Geographic area
Along the coast our area runs from Bundaberg in the south to Whitsunday islands in the north and out to the Northern Territory border near Boulia in the north and Birdsville in the south. This vast Central Queensland area is sparsely populated but contains a startling variety of habitat and bird species.
Latest News
ALLAN BRIGGS, Chair, BA Cap, reports: Good rain over the summer months has resulted in numbers of Spangled Drongo, Tawny Frogmouth, Figbird, Pacific Baza and White-faced Heron, among others, successfully raising young. The boom and bust cycle of population increase and decrease has parallels with the ups and downs of the stock market but it could be argued that the loss of bird numbers is far more serious than the loss of a few dollars. Both are influenced by human activity. At the moment the birds are on the up and the stock market has been going down, but that could change quite quickly.
For April we are planning a long weekend trip to Cudmore National Park, providing there is no heavy rain. We will also be having weekend trip to St Lawrence Wetlands and this is designated as a kid friendly activity. In May we will visit Gordon Downs for the first of our bi-annual surveys and in June we are planning a weekend trip to Blackdown Tablelands National Park. In addition we have our monthly wader surveys at Kinka Beach and Kinka Wetlands. All welcome.
One exciting discovery has been the sighting of Capricorn Yellow Chats on the northern side of the Fitzroy River. This occurred during the National Waterbird Count. The habitat in the area has long been recognised as being suitable but despite many survey efforts the bird has, up until now, remained elusive. These are the first sightings on the floodplain along the northern side of the river for around 150 years. Further information from
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, 07 4935 4645.
Special birds of the region
The Capricorn Yellow Chat is a Critically Endangered endemic species that has been the subject of much research and conservation effort. The Eungella Honeyeater is the other endemic species that occupies a habitat niche on the Clarke Range behind Mackay. The Capricornia region is at both the southern edge and the northern edge of the range for many species and this makes it a unique place where they can all be seen.
Projects in the region
- Quarterly survey of eight sites on Forestry Plantations Queensland's Paddy's Lagoons plantation
- Bird Monitoring in Regions project established on eight sites around the Fitzroy River basin to monitor birdlife on the marine plains
- Bi-annual surveys at Gordon Downs a property leased to the North Australian Pastoral Company
- Important Bird Area project
- Monthly wader surveys for the Queensland Wader Studies Group at Kinka Beach and Kinka Wetlands
Conservation Issues
- Preservation and restoration of wetlands
- Protection of roost sites for migratory waders
- Preservation of habitat for the Critically endangered Capricorn Yellow Chat
Activities
Monthly field trips to birding locations throughout the region with some day trips but also several weekend trips. Monthly wader surveys and several ongoing special projects that require volunteer support to conduct regular bird surveys.
What's On
For a list of events in the Capricorn region, please check out our calendar.
Contact
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, Convenor
Publications
BA Capricornia produce a quarterly regional newsletter entitled Brolga.
Brolga December 2009
Brolga August 2009 (1.2mb)
Brolga April 2009
Brolga November 2008
Regional Website
Further information including a calendar of events can be obtained from our Regional website.
www.irock.com.au/~birdscapricornia/
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Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike © BA Capricornia
Field trip at Kinka Wetlands © BA Capricornia
Critically Endangered Capricorn Yellow Chat © BA Capricornia
Masked Lapwing on nest © BA Capricornia
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