (Jim Jim) Road where we saw several Black-tailed Treecreepers close to the junction with the main road.

Later we drove to Waterfall Creek. We hiked up the escarpment to locate the grasswren site in advance of a more determined dawn effort. We met a couple of other birders who were looking for grasswrens and they led us to the area where they are supposed to occur (they'd been before with no success). The area had recently been burnt so I wasn't convinced we would find grasswrens there. However, Sean didn't want to stay too long as we'd not taken enough water with us. Later we did the Billabong walk from the campground, which was really lovely at sunset.

Overnight: Waterfall Creek Campsite (really nice campsite)

 
13^th July

We got up at dawn and hiked up the escarpment in search of grasswrens. It was still quite dark when we started climbing but it was getting light by the time we got to the top. We headed for the area we'd looked at the previous evening. To get there we hiked up the escarpment and, on getting to the top, keeping the river to our left, we continued along the trail for about 300m. This involved going under a rail (of the metal pole type) and continuing until the end of the sandstone wall to our right. We were then at an open area and, with our backs to the river; we could see a high sandstone escarpment at the back of this area and, to our right, the side of the sandstone wall, which we had been following along the river.

We searched this open area for about an hour before deciding to try climbing up a relatively low sandstone wall about 100m from the river. We got up quite easily and found ideal grasswren habitat at the top - rocky area with clumps of spinifex. It didn't take long before we saw our first White-throated Grasswren. This was quickly followed by a second, then a third, then a fourth. These are amazingly well marked birds - really striking. They are also wonderful to watch as they follow each other across the sandstone from one clump of spinifex to the next, pausing every so often to enable us to get a really good look! Definitely bird of the trip.

Unfortunately there were very few other birds at the top of Waterfall Creek and we failed to see any of the other sandstone endemics.

Later in the morning we drove to Katherine and did a boat trip of the first and second gorges. There weren't many birds but it was a very enjoyable trip and the large Flying-fox roost near the boat ramp was worth seeing. 

This evening we struggled to get a good night's sleep due to the fact that the middle-aged people in a nearby camper van were playing Dean Martin or something similar at full volume well into the night.

Overnight: Campsite near Katherine

14^th July

Sean had some trouble with the headlights as we passed a certain camper van on our way out of the campsite at 6am this morning!

We went to Chinaman Creek near Katherine at dawn but unfortunately we didn't see any Gouldian Finches or Hooded Parrots. However, we later realised that we hadn't been in quite the right place - we should have been where the creek crosses a side road that comes off the main road, not where it crosses the main road.

Next we went to Cutta Cutta Caves by which time it was really hot and sunny. The cave tour was excellent and the cave formations were really beautiful. There were also quite a few birds above ground.

In the afternoon we drove to Victoria River Roadhouse and had a look for Purple-crowned Fairywrens both sides of the bridge. I thought I heard a fairywren call once but that was the nearest we got.

Overnight: Victoria River Roadhouse

15^th July

We heard Barking Owls and Southern Boobooks during the night but we didn't manage to see either species. There were however plenty of Blue Winged Kookaburras round the petrol pumps and they were active even after dark. A decent spotlight would have helped us to locate some owls but unfortunately we didn't manage to get one until later in the trip.

In the morning we had another look for Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens near the river. We also did the walk up the escarpment and birded the area opposite the car park there but we saw very few birds of any species and no fairy-wrens.

The rest of the day was taken up with the long drive to Batchelor (just outside Litchfield NP). The campsite there was surprisingly quiet and birdy.

Overnight: Banyan Tree Campsite

16^th July

We spent most of the day in Litchfield NP and visited all of the waterfalls and the magnetic termite mounds. We also did the short hike at Wangi falls. Later we drove to Darwin and visited East Point and the military museum there. It was very very hot again.

Lee Point caravan park was huge and very full but friendly and well run.

Overnight: Lee Point

17^th July

It was raining hard when we got up, the first time there's been rain in July in Darwin since 1955 according to the local paper. We headed for Lee Point and ate breakfast in the van, as it was too wet to go outside, not that it wasn't wet inside too, thanks to a leak in the roof!

We eventually braved the rain and saw a small number of birds at Lee Point. We then went into Darwin and did some shopping. When the rain stopped in the afternoon we went to Knuckey Lagoon and saw a large number of birds. We then went to Holmes Jungle, which was also excellent with large mixed flocks of finches.

Later we went to Howard Springs and did the walk there again before going to the campsite (I wanted another look at Rainbow Pitta but we still didn't see one).

Overnight: Howard Springs Campsite

18^th July

We went to Fogg Dam early this morning and saw a few species we'd not seen last time. Afterwards we went to Darwin Botanic Gardens, East Point, Lee Point and Buffalo Creek.

Overnight: Lee Point Campsite

19^th July

We visited East Point, Holmes Jungle, Knuckey Lagoons and Charles Darwin NP. Holmes Jungle and Knuckey Lagoons were very quiet compared to the 17^th. We hardly saw any finches at Holmes Jungle or passerines of any type at Knuckey Lagoons.

This afternoon after returning the camper to Britz we cooled off in the motel swimming pool, went for a meal in the hotel restaurant and then went ten-pin bowling.

Overnight: Phoenix Motel, Darwin

20^th July

We left Darwin on the 0605 flight to Cairns. Once we'd got the hire car we headed straight for the Esplanade although by then the tide was a bit too far out to see very much. Shortly after we got there we met John Crowhurst who was soon joined by Andy Anderson. Andy offered to show us a Rufous Owl and we spent the afternoon birding with him. John told us where to find a Mangrove Robin (see 22^nd July). Andy took us to a number of sites close to Cairns including the Cemetery for Bush Stone-curlews (which looked very strange sitting and standing around the gravestones), Centenary Lakes, Machans Beach (where we saw Beach Stone-curlews and some distant plovers) and of course the Rufous Owl site where we got fantastic views of this beautiful owl.

Later we drove to Cassowary House. When we arrived Sue called a gorgeous Red-necked Crake, which quickly arrived for some cheese! A fantastic three-course dinner was served on the terrace where we could see various native mammals below us and hear the weird calls of Orange-footed Scrubfowl in the rainforest, occasionally interspersed with the falling bomb call of a Lesser Sooty-owl. 

Overnight: Cassowary House (fantastic place to stay)

21^st July

We had a wander before breakfast and saw our first Wompoo Fruit-dove (back-end only!), a Papuan Frogmouth and a couple of Victoria's Riflebirds. We then got really close views of a number of rainforest birds (including Victoria's Riflebirds) on the feeders and in the nearby trees whilst eating breakfast.

After breakfast we headed for Mareeba Wetlands and spent some time birding the road to the wetlands, where we got good views of several Pheasant Coucals but unfortunately no Black-throated Finches. We didn't have much luck with finches on this trip and Black-throated was one of only a few species that we just couldn't find in NE Queensland. Mareeba Wetland itself consists of a number of man-made lakes. The visitor centre has been recently constructed on the edge of a lake that has recently been improved for wildlife. There were quite a few ducks there and we joined a leisurely boat trip round the lake, which enabled us to get good views of Cotton Pygmy-goose, amongst others.

Later we went to Cairns Crocodile Farm before heading back to Cassowary House. The croc farm is signposted off the main road south of Cairns near Edmonton (there is only one signpost but it's obvious when you get there). The crocs were interesting but the real draw was the birds. The croc farm has a long list of species including various rails and crakes. We saw White-browed Crake and Buff-banded Rail at the first pools we came to. The best time to visit the Croc Farm is apparently late afternoon but it closes at 5pm and you need to allow at least 2, probably 3, hours to bird all of it.

Overnight: Cassowary House

22^nd July

Another wander at Cassowary House this morning enabled us to see a Platypus in the creek. We also saw a male Chowchilla after a lot of peering into the undergrowth.

We then spent some time at Cairns Esplanade before being collected at 2pm for the Wait-a-While tours Mountain Wildlife tour. We started near Cairns and headed up onto the Tableland. The afternoon wasn't very productive for us as only the more common species of birds and mammals were seen. Two Eastern Water-dragons were new for us though. We were then taken to a river bank site for Platypus and after a reasonable wait we saw two. After that we went to Nick's Restaurant in Yungaburra, which was very good.

We then went spotlighting in Baldy Mountain Forest. We saw Barn Owl on the way and then Lemuroid Ringtail Possum, Herbert River Ringtail Possum and Greater Glider in the forest. A stop on the way back towards Cairns got us a Green Ringtail Possum. This trip is definitely worthwhile for the nocturnal mammals.

Tonight we stayed at a cheap motel, the Rainbow Inn, on the main road into Cairns - you definitely get what you pay for!

Overnight: Rainbow Inn, Cairns

23^rd July

We went to Michaelmas Cay on the Sea Star II today. The weather was very mixed but sun cream was definitely needed and I wasn't at all popular for leaving ours in the car. Sean didn't enjoy this trip as he didn't want to go snorkelling and the trip involved about 5 hours of travelling to and from the reef with very little to see until we got there.

Michaelmas Cay was covered in birds, mainly Common Noddies and Sooty Terns. One Great Frigatebird flew over the boat just after we'd got there but we didn't see any more. We were able to land on the Cay but we could only go in a small area on one side - the rest was out of bounds to protect the birds (I recommend ensuring you choose a boat trip that allows you to land on the Cay as apparently most don't). Due to the tide we couldn't go all the way round the island but the skipper took us a little way round the side, which enabled us to see a small number of Black-naped Terns. 

After that we went to Hastings Reef where I decided to try some snorkelling. It took a while to get the hang of it - it was hard not to panic and breath very fast but once I'd got over that it was fantastic. It was like looking down into the biggest and most wonderful aquarium imaginable - there were fish of all different colours and sizes, with many gorgeous blues and greens. The clams were also amazing - wavy lines of bright indigo showed the opening of the shells, some of which were very large.

This evening we got to Julatten around 8.30pm and couldn't find Kingfisher Park. We did find a couple of Barn Owls and one other owl, which might have been a Lesser Sooty while we were heading in the wrong direction. When we eventually got there we saw some Bush Stone-curlews at the entrance (Kingfisher Park isn't really hard to find - it's just that the sign, which is lit up, can only be seen from one direction at night). 

Overnight: Kingfisher Park (huge room with cooking facilities - another really wonderful place to stay)

24^th July

I had a brief wander this morning before breakfast. After breakfast we went looking for Australian Bustard down Mount Carbine Road. Sean found one very quickly and we got a good look at it before it disappeared into the long grass. We also did the road to Mareeba Wetland again, mainly in the hope of finding Black-throated Finch (again with no luck).

We spent the afternoon at Kingfisher Park and this evening we did a spotlighting walk led by Carol and Andrew. We started off by watching two young Lesser Sooty-Owls. The older bird came out of the nest hole first and flew off quite quickly. The younger one, although pretty much full grown, had not yet taken its first flight and we got excellent views of it outside the nest hole. We also saw some members of a nearby family of Barn Owls. After that we walked back towards the orchard and Carol and Andrew found us two species of frog, a Long-nosed Bandicoot, 2 large spiders, a Spiky Katydid on a Gympie Stinging-tree (fenced off fortunately as these are apparently extremely nasty), a couple of Cane Toads and a Green Ringtail Possum (in a tree just above the office!).

Overnight: Kingfisher Park

25^th July

We did an all day bird safari with Del Richards of Fine Feather Tours today. This took in Port Douglas, Julatten and Mount Carbine Road areas. Del worked on getting us a number of species we were missing as the other couple on the tour didn't have a specific wish list. By the end of the day we'd got 11 lifers including Apostlebird, Double-eyed Fig-parrot, Squatter Pigeon, Pied Monarch and two delightful Scarlet Honeyeaters. Del is an excellent guide and we had a great day's birding.

Late in the afternoon I had a wander at KP, checking out the flowering bushes on the lane for a good variety of honeyeaters, the creek where I watched the antics of bathing fantails and honeyeaters, and the orchard where I saw my second Pied Monarch (the first one's always the hardest!).
Overnight: Kingfisher Park

26^th July

Carol from Kingfisher Park took us up Mount Lewis this morning. On the way up we saw a pair of Chowchillas although we still didn't get great views. Further up we saw Fernwren, Atherton Scrub-wren, White-cheeked Honeyeater and Mountain Thornbill. Best of all however was a beautiful male Golden Bowerbird near his bower. We were lucky to see him soon after we got to the bower and we got excellent views as he preened and called. On the way back down we made a number of stops and we saw, amongst others, a gorgeous singing male Yellow-breasted Boatbill. This is a really stunning little bird - very brightly coloured.

We got back to Kingfisher Park around lunchtime. Carol offered to take us birding in the afternoon as she didn't have anything else planned. So we set off early afternoon to look for 3 species - White-browed Robin, White-throated Gerygone and Black-throated Finch. We started with the robin, which occurs in a dry creek near Mount Molloy. We pushed through the vegetation to the designated spot and Carol saw one straightaway. Unfortunately it flew just as I spotted it. We then spent the next hour or so walking down the creek bed looking for it only to return and find it perched exactly where it had started out! We then got excellent views and it was well worth the effort.

After that we had no problem getting White-throated Gerygone in the trees by Lake Mitchell. Finally we went to a site where Black-throated Finch are sometimes seen coming in to drink. However, none arrived although we did see a Scarlet Honeyeater while we were looking.

This evening we did another night walk as the first one was so good. This time we were lucky enough to see the younger Lesser Sooty Owl take its first flight. We also saw a Striped Possum, something I'd particularly wanted to see after seeing the damage they do to trees by stripping the bark off to get at insects beneath. It was extremely cute and we got pretty good views considering that, unlike a lot of the possums, they don't freeze in the spotlight. We also got excellent views of two Platypus in the creek.

Overnight: Kingfisher Park

27^th July

I finally caught up with Noisy Pitta at Kingfisher Park this morning - this had been my main target species on my morning wanders. As I went down one of the paths towards the orchard it was just in front of me on the grass. I followed it for the next 20 minutes as it made its way round the edge of the orchard.

After breakfast we went again to Mount Lewis and birded the lower elevations for White-eared Monarch and Bower's Shrike-thrush. We came across a mixed feeding flock just as we started up the mountain and one of the first birds I saw was a White-eared Monarch! I'm also pretty sure I saw a Bower's Shrike-thrush. However, I only got a brief glimpse before losing sight of it and the next bird I saw was definitely a Little Shrike-thrush so I then wasn't 100% sure that there were two birds. After Mount Lewis we birded Carr Road where we got great views of a number of birds including Yellow-breasted Boatbill.

This afternoon we went to Lake Mitchell where we saw a lot of birds in the scope. Sean also saw a large snake, which could have been a Red-bellied Black-snake (so I didn't search the undergrowth too thoroughly to try to find it!).
Overnight: Kingfisher Park

28^th July

A final pre-breakfast walk at Kingfisher Park didn't reveal anything new. We then headed south and visited Bromfield and Hasties Swamps (the latter was full of birds and with hindsight we should have visited again at a better time of day) and Cathedral Fig Tree, where I got my first and only sighting of Barred Cuckoo-shrike (several at the top of the tree). We also made a brief visit to Crater NP. Tonight we stayed at Pteropus House, which is a bat rescue centre, and got there early enough to sit outside our room and watch the birds in the nearby bushes.

Overnight: Pteropus House, near Atherton (lovely room with cooking facilities)

29^th July

I did a pre-breakfast walk in the forest near Pteropus House this morning, where I finally managed to see a Tooth-billed Bowerbird. We then saw the rescued bats (Spectacled and Little Red Flying-foxes) and learnt a bit about them. Unfortunately fruit farmers are killing Flying-foxes in huge numbers to the extent that the Spectacled Flying-fox could become extinct if nothing changes soon.

We then drove to Cairns via a military museum, Karunda Butterfly Farm and Machan's Beach. Sean enjoyed the military museum and the butterfly farm was ok but most of the butterflies there were native species, which can be seen in the wild with a bit of effort (the way I prefer to do it!).

Overnight: Motel, Cairns (2 away from the Rainbow Inn, this one was more expensive)

30^th July

We started the day with a visit to Centenary Park and the Botanic Gardens. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot about and we didn't see anything new. After some shopping in Cairns we went to the James Street Cemetery for another look at the wonderful Bush Stone-curlews (this time with camera) before driving to Daintree.

Red Mill House provides breakfast and we went to a nearby café for dinner each day.

Overnight: Red Mill House (this is a really excellent place to stay - our room was beautiful and breakfast on the balcony is a very relaxing way to start the day's birding)

31^st July

We stayed on the balcony at Red Mill House until around 11am in the hope of seeing a Cicadabird that had been in a tree next to the balcony the previous two mornings. Unfortunately it didn't show. However, seeing eight Laughing Kookaburras in the trees by the balcony waiting to fly up for sausage was really entertaining. Later we walked down the lane to the side of Red Mill House where we saw a beautiful male Lovely Fairy-wren.

Early this afternoon we met Del Richards again for a boat trip on the Daintree, and some birding between Daintree and Mossman beforehand. We saw some Metallic Starlings, which had just returned to a nest site, as well as a few Little Kingfishers. The boat trip was very enjoyable but unfortunately no Great-billed Herons were seen.

Overnight: Red Mill House.

1^st August

We went on Chris Dahlburg's Daintree River Cruise this morning, which was excellent despite the rain, although I think we would have seen more in better weather. Still no Great-billed Heron. Chris said that this year there hasn't been an active nest on the stretch of river he can take the boat to so the herons have only been seen once or twice a week.

