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Geographic RangeBANQ covers the northern third of Queensland - from Ayr/HomeHill north to the Torres Strait Islands and west to the Northern Territory border. Regional contacts are based in Townsville, Mount Isa, Cairns, Atherton Tablelands, Mossman/Daintree and Weipa on Cape York.
Latest News
Ivor Preston, Secretary, reports: The now traditional Australia Day long weekend field trip was again held at Kingfisher Park, Julatten. Unlike previous years we had wonderful weather for the three days and most people were able to observe the signature birds of the area such as Red-necked Crake, Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher and Blue-faced Parrot-Finch. Following the Saturday dinner, John Clarkson, Principal Botanist from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, gave us a thought provoking look at introduced grasses and their impact on the north’s tropical savannas. When they burn, these grasses cause irreparable damage to mature trees; this will inevitably change the landscape and is bad news for the wildlife. You can find out more at their website.
Special Birds of the RegionThe birds of the region include rainforest specialists such as the Southern Cassowary and Golden Bowerbirds, dry area specialists including the elusive Grasswrens, all the Finches, migratory birds from New Guinea and beyond, shorebirds and dry tropical savannah specialists. Some other species unique to the region are the Atherton Scrubwren, Fernwren, Palm Cockatoo, Golden-shouldered Parrot, Yellow Honeyeater and the stunning Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher. In all a current count of 490 species for the region.
Projects in the RegionThe Group is actively involved in a number of projects, including Important Bird Area (IBA) monitoring activities and annual counts of Cranes, Pied Imperial-Pigeons and Black-throated Finches.
Conservation IssuesFringe urban development in Townsville and
Cairns; loss of wetlands; fragmentation of cassowary habitat in the lowlands rainforest; shorebird disturbance, weed infestation and fire management across the region.
ActivitiesA variety of excursions, surveys, and bird monitoring activities occur throughout the year. Please visit the BANQ website for more details.
What's OnFor a list of events in North QLD, please check out our calendar
Contacts
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– Convenor
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– Secretary
PublicationsBANQ publishes a quarterly newsletter, Contact Call, which details activities, news, and events happening in the region, along with a list of contacts.
Regional website
www.birdsaustralianq.org |
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 Sarus Cranes at Kaban © Sandy Carroll
Red-browed Finch © Sandy Carroll
Red-tailed Black Cockatoos © Ivor Preston
Sarus Crane count at Lake Tinaroo © Elinor Scambler
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