2 minute read
TOP PLACES TO SEE A FEATHERED FRIEND
Birds of a feather flock to the Western Downs together, with over 342 species known to annually migrate or live in the foliage of our region.
To help decipher what you’re looking at, pick up a free copy of Birds of the Western Downs at your nearest Visitor Information Centre.
Get started with these birding hot spots:
Bunya Mountains National Park, Bunya Mountains
You know the twitching is good when 215 of the region’s 342 bird species are all found in one rainforest environment alone, Bunya Mountains National Park.
Perhaps the most famous feathered faces of the Bunyas are the brilliantly coloured king parrots and crimson rosellas, which you can hand feed every morning.
Lake Broadwater Conservation Park, Dalby
The only natural lake on the Darling Downs attracts waterbirds and wildlife to its waters edge and surrounding vegetation.
To see them, take the two-kilometre track connecting the two camping areas or take the five-kilometre (return) self-guided drive.
Brigalow Creek, Meandarra
Take a wander along Brigalow Creek and keep your eyes peeled for birdlife drawn to these parts for its rich vegetation and marine life.
If you time your visit for spring or summer, you’ll also see the creek’s waterlilies in full bloom.
Tip: Make your birdwatching experience a two-day adventure. Camping is permitted beside Brigalow Creek.
Myall Botanical Park, Glenmorgan
A short 20-minute drive from Meandarra, you’ll find the town of Glenmorgan, home to the Myall Botanical Park which is a birdwatchers’ paradise.
From its forest environment you can tick off the following I species regularly from your bird book: red tailed black cockatoo, fan-tail cockatoo, spiny-cheeked honey eater and pink eared ducks. think it’s the beautiful countryside that I love so much. It’s so diverse, ranging from fertile farming lands to some of the best cattle grazing country to be found in Queensland.
Bernice Seton
Tara Lagoon, Tara
For birdwatching with a view, pay a visit to Tara Lagoon.
Located just outside town, pack a picnic from the local Foodworks, to sit by the waters’ edge to see the abundant birdlife who nest here.
When you’re not spotting birds, go fishing, cycling or take the interpretive walk around the lagoon. Be sure to look up at the trees which are noted to be some of Queensland’s best examples of ironbark, spotted gum and cypress pine trees.
Waterloo Plains Environmental Park, Wandoan
Pack a picnic to enjoy while birdwatching the peaceful lakes and wetland areas, keeping your eyes peeled for the likes of whistling kite, white-necked heron, rainbow beeeater and shining bronze cuckoos.
Twitchers tip: Mounted on display in Bell at the Bell Bunya Community Centre, be sure to see the very rare Bell bird first discovered in 1874, believed to be a natural hybrid of the King Parrot x RedWinged Parrot.