This afternoon we went to Cape Tribulation. It rained most of the day and at one point it was raining so hard we were lucky to be able to run for shelter before we got totally soaked! We did two walks through the rainforest. On the way back we made a detour to Wonga Beach for petrol and saw a pair of Brahminy Kites nesting near the road, about 50 metres from a radio mast with an active Osprey nest (between Wonga Beach and the Cape Tribulation turn off).

Later we walked down the lane parallel to the road Red Mill House is on and saw more newly arrived Metallic Starlings. After dark we went looking for Large-tailed Nightjar, which we heard but didn't see.

Overnight: Red Mill House.

2^nd August

We left Red Mill House after an early breakfast this morning and drove towards Mission Beach with a few stops on the way. These included Newell Beach (which is between Daintree and Cairns) - still no Great-billed Heron - and a park in Port Douglas, which Del had suggested for Brown-backed Honeyeater and Rose-crowned Fruit-dove. It didn't take long for us to hear the fruit-dove but it was half an hour before we saw it! We then got good, if brief, views before it disappeared again. We also saw a Brown-backed Honeyeater.

We called in at Machans Beach again (another possibility for Great-billed Heron although the best chance of seeing it there is by boat). We then drove to South Mission Beach and arrived at Del Rio apartments just after the immature Cassowary had left.

So we went out again and did the Rainforest Trail at Licuala. We didn't see a lot on the trail but we did get 3 or 4 Superb Fruit-doves in a tree at the edge of the car park. They even stayed put long enough for me to get them in the scope!
Overnight: Del Rio Apartments, South Mission Beach (large apartment with cooking facilities and washing machine).

3^rd August

It was raining heavily when we woke up this morning. When it calmed down a bit we went out and did the excellent Rainforest Trail at Lacey's Creek where we saw a Noisy Pitta and got great views of two pairs of Chowchillas. When we got back to the apartments we'd just missed the immature Cassowary again. However, it turned up before we went out again in the afternoon and was pretty confiding. 

We then drove up the lane to the Horizons Resort in South Mission Beach - the lady at Del Rio had suggested we might see more Cassowaries there. On our way up the lane we saw an adult male with two immatures crossing the road.

Overnight: Del Rio Apartments, South Mission Beach.

4^th August

We had a lie-in this morning and then drove towards Cairns, as it was just too wet to go birding.

We made another visit to Cairns Croc Farm on the way to Cassowary House this afternoon. This time we saw nine White-browed Crakes and a Little Kingfisher, but nothing new.

Overnight: Cassowary House

5^th August

I did an early morning walk down the road from Cassowary House before breakfast. After breakfast we went to Granite Gorge near Mareeba to see Mareeba Rock-wallabies. We easily found an adult male and a female with a joey in her pouch. A ranger gave us some oats to feed them with and they fed out of our hands, which was a really fantastic experience. We also had a wander round Granite Gorge and saw a small number of birds.

We also went to Mareeba golf course for Eastern Grey Kangaroos (worth doing if you're not spending time in the south). After that we went to Lake Mitchell and saw a lot of birds there. On our way back to Cassowary House we visited Mount Lewis again (lower elevations only) but didn't see anything new - I'd been hoping to get a definite Bower's Shrike-thrush.

I should note that there was an adult female Cassowary visiting Cassowary House quite regularly while we were there - we were just out each time she turned up.

Overnight: Cassowary House

6^th August

We did a final pre-breakfast walk at Cassowary House and then took our time over breakfast on the balcony - I wanted to get a good photograph of a male Victoria's Riflebird - I got an ok one in the end. We then drove to Cairns and returned the hire car before flying to Sydney.

To save money we had agreed to collect our hire car from the Thrifty rental office in Kings Cross rather than from the airport. We got taken there by a grumpy taxi driver who was quite unpleasant about the fact that we weren't spending two weeks in the city going to all the tourist traps. He hardly sold it to us with his dire warnings of muggers and car thieves. Unfortunately it took us ages to work out how to get from the Thrifty depot out of the city but we eventually got to Wentworth Falls after dark. I would be tempted to pay the additional fee for pick up at the airport next time.

Overnight: Rest Easy Motel, near Wentworth Falls (expensive, probably because of its proximity to Sydney)

7^th August

We got up early and headed for Wentworth Falls this morning. The area round the car park was full of birds including several Rock Warblers. The scenery was also fantastic. We birded there for a while before going to Echo Point. By the time we got there it was full of tourists so we didn't see many birds - it's worth visiting for the view but I would advise getting there early to see any birds. The Gang Gang Cockatoos hadn't been seen there for several months.

Next we went to Jenolan Caves. Unfortunately this is set up for mass tourism. We did the Lucas cave tour. The cave was beautiful but the fact that there were about 40 people on the tour meant it wasn't all that enjoyable. We therefore didn't visit any of the other caves. There were a lot of Crimson Rosellas around Jenolan and quite a few Pied Currawongs.

In the afternoon we drove through Capertee Valley towards Glen Davis. I hadn't given much thought to accommodation here but then I hadn't realised that Glen Davis is pretty much a ghost town. Fortunately it has a phone and luckily Goolloinboin Station had a cottage available for the night. The cottage was wonderful with a big log fire. It sleeps 8 people and wasn't very expensive so I would definitely recommend it (but book in advance, we were lucky!). It also had Superb Fairy-wrens in the garden while we were there.

Overnight: Grove Cottage, Goolloinboin Station (huge cottage with kitchen)

8^th August

We spent the morning birding in the Capertee Valley. We started off at the cottage and then drove very slowly out of Goolloinboin Station. One of the highlights was seeing a large number of Diamond Firetails by the road, together with Southern Whitefaces and Yellow-rumped Thornbills. It took us a while to find Regent Honeyeaters but we eventually saw 3 on the road to Glen Davis (about 14km from the main road).

This afternoon we drove to Wiseman's Ferry, stopping en route at Pierce's Pass for a brief walk.

Overnight: The Wiseman Hotel, Wiseman's Ferry (small cheap room)

9^th August

We spent the morning at Dharug NP. We started off at Mill Creek, mainly to look for Glossy Black-cockatoos. As we were driving towards the picnic area we saw three Superb Lyrebirds, which was an unexpected treat - I assumed they took a lot more effort to find but we saw several more in similar circumstances later in the trip. There were also plenty of birds round the picnic site including Eastern Whipbirds in the vegetation behind the toilets. While we were birding in the picnic site we heard some Glossy Black-cockatoos calling and caught a brief glimpse of one as it flew through the trees. We then did the Grass Tree Circuit walk and, about halfway round, we heard more Glossy Black-cockatoos calling. This time we got a better view as they flew over us. A bit further on I heard some crunching noises and we looked up and saw 2 Glossy Black-cockatoos feeding in a tree near the path. We got fantastic prolonged views of these.

After the walk we wandered back up the road leading to the picnic site and sat for a while watching the birds, including a male Rose Robin, and enjoying the sunshine. We then walked a few kilometres up the Old North Road - no Spotted Quail-doves but it was getting towards midday by then.

In the afternoon we did the long drive to Bundeena via Royal NP, where we stopped briefly but didn't see very much.

Tonight's accommodation was quite expensive but totally luxurious. We were given wine whilst sitting out in the garden at dusk and the owners took us for a drive round the village in the evening to see the Java Deer, which walk into the village from the national park every night. We also spot-lit a possum. There were possums in the garden too but we were too tired to go and look for them later on.

Overnight: Beachside, Bundeena (beautiful room with cooking facilities)

10^th August

This morning we walked about 3km down the Marley's Head Fire Trail and back looking for Southern Emu-wren, Chestnut-rumped Heath-wren and Tawny-crowned Honeyeater. We got the honeyeater after a while but there was no sign of Emu-wrens or Heath-wrens.

Later we returned to Bundeena and walked the coastal trail to the aboriginal rock engravings. There weren't many birds around but then it was the middle of the day and very hot and sunny - a Rock Warbler on the rock engravings was a nice surprise though.

Overnight: Hotel Cranbrook, Rose Bay, Sydney (decent hotel with nice restaurant - if you're going on the pelagic from Rose Bay this is as close as you can get to the departure point)

11^th August

The fact that the previous day was so sunny and still didn't bode well for good pelagic conditions (for birds) and we woke up to a lovely still morning. Sean walked me to the jetty to wait for the Halicat and then returned to the hotel for breakfast before spending a day doing touristy things in Sydney (incidentally the aquarium sounds wonderful). 

On the way out of Rose Bay harbour we saw a large flock of Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoos - not something I would have expected to see in the city. We then saw very little until we got much further out. It was great seeing my first ever albatrosses and the real highlight was seeing an adult Wandering Albatross sitting on the water in the harbour just before we got back. We got incredibly close views of this magnificent bird. It flew a short distance a couple of times when the boat got quite close and we were treated to views of it stretching out its incredibly long wings before running on the water to take off, very much like a swan. Overall though we saw a lot fewer birds than I'd expected.

We stayed at Jamberoo Valley Lodge tonight (turn right just before Jamberoo, heading towards Barren Grounds). We were about due an eating out evening and what was on offer was a 'Christmas in July' event.

This is not a concept we'd come across before. Anyway, we arrived in the bar for mulled wine to be greeted by the sight of 150 miserable looking pensioners who seemed to have been brought by coach for the evening. When we got into dinner we were subjected to the musical talents of a guitar and vocal duo that managed to make a selection of very different songs sound exactly the same. However, we found our own entertainment by speculating whether the guy in the bad wig who bore an uncanny resemblance to Eddy Wally (of Eurotrash fame) was going to get up and sing - it got very exciting at one point when he approached the stage but I think he was just pacing up and down. Two and a half of the five courses were plenty for us and besides, the sing-a-long Christmas songs had started and we had to get out before they got to 'Mistletoe and Wine'! That wasn't so easy though - when we got to the exit we found we weren't the only ones feeling that way - they had locked the doors because an "elderly gentleman kept getting confused and trying to leave"! They let us out though - we weren't old enough to be in there in the first place!

Overnight: Jamberoo Valley Lodge (very nice large room, close to Barren Grounds)

12^th August

We got up early and headed for Barren Grounds this morning. We saw three Superb Lyrebirds by the road on the way there, together with a few other species. On arrival we parked near the ranger's quarters and started birding the road from there to the car park. I was quick to volunteer us for the Ground Parrot survey as soon as we were asked - after all, what better way to see a Ground Parrot. We had an hour or so free before the survey started so we birded the trails close to the car park and saw 4 Eastern Bristlebirds at the start of the trail that goes off left from the car park. Then close to the lodge I found a pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos in a tree. They were quite low down and close to the path so I got excellent views.

For the Ground Parrot survey we all walked down the Griffiths trail and stopped at equally spaced intervals ready to wade into the heath. Whilst waiting I got a glimpse of a Beautiful Firetail as it flew past. For some reason I'd assumed we'd be walking through low vegetation with a mass of Ground Parrots flying ahead for all to see - far too optimistic! When I got to my start point I was faced with the first of many obstacles in the form of a large and very prickly bush. Even going round it was difficult. About halfway across we hit wetter ground where the elevation changed dramatically every pace and people kept falling over much to everyone's amusement (actually it was a good excuse to lie down for a minute!). Eventually we got to the other side with a grand total of nil Ground Parrots for our section of the line. Still, it was very good fun (for me anyway, Sean who maintains he's not a birder wasn't so sure!). 

After that we went back to the lodge for a shower and a rest. In the afternoon we returned to Barren Grounds and walked the first 3km of the Griffiths trail and back. Just past the lodge a Ground Parrot flew up from the path in front of us and dropped down into the vegetation. Unfortunately we couldn't locate it again. However, another four paces or so and we flushed a second Ground Parrot. This one flew just off the path and then perched up on a stem so that we could study it until it eventually became too heavy for the stem and fell forward before dropping down out of site. This was a fantastic bird that might well have been Bird of the Trip if it wasn't for the grasswrens. Of course it was on the opposite side of the path to the area we'd waded through in the morning!

Overnight: Jamberoo Valley Lodge

13^th August

We visited Barren Grounds again this morning and this time two Superb Lyrebirds ran off the road as we drove there.

There weren't as many birds as the previous day (probably because it was cold and windy) - still no Southern Emu-wren, Chestnut-rumped Heath-wren or Pilotbird. We'd been told that the best place to look for the latter was close to the ranger's quarters but unfortunately we didn't manage to see one.

In the afternoon we started the long drive to Chiltern. We made a detour to Lake George in the hope of finding some Freckled Ducks but it was dry which was annoying as we drove a long way to get there. We then visited a historic gold mining town (Bywong Town) before driving to Gundajai.

Overnight: Garden Motor Inn, Gundajai (nice room, friendly owners)

14^th August

We had a lie-in this morning and then continued the drive to Chiltern. We arrived around 3pm and went straight to Cyanide Dam (in Chiltern Box Ironbark NP - follow signs to the NP from the highway). We did the short walk round the dam and saw about 5 Regent Honeyeaters, then we sat on the picnic table for several hours watching the birds come to us. The best moment was when we'd been watching a gorgeous male Golden Whistler just above our heads and we looked back and saw another black, white and yellow bird where the whistler had just been. We had to do a double take to realise that this was a magnificent Crested Shrike-tit. It stayed for a while almost within touching distance of us before flying off.

Later we did the Chiltern Historic drive through the forest.

Overnight: Colonial Motel, Chiltern (really nice room, very cheap, friendly owner, 5 minute drive to Cyanide Dam and apparently they sometimes get Regent Honeyeaters in the garden)

15^th August

We returned to Cyanide Dam this morning and this time we got good views of Swift Parrots in the trees at the edge of the Dam. As yesterday, there were a lot of honeyeaters (including Regents). We also did the 8.5km White Box Walk on which we saw Turquoise Parrots amongst others.

Next we drove to Beechworth and did the very pleasant 1.5km walk at Woolshed Falls. We also went to Beechworth Cemetery and then spent a couple of hours at the excellent Burke Museum.

Overnight: Colonial Motel, Chiltern

16^th August

We went to Cyanide Dam again early morning. Later we had a wander round Lake Anderson in Chiltern but it wasn't particularly productive. Otherwise we had a pretty lazy day.

Overnight: Colonial Motel, Chiltern

17^th August

We had a last look around Cyanide Dam this morning where we got excellent views of a pair of Turquoise Parrots. We then drove to Deniliquin.

Overnight: Peppin Motor Inn, Deniliquin (nice big room, low price, friendly owner, view of large pond with ducks from the room)

18^th August

Phil Maher collected us from the motel just after 7am and we spent most of the morning in Gulpa Island SF where we picked up a number of lifers including Gilbert's Whistler, Red-capped Robin, several Thornbills and Australian Owlet-nightjar. Phil also showed us a Southern Boobook roosting in a tree in Deniliquin.

After lunch we set out for the plains. We got a number of species before dark including another Boobook, this time roosting in a large garage, a pair of delightful Tawny Frogmouths roosting in a tree, several Stubble Quails, a Black Falcon, some Banded Lapwings and some White-winged Fairy-wrens. The Black Falcon put on a wonderful displaying, swooping down to take what was probably a Stubble Quail and then being chased by another falcon until it went out of sight.

We had our sandwiches while we waited for it to get dark. We then got back in the van and Phil started spotlighting for Plains Wanderer and Inland Dotterel. It didn't take too long to find Inland Dotterel but it was several hours before we got a male Plains Wanderer. Phil said that recently he had been finding them much more quickly. It looked more like a chick than an adult bird and was very cute. Unfortunately despite quite a bit more searching we didn't find a female.  Overall we had an excellent day and got a lot of lifers.

Overnight: Peppin Motor Inn, Deniliquin

19^th August

Phil collected us from the motel just after 7am and our first stop was a site for Superb Parrot. These were beautiful and we got great views of them. Phil then took us to a number of sites in the Deniliquin area and we added quite a few new species to our list. We finished early afternoon and Sean and I then drove south.

Overnight: Heathcote Motor Inn

20^th August

Following Phil's advice we spent the first part of the morning in Crosby SF (nr Tooleen), looking for Purple-crowned and Little Lorikeets. We heard quite a few lorikeets, including I think one group of Littles, but we only saw Purple-crowneds. We also drove up Mount Isa to look for Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens but we saw very little there. The wet and very windy weather can't have helped.

Next we visited Toolangi SF where we did a short walk in the rain. We then went to Badger Weir, which was excellent. We did a walk to the weir, which wasn't all that productive, but when we got back we saw two Superb Lyrebirds including a beautiful male that walked off the track and down the steps to the river where he proceeded to bathe with his plumes floating in the water behind him. After a while he got up on a nearby branch and preened for a while before returning to the water. We got great views from only about 10 feet away! After that we wandered round one of the picnic sites (the one furthest from the entrance) and saw an Olive Whistler, albeit only briefly.

Next stop was Ferntree Gully NP. Ferntree Gully town is a very busy built up area, which isn't quite what I was expecting even though it's close to Melbourne. As a result the accommodation was quite expensive. When we arrived we found Ferntree Gully National Park (which is right in the town) and parked outside (as the gate is closed quite early). We walked in and started up the Kokoda trail. When we got to the point where the Rambler's trail branches off to the right we stopped for a while and waited for it to get darker. Just as we decided to start back a Powerful Owl started calling in the direction of the car park. We didn't have to go far before we saw it on a branch above the trail. We got excellent views of this striking large owl, both with and without the spotlight. While we were watching the Powerful Owl we heard a Sooty Owl call over to our left. However, we weren't sure how we could get to where we could hear it and it didn't call again before we left. This was a real highlight of the trip and I was amazed at how easily we found the Powerful Owl.

