style="font-size:15px;"> In the water baths scattered inside and outside the facility, you may observe Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, White-browed Scrubwren and more.
Raptors are always around. In particular, look for Brown Goshawk, Australian Hobby and Pacific Baza.
John Wilson Reserve
This small, 20ha Reserve is located in the suburb of Pinjarra Hills 20km west of Brisbane CBD. The whole site adjoins the Pullen Pullen Creek and otherwise is surrounded by cleared acreage blocks. Most of the reserve has been revegetated by a local Bushcare Group. Site coordinates are 27o33’10’’S and 152o53’48’’E.
To get there, from Moggill Rd (33) turn into Pinjarra Rd, then turn into Houston St. It soon changes name to Glenhurst St. Drive to the end of the road and park in the cul-de-sac. Walk to the creek through a grassy paddock along a fence line. There are no facilities or signposting.
Over 120 species are on the reserve’s birdlist. Key species are Pale-vented Bush-hen, Dollarbird, Square-tailed Kite and Spotted Harrier. Other birds of interest include Common Bronzewing, White-necked Heron, Sacred Kingfisher, Golden Whistler, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Varied Triller, Common Cicadabird, Striped Honeyeater, Brown Quail and Tawny Grassbird. On the list of rarities are Speckled Warbler, Rufous Songlark, White-winged Triller, Jacky Winter, Red-capped Robin and Western Corella.
While we walked to the reserve, Spotted Harrier was flying over the paddock. Rainbow Bee-eater, Sacred Kingfisher and Golden-headed Cisticola were sitting on the fence. In the short grass, we found Australasian Pipit, Double-barred Finch and Yellow-rumped Thornbill. A large flock of Straw-necked Ibises and several Cattle Egrets landed on the paddock.
At the edge of the reserve, we had an excellent view of Striped Honeyeater and also saw Black-faced Monarch, Golden Whistler, Spangled Drongo, Rufous Fantail and White-winged Triller (the latter feeding on the paddock). Red-browed Finches were building their shaggy nest in the thicket that borders the track. Several gum trees and paperbarks were flowering and teeming with honeyeaters such as Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater and White-throated Honeyeater. A group of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets joined the feast.
On the ground under the tree in western corner of the reserve, we came across a large mixed flock of parrots (about 250 birds), mostly Little Corellas, Long-billed Corellas and Galahs. Among them we spotted nine Western Corellas, the progeny of cage escapees – this small population has survived here for years.
On the water, we ticked off Australasian Grebe, Royal Spoonbill, Hardhead, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Pied Stilt and Black-fronted Dotterel.
On our way back, we heard the characteristic ‘cutting scissors’ call of Restless Flycatcher. We saw it flying among the trees.
Pale-vented Bush-hens breed in this reserve. They were observed several times with their fluffy little chicks along the creek. Brown Quail and Tawny Grassbird are regularly found here.
Moggill Road Wetlands Reserve
This small reserve is located at the corner of Moggill Rd (33) and Aitcheson St just 1km before Moggill Ferry. Site coordinates are 27o35’12’’S and 152o51’37’’E.
There are two lakes on this site, one on each side of the road, surrounded by bushland. The wetland regularly dries out, so birding results depend on the water levels.
Over 150 bird species have been found at this tiny site. Key species are Glossy Ibis, Pale-vented Bush-hen, Buff-banded rail, Apostlebird and White-winged Triller. Other birds of interest include Latham’s Snipe, Wandering Whistling-Duck, Comb-crested Jacana, Brown Quail, Red-kneed Dotterel, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Forest Kingfisher and Dollarbird. Rarities at this site include Freckled Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Diamond Dove, Pallid Cuckoo, Dusky Honeyeater and Red-rumped Parrot.
Male White-winged Triller
The site is most productive when the lakes just begin to dry out. In the western lagoon, expect to find Buff-banded Rail, Lewin’s Rail, Baillon’s Crake (occurs in good numbers), Latham’s Snipe and Red-kneed Dotterel. There is a good chance here for Pale-vented Bush-hen. Once we observed two adults with two young feeding at the edge of the western lagoon. At the same time, we were amazed with the raptor activity over the wetlands – we recorded nine species including Spotted Harrier, Swamp Harrier, Black-shouldered Kite, Brown Falcon and Pacific Baza.
We stopped there to look for Freckled Ducks, reported as visiting at the time, we located five of them, and also a pair of Australasian Shovelers.
On a large flowering gum tree, we found four lorikeet species feeding together, with Little Lorikeet being dominant.
Pullenvale Forest Park
This small, 20ha reserve, is located in the suburb of Pullenvale, 20km west of Brisbane CBD. The reserve stretches mostly along the Pullen Pullen Creek where patches of natural vegetation such as rainforest, vine scrub and eucalypt forest, still exist, a small remnant of an extensive area of natural bushland that has lost to development on both sides of the creek. The local Bushcare Group had done a very good job replanting a large area with native plants that after some years have developed into a fairly dense scrub. The improved habitat allowed many birds to return.
We remember times before 2006, when Speckled Warblers were singing from the bush tops here, now this species has disappeared.
To get there, from Moggill Rd (33) take Grandview Rd, then turn right into Pullenvale Rd. The entrance to the Park is about 400m past the turnoff, just past the bridge over the creek. Site facilities include a picnic table, a shelter and a 1km-long pathway along the creek with some boardwalk.
One 110 species are on the Pullenvale Park’s birdlist. Key species are Powerful Owl, Grey-crowned Babbler, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Azure Kingfisher and White-eared Monarch. Other birds of interest include Apostlebird, Black-faced Monarch, Brown Quail, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Common Bronzewing and Large-billed Scrubwren. Rarities include Speckled Warbler, Painted Button-quail, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Red-capped Robin, Square-tailed Kite and Grey Goshawk.
Powerful Owls visit sporadically to gorge on ringtail possums. Azure Kingfisher is resident, often found on the first 500m of the path along the creek. In recent years, many of the planted trees started to fruit, attracting pigeons such as Emerald Dove, White-headed Pigeon, Wonga Pigeon and Brown Cuckoo-Dove. Other fruit-eaters including Regent Bowerbird also found their way to the Park.
Bush birds regularly reported from the Pullenvale Forest Park include White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Varied Sittella, Leaden Flycatcher, Varied Triller, Little Shrike-thrush, Rufous Fantail, Australian King-Parrot, White-throated Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Southern Boobook and Tawny Frogmouth.
Anstead Bushland Reserve
This 80ha reserve is located along Brisbane River in the suburb of Anstead, 20km southwest of Brisbane CBD. The reserve is covered mostly by eucalypt forest, with some rainforest, riparian scrub and an area of grassland. A local Bushcare Group continue planting and weeding in the reserve, particularly near the old quarry.
To get there, travel west through
