Atherton Tablelands Birding

Atherton Tablelands birding is world famous, with many sites ranging across a wide diversity of habitat. From upland rainforests, wet sclerophyll forest and eucalypt woodlands, to wetlands and farmlands.

Of the 760 or so bird species in Australia, more than 300 can be found on the relatively small area known as the Atherton Tablelands, also known as the Cairns Highlands.

Atherton is a haven for birding, birdwatchers, photographers, artists and natural history enthusiasts. Hallorans Hill, Hastie Swamp, The Crater, Nardello's Lagoon, Lakes Eacham & Barrine, Mt Baldy, Curtain Fig, Wongabel Forest and Bromfield Swamp are within a 5 -15 min drive.

You will delight in viewing White-cheeked Honeyeaters, Scarlet Honeyeaters and a variety of other Honeyeaters feeding in the 'Bottle Brush trees'. Lorikeets, Rosellas, Kingfishers, Dollarbirds, Kookaburras, Cockatoos and a variety of other species make Atherton Tablelands a very diverse birding haven.

Thirteen rare species: Victoria's Riflebird, Chowchilla, Golden Bowerbird, Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Mountain Thornbill, Macleay's Honeyeater, Bridled Honeyeater, Grey-headed Robin, Bower's Shrike-thrush, Pied Monarch, Atherton Scrubwren, Fernwren and Lesser Sooty Owl are reasonably easy to find for serious Atherton Tablelands birding enthusiasts, but are found nowhere else in Australia.

Species restricted to higher elevation

• Golden Bowerbird... The Crater, Baldy Mt Walk, Bartle Mt Walk
• Tooth-billed Bowerbird... Lake Eacham, The Crater
• Mountain Thornbill... The Crater, Baldy Mt Walk

Species absent from lower elevation

• Fern wren... The Crater, Kauri Creek Walk, Lake Barrine, Baldy Mt Walk
• Atherton Scrub wren... The Crater, Lake Barrine
• Bridled Honeyeater... Atherton [winter], The Crater, Lake Eacham
• Grey-headed Robin... Lake Eacham, The Crater
• Bowers Shrike-thrush... Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, The Crater

Species unrestricted by elevation

• Lesser Sooty Owl... all sites
• Macleay's Honeyeater... Lake Eacham
• Chowchilla... The Crater, Lake Barrine
• Pied Monarch... Lake Barrine, Lake Eacham, Curtain Fig, Wongabel Botanical Walk
• Victoria's Riflebird... all sites

Other Sites

Hasties Swamp - Birds of shallow wetlands, best viewed between July and November, and open forest. Birds to be found include: Whistling Ducks, Magpie Geese, Sarus Cranes and Brolgas.

Nardello's Lagoon - Birds of permanent wetlands.

Bromfield Swamp - Regular roost site of Sarus Crane and Brolga, best viewed between June and November.

Mareeba Wetlands - including Pink-eared Ducks, Green and Cotton Pygmy-geese, Grebes, Whistling Ducks, Wood Ducks, Black Swans, Magpie Geese, Egrets and Spoonbills, Jacanas, Jabirus and Brolgas, Gouldian Finch.

Article and photographs supplied by John Donovan of Atherton Blue Gum B&B