Overnight: Ferntree Gully Motel (city prices but nice room)

21^st August

We had another walk up the Kokoda trail in Ferntree Gully this morning and this time we continued on a bit further, but we didn't see very much. Next we went to Sherbrooke Forest Park and did a walk from the picnic area. There wasn't much around except for large numbers of Crimson Rosellas and Laughing Kookaburras looking for handouts. I decided to eat a sandwich and several Crimson Rosellas landed on me! Next stop was the tiny Yellingbo Nature Reserve where we failed to see the rare cassidex race of Yellow-tufted Honeyeater. However, we did see plenty of Bell Miners. After that we drove to Wilson's Promontory NP.

When we arrived at Wilson's Promontory we did the lovely Miller's Landing walk. There were Sooty Oystercatchers on a rock just out to sea at the end of the walk but unfortunately no Black-faced Cormorants. We also drove down to the Cotter's Lake car park and on the way we saw a Wombat. This wasn't something we expected to see alive (we'd seen a squashed one earlier in the day) so we were delighted even though we only got a brief look. By the time we got to Tidal River it was about 5.30pm and the visitor centre had already closed. Luckily there were still people around and we managed to get a cabin for the night. The cheaper motel style accommodation (which looked pretty nice) was already booked out and the cheaper-still alternative required guests to bring their own bed linen, which we didn't have. Anyway, we weren't too sorry really as the cabin was beautiful and the cooking facilities meant we could eat something hot for a change. There is a shop in Tidal River that sells basic provisions.

Overnight: Cabin, Tidal River, Wilson's Promontory NP (beautiful cabin with cooking facilities in gorgeous setting)

22^nd August

This morning we returned to Cotter's Lake and did the walk down to the sea. It was very windy and quite cold but still a lovely walk. We saw Pacific Gulls on the beach and above the cliffs and quite a few Flame Robins and White-fronted Chats around a shallow area of water just off the path about halfway to the beach.

We spent the rest of the morning visiting some of the beaches near Tidal River including Norman, Squeaky and Picnic Beaches where we saw a couple of terns which we didn't manage to identify. Later we did the Miller's Landing walk again and saw a sleepy Koala in a tree at the start of the trail.

Overnight: Cabin, Tidal River, Wilson's Promontory NP

23^rd August

We did the Cotters Lake walk again this morning but didn't see anything new. 

Our first stop after leaving Wilson's Promontory was Avalon, just west of Melbourne (take the next left turn off the highway after the turn off to Avalon Airport). The salt works there can be viewed from the road and most of the pools with water in them were full of birds. It didn't take us long to find large numbers of beautiful Banded Stilts. Black-winged Stilts and Red-necked Avocets were also there in good numbers.

We then visited You Yangs Forest Reserve but there wasn't a lot about although we did see Diamond Firetails in a garden on the way there. After that we went to Brisbane Ranges NP. It was quite late by the time we got there but Sean wasn't keen on staying out too late so we didn't do any spotlighting. We did the start of the Overlook track where the highlight was seeing two Koalas in trees. There were quite a few birds there too including Fan-tailed Cuckoo (calling very close to us) and Scarlet Robin. I'd have liked more time at this site.

Overnight: Torquay Motel, Torquay

24^th August
We spent a really enjoyable day travelling from Torquay to Warrnambool stopping at a number of sites en route as follows:

• Breamlea - mudflats at the end of the road followed by a look at the beach.
• Port Addis where there was a lovely view and we saw our first Rufous Bristlebird, which was calling loudly in the vegetation. I managed to see it when it ran into a small open area and then we saw it (or another one) again when it perched up and sang in a bush near the track.
• Airey's Inlet Lighthouse where we saw several Rufous Bristlebirds quite easily, as well as a Shy Albatross offshore.
• 12 Apostles where there were 2 Black-faced Cormorants on the sea and 2 more on a rock ledge.
• Loch Ard Gorge where there was a Rufous Bristlebird in the car park for Thunder Cave.
• The Arch, with more Shy Albatross offshore.
• The Grotto.
• Peterborough Bridge (on the way to Warrnambool) - we stopped for a look because there were quite a few birds there including more Shy Albatross offshore and some peeps I didn't manage to identify.

The above sites are really scenic, quite birdy and well worth visiting. 

Overnight: Gateway Motor Inn, Warrnambool (nice motel with decent restaurant)

25^th August
This was the day when things went wrong. We went outside this morning to find that one of the tyres on the car was completely flat. Luckily this wasn't too much of a crisis as we were able to take it to the nearest Beaurepaire, which would have it ready for collection in an hour. The idea was that we'd go sea watching at Logan's Beach in the morning. However, it took us nearly an hour to get anywhere close (instead of about 10 mins) and we then couldn't find the right place. In looking we started up a steep track only to get halfway up and realise it was a private drive. We started to reverse to turn round and the back wheel went off the road and was suspended above a ditch. Our attempts to get it out failed so in the end I went to try to get help. I had to jog about 3km to even find a phone and half an hour after that I was still trying to get help when Sean drove up in the car - apparently someone with a 4WD, who was also trying to figure out how to get to the sea-watching point, had towed him out and the people from the house at the top of the drive had just found it amusing (thankfully). Luckily he got to me a second before I authorised a $300 charge to my credit card!

After that we really didn't feel like sea watching so we visited Tower Hill Lake (in the rain) and then went to Port Fairy but couldn't find any likely places for Hooded Plover. Tower Hill Lake had some friendly Emus and plenty of waterfowl, including distant Pink-eared Ducks.

This afternoon we headed up to Grampians NP. We made a few stops on the way through the park but it was raining quite hard the whole time and the only bird of note was a beautiful Scarlet Robin. The motel is set on several acres of land, which we were free to wander in. We saw quite a few birds braving the rain including White-browed Babblers.

Overnight: Mountain View Motor Inn, Hall's Gap (low priced room, really friendly owners, nice birds in the grounds - I definitely recommend this one)

26^th August

We spent the first part of the morning in Grampians NP but the rain was so bad that we decided to press on to Naracoorte Caves. It was drier there but cold and very windy so we didn't see many birds. We did the Victoria Fossil Cave tour, which was excellent. The cave formations were beautiful but the real attraction was the excavation site in the cave where the bones of a large number of animals have been found, including some of Australia's extinct mega-fauna (Giant Tree-kangaroos, the Marsupial Lion and more). We also visited the display at the visitor centre, which included a walk-through recreation of what it was like when the mega-fauna were alive.

After that we headed to nearby Bool Lagoon, which was almost totally dry. The wind was really fierce by then and we didn't see very much. Of most note was a large group of Black-tailed Native-hens. 

So, after a cold, wet and lifer-free day, we got to Edenhope just before sunset and found somewhere to stay. I persuaded Sean to come with me for a look at a lake I'd seen in the village. Then a great thing happened - trying to steady the scope against the strong wind I realised that the mass of ducks included a group of Freckled Ducks! This was a species I really didn't think we'd see so I was absolutely delighted. There were also quite a few Musk and Pink-eared Ducks on the lake amongst the more common species.

Overnight: Motor Inn, Edenhope

27^th August

We had another look at the lake in Edenhope before continuing on through Little Desert NP to H-K. The weather was still bad (wind and rain). We did a short walk in Little Desert NP and we later did the nature walk in Hattah-Kulkyne where I got a good, if brief, view of a Shy Heathwren.

As the weather was still bad and the forecast didn't look too promising we decided to head north with a view to getting to Kinchega NP next day.

Overnight: Mildura Plaza Motor Inn

28^th August

Most of the day was spent driving to Menindee. Notable birds en route included several Major Mitchell's Cockatoos and a Little Eagle. We'd seen a couple of birds previously that might have been this species, but this was the first one we were certain of.

When we got to Menindee we had a brief stop by the lake and saw a Striped Honeyeater. We then drove into the park where we saw Chirruping Wedgebills and Chestnut-crowned Babblers. We did the self-guided walk round the old woolshed, which was interesting. There were plenty of Blue Bonnets and Apostlebirds around Menindee.

Overnight: Burke & Wills Motor Inn, Menindee (nice room)

29^th August

We spent the morning in Kinchega NP but didn't see anything new. It was very dull and foggy so we returned to Hattah-Kulkyne NP, where we walked part of the Nowinge Track. I heard Striated Grasswrens at the top of one of the ridges but despite a good try at seeing them the calls eventually got further away and I had to give up.

Overnight: Ouyen Motel (cheap but nice room)

30^th August

We spent the day in Hattah-Kulkyne NP. In the morning we concentrated on the Nowinge Track and this time we got lucky with 2 pairs of Mallee Emu-wrens and a Striated Grasswren. I heard the very high-pitched call of the Grasswren and managed to pish it into view - in fact it hopped up onto a low branch and gave a brief burst of song before disappearing again. The Emu-wrens were much easier to see - their buzzing call was very distinctive and they could be seen just above the main clumps of spinifex, in the seed-head stalks. Both the Emu-wrens and the Grasswrens (the one I saw and the ones I heard) were close to the track so there was no need to go off the track, which can cause long-term damage to the organisms that bind the sand together.

In the afternoon we drove to Lake Mournpall in Hattah-Kulkyne NP and scoped the lake from the campsite. This was a nice drive with quite a few birds and the very shallow lake had some distant Red-necked Avocets.

Overnight: Ouyen Motel

31^st August

Another day in Hattah-Kulkyne NP. In the morning we drove the southern part of the Old Calder Road, which goes through the Lendert Plain. The weather was good and we saw quite a few birds. The best part was when we got to an area of open meadow to our left (we were heading north). There we saw some great birds including our first Splendid Fairy-wrens (the male in this group was very bright) and two beautiful Spotted Harriers, which were very close to us at one point. One of them appeared to be carrying a small lizard.

Later we did the Woodland Walk from the visitor centre and then returned to the Nowinge Track where we spent a long while watching a pair of Crested Bellbirds at close range.

Overnight: Rainbow Motor Inn, Rainbow (low price, friendly owners, nice room and good location)

1^st September

When we got out of our room this morning there were a lot of birds around, including Purple-crowned Lorikeets flying between the trees on the street and in the garden of the motel.

We spent most of the day in Wyperfeld NP where we started off by driving the East Point Nature drive. We also did the Malleefowl walk where there is a screen in front of a mound. There was no sign that the mound had been tended recently although it was hard to tell for definite. We thought we might have heard a Malleefowl call at one point but we couldn't see one. On the way to the mound Sean spotted a Chestnut Quail-thrush. We got great views of this stunning male as it continued foraging close to us before moving slowly away from the path.

After that we did the Tyakil Nature Walk where we saw our first Regent Parrots. This was a pleasant walk through different types of habitat but we didn't see a great many birds, probably because of the bad weather, which made it difficult to even see where we were going at times!

Later in the afternoon we walked the Malleefowl trail again and at dusk we walked a bit of the Lowan Track where we saw a singing Shy Heathwren. When it got dark we did some spotlighting on the way back round the East Point Nature Drive to the park entrance. We spotlit a Tawny Frogmouth and some Brush-tail Possums, one of which had a baby on its back.

Overnight: Rainbow Motor Inn, Rainbow

2^nd September

It was warm and sunny this morning. We walked the Malleefowl trail again (twice) and also the first 2km or so of the Lowan Track. We got good views of two female Chestnut Quail-thrushes at the start of the Lowan Track. Still no Malleefowl - also no rangers to ask about any recent sightings and the only other birders we saw were having no more success than we were.

There was a downpour this afternoon so we returned to Rainbow and did a tour of the old Yungaburra Homestead, which was very interesting (only open on Sundays).

Later, when the weather cleared up, we went to Lake Albacutya where we saw a number of birds round the edge including a male Painted Buttonquail which walked across the road and into the woodland on the opposite side of the road to the lake, just before the camping/picnic area. The birds just kept coming so we stayed there until sunset.

Overnight: Rainbow Motor Inn, Rainbow

3^rd September

We drove to the northern part of Wyperfeld NP this morning. We had hoped to see White-browed Treecreeper but I wasn't convinced that any of the treecreepers we saw were this species rather than Brown Treecreeper. On the way there we made a few stops and managed to get great views of a Southern Scrub-robin. We also saw Brown Quail and Splendid and Variegated Fairy-wrens in the same place. This was where the road from Hopetoun to Walpeup goes through the national park just south of Yarto. There's a track on the right (if you're travelling from Hopetoun) which loops back to the road after a short distance and we walked up there.

This afternoon we drove to Murrayville. We'd hoped to go to Big Billy Bore but when we got to where the road becomes a track we weren't convinced we'd get very far in the 2WD. Instead we birded the paved part of the road to Big Billy Bore and the road to Murrayville cemetery where we saw a lot of birds in the hedges and by the road.

Overnight: Murrayville Hotel (nice room behind pub)

4^th September

We continued south towards Adelaide this morning and drove round Lake Alexandrina, looking for Cape Barren Geese, a species we'd not managed to see at other possible sites. Unfortunately we didn't see any here either. We then visited Waitpingi Beach, which was really beautiful but didn't have any Hooded Plover, another species we'd had several unsuccessful tries at. It did have a Sooty Oystercatcher and some Pacific Gulls though. Sadly we also saw three dead Little Penguins on the beach.

Overnight: Pavlos Motel, Pooraka, Adelaide (reasonably priced, really nice room and very friendly owners - definitely recommended)

5^th September

This morning we visited Port Gawler. We'd not made any arrangements to gain access to the St Kilda Saltworks but a guy who was working at the saltworks in St Kilda was kind enough to give us access for an hour or so - this enabled us to see our final new bird of the trip in the form of a couple of Fairy Terns. Apparently there are usually more birds there including Blue-billed Duck (another one we didn't manage to see).

In the afternoon we visited Sandy Creek Conservation area near Lyndock, which was a lovely quiet place with quite a few birds although unfortunately nothing new.

Overnight: Pavlos Motel, Pooraka, Adelaide

6^th September

We dropped the car off at the airport this morning and eventually got to Bratislava 36 hours later. 

Species List

Site Abbreviations:
H-K - Hattah-Kulkyne NP
KNP - Kakadu National Park
KP - Kingfisher Park
LNP - Lamington National Park
NSW - New South Wales
Qld - Queensland
Top End - Darwin, Kakadu, etc - part 2 of the trip
WP - Wilson's Promontory NP
Wy'd - Wyperfeld NP

The numbers in brackets after the species name denote areas seen:
1 = Brisbane area - 3^rd to 8^th July
2 = Top End - 9^th to 19^th July
3 = NE Queensland - 20^th July to 6^th August
4 = Sydney pelagic on 11^th August
5 = South - 6^th August to 6^th September

Italics = introduced species
[ ] = species not positively identified or heard only (and hence not included in totals)
! = endemic species

