Monarch, Common Cicadabird, Russet-tailed Thrush, Noisy Pitta, Topknot Pigeon, Large-billed Scrubwren, Restless Flycatcher, Rose Robin and Square-tailed Kite.
Bellbird Grove
This is a fabulous picnic area with plenty of good facilities and good birding. To get there, from Mount Nebo Rd shortly past the Discovery Centre turn right into well-signposted Bellbird Grove picnic site. Two short walks start from this site, both are worth exploring.
It is a good place for Spotted Quail-thrush; they can be found on the access road to the site however the best location is the entrance to the AC1 break 500m west of the turnoff to Bellbird Grove from Mount Nebo Rd, site coordinates are 27o25’44’’S and 152o53’54’’E.
In the Bellbird Grove picnic area, look for a family of Bush Stone-curlews, they will be standing somewhere there. Wonga Pigeons strut around the site. Oriental Cuckoos are regular visitors. In March 2018 three of them were reported.
Other birds at Bellbird Grove include Spectacled Monarch, Painted Button-quail, Little Lorikeet, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Little Bronze-cuckoo and Brush Cuckoo.
This is a good place for the night birds, in particular for White-throated Nightjar and Australian Owlet-nightjar.
Jollys Lookout
This is the next good stop along Mount Nebo Rd. It is considered by some to be the most beautiful place in Brisbane. The story goes that the Mayor of Brisbane, Mr William Jolly, fell so much in love with this spot that in 1930, in times of Great Depression, he built the most expensive sealed road for the Brisbanites to have an easy access to the lookout.
A large colony of Bell Miners is located nearby so the site is drowned in their incessant calls. Wedge-tailed Eagle and Peregrine Falcon soar over the mountain. A 4km-long Thylogale Tk connect the lookout with the Boombana picnic area. On the first 2km of the walk, you may encounter Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Topknot Pigeon, Green Catbird, Crimson Rosella, Brown Gerygone, Black-faced Monarch and Common Cicadabird.
Boombana Picnic Area
This picnic area is located between Jollys Lookout and the Mouth Nebo township. It is a lovely, secluded spot. There are two tracks starting there: 1.1km Pitta Circuit and 8km return Thylogale Walking Track.
Greater Sooty Owl is resident at the Boombana Picnic Area. You can also find here Green Catbird, Brown Cuckoo-Dove and Large-billed Scrubwren (always present). This site is also good for Regent Bowerbird, Noisy Pitta, Pale-yellow Robin, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Monarch, Spectacled Monarch and Paradise Riflebird.
Thylogale Tk runs through the dry vine-infested rainforest and open eucalypt forest. Wompoo Fruit-Doves nest by the track. Paradise Riflebird, Green Catbird, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Topknot Pigeon and Spectacled Monarch are common. Occasionally found are Pale-yellow Robin, Australian Logrunner and Superb Fruit-Dove. At the Jolly Lookout’s end of the track, Crested Shrike-tits are resident. Occasionally, Glossy Black-Cockatoos visit this area.
Manorina Picnic Site
Manorina is located 7km south of the Mount Glorious township on Mount Nebo Rd. Two walks start from here: 800m-long Atrax Circuit and 6km return Morelia Track.
This is another good site for Greater Sooty Owl and Marbled Frogmouth. Greater Sooty Owls can often be heard screeching in the evening as soon as you get out of the car. Marbled Frogmouths are most often found on Morelia Tk. Southern Boobook can also be heard during the night.
The daytime sound is made by Bell Miners. Flocks of Topknot Pigeons are likely to be found high in the canopy. Try to locate Red-browed Treecreepers in the trees near the picnic area. Other birds at Manorina include Eastern Whipbird, Satin Bowerbird, Regent Bowerbird, Spectacled Monarch, Green Catbird, White-naped Honeyeater and Brown Gerygone.
A pair of Satin Bowerbirds
Westridge Outlook
Westridge Outlook is located just 700m north of Manorina on Mount Nebo Rd. Site coordinates are 27o21’51’’S and 152o45’36’’E. You’ll find here a short boardwalk running at the edge of the escarpment at the tree half-height, giving a rare opportunity to observe the canopy birds at close quarters.
In autumn 2018, this site proved to be very productive to us. A Bell Miner colony is established in the treetops surrounding the boardwalk. The Miners were constantly and viciously attacking bigger and smaller birds moving through their territory. We observed Pied Currawongs, Australian King-Parrots and Noisy Friarbirds. Even Grey Goshawk was chased away. The only bird oblivious to that commotion was a female Paradise Riflebird that proceed calmly to explore tree bark for grubs and posed for good photos.
We struck a jackpot on the lookout. A water puddle collected in the open hollow in the crown of the tree growing beneath the lookout to the left. This was used enthusiastically as a water bath by a succession of birds. We observed Pale-yellow Robins, White-naped Honeyeaters, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Lewin’s Honeyeaters, Golden Whistlers (plenty), Varied Sittellas and Spotted Pardalotes. Even Olive-backed Oriole came to the bath.
In the carpark, we found a family of Red-browed Treecreepers in a tree. Groups of Dusky Woodswallows were flying over the gully.
Maiala Picnic Area
This spot is located just past the Mount Glorious township. It is probably the most productive site in the whole D’Aguilar National Park, and is particularly good for the rainforest species and nocturnal birds. The site is a very popular tourist area so, if possible, arrive early in the morning.
Besides the very good, spacious picnic grounds, the facilities include a 2.5km Rainforest Circuit that start here to join the 2.5km Cypress Grove Track and 4.3km return Greenes Falls Track. The latter crosses Browns Rd that leads to the Mount Glorious Cottages. If you wish to visit all tracks, it will be 10km return.
A magnificent bunya pine at the Maiala Picnic Area
We visited this site in autumn and were amazed with the numbers of fruit-eating pigeons. In particular, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Topknot Pigeon and Rose-crowned Dove were plentiful. We also came across a couple of White-headed Pigeons and a single Superb Fruit-Dove. It was pleasing to see the numbers of Topknot Pigeons so significantly up in comparison with their status 15-20 years back.
The next thing that got our attention was an abundance of small birds such as Yellow-throated Scrubwren, White-bowed Scrubwren, Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone and Striated Thornbill. They were everywhere, searching for juicy insects in the bushes.
On the forest floor at the entrance to Rainforest Circuit, we spotted a pair of Russet-tailed Thrushes. Further down the path, still on the floor, there were Eastern Whipbird, Satin Bowerbird, Australian Logrunner and Emerald Dove.
Regent Bowerbird landed on a large bunya pine, followed by colourful Crimson Rosellas and Australian King-Parrots. A flock of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos was flying over the picnic grounds, uttering their characteristic wailing call.
This picnic area is also fantastic for the night birds. Marbled Frogmouth likes
