Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Australia offers exciting birdwatching no matter where you go, but the area around Cairns is so good that it makes it onto the list of the top ten birdwatching sites in the world. Located on the north-eastern coast of Australia, the city of Cairns is found near unique habitats that support a large number of thrilling bird species. These habitats include some of the oldest rainforests in the world, grasslands, arid scrub and a number of wetlands.
The hilly area west and southwest of Cairns is known as the Atherton Tablelands. A tropical plateau with farms, grasslands and rainforest, the varied habitats of the Atherton Tablelands guarantee excellent birding no matter when you visit. Tall, elegant Sarus Cranes patrol the open, grassy areas while beautiful Fruit-Doves, exotic Australian brush-Turkeys and the incredible Victoria’s Riflebird haunt the mysterious rainforest.
Some of the best places to experience forested habitats on the plateau are in ancient, extinct volcanic craters. Eacham and Barrine Lakes and another site simply referred to as ‘The Crater’ offer up some of the best rainforest birding in Australia. Localized species, such as the Lesser Sooty Owl, occur here and visiting birders frequently rack up an impressive list of other, exciting bird species. These are also very good sites to see many interesting mammals such as Sugar Glider, tree-kangaroos and even the bizarre Platypus.
Heading further west and beyond the Great Dividing Range, the habitat becomes much drier as you enter the Australian outback. The dramatic change in habitat comes with an equally dramatic change in the local avifauna. Birders who do overnight trips to the arid habitats around the small settlement of Georgetown could see swirling flocks of Budgies and Bourke’s Parakeets coming to water holes, along with huge Red-tailed Black Cockatoos and striking Red-winged Parrots. A number of other bird species are found around this scarce resource, while the outback itself harbours many interesting species that occur nowhere else.
Birdwatchers should also visit Daintree National Park north of Cairns. Just 100 kilometres from the city, the beautiful, ancient rainforests of the park are always good for seeing dozens of brightly coloured and exciting bird species. Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher and even Southern Cassowary are all possible. The big, flightless Cassowaries top the target species list of every birdwatcher. With feathers that resemble hair, a big knob on its head, and strong, sharp-toed feet that can dish out a deadly kick, cassowaries rank among the strangest birds on Earth. The Southern Cassowary is arguably the easiest of the three species to see because the other two mostly occur in remote areas of New Guinea. Although birders can run into one of these beasts in Daintree National Park, the Southern Cassowary is most easily seen right at the aptly named ‘Cassowary House’. Guests of this bed and breakfast found north of Cairns often see Southern Cassowaries strutting around the hotel garden!
Although you will see more species of birds outside of Cairns itself, various parks within the city are also good for birding and the waterfront area known as the ‘esplanade’ is excellent for shorebirds. During the austral summer, thousands of sandpipers, plovers, curlews and other waders can be watched as they gather and feed along the Esplanade. When the high tide pushes them up to the Esplanade walkway, they can be seen at point blank range!
It’s difficult to pick just one top birding site for Australia, but you can’t go wrong by birding around Cairns.
flickr image by Mshai
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