1. Southern Cassowary (3) - 1 adult male and 3 juveniles at South Mission Beach (3/8). 1 immature at Del Rio Apartments on same date
2. ! Emu (2, 5) - one group in the Top End between Victoria River and Katherine (we weren't certain these were wild ones). Common on plains near Deniliquin, WP, Grampians NP, drive to Lake Mournpall in H-K and north of Mildura. In Kinchega NP we saw an adult with 5 stripy juveniles.
3. Little Penguin (4) - 2 in Sydney Harbour
4. Australasian Grebe (1, 2, 3, 5) - Common in SE Qld. Only seen at Knuckey Lagoons in the Top End, present on most wetlands in NE Qld, small numbers seen in eastern NSW but not seen at all after 13/8 (although confusion with Hoary-headed Grebe is possible in winter plumage).
5. Hoary-headed Grebe (5) - 4 on 19/8. Group of 50+ on lake at Edenhope (26/8), 6 at Lake Alexandrina (4/9), 60+ at Port Gawler (5/9).
6. Great Crested Grebe (1, 5) - Around 20 on 8/7. 1 on the huge lake near Kinchega NP on 28/8.
7. Wandering Albatross (4) - 1 in Sydney Harbour
8. Black-browed Albatross (4) - 3 on pelagic
9. Shy Albatross (5) - 1 from Airey's Inlet, 2 from 12 Apostles, 3 from Port Addis and around 3 from Peterborough Bridge (24/8)
10. Yellow-nosed Albatross (4) - 2 on pelagic
11. Great-winged Petrel (4) - 1 on pelagic
12. Providence Petrel (4) - around 8 on pelagic
13. Fairy Prion (4) - around 6 on pelagic
14. Fluttering Shearwater (4) - 1 on pelagic
15. White-faced Storm-petrel (4) - 1 on pelagic
16. Australian Pelican (1, 3, 5) - seen on 7 and 8/7. Seen frequently in NE Qld, including at Cairns Esplanade and Lake Mitchell. 2 seen whilst travelling from Chiltern to Deniliquin (17/8), 1 whilst travelling on 20/8, seen frequently from 23/8 onwards
17. Australian Gannet (4, 5) - 8 on pelagic and 2 from Loch Ard Gorge (24/8).
18. Brown Booby (3) - Numerous on Michaelmas Cay
19. Little Black Cormorant (1, 2, 3, 5) - seen on most wetlands but not quite as common as Little Pied Cormorant
20. Great Cormorant (3, 5) - 1 on Lake Mitchell on each visit (27/7 and 5/8). Common in the south from 17/8 onwards
21. Pied Cormorant (2, 5) - 2 at Fogg Dam (10/7), 2 at Victoria River (15/7), 12 in total in Kinchega NP (28 & 29/8)
22. Black-faced Cormorant (5) - total of 4 at 12 Apostles (24/8).
23. Little Pied Cormorant (1, 2, 3, 5) - Common on most wetlands throughout
24. Australian Darter (1, 2, 3, 5) - Seen in small numbers on most wetlands throughout.
25. Great Frigatebird (3) - 1 above Michaelmas Cay
26. Pacific (White-necked) Heron (1, 2, 3, 5) - Seen in small numbers at most wetlands. Especially common in the south, where it was often seen in damp fields.
27. Great Egret (1, 2, 3, 5) - Common - seen at most wetlands throughout
28. Pied Heron (2) - up to 20 at Fogg Dam (10 and 18/7), about 20 on the Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7) and 8 at Knuckey Lagoons (18/7)
29. Intermediate Egret (1, 2, 3) - Common - seen at most wetlands (except in the south)
30. White-faced Heron (1, 2, 3, 5) - Common throughout, particularly in the south. Often seen in fields
31. Little Egret (1, 2, 3, 5) - small numbers at most wetlands except in the south where we only saw this species at the end of the Miller's Landing walk in WP (21/8), in Kinchega NP (1 on 28 and 29/8) and at Port Gawler (10 on 5/9)
32. Pacific Reef-Egret (2, 3) - 1 dark and 1 white at Lee Point (16 and 18/7), 1 dark at East Point (16/7), 1 white and 1 dark at Machans Beach (30/7 and 2/8), 1 dark at Daintree River (31/7)
33. Cattle Egret (1, 2, 3) - Common, seen at most wetlands and less frequently in fields with cattle
34. Striated Heron (1, 2, 3) - 2 on 8/7, 1 at Lee Point (16/7), 4 in total at Cairns Croc Farm (21/7 and 4/8), 2 at Centenary Park (30/7), 5 in total on the Daintree boat trips (31/7 and 1/8)
35. Rufous (Nankeen) Night-heron (1, 2, 3, 5) - 2 on 8/7, 1 at Howard Springs (10/7), 1 by a creek near Cooinda, about 30 on the Yellow Waters boat trip on 12/7 (mainly immatures), 1 in Centenary Park (20/7), 1 at Cairns Croc Farm (21/7), 6 in total on the Daintree boat trips (31/7 and 1/8) and 1 in Kinchega NP (28 and 29/8).
36. Black Bittern (2) - 1 by a creek in KNP, between Jabiru and Cooinda (11/7). Seen by other birders on Yellow Waters boat trip
37. Australian Bittern (5) - Phil Maher took us to a site near Deniliquin where we saw 2 fly up from the reeds. They apparently flush very easily this time of year but are much more difficult to locate once they start breeding.
38. Black-necked Stork (2, 3) - 4 on Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), 1 flying over Victoria River (15/7), 1 Cairns Esplanade (20/7), 1 on Chris Dahlberg's Daintree cruise (1/8), 1 Cairns Croc Farm (4/8), 1 Lake Mitchell (5/8)
39. Australian White Ibis (1, 2, 3, 5) - Very common throughout
40. Straw-necked Ibis (1, 2, 3, 5) - Very common throughout
41. Glossy Ibis (1, 2, 3, 5) - 14 in total on 7 and 8/7, 1 on Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), 10 on each of 13 and 14/7, 3 on 27/7 and 1 on 5/8 at Lake Mitchell, 1 at Avalon on 23/8.
42. Royal Spoonbill (1, 2, 3, 5) - 12 in total on 7 and 8/7, 7 on the Yellow Waters boat trip and near the car park afterwards (12/7), 2 at Fogg Dam (18/7), 10 at Cairns Esplanade 20/7), 1 flying over KP (28/7), 1 at Machans Beach (30/7), 1 at Cairns Croc Farm (4/8), 20 at Lake Mitchell (5/8), 4 in Bundeena at the side of a pool (10/8), 1 between Chiltern and Deniliquin (17/8), 4 at Breamlea and 2 at Loch Ard Gorge on 24/8, several at Lake Alexandrina (4/9) and 2 at Port Gawler (5/9)
43. Yellow-billed Spoonbill (1, 3, 5) - 1 on 6/7 between LNP and Brisbane, 3 on 8/7, 1 at Cairns Croc Farm (21/7), 2 Lake Mitchell (5/8), 1 Anderson Lake, Chiltern (16/8), 2 on each of 19 and 20/8, 1 at Avalon (23/8), 2 at Lake Mournpall (30/8)
44. Magpie Goose (1, 2, 3, 5) - 200+ on 7/7. About 20 at Fogg Dam on 10/7 and 50+ on the Yellow Waters boat trip on 12/7. About 30 at Knuckey Lagoons. 2 at Mareeba Wetlands, which were very friendly with visitors (but luckily not quite strong enough to remove buttons), 100+ at Hasties Swamp (28/7). The only sighting in the south was of 3 at Tower Hill Lake on 25/8.
45. Plumed Whistling-duck (1, 2, 3) - 200+ on 7/7, 200+ on Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), 10 at Cairns Croc Farm (21/7), 300+ at Hasties Swamp (28/7)
46. Wandering Whistling-duck (3) - surprisingly none at Fogg Dam. About 40 at Mareeba Wetlands (21/7) and 4 at Cairns Croc Farm on 4/8.
47. Black Swan (1, 3, 5) - several seen on 7 and 8/7. Only seen on Lake Mitchell in small numbers in NE Qld. A few in the Chiltern area in Victoria. Common at Avalon (23/8), and between 24 and 27/8, particularly at Bool Lagoon where 50+ were seen. Also good numbers on Lake Alexandrina (4/9) and at Port Gawler (5/9).
48. Freckled Duck (5) - About 20 on the lake in Edenhope (26/8)
49. Australian Shelduck (5) - 2 in a flooded field on 19/8, 2 on 24/8 seen whilst travelling, 8 Tower Hill Lake (25/8), around 20 between Naracoorte and Edenhope (26/8).
50. Radjah Shelduck (2, 3) - 200+ on Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7). 2 on Victoria River (14/7). 8 near Port Douglas (25/7), 1 at Lake Mitchell (27/7).
51. Green Pygmy-goose (2, 3) - Good numbers on wetlands in the Top End (11, 12 and 13/7). Also at Knuckey Lagoons. 40+ at Mareeba Wetlands (21/7), 2 seen on each visit to Lake Mitchell (27/7 and 5/8).
52. Cotton Pygmy-goose (3) - 6 on lake at Mareeba Wetlands (21/7) and 2 on Lake Mitchell (27/7) were the only sightings.
53. Maned (Wood) Duck (1, 3, 5) - Common in SE Qld, except rainforest in LNP. Around 60 on 5/8 was the only sighting in NE Qld, seen almost every day in the south.
54. Grey Teal (1, 3, 5) - Common - seen at most wetlands outside the Top End.
55. Chestnut Teal (1, 5) - Around 20 on 7/7. Seen at most wetlands in the south
56. Mallard (1) - only seen in the Brisbane area
57. Pacific Black Duck (1, 2, 3, 5) - Very common, present on most wetlands except in the Top End where only seen at Knuckey Lagoons.
58. Australian Shoveler (1, 5) - 50+ on 7/7, 20+ on 8/7, 2 at Avalon (24/8), 8 at Tower Hill Lake (25/8), 6 at the lake in Edenhope (26/8)
59. Pink-eared Duck (1, 3, 5) - 80+ on 7/7, 20+ on 8/7, 20+ at Hasties Swamp (28/7), 5 at Lake Mitchell on 5/8, 6 at Tower Hill Lake (25/8), around 100 on the lake in Edenhope (26/8), 8 on Lake Alexandrina (4/9).
60. White-eyed Duck (Hardhead) (1, 3, 5) - 40+ on 7/7, 20+ on 8/7. Seen on most wetlands in NE Qld and the south.
61. Musk Duck (5) - 2 at Deniliquin sewage works (19/8), about 10 on the lake in Edenhope (26/8), 10 at Port Gawler (5/9).
62. Osprey (2, 3) - 1 at East Point (16/7), 1 at Lee Point on each of 16 and 17/7, 1 Cairns Esplanade on each of 20/7 and 4/8, 1 Lake Mitchell on each of 26/7 and 5/8, a pair nesting near Wonga Beach (1/8), 1 at Machans Beach (2/8), 1 Cairns Croc Farm (4/8).
63. Pacific Baza (3) - Only seen once, from Carr Road (27/7)
[! Square-tailed Kite] (3?, 5?) - 1 bird over Mount Lewis and 1 by Lake Alexandrina could have been this species - both seen too briefly for a definite identification
64. Australian Kite (1, 2, 3, 5) - Common throughout, particularly after 17/8 when several seen most days (up to about 15 per day)
65. Black Kite (2, 3, 5) - Abundant in the Top End (seen every day) especially around Darwin and Katherine. Seen most days in NE Qld. Seen in frequently in the south.
66. Whistling Kite (1, 2, 3, 5) - Common in SE Qld except in LNP. Abundant in the Top End (seen every day), especially in Kakadu NP, common in NE Qld but not as common as Black Kite. Seen infrequently in the south.
67. Brahminy Kite (1, 2, 3) - First seen at sunset on 8/7 when we got amazing views of this beautiful bird in flight, with the sunset enhancing the redness of the wings. 1 at East Point on 16/7, 1 on 25/7, 3 on the Daintree boat trip on 31/7, a pair nesting near Wonga Beach (1/8), 2 at Machans Beach (2/8), 2 at Cairns Esplanade and 1 at Cairns Croc Farm on 4/8.
68. White-bellied Sea-Eagle (1, 2, 3) - One flew over the highway as we drove to LNP (3/7), 1 on 8/7, 3 on the Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), 3 at Buffalo Creek on 18/7, 1 at Cairns Esplanade (20/7), 1 on 25/7, 1 on 2/8.
69. Swamp Harrier (2, 5) - 1 at Knuckey Lagoons on 17/7, 3 on 18/8, 1 on 19/8, 4 in total in WP, 7 in total on 24/8, 2 at Bool Lagoon on 26/8, 3 Lake Alexandrina and 2 en route to Waitpingi Beach on 4/9, 1 at Sandy Creek Conservation Area (5/9)
70. Spotted Harrier (5) - fantastic views of 2 in H-K on 31/8.
71. Grey Goshawk (3) - 1 on 25/7 on a lamppost in Port Douglas and a second one later that day were the only sightings.
72. Brown Goshawk (1, 2, 5) - 1 on 8/7, 1 on 10/7 perched in a tree near the road at Fogg Dam - we were able to study it from about 5 metres away, 1 in Gulpa SF on 18/8, 1 on the walk to MacKenzie Falls in Grampians NP on 26/8. A second bird seen there may also have been this species but could have been a Collared Sparrowhawk. 1 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9).
73. Collared Sparrowhawk (1, 2, 5?) - 1 on 8/7, 1 at Holmes Jungle on 17/7. 1 bird at Waitpingi Beach (near the picnic ground which was full of birds) was probably this species but could have been a Brown Goshawk.
74. Wedge-tailed Eagle (1, 2, 3, 5) - 1 at the first open area on Duck Creek Road, LNP (4/7), 1 on 7/7, 1 on 8/7, 1 on 14/7 near Chinaman Creek, 1 on the road to Mareeba Wetlands (24/7), 2 seen from the Old Great North Road (Dharug NP) on 9/8, 1 on 18/8, 1 on 19/8, 2 on the Miller's Landing walk and 2 elsewhere in WP on 21/8, 3 in WP on 22/8, 3 on 29/8 in Kinchega NP, 1 Waitpingi Beach (4/9)
75. Little Eagle (5) - Only seen once, en route to Broken Hill from Menindee (28/8).
76. Australian (Nankeen) Kestrel (1, 3, 5) - Common in Qld and the south, particularly in the south when seen most days.
77. Australian Hobby (1, 3, 5) - 1 on 7/7, 1 on 25/7, 1 on 18/8, 2 on 19/8, 1 in Kinchega NP which we were lucky enough to see perched very close to the track, albeit briefly (28/8), 1 at Port Gawler on 5/9.
78. Brown Falcon (1, 2, 3, 5) - 1 on Duck Creek Road, LNP (6/7), 1 on 7/7, 1 on 14/7, 1 at Victoria River on 15/7, 2 in Litchfield NP on 16/7, 2 Mount Carbine Road (24/7), 1 on 25/7, 3 on 28/7 between KP and Atherton, 2 on 31/7, 4 in Capertee Valley on 8/8, 1 on 17/8, 4 on 18/8, 4 on 19/8, 1 in WP (22/8), 1 at Naracoorte Caves (26/8), 1 Wy'd and 2 Lake Albacutya on 2/8.
79. Black Falcon (2?, 5) - a falcon seen on the Billabong walk (Waterfall Creek) on 12/7 was probably this species. 1 on 18/8 and 2 on 19/8. We got excellent views of the bird seen on 18/8 as it swooped down and caught what was probably a Stubble Quail.
80. [Peregrine Falcon] (2?) - bird seen distantly from the boat in Katherine Gorge was probably this species
81. ! Australian Brush-turkey (1, 3) - Very common at O'Reilly's. Seen almost daily in NE Qld.
82. Orange-footed Scrubfowl (2, 3) - Common at Howard Springs (9, 10 & 17/7). 2 at Fogg Dam (10/7), 6 in total at Lee Point & East Point (17, 18 & 19/7). Seen almost daily in NE Qld.
83. Stubble Quail (5) - About 20 on the plains near Deniliquin (18/8).
84. Brown Quail (1, 2, 5) - Group of about 5 near Brisbane (8/7), group of about 6 seen well on track to Knuckey Lagoon (17/7), group of 4 in Gulpa SF (18/8), 7 in Wy'd on 3/9.
85. Painted Buttonquail (5) - 2 in Gulpa SF on 18/8, 2 more on 19/8. One near Lake Albacutya (2/9)
86. Sarus Crane (3) - About 100 seen from Johnson River on 22/7, 2 on 24/7, around 50 Bromfield Swamp (28/7)
87. Brolga (2, 3, 5) - 2 on Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), around 50 Bromfield Swamp (28/7), 1 on 18/8, 1 en route to Naracoorte Caves 26/8
88. Red-necked Crake (3) - 1 took cheese from under the birdbath at KP and one was a regular visitor at Cassowary House where it took cheese from my hand on one occasion (we saw the Cassowary House bird at least once each day we were there)
89. Buff-banded Rail (3, 5) - 1 on each visit to Cairns Crocodile Farm. 1 at our lunch stop on 25/7. 1 on 19/8 at the same place we saw the Australian Crake.
90. Australian (Spotted) Crake (5) - Excellent views of one at the side of a different pond on 19/8
91. Spotless Crake (5) - one in reeds on a pond on 19/8
92. White-browed Crake (3) - 2 at Cairns Crocodile Farm on 21/7 and 9 there on 4/8
93. Purple Swamphen (1, 3, 5) - Common in SE Qld. About 20 at Cairns Croc Farm on each visit, also good numbers at Johnson River (22/7). About 30 at Hasties Swamp (28/7). Common in south.
94. Dusky Moorhen (1, 3, 5) - Common in SE Qld. Seen at Lake Mitchell, Hasties Swamp and Mareeba Wetlands in NE Qld. Common in the south.
95. Black-tailed Native-hen (5) - 6 on 18/8, group of 52 on 26/8 at Bool Lagoon.
96. Eurasian Coot (1, 3, 5) - Common in SE Qld. 8 at Mareeba Wetlands. Common in south.
97. Australian Bustard (3) - Only seen once - 1 at East Mary Farms on 24/7, in the first field when we turned off Mount Carbine Road - Sean saw it straight away and we got excellent views until it disappeared into the long grass.
98. Comb-crested Jacana (1, 2, 3) - Common in wetlands in the Top End and Qld.
99. Pied Oystercatcher (2, 5) - 1 at East Point (16/7), 3-4 at Machans Beach on each visit, 2 at the end of the Miller's Landing Walk in WP (21/8).
100. Sooty Oystercatcher (5) - 12 on rocks at the end of the Miller's Landing Walk (21/8), WP. 1 on Waitpingi Beach on 4/9.
101. Black-winged Stilt (1, 3, 5) - about 80 in total on 7 & 8/7, about 8 at Cairns Croc Farm on each visit, 5 at Hasties Swamp (27/7), 3 at Lake Mitchell on 28/7 and 15 there on 5/8. About 20 at Avalon (23/8), 6 at Breamlea (24/8), about 20 by the lake in Edenhope (26/8), around 50 at Lake Mournpall, H-K (30/8), about 50 at Lake Alexandrina (4/9), about 40 at Port Gawler (5/9).
102. Banded Stilt (5) - around 25 at Avalon salt pools was the only sighting of this beautiful species (23/8).
103. Red-necked Avocet (1, 5) - 3 in total on 7 & 8/7, about 25 at Avalon (23/8), 1 on 24/8, around 40 at Lake Mournpall, H-K (30/8), about 300 at Lake Alexandrina (4/9), about 50 at Port Gawler (5/9).
104. Bush Stone-curlew (3) - 15-20 at Cairns Cemetery (James St) on each visit (20/7 & 30/7), 3 in a garden near Cairns (22/7), 2 at the entrance to KP on 23/7.
105. Beach Stone-curlew (3) - 1 at Machans Beach on 20/7 and 3 there on 30/7. These are gorgeous birds and we got excellent views of the 3 on the 30^th as they walked and flew across the beach.
106. Australian Pratincole (2, 5) - 20 at Knuckey Lagoons and Fogg Dam on each visit, 2 on 12/8 near Jamberoo, 3 in WP on 22/8.
107. Banded Lapwing (5) - About 20 seen on the plains near Deniliquin on 18/9
108. Masked Lapwing (1, 2, 3, 5) - Abundant throughout
109. Red-kneed Dotterel (1, 3, 5) - 1 on 7/7, 1 at Hasties Swamp (28/7), 1 at Lake Mitchell (5/8), 2 on 19/8.
110. Red-capped Plover (1, 2, 5) - 6 at Buffalo Creek (18/7), 10-20 Cairns Esplanade and Machans Beach on each visit, 1 by the lake in Edenhope (26/8),
111. Lesser (Mongolian) Sandplover (3) - About 10 on Machan's Beach (29/7)
112. Greater Sandplover (3) - About 5 on Machan's Beach (29/7), 2 Machans Beach (2/8), 10 Cairns Esplanade (4/8)
113. Black-fronted Dotterel (1, 2, 3, 5) - 1 Fogg Dam (18/7), 7 in a recently ploughed field at the start of the road to Mareeba Wetlands on 24/7, 1-3 at Cairns Esplanade on each visit, 1 on the Daintree River cruise (1/8), 5 at Lake Mitchell on 27/7 and 1 there on 5/8, about 20 by the lake in Edenhope (26/8)
114. ! Inland Dotterel (5) - 3 on the plains near Deniliquin on 18/9
115. Bar-tailed Godwit (1, 3) - 1 on 8/7, several at Cairns Esplanade, several seen on each visit to Machans Beach.
116. Whimbrel (1, 3) - 1 on 8/7, small numbers on Cairns Esplanade & up to 10 at Machans Beach on each visit.
117. Far Eastern Curlew (2, 3) - several at Lee Point and Buffalo Creek, Darwin. About 15 on Cairns Esplanade & Machans Beach on each visit. 6 at Newell Beach (2/8).
118. Common Greenshank (3, 5) - 4 at Breamlea (24/8), 2 at Cairns Esplanade (4/8), 1 at Port Gawler (5/8).
119. Terek Sandpiper (3) - 2 at Machans Beach (2/8).
120. Common Sandpiper (2) - 1 at East Point (16/7), 2 at Lee Point (17/7).
121. Grey-tailed Tattler (3) - 4 at Cairns Esplanade
122. Ruddy Turnstone (2, 3) - 1 at Lee Point (17/7), 3 on Michaelmas Cay (23/7)
123. Great Knot (2) - 10-20 on Cairns Esplanade and Machans Beach on each visit.
124. Red-necked Stint (3) - 30-50 on Cairns Esplanade on each visit.
125. ! Plains Wanderer (5) - 1 male on 18/8 - definitely worth seeing!
126. Pacific Gull (5) - 6 on the beach at the end of the Cotter Lake trail in WP (22/8), another 6 around the other beaches in WP on the same day, 2 at Port Addis on 24/8 and 2 more the same day, between sites. 1 at Waitpingi Beach (4/9)
127. Silver Gull (1, 2, 3, 5) - Common, seen most days in coastal areas and occasionally inland. This was the first species we saw in Australia - at Sydney airport before we caught our flight to Brisbane.
128. Gull-billed Tern (1, 2, 3) - 1 on 8/7, about 30 at Fogg Dam and Mamukala Wetlands (10/7), seen most days in the Darwin area, several at Cairns Esplanade on each visit, several Newell Beach (2/8)
129. Caspian Tern (1, 3, 5) - 1 on 8/7, several Cairns Esplanade on each visit, several Newell Beach (2/8), 3 at Lake Mitchell (5/8), 1 at Port Addis and 1 at Loch Ard Gorge (24/8), 4 around Lake Alexandrina (4/9), about 50 at Port Gawler (5/9).
130. (Great) Crested Tern (1, 3, 4, 5) - 1 on 8/7, about 50 on Michaelmas Cay (23/7), several around Daintree River and on beaches between Daintree and Cairns, small numbers at Cairns Esplanade on each visit, 20+ on the Sydney pelagic (11/8), 1 at Breamlea and 10 at Loch Ard Gorge (24/8), about 15 around Lake Alexandrina (4/9).
131. Black-naped Tern (3) - Only seen on Michaelmas Cay where there was a group of about 15 visible only when the boat took us round one side of the island (23/7)
132. White-fronted Tern (4) - 1 on the Sydney pelagic (11/8).
133. Fairy Tern (5) - 2 at the saltworks near Port Gawler (5/9) - our last new bird of the trip.
134. Sooty Tern (3) - Abundant on Michaelmas Cay (23/7)
135. Whiskered Tern (2, 5) - 10 at Fogg Dam (10/7), 15 on the Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), several at Knuckey Lagoons on each visit, 100+ at Lake Alexandrina (4/9), 50+ at Port Gawler (5/9).
136. Brown (Common) Noddy (3) - Abundant on Michaelmas Cay (23/7)
137. Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) (1, 2, 3, 5) - very common in urban areas throughout.
138. ! White-headed Pigeon (1) - only seen once - 1 at the start of Duck Creek Road in LNP on 4/7.
139. Spotted Turtle-dove (1, 3) - Common in SE Qld outside LNP, quite common in NE Qld, particularly at Cairns Croc Farm.
140. ! Brown Cuckoo-dove (1, 3) - 5 in total in the rainforest in LNP, 1 near Cassowary House on each morning we were there, 2 on Mount Lewis on 26/7 and 1 there on 27/7, 1 on the Licuala Trail (3/8).
141. Emerald Dove (2, 3) - 1 on East Point Road on each of 18 and 19/7, common in rainforest areas in NE Qld, particularly at KP and Cassowary House.
142. Common Bronzewing (5) - 1 on 8/8 at Goolloinboin Station, 5 on 18/8, 1 on 19/8, 2 at Badger Weir on 20/8, 4 in total in H-K on 30 & 31/8, 2 at Lake Albacutya (2/9) and 8 at Murrayville (3/9).
143. Brush Bronzewing (5) - Only seen in WP where several flew up from the side of the road in front of us. We also got a brief view of one on the Cotter Lake walk. Usually they flew before, or just as, we saw them so we didn't get great views. We also saw 1 on 26/8 in Grampians NP and 1 on 4/9 at Waitpingi Beach.
144. ! Crested Pigeon (1, 3, 5) - 2 on Duck Creek Road (LNP) and 6 between LNP and Brisbane on 6/7. Around 25 on each of 8 & 9/7. 4 in the Waterfall Creek area (13/7), 6 at Victoria River (15/7), 6 on Mount Carbine Road on 25/7. Seen most days in the south.
145. ! Squatter Pigeon - 1 in Mt Molloy on 25/7.
146. ! Diamond Dove (2, 3) - 1 on the escarpment at Waterfall Creek on 13/7, 1 off Mount Carbine Road (25/7).
147. Peaceful Dove (2, 3, 5) - seen most days in the Top End and NE Qld in small numbers. In the south: 8 on 18/8, 8 on 28/8 and 2 on 29/8 in Kinchega NP, 10 at Murrayville (3/9).
148. Bar-shouldered Dove (1, 2, 3) - 1 on 8/7, seen daily in the Top End, seen most days in small numbers in NE Qld.
149. ! Wonga Pigeon (1, 5) - 2-4 on the grass around O'Reilly's each day (LNP). 2 on 9/8 on the grass near the picnic site at Mill Creek, Dharug NP.
