**Updated Hasties Swamp

Check my birding map for specific location.

2023 Update

I revisited Hasties Swamp early on my return to FNQ and it was quiet. A few weeks later, there were large numbers of Magpie Geese and Whistling Ducks. A little after that, in July, the place was throbbing with birds. On the top deck of the hide, I got over 40 species with no more than 10 from on the water. You can often forget that Hasties is not only great for waterbirds but also bush birds in the surrounding vegetation. Here are my highlights from winter 2023.

Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia phasianella)

Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis)

Lewin's Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii)

Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus)

Pale Yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito)

Yellow- breasted Boatbill (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer)

I have visited Hasties Swamp, just south of Atherton for many years and have always found it to be hit and miss. Generally, it is better in the winter (well I think so anyway) but in 2022 I first went in March and it was very quiet. A few ducks and Willie Wagtail. I was very disappointed. By the time I was getting ready to leave Queensland in June, it was bouncing. On my last visit, I arrived very early to at least 500 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo circling and screaming. Seeking sanctuary in the bird hide, I was hit by at least 500 Plumed Whistling Ducks - all whistling. It was a cacophony of the best kind!

Also on or around the water were Pacific Black Ducks, Hardhead, Australian Grebes, various egrets, raptors and Comb-crested Jacana. I spent a lot of time trying to distinguish species from the whistling ducks. 

Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni)

Hardhead (Aythya australis)

The bush around the hide and down the little lane are often productive as well. Eastern Yellow Robin can usually be found outside the hide with gerygone darting about as well. I loved seeing the Brown Gerygone moving in a big group around the hide. 

Brown Gerygone (Gerygone mouki)

On one of my early visits to Hasties in the springtime I was lucky enough to see a Latham's Snipe moving around the grasses. That remains a highlight of my birding on the Tablelands.  

Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii)

eBird Lists

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S104772383

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S104578040

https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S30312894