South-east QLD Bird Photography Locations

In light of the resent excellent article on some of Arron’s favorite bird photography sites in the Sydney region I thought I might attempt something similar for the Greater Brisbane area (and within a few hundred kilometres) and that this may be of some use to visiting Birding-oz members and guests.

No doubt that in compiling such a report it will miss many areas,  but I can only report on those areas that I have found to be personally worthwhile.  As always – birding and bird photography is a hit and miss affair – sometimes my favored spots are great,  next time disappointing. However that is what makes birding and bird photography so enjoyable and so challenging for me – the unpredictability that will produce a magic photographic opportunity out of the blue or that “cert” that fails to appear!

There are very many excellent places to see and photograph birds in the region.  Listed here are my favorite locations.

1. SHERWOOD FOREST PARK
Jolimont Street, Sherwood, Brisbane
Enter at the car park off Jolimont Street, Sherwood – lagoons, parkland, riverside vegetation
Probably the place I have taken more shots than anywhere with the exception of the Eagleby area.  The two lagoons lend themselves to getting reasonably close to species, and the walkway between the two lagoons has produced some great sightings and images.
A sprawling arboretum that includes two ponds and some surrounding parkland that hugs the Brisbane river – birds one can expect to see include Dusky Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Australian White Ibis, Hardhead, Pacific Black Duck, Mallard, Grey Teal, Darter, Australasian Grebe, Magpie Geese, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorant.
One of the best places ( though never easy)  to find two very elusive species – Little Bittern and Bush-hen, whilst Crakes such as Baillons and Spotless turn up periodically. The Buff-banded Rail is also recorded from time to time. As always photographing these species is the challenge!
Resident birds around the lake area include White-breasted Woodswallow, Fairy Martin, Welcome Swallow, Brown Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Clamorous Reed-warbler, Little Corella, Figbird and Olive-backed Oriole. In summer Channel-billed Cuckoos, Common Koel and Rainbow Bee-eaters frequent the area, whilst Barred Cuckoo-shrikes turn up periodically and feed on the large fig trees within the park.
Channel-billed Cuckoos, whilst very large birds are shy and hard to get in the open. With patience I think Sherwood Forest Park in the summer months presents as good a chance as anywhere to get photographs, and I’ve managed a few good images.  Pacific Baza are sometimes around, and a number of other uncommon species have been recorded over time such as Woompoo Fruit-dove, White-headed Pigeon and Black Kite.

2. OXLEY CREEK COMMON
Sherwood Road, Rocklea, Brisbane
This an excellent birding location in the middle of Brisbane, and provides a diverse species list given the various habitats within the Common -  a combination of swamps, open grasslands, riparian woodland and plantation forest can be seen. Over 150 different species have been recorded, and on a single visit one would expect to see 50 – 70 different species
Its rich biodiversity provides a good opportunity to see both common and scarcer species.  The area is very well maintained with a strong emphasis on the natural environment.  It runs along Oxley Creek and widens to the lagoons within the park.
The patient photographer can expect to get some good opportunities, slowly walking the main path within the Common or finding a quiet spot bordering the track and the riverside vegetation and waiting for birds to present.
Waterbird numbers vary greatly depending on conditions but these are just some of the species recorded – Black-winged Stilt, Latham’s Snipe (summer) , Baillons Crake, Little Pied and Pied Cormorant, Australasian Darter, Royal Spoonbill, Jabiru, Black-fronted Dotterel, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hardhead and Nankeen Night Heron.  In terms of photography it is generally hard to get close to the waterbirds due to fences, however at the very end of the track down to the main lagoon one could potentially photograph Crakes, Snipe and other waterbirds. Manikins and Finches a real photo chance here as well.  Whilst I’ve not done so a hide may well be advantageous here.
Raptors are well represented and turn up periodically and include Nankeen Kestrel,  Brown Falcon, Australian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, White-breasted Sea-eagle, Whistling Kite, Brown Goshawk and Collared Sparrowhawk.
Many bush birds have been recorded over time and these provide definite photo opportunities – these include Varied Triller, Leaden Flycatcher, Brown Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Yellow-faced Honeyeater,  Mangrove Gerygone, Striated Pardalote, Mistletoebird, Figbird, Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo, fan-tailed Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Silvereye, Grey Fantail and many more.
The area also holds many grass frequenting and open space species including Golden-headed Cisticola, Rufous Songlark,  Brown Songlark,  Tawny Grassbird, Brown Quail,  Double-bar Finch (good photo opportunities) , Chestnut-breasted Manikin,  Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Masked Lapwing, Crested Pigeon,  Yellow-rumped Thornbill,  Fairy Martin and Welcome Swallow
Other species include White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Superb, Red-backed and  Variegated Fairy-wrens (photo opportunities), Rose Robin, Eastern Spinebill,  White-throated Treecreeper,  Eastern Whipbird, Red-browed Finch, Peaceful Dove,  White-throated Gerygone,  Golden and Rufous Whistlers,  Common Koel,  Channel-billed Cuckoo, Pheasant Coucal, and Dollarbird.
The main parking area can also present photo opportunities with Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Blue-faced Honeyeater,  Welcome Swallow, Nankeen Kestrel and Crested Pigeon a good chance.