150. Wompoo Fruit-dove (3) - 1 near Cassowary House on each of 21/7 & 6/8. Also 5 there on 5/8, 2 on Mount Lewis (26/7), 1 at Cathedral Fig Tree on 28/7, 1 on the Daintree River cruise (1/8), 1 on the Licuala Trail (3/8)
151. Superb Fruit-dove (3) - 3 in a tree at the edge of the car park for the Licuala trail, South Mission Beach (2/8)
152. Rose-crowned Fruit-dove (3) - 1 in the park in Port Douglas (2/8)
153. Topknot Pigeon (3) - 3 seen flying over Mount Lewis on 26/7 and 1 on 27/7, 1 flew over KP on 18/7 and we saw two groups totalling about 15 birds flying over the picnic site at Cape Tribulation just after the rain stopped (1/8). Also probably seen but not positively identified in LNP. 
154. ! Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (2, 3) - Seen most days in the Top End. 8 near Mount Molloy on 26/7.
155. ! Glossy Black-Cockatoo (5) - at least 3 in the Mill Creek area, Dharug NP on 9/8
156. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (1, 5) - 2 feeding in a tree on 7/7. 1 large flock flew close to Sydney Harbour at the start of the pelagic on 11/8
157. Gang-gang Cockatoo (5) - Fantastic views of a pair at Barren Grounds on 12/8. 6 in total at Cyanide Dam (14 & 15/8).
158. Galah (1, 2, 5) - Common in SE Qld except in the rainforest in LNP. Common in the Top End and in the south, where seen on most days, particularly in drier areas.
159. ! Long-billed Corella (1, 3, 5) - 1 in a park in Brisbane on 7/7, 2 near Mossman (31/7), 100s by a river between Beechworth and Deniliquin, in a mixed flock with Little Corellas (17/8). Seen fairly regularly thereafter.
160. Little Corella (1, 2, 5) - 1 in a park in Brisbane on 7/7, seen every day in the Top End. 100s by a river between Beechworth and Deniliquin, in a mixed flock with Long-billed Corellas (17/8). Seen fairly regularly thereafter.
161. ! Pink Cockatoo (5) - 12 on the road from Mildura to Menindee on 28/8. Strangely none seen on the return drive. Also 1 on the East Outlook Nature Drive (Wy'd) on 1/9 and 3 on the walk in the north part of Wy'd on 3/9
162. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (1, 2, 3, 5) - 1 in a park in Brisbane on 8/8, seen most days in the Top End, NE Qld and the south, sometimes in very large numbers.
163. ! Cockatiel (1, 2) - about 20 on 7/7, 7 at Chinaman Creek on 14/7.
164. Rainbow Lorikeet (1, 2, 3, 5) - Common in SE Qld except in the rainforest in LNP. Red-collared Lorikeet seen most days in the Top End. Seen most days in NE Qld. 6 in Sydney on each of 6/8 and 10/8,
165. ! Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (1, 3) - Common in SE Qld except in the rainforest in LNP. 4 on Mount Carbine Road on each of 24 & 25/7, 5 on Carr Road and about 20 at Lake Mitchell on 27/7.
166. Musk Lorikeet (1) - 4 on 7/7 was the only sighting
[Little Lorikeet] (5) - 5 birds, which were almost certainly this species, flew over us in Crosby SF on 20/8. Not a good enough view to be completely sure though.
167. ! Purple-crowned Lorikeet (5) - 7 in Crosby SF on 20/8, about 10 in the trees around the Rainbow Motor Inn on each of 2 & 3/9.
168. Double-eyed Fig Parrot (3) - 2 in a park in Port Douglas on 25/7 was the only sighting of this tiny parrot. They are very quiet and well camouflaged, hence very difficult to locate.
169. ! Mallee Ringneck (5) - 2 on 30/8 on the Lake Mournpall track (H-K). Between 6 & 8 seen daily in the mallee after that (31/8 to 3/9).
170. Crimson Rosella (1, 5) - Abundant at O'Reilly's, LNP. Seen most days in the south until 26/8.
171. ! Yellow Rosella - 1 on 16/8 at Anderson Lake, Chiltern, 6 on 18/8 in Gulpa SF, 15 on 30/8 on the Lake Mournpall track (H-K).
172. ! Adelaide Rosella - 2 at Sandy Creek Conservation area on 5/9.
173. ! Northern Rosella (2) - 2 at Waterfall Creek campsite on 12/7, 2 at Wangi Falls picnic area on 16/7.
174. Eastern Rosella (5) - 1 on 8/8 at Goolloinboin Station, 1 on 10/8 in Royal NP, up to 6 seen each day in Chiltern SF plus 2 at Anderson Lake, Chiltern on 18/8, 4 on 19/8, 2 on 21/8 at Ferntree Gully NP.
175. ! Pale-headed Rosella (1, 3) - Seen every day in SE Qld except in the rainforest in LNP. 2 on the road to Mareeba Wetlands (5/8) was the only sighting in NE Qld.
176. ! Mulga Parrot (5) - 2 on the Nowinge Track in H-K on 29/8, 1 on 3/9 in Murrayville.
177. ! Red-rumped Parrot (5) - 10 in the Capertee Valley (8/8), seen most days between 14 and 30/8.
178. ! Bluebonnet (5) - 1 on 18/8, 1 on the drive from Broken Hill to Menindee and 7 in Menindee on 28/8, 2 in Wy'd (1/9), 2 en route to the north part of Wy'd on 2/9 and 2 near Murrayville on the same day.
179. ! Turquoise Parrot (5) - Only seen near Cyanide Dam - 4 on the White Box Walk on 15/8 and we then got great views of a pair very close to the dam on 17/8
180. Swift Parrot (5) - 10 in the trees around the edge of Cyanide Dam on each of 15 & 16/8.
181. Ground Parrot (5) - 2 at Barren Grounds on 12/8.
182. ! Australian King Parrot (1, 3, 5) - Abundant at O'Reilly's, LNP. 10 seen on 22/7 in a bush near Yungaburra, 1 on Mount Lewis on 26/7, 2 at Wentworth Falls and 2 in the Capertee Valley on 7/8,
183. Red-winged Parrot (2) - 1 on 13/7 at Waterfall Creek campsite, 6 at Wangi Falls picnic area on 16/7, 4 at Howard Springs (17/7).
184. ! Superb Parrot (5) - group of 18 by the road near Deniliquin on 19/8. These are particularly beautiful parrots and we got great views of them.
185. ! Regent Parrot (5) - 3 on the Tyakil Nature Walk in Wy'd on 1/9, and 4 more on the Lowan Track that evening. Also 2 on 2/9 on the Lowan Track.
186. Pallid Cuckoo (5) - Quite common in the mallee - 4 in total on the Nowinge track and one on the Lendert Plain in H-K, 2 on the East Outlook Nature Drive in Wy'd (1/9), 2 in the northern part of Wy'd (3/9) and another in Murrayville on the same day. This lovely big cuckoo is easily seen by virtue of its distinctive call and its tendency to be mobbed by honeyeaters.
187. Brush Cuckoo (1, 2) - 1 on 8/7, 1 on 10/7 at Merl campsite and 2 on 11/7 at Nourlangie.
188. Fan-tailed Cuckoo (1, 5) - 1 on 8/7, 1 at Barren Grounds on 12/8, 2 on 19/8, excellent views of one calling in Brisbane Ranges NP (23/8)
189. Horsefield's Bronze-cuckoo (5) - 1 on the Nowinge Track, H-K (30/8), 1 on the woodland walk, H-K (31/8), 1 on the Malleefowl trail, Wy'd (1/9), 1 at Lake Alexandrina (4/9) and 1 at Port Gawler on 5/9.
190. Little (Gould's) Bronze-cuckoo (3) - 1 in the orchard at KP (24/7).
191. Pheasant Coucal (2, 3) - 1 on 12/7 on the Yellow Waters boat trip, 2 on the track to Mareeba Wetlands on each of 21 & 24/7, 1 at the edge of a sugar cane field (25/7).
[(Greater) Sooty-Owl] (5) - 1 heard in Ferntree Gully (20/8)
192. ! Lesser Sooty-Owl (3) - 2 at KP on each of the night walks (24 & 26/7)
193. Barn Owl (3, 5) - 3 on the Wait-a-While tour (22/7), 1 near Julatten (23/7), 3 on each of the night walks at KP (24 & 26/7), 1 on 23/8 near Brisbane Ranges
194. Rufous Owl (3) - 1 in Cairns (20/7)
195. ! Powerful Owl (5) - 1 in Ferntree Gully (20/8)
[Barking Owl] (2) - heard on several nights in Kakadu NP and also on 14/7 at Victoria River.
196. Southern Boobook (5) - 1 roosting in a tree in Deniliquin (18/8), 1 roosting in a barn near Deniliquin (18/8). Also heard on several nights in the Top End
197. Australian Owlet-nightjar (5) - 1 on 18/8 was the only sighting
198. Tawny Frogmouth (1, 5) - 1 in a tree in Brisbane (7/7), 2 roosting together in a tree (8/7), 2 together in a tree on the plains near Deniliquin (18/8), 1 spotlit in Wy'd on the East Point Nature Drive (1/9)
199. Papuan Frogmouth (3) - 1 in the grounds of a motel in Cairns (25/7),
1 in a tree near Cassowary House each time we passed, 3 roosting together in a tree (31/7).
200. [Large-tailed Nightjar] (3) - heard near Red Mill House (Daintree) and on the night walk at KP (26/7).
201. ! Australian (White-rumped) Swiflet (3) - probably overlooked until 25/7 after which we saw reasonable numbers most days in NE Qld
202. Azure Kingfisher (1, 2, 3) - 1 on 8/7, 3 on the Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), 1 on each of 24/7 & 5/8 by the stream on the road to Mareeba Wetlands, 2 on Del Richards' Daintree boat trip on 31/7, 1 at Red Mill House (31/7), 1 on 1/8 on Chris Dahlberg's Daintree boat trip
203. Little Kingfisher (3) - 1 near the Daintree River on 31/8 on the floor of an open corridor in a wooden building. We got great views of this one but it may have been sick or injured. We also saw 3 more on the same day on Del Richards' Daintree boat trip. We then saw another one the next day on Chris Dahlberg's boat trip. Our only other sighting of this tiny kingfisher was on 4/8 at Cairns Croc Farm. 
204. ! Laughing Kookaburra (1, 3, 5) - seen almost every day except in the Top End, but still a really fantastic bird.
205. Blue-winged Kookaburra (2, 3) - 1 at Merl Campsite (11/7), 4 around the petrol pumps at Victoria River Roadhouse - they continued to be active well after dark (14 & 15/7), 1 in Litchfield NP (16/7), 1 at a shop on Mount Carbine Road - we sat at the picnic table at the back and the Kookaburra came to join us! (24/7), 1 on 25/7, 1 on the Daintree (1/8) and another the same day at Cape Tribulation.
206. Forest Kingfisher (2, 3) - at least 2 a day in NE Qld (except the day we went to Michaelmas Cay), seen most days in the Top End
207. ! Red-backed Kingfisher (2, 3) - 2 on 13/7 near Katherine, 2 on Mount Carbine Road (25/7).
208. Collared Kingfisher (1, 3) - 2 on mudflats on 8/7, 4 in total at East Point, Darwin, 1 on 30/7 at Machans Beach, 1 on Del Richards' Daintree boat trip on 31/7.
209. Sacred Kingfisher (2, 3) - 1 on 10/7 at Mamukala Wetlands, 1 at East Point (19/7), 4 at Cairns Croc Farm on 23/7 and 2 there on 4/8, 2 on each Daintree boat trip (31/7 & 1/8), 1 at Cape Tribulation (1/8)
210. Rainbow Bee-eater (2, 3) - up to 40 a day in the Top End. Not as abundant in NE Qld but still seen most days.
211. Noisy Pitta (3) - 1 in the orchard at KP on 27/7 and one on the Rainforest Trail at Lacey's Creek (South Mission Beach) on 3/8.
212. ! Rainbow Pitta (2) - 1 on the Monsoon Forest Walk, Fogg Dam (10/7)
213. ! Albert's Lyrebird (1) - 2 seen, more heard, on the Border Track in LNP (4 & 5/7), and 2 or more heard from Python Rock Track, LNP
214. ! Superb Lyrebird (5) - 3 at Mill Creek, Dharug NP (9/8), 2 or 3 on the Jamberoo-Robertson road on the way to Barren Grounds on both mornings (12 & 13/8). Excellent views of a male at Badger Weir (20/8), and we also saw a female there.
215. Australasian (Singing) Bushlark (5) - 2 in Capertee Valley (8/8), 4 on 18/8,
216. Common Skylark (5) - 3 at Lake Alexandrina (4/9), 1 at Port Gawler (5/9).
217. Welcome Swallow (1, 3, 5) - seen every day in SE Qld except in the rainforest at LNP, seen most days in NE Qld, seen almost every in the south.
218. Tree Martin (1, 2, 3, 5) - 3 in the open areas on Duck Creek Road, LNP (6/7), about 50 at Fogg Dam (10/7), 15 on 25/7, 20 near Daintree on 31/7, 5 at Lake Mitchell (5/8), up to 20 a day between 18 & 21/8, 6 on the Lake Mournpall Track (30/8).
219. Fairy Martin (1, 2, 5) - 10 on 7/7, 10 at Knuckey Lagoons (17/7), 4 at Jenolan Caves (7/8), 4 near Cyanide Dam (17/8), 1 on 19/8.
220. Australasian Pipit (3, 5) - 1 on 25/7 and 1 on 2/8 in fields near Cairns, 1 near Mossman (31/7), 2 between Daintree and Cairns (2/8), 1 in Capertee Valley (8/8), 6 on 18/8, 1 in H-K (31/8), 1 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9).
221. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (1, 2, 3, 5) - seen every day in SE Qld except in the rainforest at LNP, seen most days in the Top End, seen frequently in NE Qld and the south but not every day.
222. Yellow-eyed (Barred) Cuckoo-Shrike (3) - 3 at the top of Cathedral Fig Tree (29/7) was the only sighting.
223. White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike (2, 3) - seen almost every day in the Top End, seen frequently in NE Qld but not every day.
224. White-winged Triller (2, 5) - 1 by the Old Darwin Road (12/7), 2 at Victoria River (15/7), 1 at Holmes Jungle (17/7), 2 on 19/7, a beautiful male on the Nowinge track in H-K (31/8).
225.Varied Triller (1, 2, 3) - 1 on 8/7, 2 at Howard Springs and 1 at Mamukala Wetland (10/7), 1 near Cooinda (11/7), 1 on the Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), 4 at Fogg Dam (18/7), 5 on 19/7, 1 near Cairns on 20/7, 2 near Cassowary House (21/7), 1 at Mount Lewis (27/7), 1 at KP (28/7), 1 at Red Mill House (31/7), 1 on Chris Dahlberg's Daintree Cruise (1/8).
226. Olive-tailed (Bassian) Thrush (1, 5) - 3 on the Border Trail, LNP (4/7), 1 on the Kokado Trail, Ferntree Gully (20/8), 1 on the track to Cotter Lake, WP (22/8).
227. Eurasian Blackbird (5) - first seen at the motel in Gundajai (13/8). Seen quite frequently after that.
228. Golden-headed Cisticola (1, 2, 3) - 2 on 7/7, 1 on the Billabong walk at Waterfall Creek (12/7), 1 at Chinaman Creek (14/7), 1 at East Point (16/7), 10 at Knuckey Lagoons (17/7), 1 at Fogg Dam (18/7), 1 on 25/7,
229. Australian Reed Warbler (1, 3, 5) - 1 on 8/7, 2 at Fogg Dam (18/7), 1 on 25/7, 1 at Cairns Croc Farm (4/8), 1 heard at the Australasian Bittern site (19/8), 1 heard at Lake Alexandrina (4/9).
230. Tawny Grassbird (2) - around 20 on the track to Knuckey Lagoons on 17/7 but not seen at all on our second visit to this site.
231. Little Grassbird (5) - 1 on 19/8
232. ! Brown Songlark (5) - 1 spotlit on 18/8, 4 round Lake Alexandrina (4/8), 1 at Port Gawler (5/9).
233. Northern Fantail (2, 3) - 1 at East Point (19/7), 1 on 25/7.
234. Willie Wagtail (1, 2, 3, 5) - very common, seen almost everyday of the trip except in the rainforest in LNP.
235. Grey Fantail (1, 3, 5) - 1 at the start of Duck Creek Road, LNP (4/7), 10 on 7/7, about 60 on 8/7, seen almost every day in NE Qld, 3 on 18/8, 1 on Mount Isa (20/8), 3 on the Miller's Landing Walk, WP on 21/8 and 2 there on 22/8, 1 in Wy'd (2/9), 2 at Sandy Creek Conservation Area (5/9).
236. Rufous Fantail (2, 3) - 1 on the Yellow Waters boat trip & 1 at Waterfall Creek (12/7), small numbers seen almost every day in NE Qld. This is a really beautiful bird - we watched them displaying within a few metres of us on a number of occasions.
237. ! White-eared Monarch (3) - 1 near the bottom of Mount Lewis on 27/7 and another there on 5/8.
238. Spectacled Monarch (3) - seen most days in NE Qld.
239. ! Pied Monarch (3) - 1 near Julatten on 25/7 and another later in the day in the orchard at KP. Also 1 near Red Mill House (31/7) and 1 on Mount Lewis (5/8)
240. Leaden Flycatcher (2, 3) - 1 at Ubirr (11/7), 1 at Buffalo Creek (18/7), 1 near Cairns 20/7, 1 at Cairns Croc Farm (21/7), 2 on 25/7, 1 at Red Mill House and 1 near Daintree on 31/7.
241. Broad-billed Flycatcher (2, 3) - 2 at Fogg Dam (18/7), 1 on 25/7,
242. Restless Flycatcher (2, 3, 5) - 6 on each visit to Fogg Dam (10 & 18/7), 8 on the Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), 3 at Knuckey Lagoons (17/7), 3 at Cairns Croc Farm on 22/7 and 1 there on 4/8, 1 at Cyanide Dam on 14/8 and 2 there on 15/8, 1 on 18/8, 1 on the Old Calder Road, H-K (30/8), 1 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9).
243. Shining Flycatcher (2, 3) - 2 at Howard Springs on each visit (9, 10 & 17/7), 1 by a creek near Nourlangie (11/7), 1 on the Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), about 6 on each of the Daintree boat trips (31/8 & 1/9).
244. Yellow-breasted Boatbill (3) - 1 gorgeous male singing on Mount Lewis on 26/7 and another 2 there on 5/8, 1 on Carr Road (27/7), 1 at Mount Tribulation (28/7), 1 on the Lacey's Creek Rainforest Trail (3/8).
245. Jacky Winter (1, 2, 5) - 2 in the open areas on Duck Creek Road, LNP (6/7), 6 on 7/7, 1 at Holmes Jungle (17/7), seen frequently but not daily in small numbers in the south.
246. Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (2) - 1 or 2 seen most days in the Top End.
247. Scarlet Robin (5) - 1 in Brisbane Ranges NP (23/8), 1 at Port Addis (24/8), 2 in Grampians NP (25/8), 1 in H-K (27/8),
248. ! Red-capped Robin (5) - 2 in Gulpa SF (18/8), 4 on 19/8, 3 on the Lendert Plain and 2 on the woodland walk, H-K (31/8), 1 on the Tyakil Nature Walk, Wy'd (1/9), 2 in Wy'd (2/9), 2 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9), 1 at Sandy Creek Conservation Area (5/9).
249. Flame Robin (5) - 1 male and 1 female in Capertee Valley (8/8), 7 around a shallow area of water just off the Cotter's Lake trail in WP, about halfway to the beach (22 & 23/8).
250. ! Rose Robin (1, 5) - 1 on 7/7, 3 on 8/7, 1 on the track to Mill Creek picnic area, Dharug NP (9/8).
251. ! Hooded Robin (5) - 4 in Gulpa SF (18/8), 1 on 19/8, 2 on the nature walk and 2 on the Nowinge Track, H-K (30/8), 2 in Wy'd (1/9), 2 in the north part of Wy'd and 2 more in Murrayville (3/9).
252. ! Pale-yellow Robin (3) - seen on each visit to rainforest in NE Qld
253. ! (Eastern) Yellow Robin (1, 5) - seen every day in SE Qld - particularly common in the rainforest in LNP. Seen most days in the south but absent from drier areas and not seen at all after 26/8.
254. Mangrove Robin (3) - 2 in mangroves at the end of Cairns Esplanade. John Crowhurst suggested this site and we found them as soon as we got there, and got great views.
255. ! White-browed Robin (3) - 1 near Mount Molloy with the help of Carol from KP (26/7)
256. ! Grey-headed Robin (3) - 2 at Cathedral Fig tree (22/7), up to 5 a day in the orchard at KP, 2 in the rainforest near Pteropus House (29/7), 1 on Mount Lewis (5/8).
257. ! Southern Scrub-robin (5) - great views of a male on 3/9 (see above for location)
258. ! Crested Shrike-tit (5) - 1 at Cyanide Dam (14/8) and 2 in Gulpa SF on 18/8
259. ! Crested Bellbird (5) - fantastic views of a pair on the Nowinge Track, H-K on 31/8. Sean also saw one the previous day and we heard a lot of them calling in H-K.
260. Olive Whistler (5) - an all too brief view of 1 at Badger Weir (20/8) - it didn't help that I lost it whilst trying to point it out to Sean who'd already seen it and saw where it'd moved to without realising that I hadn't!
261. ! Gilbert's Whistler (5) - a pair in Gulpa SF (18/8).
262. ! Grey Whistler (2, 3) - 3 at Fogg Dam (10/7), 2 at Buffalo Creek (18/7), 2 on 25/7, 3 near Red Mill House (31/7), 1 on each of the Daintree boat trips (31/7 & 1/8), 1 at Cape Tribulation (1/8), 2 at Lacey's Creek (3/8), 1 near Cassowary House on each of 5 & 6/8.
263. Golden Whistler (1, 3, 5) - 3 at the start of Duck Creek Road, LNP (4/7), 2 on 7/7, 1 on 8/7, 2 on 25/7, 4 on 26/7 on Mount Lewis, 1 in the orchard at KP (28/7), 1 at Wentworth Falls (7/8), 3 in Dharug NP (9/8), 1 at Cyanide Dam (14/8), 1 in Ferntree Gully (21/8), 1 at the end of the Miller's Landing Trail, WP (22/8), 1 at Sandy Creek Conservation Area (5/9).
264. Rufous Whistler (1, 5) - 6 on 8/7, 1 on 9/7 near Brisbane, 1 female at Sandy Creek Conservation Area (5/9).
265. Rufous (Little) Shrike-thrush (2, 3) - 2 at Howard Springs (17/7), seen most days in NE Qld - particularly easy to see in the orchard at KP, on the lane near Cassowary House and at Lacey's Creek.
[! Bower's Shrike-thrush] (3?) - 1 bird seen near the bottom of Mount Lewis was almost certainly this species.
266. Grey Shrike-thrush (1, 2, 3, 5) - 4 on 7/7, 5 on 8/7, 3 at Holmes Jungle (18/7), 1 on 28/7, seen most days in small numbers in the south.
267. Grey-crowned Babbler (2, 5) - 3 at Merl campsite (11/7) and another at Nourlangie on the same day, 3 at the Waterfall Creek campground (12/7), 1 at Cutta Cutta Caves (14/7), 5 on 19/8,
268. ! White-browed Babbler (5) - 3-5 on each day at Cyanide Dam (14-17/8), 4 on 18/8, 2 at the motel in Hall's Gap (24/8), 2 on the Lendert Plain, H-K (31/8), 3 in Wy'd (1/9), 3 at Lake Albacutya (2/9), 4 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9) and 8 more (2 groups) in Murrayville on the same day (3/9),
269. ! Chestnut-crowned Babbler (5) - 3 in Kinchega NP, just before the information boards (28/8), 2 on the Lake Mournpall Track, H-K (30/8).
270. Logrunner (1) - 2 females on Duck Creek road (4/7), about 10 on the Python Rock trail, 2 on the Border track to Bithongabel Lookout (5/7), 2 on the Wishing Tree Trail (6/7) - all in LNP.
271. ! Chowchilla (3) - 1 male near Cassowary House (22/7), 2 on Mount Lewis (26/7), great views of two pairs on the Lacey's Creek Rainforest trail (3/8).
272. ! Eastern Whipbird (1, 3, 5) - heard frequently in the rainforest in LNP but we didn't realise they were most likely to be on the ground so we didn't see any! 1 near Cassowary House on 22/7 and 3 there on 6/8, 1 at Mount Lewis (27/7), 2 near Pteropus House (29/7), 1 at Wentworth Falls (7/8), 2 behind the toilet block at the Mill Creek picnic area, Dharug NP (9/8), 1 on the Marley's Head fire trail and 3 on the walk in Bundeena (10/8), 1 on each day at Barren Grounds (12 & 13/8), heard at Badger Weir (20/8), Ferntree Gully (21/8), and WP (22/8).
273. ! Chirruping Wedgebill (5) - 3 on 28/8 and 1 on 29/8 in Kinchega NP.
274. ! Chestnut Quail-thrush (5) - excellent views of 3 in total in Wy'd - 1 stunning male on the Malleefowl track on 1/9 and 2 females near the start of the Lowan Track on 2/9.
275. ! Red-backed Fairy-wren (1, 2, 3) - 1 on Duck Creek Road (6/7), 8 on 8/7, 14 at Ubirr (11/7), 8 Old Jim Jim (Darwin) Road (12/7), 4 Chinaman Creek (14/7), 15 Holmes Jungle (17/7), about 20 including 3 males in breeding plumage all together near Julatten (25/7), 8 on the road to Mareeba Wetlands (28/7).
276. ! White-winged Fairy-wren (5) - 26, including 2 males in breeding plumage, on the plains north of Deniliquin (18/8), 1 group of 6 in Kinchega NP (29/8) and 2, including a male in breeding plumage, at Port Gawler (5/9)
277. Superb Fairy-wren (1, 5) - seen almost every day in the south.
278. ! Splendid Fairy-wren (5) - 1 group including a beautiful male on the Lendert Plain, H-K (31/8), 1 group with a male partially in eclipse plumage seen each time we walked the malleefowl trail in Wy'd (1 & 2/9), 1 group where the road from Hopetoun to Walpeup goes through Wy'd just south of Yarto (3/9) and another in the north part of Wy'd on the same day, 2 in Murrayville (3/9)
279. ! Variegated Fairy-wren (5) - a group of 4 on the Marley's Head Fire Trail, Royal NP (10/8), 4 on the Nature Walk, H-K (27 & 30/8), 2 groups in Kinchega NP (28 & 29/8), 6 on the Lake Mournpall Track, H-K (30/8), 3 on the Lendert Plain, H-K (31/8), 4 on the Tyakil Nature Walk, Wy'd (1/9), 4 where the road from Hopetoun to Walpeup goes through Wy'd just south of Yarto (3/9)
280. ! Lovely Fairy-wren (3) - 2 females near Julatten on 25/7 and 1 gorgeous male on 31/7 a short way down the road near Red Mill House (come out of the drive, turn left and take the first road left)

