Tropical Wetlands Birdwatching Tour

SMALL GROUP. BIG EXPERIENCE.

TROPICAL WETLANDS BIRDWATCHING TOUR

LENGTH: FULL DAY TOUR | PRICE: FROM $1,150 AUD

1 – 2 Passengers $1,150

3 – 4 passengers $1,300

5 – 6 Passengers $1,800

DEPARTS: CAIRNS, NORTHERN BEACHES AND PORT DOUGLAS

The early bird gets the worm! Starting at 6:30am, we spend the morning exploring the Tropical Wetlands and Shared Earth Reserve which is home to over 220 recorded bird species, this site is exclusive to FNQ Nature Tours guests only.

First stop is a walking tour of Clancy’s Lagoon. Followed by a short break for morning tea, preparing us for a 4WD adventure and walking tour of Pandanus Lagoon.

Guests then enjoy a picnic style lunch under a shady billabong during the heat of the day.

In the afternoon we venture into the nearby Atherton Tablelands and other locations such as Lake Barrine and Yungaburra to further our bird watching prospects. These locations have afforded our customers amazing birdlife encounters and opportunities for photographs over the years.

UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS TOUR

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EXCLUSIVE ACCESS

FNQ Nature Tours has exclusive access to the Shared Earth Reserve, encompassing 5000 acres of lagoons, trails, bird hides and dirt roads containing an abundance of bird watching opportunities.

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HABITAT DIVERSITY

The reserve has permanent lakes, swamps, billabongs and creeks including an incredible mosaic of old-growth savanna woodland.

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CONSERVATION

The wetlands reserve is owned by Forever Wild. Forever Wild work to pr otect Earth’s last great wildernesses for societal well-being, for biological diversity and its evolutionary potential, for our cultural record and economic values.

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BIRDING / PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDES

Our team of staff are all highly experienced and passionate naturalist guides. Our personal interests in birdwatching and photography will guarantee a wonderful and memorable experience.

TOUR SUMMARY

The early morning is invaluable for birdwatches. Our morning will focus on the Tropical Wetlands and Shared Earth Reserve which is home to over 220 recorded bird species and an exclusive site for us to explore.

After a short 90 minute drive we will arrive at Clancy’s lagoon. This open expanse of water has comfortable walking tracks surrounding the perimeter, providing guests with the opportunity to observe the resident birdlife.

After a short break for morning tea we 4WD to our second location, Pandanus Lagoon. Here we find a large diversity of waders and waterbirds including a massive population of Black Swan. It is also home to kangaroos, echidnas, dingos, snakes and scores of other reptiles. You can explore over 12km of walking trails which criss-cross the wetlands.

A break from the binoculars while we enjoy a picnic style lunch under a shady billabong during the heat of the day. To further our bird watching prospects, we venture into the nearby Atherton Tablelands for the last couple of hours. Locations such as Lake Barrine and Yungaburra have afforded our customers amazing birdlife encounters and opportunities for photographs over the years.

BIRDWATCHING OPPORTUNITIES

The diverse range of birdlife and wildlife include Quails, Magpie, Geese, Black Swans, 11 different duck species and three different Grebes, Darters and Cormorants, Pelicans, Crakes, Rails, Swamphens, Moorhens, Coots, Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Ibis, Spoonbills, Storks (Jabiru), Cranes including Brolga, Sarus Crane, Bustards, Sandpipers, Godwits, Common Greenshank, Stints, Jacanas which thrive on the water lilies, Curlews, Stilts, Lapwings, Plovers, Dotterels, Terns.

Birds of Prey including Osprey, Kites, Hawks, Eagles, Harriers and Falcons. Five different pigeons and doves have been recorded and of course the famous Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo. We have great sightings of Black Cockatoos at the Wetlands and on the road into Mareeba Wetlands. Parrots including Lorikeets, Rosellas & Red Wing Parrots. With 9 different varieties of Cuckoos, Koels and Coucals not to mention a great location if you wish to see owls; five different species, 3 different Frogmouths and Night jars.

One of the most beautiful birds to see are the Kingfishers especially the Azure Kingfisher, a delight to see around the lagoons. Both the laughing Kookaburra and Blue Winged Kookaburra are regularly seen. Bee eaters, Whistlers, Tree Creepers and Pardalotes are well represented as well as numerous Honeyeaters, Robins, Bee Eaters, Thrushes, Monarchs, Magpie Larks, Fly Catchers and Wagtails are seen throughout the Wetlands.

One to look out for is the fascinating Great Bowerbird, a delight to watch. The open savannah and eucalypt habitats within the wetlands give great opportunities to observe Finches, Fairy Wrens and Mannikins.