3. FISHERMAN’S ISLAND & WYNNUM AREA
Lytton,  Port of Brisbane area inc. Port Authority Visitors Centre
Lucinda Drive, Port of Brisbane
This area is not as rich in bird-life as it once was, but still well worth a visit.  The locked wader roost  at the Port of Brisbane is always good for Chestnut Teal and various wader species that may include Black-winged Stilt, Red-necked Avocet, Marsh Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Red-necked Stint and Curlew Sandpiper. Less common species such as Wood and Terek Sandpipers have turned up here. A key to this site can be obtained at the Port Authority Visitors Centre which is close by.  The hide within will provide a better chance to see and/or photograph the birds, though generally the birds appear to avoid the area near the hide.
The lagoon at the Visitors Centre always holds good numbers of waterbirds including Black Swan, Australian Pelican, White Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Great Egret and many other ell known species. Pink-eared Duck, Buff-banded Rail and Australasian Shoveler have also been seen here.
The car parking area is a great spot to see and photograph Mangrove Honeyeater,  Brown Honeyeater and Rainbow Lorikeets, particularly when the Grevilllea and Bottle-brushes are in flower. Striped Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Scaly-breasted Lorikeets and Superb Fairy-wrens also visit the flowering native shrubs in the car park. and may also present photo opportunities.
Raptors such as Marsh Harrier,  White-breasted Sea-eagle, Brahminy Kite and Osprey can be seen around the area, whilst Richard’s Pipit, Tawny Grassbird, Little Grassbird, Australian Reed-warbler and Golden-headed Cisticola may be seen and photographed in suitable habitat.
Mangrove Boardwalk, Wynnum North
Grenada Street Wynnum North
Nearby to the Port of Brisbane is the Wynnum North Mangrove Boardwalk – here is the best place I know to see and photograph Mangrove Kingfisher, which live and breed here.  Also resident are Mangrove Gerygone, Spangled Drongo, Grey Fantail, Leaden Flycatcher (summer) and Mangrove Honeyeater – watch out for mosquitos.  Patience along the boardwalk should produce some good photo opportunities.
Esplanade from Wynnum North to Manly
All the way along the nearby Esplanade and Lower Esplanade from Wynnum North to Manly is worth having your camera at the ready, particularly during the summer months and when the tide is high.  I’ve managed some good wader pictures over time including Eastern Golden Plover, Pied Oystercatcher, Large Sand Plover,  Grey-tailed Tattler,  Bar-tailed Godwit,  Little Egret,  Mangrove Heron, Red-necked Stint, Australian Pelican, Cormorants, Darter and Ibis.  Brahminy Kite and Osprey are always a chance. of appearing.  At Manly there is a well known wader roost behind the yacht club, however access is difficult and I have also generally found that from a photography perspective it is hard to get close to the roosting birds.