281. ! Mallee Emu-wren (5) - 2 pairs on the Nowinge Track in H-K on 30/8
282. ! Striated Grasswren (5) - 1 on the Nowinge track on 30/8.
283. ! White-throated Grasswren (2) - 4 or 5 of these gorgeous birds at the top of the Waterfall Creek escarpment in Kakadu NP on 13/7 (see above for details of exact location). Easily best bird of the trip - they are really wonderful and it's worth putting in as much effort as it takes to see them.
284. ! Eastern Bristlebird (5) - 3 at the start of the trail that goes off left from the car park at Barren Grounds (12/8).
285. ! Rufous Bristlebird (5) - Seen at several sites on the south coast  - Port Addis (1 bird), Airey's Inlet Lighthouse (7) and Loch Ard Gorge (1) on 24/8 - all but the first one were very confiding.
286. ! Rock Warbler (5) - Great views of 2 on the road round the picnic area at Wentworth Falls, and another one at Echo Point, on 7/8. 1 on the aboriginal rock engravings at Bundeena (10/8).
287. ! Fernwren (3) - only 1 seen towards the top of Mount Lewis on 26/7
288. ! Yellow-throated Scrubwren (1, 3) - up to 16 a day in LNP, 1 near the top of Mount Lewis (26/7), 1 near the bottom of Mount Lewis (27/7),
289. ! White-browed Scrubwren (1, 3, 5) - up to 15 a day in LNP, 2 on 7/7, 1 on 8/7, 1 on each of 28 & 29/7 at Pteropus House. Small numbers seen most days in the south, except in the mallee.
290. ! Atherton Scrubwren (3) - 3 seen near the top of Mount Lewis on 26/7
291. ! Large-billed Scrubwren (1, 3, 5) - about 4 a day in LNP, 1 in the orchard at KP on 27 & 28/7, 1 in the rainforest near Pteropus House (29/7), 3 on Chris Dahlberg's Daintree cruise, 3 on the Rainforest Trail at Lacey's Creek (3/8), 2 in Ferntree Gully (21/8).
292. ! Speckled Warbler (1) - 1 near Brisbane on 8/7
293. ! Shy Hylacola (Heathwren) (5) - 1 on the Nature Trail, H-K on 27/8 and great views of 1 singing early evening on the Lowan Track, Wy'd on 1/9
294. ! Buff-rumped Thornbill (5) - 12 in Gulpa SF (18/8), 2 on 19/8, 2 in Little Desert NP (27/8), 2 on the Lendert Plain and 1 on the Woodland Walk, H-K (31/8), 6 at Sandy Creek Conservation area (5/9).
295. ! Mountain Thornbill (3) - 5 near the top of Mount Lewis (26/7)
296. Brown Thornbill (1, 5) - 3 in total in LNP. Seen most days in the south.
297. ! Inland Thornbill (5) - 3 on the Nowinge Track and 2 on the Old Calder Road, H-K (30/8), 2 in the northern part of Wy'd (3/9).
298. Yellow-rumped Thornbill (1, 3, 5) - 1 on 7/7, 8 on the road out of Goolloinboin Station, Capertee Valley (8/8), 2 on 18/8, 2 on 19/8, 10 behind the motel at Hall's Gap (25/8), 1 in Little Desert NP (27/8), 2 in Kinchega NP (29/8), 2 on the woodland walk, H-K (31/8), 4 in the northern part of Wy'd and 2 in Murrayville (3/9).
299. ! Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (5) - 3 on 18/8, common in the mallee - seen every day between 27/8 and 2/9. Not seen thereafter.
300. ! Yellow Thornbill (5) - 2 at Woolshed Falls, near Beechworth (15/8), 10 in Gulpa SF (18/8), 5 elsewhere on 18/8, 2 on 19/8, 2 on 20/8 on Mount Isa,
301. ! Striated Thornbill (5) - 8 in Gulpa SF (18/8), 2 in Ferntree Gully and 2 on the Miller's Landing walk, WP (21/8).
302. ! Weebill (3, 5) - 1 on 25/7 off Mount Carbine Road, 1 on 26/7 near Lake Mitchell, 1 on 18/8, 2 on 19/8, 3 in Kinchega NP (29/8), 1 on the Old Calder Road and 1 on the Lake Mournpall Track, H-K (30/8), 2 by Lake Albacutya (2/9), 2 at Sandy Creek Conservation area (5/9).
303. Fairy Gerygone (3) - 1 near Cairns (20/7), 4 on 25/7, 5 near the bottom of Mount Lewis (5/8)
304. White-throated Gerygone (3) - 1 near Lake Mitchell on 26/7.
305. Large-billed Gerygone (3) - 1 near Mossman on 31/7
306. ! Brown Gerygone (1, 3, 5) - about 5 a day in LNP, 1 on each of 7 & 8/7, 3 near Cassowary House (21/7), 2 near the top of Mount Lewis (26/7), 2 at Pteropus House (28/7), 6 in the rainforest near Pteropus House (29/7), 2 near Cassowary House and 2 near the bottom of Mount Lewis on 5/8, 6 at Wentworth Falls (7/8),
307. ! Western Gerygone (5) - 2 on 19/8, these birds have a really lovely, distinctive song.
308. ! Southern Whiteface (5) - 6 on the road out of Goolloinboin Station, Capertee Valley (8/8), 1 on 18/8, 2 on 19/8, 2 behind the motel at Hall's Gap (25/8), 2 in Kinchega NP (29/8), 3 on the Woodland Walk, H-K (31/8), 1 on the East Outlook Nature Drive, Wy'd (1/9), 5 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9).
309. White-fronted Chat (5) - 2 on 18/8, between 4 and 6 around a shallow area of water just off the Cotter's Lake trail about halfway to the beach (22 & 23/8), 10 at Breamlea 24/8, 4 on the Lendert Plain, H-K (31/8), 2 in Murrayville (3/9), 2 around Lake Alexandrina (4/9), 2 at Port Gawler (5/9).
310. Varied Sittella (5) - 10 on 18/8, 5 in the north part of Wy'd and 11 (2 groups) in Murrayville (3/9)
311. ! White-throated Treecreeper (1, 5) - 1 on the Python Rock Trail, LNP (5/7), 1 on 7/7, 1 at Wentworth Falls (7/8), 1 at Bywong Town (13/8), 1 on 18/8, 1 on 19/8, 1 at Crosby SF (20/8), 1 on the Miller's Landing walk (21 & 22/8) and one at Cotter Lake, WP (22/8), 1 at You Yangs Forest Reserve (23/8), 2 in Grampians NP (25 & 26/8).
312. ! Red-browed Treecreeper (1) - 2 on 7/7.
313. ! Brown Treecreeper (5) - Up to 10 a day at Cyanide Dam and in the surrounding woodland, 7 on 18/8, 1 at You Yangs Forest Reserve (23/8), 7 in Kinchega NP (29/8), 8 in Wy'd (1 & 2/9), 4 by Lake Albacutya (2/9), 6 in the northern part of Wy'd (3/9).
314. ! Black-tailed Treecreeper (2) - 2 where the Old Darwin (Jim Jim) road meets the main road near Cooinda, Kakadu NP (12/7)
315. Olive-backed (Yellow-bellied) Sunbird (3) - 2 at Cairns Croc Farm on 22/7 and 3 there on 4/8, 5 on (25/7), 2 at Carr Road (27/7), 2 at Cairns Botanic Gardens (30/7), 4 or 5 on each of the Daintree boat trips (31/7 & 1/8), 1 at Cape Tribulation (1/8), 2 on 2/8, 2 at Granite Gorge (5/8).
316. Mistletoebird (2, 3, 5) - 1 at Waterfall Creek on 12/7, 2 at Chinaman Creek (14/7), 1 in Litchfield NP (16/7), 2 on 25/7, 1 on Mount Lewis (26/7), 1 in Centenary Park (30/7), 1 on Chris Dahlberg's Daintree boat trip (1/8), 2 on 2/8, 1 at Cairns Croc Farm (4/8), 2 in Kinchega NP (29/8), 1 on the woodland walk in H-K (31/8), 3 in Sandy Creek Conservation Area (5/9).
317. Spotted Pardalote (1, 5) - 1 on Duck Creek Road, LNP (6/7), 3 on 8/7, 2 on the Old Great North Road (9/8), 3 on Marley's Head Fire Trail, Royal NP (10/8), 3 at Cyanide Dam (14/8), 2 on 18/8, 1 in You Yangs SF (23/8), 1 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9),
318. Striated Pardalote (1, 2, 3, 5) - 4 on 7/7, 3 on 8/7, 1 on 9/7, 2 near Waterfall Creek (12/7), 5 in total at Victoria River (14 & 15/7), 1 in Litchfield NP (16/7), 1 at Holmes Jungle (17/7), 1 at Lake Mitchell (27/7), 1 at Granite Gorge (5/8), 1 in the Capertee Valley (8/8), 1 on 18/8, 1 on 19/8, 1 on Mount Isa (20/8), 2 in Brisbane Ranges NP (23/8), 1 on the Lendert Plain, H-K (31/8), 2 by Lake Albacutya (2/9), 1 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9).
319. Silver-eye (1, 3, 5) - 20 on 7/7, 15 on 8/7, 8 on 25/7, 1 on Mount Lewis (26/7), 3 at Carr Road (27/7), 3 at Barren Grounds (12/8), 1 in Crosby SF (20/8), 1 in Ferntree Gully (21/8), 1 on the Miller's Landing Walk, WP (21/8), 3 at Bool Lagoon (26/8),
320. Brown Honeyeater (1, 2, 3) - 2 on 7/7, 1 or 2 seen almost every day in the Top End, less common in NE Qld but still seen frequently in small numbers.
321. Dusky Myzomela (Honeyeater) (2, 3) - 1 at Fogg Dam (10/7), 1 at Waterfall Creek (12/7), 1 at KP (24/7), 5 on 25/7, 2 at Cassowary House on each of 5 & 6/8.
322. Red-headed Myzomela (Honeyeater) (2) - 1 in the mangroves on the boardwalk at East Point (16/7).
323. ! Scarlet Myzomela (Honeyeater) (3) - 2 near Julatten on 25/7, 1 near Mount Molloy on 26/7.
324. Graceful Honeyeater (3) - I found these very difficult to distinguish from Graceful Honeyeater - we definitely saw some of this species in NE Qld but I'm not sure how many. These or Yellow-spotteds were seen on most days.
325. ! Yellow-spotted Honeyeater (3) - difficult to distinguish from Graceful Honeyeater - we definitely saw some of this species in NE Qld but I'm not sure how many. These or Gracefuls were seen on most days.
326. ! Lewin's Honeyeater (1, 3, 5) - Seen most days in SE Qld - this was one of the species on the feeders at LNP. Also seen frequently in NE Qld. Less common in the south - 4 at Mill Creek and 2 on the Old Great North Road, Dharug NP (9/8), 2 at Barren Grounds on each of 12 & 13/8, 2 at Badger Weir (20/8).
327. ! Bridled Honeyeater (3) - 2 on 25/7, 2 on Mount Lewis (26/7), 2 at Lake Mitchell (27/7), 1 very tame one sat on our picnic table at Crater NP (28/7).
328. ! Yellow-faced Honeyeater (1, 3, 5) - 2 on 8/7, 1 in the rainforest near Pteropus House (29/7), 5 in Dharug NP (9/8), 2 on Marley's Head Fire Trail, Royal NP (10/8), 1 at Barren Grounds on 13/8, 2 at Brisbane Ranges NP (23/8).
329. Varied Honeyeater (3) - 1 in the trees along Cairns Esplanade on 20/7 and 5 there on 22/7, 2 in the trees by the harbour at Port Douglas (25/7)
330. ! Singing Honeyeater (5) - 1 on the plains near Deniliquin (18/8), 1 on 24/8, 2 in Little Desert NP (27/8), 4 in Kinchega NP (28/8), 2 in H-K (31/8), 1 at Lake Albacutya (2/9), 1 in Murrayville (3/9), 4 in the heath by Waitpingi Beach (4/9), 8 at Port Gawler (5/9).
331. ! Yellow Honeyeater (3) - 1 in Cairns (20/7), 1 on 24/7, 2 at Carr Road and 2 at Lake Mitchell on 27/7.
332. ! White-gaped Honeyeater (2) - small numbers seen every day in the Top End.
333. ! White-eared Honeyeater (5) - 4 on the walk from Mill Creek picnic area, Dharug NP (9/8), 1 on the nature walk in H-K (30/8), 2 on the Lendert Plain, H-K (31/8), 2 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9).
334. ! Yellow-tufted Honeyeater (5) - 3 on the Old Great North Road, Dharug NP (9/8), up to 30 on each visit to Cyanide Dam and elsewhere in Chiltern NP, 2 in Crosby SF (20/8), 2 at Brisbane Ranges (23/8).
335. ! Fuscous Honeyeater (5) - up to 30 on each visit to Cyanide Dam and elsewhere in Chiltern NP, around 15 in Crosby SF (20/8).
336. ! Yellow-plumed Honeyeater (5) -very common in the mallee - up to 20 a day between 27/8 & 3/9.
337. ! White-plumed Honeyeater (5) - 9 in total in the Capertee Valley (7 & 8/8), 8 around Lake Anderson, Chiltern (16/8), 5 or 6 at Cyanide Dam on each of 16 & 17/8, 6 on 18/8, 4 on 19/8, 2 at Crosby SF (20/8), 4 in Kinchega NP on 28/8 and 15 there on 29/8, up to 8 in the motel car park in Rainbow (2 & 3/9).
338. ! Macleay's Honeyeater (3) - seen every day at Cassowary House, KP and Pteropus House but not elsewhere.
339. ! White-naped Honeyeater (1, 5) - 3 on 7/7, 2 in the Capertee Valley (7/8), up to 15 on each visit to Cyanide Dam (14-17/8), 3 at WP (23/8),
340. White-throated Honeyeater (1, 2, 3) - 2 on 8/7, small numbers seen almost every day in the Top End, 3 on 25/7,
341. ! Black-chinned Honeyeater (5) - 2 on 15/8 on the White Box Walk, Chiltern NP and 2 on 16/8 by Cyanide Dam. Also 1 in Crosby SF (20/8).
342. ! Brown-headed Honeyeater (5) - 3 towards the end of the Miller's Landing walk, WP (23/8), 1 in H-K (27/8), 2 on the Lendert Plain, H-K (31/8).
343. Little Friarbird (2, 3, 5) - around 10 at Merl & Ubirr (10 & 11/7), 2 at Litchfield NP (16/7), 3 on 25/7, 1 at Lake Mitchell on 27/7 and 2 there on 5/8, 12 in the Capertee Valley (7/8), 2 on the Old Great North Road, Dharug NP (9/8).
344. Helmeted Friarbird (3) - small numbers seen on most days in NE Qld.
345. ! Silver-crowned Friarbird (2) - 6 at Howard Springs Campsite (9/7), 2 at Waterfall Creek Campsite on 12/7 and 1 there on 13/7, 3 in Litchfield NP (16/7).
346. Noisy Friarbird (1, 3, 5) - 1 between LNP and Brisbane (6/7), 1 on 8/7, 2 on 25/7, 6 in Capertee Valley (8/8), 3 at Cyanide Dam on 15/8 and 2 there on 17/8.
347. Crescent Honeyeater (5) - 2 on the Miller's Landing walk (21/8) and 1 in the parking area for Cotter's Lake, WP on each of 21, 22 & 23/8.
348. New Holland Honeyeater (5) - very common in the south, particularly in heathland. Seen almost every day except between 14 & 21/8 when not seen at all.
349. ! White-cheeked Honeyeater (3) - 1 towards the top of Mount Lewis on 26/7 was the only sighting.
350. Tawny-crowned Honeyeater (5) - 3 on the Marley's Head Fire Trail, Royal NP (10/8), 1 on the walk in Bundeena on the same day.
351. Brown-backed Honeyeater (3) - 1 on the Daintree cruise (1/8), 1 in a park in Port Douglas (2/8) and 2 at Cairns Croc Farm (4/8). 
352. ! Striped Honeyeater (5) - 3 on 19/8, 1 near the huge lake just before Menindee (28/8), 1 in H-K (30/8).
353. Rufous-banded Honeyeater (2) - 1 at Fogg Dam (10/7), 1 at East Point (16/7), 2 at Howard Springs (17/7), 3 at Fogg Dam (18/7)
354. ! Rufous-throated Honeyeater (2) - 1 at Victoria River (14/7).
355. ! Regent Honeyeater (5) - 3 on the Glen Davis road, Capertee Valley (8/8), 4 or 5 on each visit to Cyanide Dam (14-17/8), mostly at the opposite side to the picnic area, a short way back from the edge of the dam, although on one occasion there were 2 right at the edge of the water. These are really striking birds.
356. Eastern Spinebill (3, 5) - 2 towards the top of Mount Lewis on 26/7, 2 in the rainforest near Pteropus House (29/7), 5 at Wentworth Falls (7/8), 3 at Pierce's Pass (8/8), 2 in Dharug NP (9/8), 2 on the Marley's Head Fire trail (10/8), 7 in total at Barren Grounds (12 & 13/8), 2 at Badger Weir (20/8), 1 in Brisbane Ranges NP (23/8), 3 in Grampians NP (26/8), 1 in H-K (27/8), 2 at Sandy Creek Conservation Area (5/9). Another particularly beautiful bird.
357. Blue-faced Honeyeater (2, 3, 5) - seen almost every day in the Top End, particularly common around the campsites, not quite as common in NE Qld but still seen frequently. In the south: 1 on 17/8, 1 on 19/8.
358. ! Bell Miner (1, 5) - group of about 25 on 7/7, 10 on the walk at Mill Creek, Dharug NP (9/8) and 6 at Yellinbo on 21/8
359. Noisy Miner (1, 5) - Seen every day in SE Qld except in the rainforest in LNP, about 8 on each day in the Capertee Valley (7 & 8/8), 4 in Wiseman's Ferry (8/8), 2 at Cyanide Dam (17/8), 2 on 18/8, 4 on 19/8, 2 whilst travelling on 20/8,

