River Street Park, Mackay

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I always try and get local information before I visit a new place and the birders in MacKay had a regular walk along the river that I was able to join. I knew the Mangrove Gerygone, Robin and Honeyeater were seen here so I was very keen to explore this area. The group walked from the car park at the River Street Boat Ramp east along the Blue Water Trail with mangroves between the walkers and the water. Eventually we reached a large expanse of beach. On the walk with the group we had fleeting glimpses of them and certainly heard them, there were no photographic opportunities. Undeterred, I stuck around after the walk. I wasn't leaving with my photos. After a while I found the gerygone and honeyeater flitting about in the mangroves.

Mangrove Gerygone (gerygone levigaster)

Mangrove Honeyeater (gavicalis fasciogularis)

Also skulking around the mangroves was a Fan-tailed Cuckoo. Cuckoos are a real favourite of mine. As I teacher in a former life, I used to teach about instinct using the cuckoo as an example. Really though, I just love the energy they put into the breeding process. I have seen them monitoring the host birds as they raise their chicks. Fascinating behaviour.

Fan-tailed Cuckoo (cacomantis flabelliformis)

A real treat was the stunning Brahminy Kite flying over the river. I did see this bird sitting on the bridge later but I didn't think I would be popular if I stopped in the middle to photograph it. Shame!

Brahminy Kite (haliastur indus)

eBird List

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S110899006