Bird Watching

w w w . s a v a n n a h w a y . c o m . a u 3 Bird Watching in the Gulf Savannah 2 Bird Watching Tips Bird Watching Tips Birding the Savannah Way across northern Queensland provides wonderful opportunities to see species not easily found elsewhere and spectacular birding sights as well. Flocks of parrots, cranes and water birds fill not only the view but one’s imagination. Time spent bird watching will give you new insights into the landscape and encourage you to explore special spots you may otherwise have passed by. This booklet is to assist those new to bird watching or new to the area to increase the pleasure they take from our feathered friends. The information included here covers a variety of habitats and their birds. Over 300 birds are listed here, as this area not only encompasses a variety of habitats, it represents the northern, eastern and western limits for some species. All you need to get started is a pair of binoculars and a bird field guide! Selecting binoculars You may be able to ask birdwatchers and friends if you can look through their binoculars to try out a few before going to a store to make your selection. Try 8x40 binoculars (the first number is the magnification and the second is the diameter of the objective lens). Fixed focus and magnifications above 10x are not recommended. Whatever you choose they should feel good in your hands. Using binoculars Set binoculars to your eyes by first moving the two barrels in and out until both eyes see as close to a single disk of view as possible - those peanut shapes are just for the movies! Closing your right eye, focus with the main adjustment so the view is clear. Then with just the right eye adjust the dioptre, usually on the right eye piece, until that too is clear. Check both eyes see well. You should not need to change the dioptre adjustment again but use only the central wheel. Keep your eyes on the target as you bring the binoculars to your eyes. If you are having trouble pointing the This booklet was produced by Savannah Way Limited with support from Tourism and Events Queensland. Thanks to Alan Gillanders for his practical expertise and to Ivor Davies and Martin Willis for images. Further information: info@savannahway.com.au Cover images - TOP: Brolga, LEFT TO RIGHT: Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Double-barred Finch, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Apostlebird The Comb-crested Jacana is also known as the Lotusbird, Lilytrotter or Jesus Bird (“walking on water”). The male incubates four eggs on a nest on lotus lilies or other vegetation. The leaves of the lotus lily have an uneven surface and repel water. White-bellied Sea Eagle Comb-crested Jacanas binoculars at the target, try practising with just your hands. Keep your eyes on the target as you raise and lower ‘pretend binoculars’ to your eyes and look through your hands. Then practise with the binoculars. Bird Field Guides Browse bookshops and online for your preferred book, ibook or app. Popular choices include: Simpson and Day: Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Michael Morcombe: Field Guide to Australian Birds Graham Pizzey: A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Slater: The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds Jo Wieneke & Ian Montgomery: Where to Find Birds in Northern Queensland Don’t forget to look through the information pages of your field guide for interesting background details on bird families, nests and bird watching tips. Identifying an unknown bird When confronted with a bird you do not recognise think to yourself: Where are you? (What part of the country and in what sort of habitat?) How does the bird go about its activity? (If just sitting, how does it sit?) What does it most look like? (Do you know a similar bird or one of similar size?) Only lastly what colour patterns does it have? (Develop a technique to examine the bird systematically, bill, forehead, eye …, use a note book and make an annotated drawing.) If it is still there and you have a camera, take a number of pictures showing the bird form various angles. Raptors give people particular difficulty and many species are to be seen along the Savannah Way. The general shape, length and shape of tail, presence of ‘fingers’ in the wings, and behaviour help with identification. Be careful about wing shape as this can change between soaring on an updraft and gliding flight where the bird is losing altitude. Are the wings held flat, bowed or swept up? A raptor flying high with upswept wings is likely to be an eagle but if it is low over the trees check for Square- tailed Kite or if just over the grass it might be a harrier. If the bird is sitting, how long is the tail compared to the wings? How tall does the bird stand and are the legs feathered or bare?