360. ! Yellow-throated Miner (2, 5) - 1 at Katherine Gorge (13/7), up to 15 in Kinchega NP on each visit, 15 on the track to Lake Mournpall (30/8), 10 on the Lendert Plain, H-K (31/8), 1 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9).
361. ! Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (5) - 2 on 19/8, 2 on the Nowinge Track (30/8), up to 5 a day in Wy'd (including at Lake Albacutya and the north part of Wy'd) (1 to 3/9).
362. Red Wattlebird (1, 5) - 1 on 7/7; seen on almost every day in the south.
363. Brush Wattlebird (5) - about 10 on the Marley's Head Fire Trail, Royal NP and 2 on the walk in Bundeena (10/8), 3 at Barren Grounds on each of 12 & 13/8.
364. Olive-backed Oriole (1, 3) - 1 on 7/7, 1 near Cairns on 20/7.
365. Green (Yellow) Oriole (2, 3) - 1 at Ubirr (11/7), 4 in total at sites around Darwin, including the Botanical Gardens, 2 on 25/7, up to 12 a day in the Daintree/Cape Tribulation area.
366. Figbird (1, 2, 3) - seen every day in small numbers in SE Qld except at LNP, 1 or 2 seen most days in the Top End, 2 on 25/7, up to 20 a day in the Daintree/Cape Tribulation area and 2 at Cairns Croc Farm (4/8).
367. Spangled Drongo (1, 2, 3) - 2 on 8/7, 1 near Cooinda (12/7), 2 in Litchfield NP (16/7), 4 in total at sites around Darwin. Seen almost every day in NE Qld.
368. Magpie-lark (1, 2, 3, 5) - common in SE Qld except in the rainforest in LNP, up to 50 a day in the Top End, seen every day in NE Qld and almost every day in the south.
369. ! White-winged Chough (5) - group of 10 in the Capertee Valley (8/8), seen every day between 14 and 20/8 and between 29/8 and 3/9.
370. ! Apostlebird (3, 5) - group of 16 just off Mount Carbine Road (25/7), 5 on 19/8, 2 in Little Desert NP (27/8), 2 groups in Menindee (14 in total) on 28/8, 2 on 29/8 and 10 on the track to Lake Mournpall, H-K (30/8). Groups seen quite frequently by the road whilst travelling in the south from 20/8 onwards.
371. White-breasted Woodswallow (2, 3, 5) - about 30 on the Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7), 10 at Fogg Dam (18/7), 2 on 19/7, seen most days in NE Qld, 6 at Anderson Lake, Chiltern (16/8), 6 at Cyanide Dam (17/8), seen most days (up to 30 a day) between 25/8 & 5/9.
372. Black-faced Woodswallow (2) - 6 at Waterfall Creek (12/7), 6 at Katherine Gorge (13/7), 8 at Chinaman Creek (14/7), 4 at Victoria River (15/7).
373. Dusky Woodswallow (5) - 1 at Cyanide Dam (15/8), 20 in Gulpa SF (18/8), 10 on 19/8, 4 in Crosby SF (20/8), 4 in Ferntree Gully (21/8), 20 at Tower Hill Lake (25/8), 3 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9).
374. Grey Butcherbird (1, 5) - 1 in the open areas on Duck Creek Road, LNP (6/7), 5 on 7/7, 4 on 8/7, 3 on 9/7, 1 on 9/8 near Dharug NP, 1 on 18/8.
375. Pied Butcherbird (1, 2, 5) - 1 in the open areas on Duck Creek Road, LNP (6/7), 5 on 7/7, 1 on 8/7, 1 at Waterfall Creek (13/7), 2 at Victoria River (15/7), 2 in Litchfield NP (16/7), 2 at Lake Mitchell (27/7), 3 on the road to Mareeba Wetlands (28/7), 2 in the Capertee Valley (8/8), 1 on 18/8, seen every day (up to 7 a day) between 27 & 31/8, 1 in Murrayville on 3/9.
376. Black Butcherbird (3) - 1 at Centenary Lakes on each visit (20 & 30/7), 3 at Cassowary House on 21/7 and 2 there on 22/7, 2 on 24/7, 2 at Red Mill House on 31/7 and 1 there on 1/8, 
377. Australasian Magpie (1, 3, 5) - seen almost every day except in the Top End.
378. ! Pied Currawong (1, 3, 5) - seen every day in SE Qld, 1 at Mareeba Wetlands (21/7), 2 on 22/7, seen almost every day in the south until 20/8, only seen once thereafter on 25/8 in Grampians NP.
379. Grey Currawong (5) - 5 in total in WP on 22 & 23/8, 1 in Wy'd on each of 1 & 2/9, 2 at Lake Albacutya (2/9), 2 in the north part of Wy'd (3/9), 1 at Sandy Creek Conservation Area (5/9).
380. ! Paradise Riflebird (1) - 1 female in forest near the start of Duck Creek Road, LNP (4/7).
381. ! Victoria's Riflebird (3) - up to 4 seen on and near the feeders at Cassowary House each morning, 2 at KP on 24/7 and 1 there on 28/7, 1 on Mount Lewis on each of 27/7 and 5/8.
382. Spotted Catbird (3) - 1 or 2 on the feeders at Cassowary House each morning, 1 near the orchard at KP on 24/7 and 2 there on 28/7, 1 on Chris Dahlberg's Daintree boat trip (1/8) and 1 on Mount Lewis (5/8).
383. ! Green Catbird (1) - common but more easily heard than seen in LNP. 1 seen near the start of the Border Trail (4/7) and 4 near the start of Duck Creek Road (4/7).
384. ! Tooth-billed Catbird (Bowerbird) (3) - Only seen once, in the rainforest near Pteropus House (28/7)
385. ! Golden Bowerbird (3) - One gorgeous male on Mount Lewis (26/7)
386. ! Regent Bowerbird (1) - up to 20 a day at O'Reilly's, LNP - apparently there are often a lot more. We didn't see them at all elsewhere.
387. ! Satin Bowerbird (1, 3, 5) - seen every day at O'Reilly's, LNP, 3 on 7/7, 1 in the rainforest near Pteropus House (29/7), about 15 at Wentworth Falls (7/8), 10 at Dharug NP (9/8), 2 on each morning en route to Barren Grounds (12 & 13/8),
388. ! Great Bowerbird (2, 3) - 5 on 11/7, 6 in total at Waterfall Creek (12 & 13/7), 4 at Katherine Gorge (13/7), 4 in total at Victoria River (14 & 15/7), 2 at Litchfield NP (16/7), 1 on Mount Carbine Road (24/7), 2 on 25/7. The pink on the back of the head as shown in the field guide is actually rarely visible.
389. Torresian Crow (1, 2, 3, 5) - seen everyday in SE Qld except in the rainforest in LNP, seen everyday in the Top End, seen frequently, but not every day, in NE Qld, quite common in the south until 13/8 - none seen after that.
390. ! Australian Raven (5) - seen frequently in the south. Difficult to assess numbers as most of the birds were seen whilst we were travelling and could have been this species or Little Raven.
391. ! Little Raven (5) - seen frequently in the south from 14/8 onwards. Difficult to assess numbers as most of the birds were seen whilst we were travelling and could have been this species or Australian Raven.
392. Forest Raven (5) - 4 on 22/8 in the Tidal River area of WP. Not seen for definite elsewhere.
393. Metallic Starling (3) - 8 between Daintree and Mossman (31/7), 1 on Chris Dahlberg's boat trip (1/8), 23 down the lane parallel to the road Red Mill House is on (1/8).
394. Common Myna (1, 3, 5) - very common in Qld, particularly along the Esplanade in Cairns but found in most urban and suburban areas and around farmland. Also seen frequently in the south.
395. European Starling (1, 3, 5) - frequently seen in Qld and the south, particularly on farmland
396. Beautiful Firetail (5) - 1 on each day at Barren Grounds, 12 & 13/8. We only got fleeting views of these as they flew past.
397. ! Diamond Firetail (5) - about 40 on the road out of Goolloinboin Station, Capertee Valley (8/8), 2 bathing at the edge of Cyanide Dam on each of 14 & 17/8, 2 in Gulpa SF (18/8), 5 in a garden near You Yangs (24/8).
398. ! Red-browed Finch (1, 3, 5) - 6 in the first open area on Duck Creek Road (4/7), 2 on 8/7, 50+ at Holmes Jungle on each visit, 3 at East Point on each visit, up to 26 at KP every day, mainly on the feeder near the office, about 20 on Mount Lewis (27/7), about 10 in Capertee Valley (8/8), 1 at Mill Creek, Dharug NP (9/8), 10 on 18/8, 6 behind the motel at Hall's Gap (25/8),
399. Crimson Finch (2) - 6 at Fogg Dam (10/7), 6 at Merl Campground (11/7), 2 on 12/7, 50+ at Holmes Jungle Swamp (17 & 18/7), 3 at Cairns Croc Farm (4/8)
400. ! Zebra Finch (1, 3, 5) - 10 on 7/7, about 20 at the entrance to Goolloinboin Station, Capertee Valley (8/8), 4 on 19/8
401. ! Double-barred Finch (1, 2, 3, 5) - 5 on 8/7, 6 by the Old Darwin Road (12/7), 6 at Chinaman Creek (14/7), seen everyday in the Darwin area, 10 near Julatten on 26/7 while we were waiting in vain for some Black-throated Finches to turn up, about 50 in the Capertee Valley (8/8),
402. ! Long-tailed Finch (2) - 4 at Holmes Jungle Swamp (17/7).
403. Nutmeg Mannikin (3) - 6 near Cairns (25/7), about 20 in Centenary Park, Cairns (30/7),
404. ! Yellow-rumped Munia (Mannikin) (2) - 2 at Holmes Jungle (17/7)
405. Chestnut-breasted Munia (Mannikin) (1, 2, 3) - 100+ on 7/7, 100+ at Holmes Jungle (17/7), about 30 near Cairns on 20/7, about 20 on 25/7,
406. European Goldfinch (5) - 1 a day between 23 & 25/8, 10 at Bool Lagoon (26/8)
407. House Sparrow (3, 5) - common in urban areas and farmland in NE Qld and the south.