4. METROPLEX ON GATEWAY
Metroplex Avenue. Murarrie, Brisbane
This is  an excellent and easily accessible area within an industrial estate and close to the Gateway Bridge.  Many water birds live and breed here including Intermediate, Great and Cattle Egret, White and Straw-necked Ibis, Magpie Geese, Australasian Darter, Little-Pied Cormorant,  Black Swan. Royal Spoonbill, Comb-crested Jacana, Dusky Moorhen. Purple Swamphen, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal and Australasian Wood Duck.  A good area for photography of waterbirds often breeding.  Access at either side of the two lagoons.
Careful observation may turn up crakes, rails or bitterns (Little Bittern has been seen and photographed here recently).  Various small birds frequent the surrounding verges and bush and include Superb and Red-backed Fairy-wren, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Golden-headed Cisticola, Australian Reed-warbler,  Silvereye, Brown Honeyeater,  Magpie Lark, Welcome Swallow and Fairy Martin and present good photo opportunities.

5. EAGLEBY WETLANDS, EAGLEBY
Eagleby area including Logan Street,  Schmidt Road.  Wharf Road, Sunset Drive and Eagleby Road.
One of my favorite photography haunts presenting great photo opportunities – highly variable though – can be alive with birds or very few.  Situated on Brisbane’s southern outskirts on the way to the Gold Coast.
The Eagleby Wetland Reserve, a re-claimed wetland around a water treatment plant on the Albert River, is located in the northern end of Eagleby, between the Logan and Albert Rivers.  Featured are varied bird habitats such as melaleuca and brackish swamps, freshwater lake, woodland, cane fields, and open grassland.  Around 203 Australian native bird species have been recorded in the area, including  seventeen of the  twenty-four Australian raptors, and almost half of the species found in Queensland.
At the stage one development near the sewerage treatment plant on Logan Street birds such as Australian Shoveler, Chestnut Teal, Magpie Geese, Pied Cormorant, Glossy lbis and White-necked Heron have been recorded, together with many other species.  Brahminy Kite, Pale-headed Rosella, Striated Heron, Red-backed, Superb and Variegated Fairy-wrens, White-naped Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Gerygone, Mangrove Gerygone, Striated Pardalote and Spangled Drongo.  A careful walk through this area with your gear can turn up some opportunities.
On Eagleby Road, Black-necked Stork are seen here periodically, as well as various raptors, wrens. waders and grass frequenting blrds such as finches and Golden-headed Cisticola.  Rainbow Bee-eater, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Double-barred Finch,  Comb-crested Jacana, Mangrove Honeyeater, Mangrove Gerygone, Azure and Sacred Kingfisher, Pheasant Coucal, Tawny Grassbird and White-breasted Woodswallow are just a few of the species one can find here.  The rare Painted Snipe and Pectoral Sandpiper have also been found on the lagoon here.  An early morning visit to this quiet road can provide great photography rewards either from the car or by slowly walking the road watching for opportunities.

6. SLAUGHTER FALLS, BARDON, BRISBANE
Access Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, Bardon
This area is only a short drive from the Brisbane CBD, but provides one of the best spots in Brisbane to see and photograph a number of nocturnal species.  The White-throated Nightjar is reliably seen here – generally right on dusk they can be seen flying around the pond area.  The Spotted Nightjar has also been reported from the area.
The other special bird for the park is the Powerful Owl, which have been resident in the park for many years.  I have seen them roosting by day, and also at night whilst spotlighting.  This is one of the regions special birds, and Slaughter Falls represents one of the best chances. to photograph them.  A pair generally roost in one of the creek beds near the end car park.  Boobook Owls and Tawny Frogmouth are also regular in the park.
One can expect to see a good variety of other species as well including Rose Robin, Spangled Drongo, Eastern Yellow Robin, White-throated Gerygone, Grey Fantail, Crested Pigeon, Little Lorikeet, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Leaden Flycatcher and Laughing Kookaburra.

7.  LAKE GALLETLY,  UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND CAMPUS, GATTON
Galletly Road, UQ Campus, Gatton
This is a wonderful place to see and photograph waterbirds and a number of other species.  In particular it is a reliable place to photograph three species – Pink-eared Duck (sometimes in the hundreds), Plumed Whistling-duck (sometimes in the thousands) and Magpie Geese.  Recently Blue-billed Ducks have become resident and present well for photos from the hide.  The main hide is an excellent place to attempt photography or else at spots around the lake.  The birds are cautious though and you will need to be skillful to get close.  Many other waterbirds have also been recorded.
Around the hide and general campus grounds many other species can be found.  Red-rumped Parrots are often around.  Gatton is about a one hour drive from Brisbane, on the main highway to Toowoomba.

8.  TOORBUL WADER ROOST
The Esplanade, Toorbul
A great place to see and photograph migratory waders during the summer months.  In terms of photography, the very best opportunities for close up images is at high tide – and in particular when the high tides exceed 2 metres – this ensures the birds are as close to the shore as possible.  The main roost is at the far southern end of the Esplanade.  Careful planning (perhaps use of a hide) can result in some great opportunities at the main roost or at other spots along the Esplanade.
The vast majority of the migratory waders have been recorded here at some point. and include Broad-billed Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper,  Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Sooty Oystercatcher,  Greenshank,  Eastern Curlew,  Whimbrel,  Red-necked Stint, Grey-tailed Tattler,  Lesser Crested Tern, Little Tern and many more. .  Toorbul is between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

9. O’REILLY’S GREEN MOUNTAIN RESORT
Lamington National Park via Cunungra, Queensland
At your peril you leave your camera at home!  A great place to see and photograph many rainforest species at this marvelous National Park which is a couple of hours drive from Brisbane.  Whilst the whole Lamington National Park provides great bird-watching opportunities there is no doubt that for the photographer the area around the Oreilly’s Green Mountain Resort provides extra opportunity.  Birds such as Australian King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Satin and Regent Bowerbird,  Wonga Pigeon,  Australian Brush-turkey,  Eastern Yellow Robin,  Pied Currawong,  Eastern Whipbird, White-browed Scrub-wren, Lewin’s Honeyeater and Eastern Spinebill are generally around the resort and day visitor area and can be quite accommodating and tame for the photographer.
Lamington National Park is a premier bird watching location and walks of varying lengths provide very many other species including Albert’s Lyrebird, Green Catbird, Logrunner, Noisy Pitta, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Rufous Scrub-bird, Paradise Riflebird and Olive Whistler to name just a few.

10.  DURIKAI STATE FOREST
Cunningham Highway, Karara, Queensland
This State Forest is about 45 kilometres west of Warwick and is an excellent area for birds – many dryer country birds at their closest proximity to Brisbane.  There are a number of waterholes in the area which can provide the bird photographer with opportunities to see and photograph species such as Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Fuscous Honeyeater, Regent Honeyeater,  White-eared Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater,  White-plumed Honeyeater, Turquoise Parrot,  White-browed Babbler, Little Lorikeet, Dusky Woodswallow,  Speckled Warbler, Plum-headed Finch, Squatter Pigeon and Diamond Firetail.

Using a hide and waiting by the waterholes in hot conditions can provide some great rewards for the keen bird photographer.  One of my favorite spots about two and a half hours drive west of Brisbane.
Nearby Coolmunda Dam at Inglewood also worth visiting for possible White-winged Fairy-wren and many species of water birds including Hoary-headed Grebe and Musk Duck as possibilities.

11  MAIALA, MT GLORIOUS
Mt Glorious Road, Mt Glorious
Maiala Park forms part of the D’Aguilar Park in the Brisbane Forest Park.  The main picnic area holds  a number of species including  quite tame Wonga Pigeon,  Satin Bowerbird, Green Catbird and numerous other smaller species, and the photographer can hope to get some good shots.  The nearby walks are good for a number of other rainforest species including White-headed Pigeon, Topknot Pigeon, Spectacled Monarch, Pale Yellow Robin, Logrunner, Regent Bowerbird, Large-billed Gerygone and many others.
I have yet to visit it but its reported that the Maiala Rainforest Teahouse and Restaurant at 1850 Mt Glorious Rd has a number of bird feeders and water in the garden behind the coffee shop and this attracts many birds including Wonga Pigeon, King Parrot, Satin Bowerbird and various honeyeaters and small birds into the garden – sounds like a great spot to take your camera!
Mt Glorious holds a very special bird for me – the Sooty Owl.  This awesome and generally very scarce bird frequents the area – spotting at night I have managed some great sightings and photo opportunities as well.  Marbled Frogmouth are also a chance.

Some of my images of birds seen at these and other locations can be seen on this forum, or on my website which is at http://web.mac.com/theplainswanderer

David Taylor