Other wildlife:

Common Dolphin (4) - about 10 on the Sydney pelagic
Pilot Whale (4) - about 20 on the Sydney pelagic
Dingo (3) - 1 near Cairns on 25/7. We'd have assumed it was a feral dog if Del hadn't identified it as a Dingo.
Platypus (3) - 2 early morning in the creek at Cassowary House (on separate occasions), 2 at Johnson River at dusk (Wait-a-While tour), 2 in the creek on the KP night walk; 1 in the creek at KP late afternoon.
Red-necked Pademelon (1) - common at O'Reilly's
Red-legged Pademelon (3) - one in care at KP; 5 near Lake Mitchell
Eastern Grey Kangaroo (3, 5) - 10+ at Mareeba Golf Course; 10+ in the Capertee Valley (mainly Goolloinboin Station); 10+ on Lake Road (leading to Lake George); 2 on the plains near Deniliquin; 30+ in WP
Western Grey Kangaroo (5) - 1 on the plains near Deniliquin; several in Kinchega NP, H-K, Wy'd, Lake Alexandrina and Sandy Creek Conservation Area.
Red Kangaroo (5) - 6 on the plains near Deniliquin; 10 in Kinchega NP
[Euro] (5) - 2 in Kinchega NP might have been this species
Whiptail Wallaby (3) - 1 in care at KP
Agile Wallaby (2) - 10+ at Howard Springs including 1 with a well-grown joey in the pouch; 10+ at Victoria River Roadhouse; 100 or so at East Point; 10 near Cairns.
Mareeba Rock-wallaby (3) - 3 at Granite Gorge on 5/8
Swamp Wallaby (5) - 1 on the historic drive near Chiltern; 4-6 WP; 1 Brisbane Ranges
[Red-necked Wallaby] (5) - 6 in Grampians NP may have been this species
Wombat (5) - 4-5 in WP. Wombats are definitely worth seeing. We bought "The Secret Life of Wombats" at the airport on the way on home, which I would highly recommend.
Koala (1, 5) - 1 near Brisbane; 1 in a tree at the start of the Miller's Landing walk in WP, 2 in trees in Brisbane Ranges NP.
Long-nosed Bandicoot (3) - 1 near KP on 23/7; 1 on each night walk at KP; 2 on one evening at Cassowary House.
Northern Brown Bandicoot (3) - 2 at Cassowary House most evenings.
Sugar Glider (1) - 1 on the feeders at O'Reilly's after dinner; 1 in woodland near Brisbane
Greater Glider (3) - 1 on Baldy Mountain (Wait-a-While tour)
Common Brushtail Possum (1, 5) - 1 at O'Reilly's; 1 in Bundeena.
Mountain Brushtail Possum (1) - 3 at O'Reilly's.
Green Ringtail Possum (3) - 1 on the Wait-a-While tour (22/7), 1 on a night walk at KP
Lemuroid Ringtail Possum (3) - 1 on Baldy Mountain (Wait-a-While tour)
Herbert River Ringtail possum (3) - 3 on Baldy Mountain (Wait-a-While tour)
Striped Possum (3) - one on a night walk at KP
Musky Rat-kangaroo (3) - 1 to 3 at Cassowary House each morning; 1 at Lacey's Creek (Mission Beach). These are one of the few diurnal Australian mammals.
White-tailed Rat (3) - 2 or 3 at Cassowary House each evening.
Bush Rat (3) - 2+ each evening at Cassowary House.
[Golden Mouse] (5) - 1 in an old gold mine in Chiltern NP could have been this species
Java Deer (5) - 30+ in Bundeena; 1 in WP was probably this species
Feral Pig (5) - 2 on the road to Jenolan Caves
European Hare (5) - several seen in the south
European Rabbit (5) - several seen in the south, particularly in WP
European Fox (5) - several seen in the south including in H-K
Black Flying-fox (1, 2) - large numbers at a roost near Brisbane and a roost near the jetty at Katherine Gorge
Spectacled Flying-fox (3) - 2 at KP on the nightwalk; several in care at Pteropus House; 3+ in Daintree
Little Red Flying-fox (3) - several in care at Pteropus House
Common Bentwing Bat (5) - 2 hibernating in Lucas Cave (Jenolan Caves)
Saltwater Crocodile (2) - 3 on the Yellow Waters boat trip (12/7); 4 on the Daintree boat trip with Del Richards; 2 on Chris Dahlberg's Daintree River cruise. Large numbers at the Croc Farm (obviously!), including some really huge ones.
Freshwater Crocodile (3) - 3 on the Katherine Gorge boat trip;
Yellow-eared Turtle (2) - up to 6 on each visit to Howard Springs
Saw-shelled Turtle (3) - 1 in Johnson River (on the Wait-a-While tour); 4 at Lacey's Creek (Mission Beach)
[Red-bellied Black-snake] (3) - a snake seen on the track across Lake Mitchell could have been this species
[Small-eyed Snake] (3) - 1 on the night walk at KP was probably this species
Green Tree Snake (3) - 1 on the Daintree boat trip with Del Richards (31/8)
Eastern Water-dragon (3) - 2 on the Wait-a-While tour; 1 on Chris Dahlberg's Daintree River cruise (1/8)
Shingleback (5) - 1 of these big, unusual skinks in Kinchega NP; 2 more on the road back to Mildura; 1 at Sandy Creek Conservation area
Leaf-tailed Gecko (3) - 1 on the night walk at KP
Goanna spp (2) - 1 at Cooinda Campsite; 1 in Charles Darwin NP.
Gecko sp. (2) - 2 un-patterned flesh-coloured Geckos in Litchfield NP; 3 similar Geckos at Red Mill House.
Leseur's Frog (3) - 4 in total on the 2 night walks at KP
Northern Banded Frog (3) - 3 in total on the 2 night walks at KP
White-lipped Tree Frog (3) - 2 on the Daintree boat trip with Del Richards (31/8)
Cane Toad (3) - 1 on each night walk at KP. Cane Toads were introduced to Australia to eat cane beetles, which damage sugar cane, despite the fact that the beetles are at the top of the cane and the toads don't climb. They are poisonous if eaten and as a result have had a detrimental effect on the native wildlife. However, some birds are starting to adapt to the Cane Toad by eating only small ones (which are not very poisonous) or by flipping the toads over and eating the stomachs, avoiding the poison glands.
Jungle Perch (3) - 10 at Lacey's Creek (Mission Beach)
Eel-tailed Catfish (3) - 1 at Lacey's Creek (Mission Beach)
Mudskipper (2, 3) - common at low tide at Cairns Esplanade and at East Point boardwalk
Ulysses butterfly (3) - 2 at Kuranda; 3 near the Daintree River
Birdwing Butterfly (3) - 1 near the Daintree River
Union Jack Butterfly (3) - common near Julatten
Spiky Katydid (3) - 1 on a Gympie Stinging Tree on each night walk at KP
Leafy Katydid (3) - 1 at Red Mill House
Brown Huntsman Spider (3) - 1 on each night walk at KP
Shield Huntsman Spider (3) - 1 on each night walk at KP
Common Black Leech (3) - common, but not too problematic, near the top of Mount Lewis
Tiger Leech (5) - Sean picked one up on the Ground Parrot survey.

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