#13 to #18 - North Lakes, Queensland, January 1 2016

The next stop was a familiar location – North Lakes. I’ve walked around the main lake here a few times in years past as we had family living here. Unfortunately the lake that I used to visit, Lake Eden, seems to have far less bird life than two years ago when I was last there. The area has developed quickly and perhaps all the morning walkers and joggers have scared the birds away! Still, I managed to add a few photos, including a beautiful Chestnut-breasted Mannikin that popped up in front of me for a few seconds.

eBird checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26562957

I originally had this as #13 Olive-backed Oriole, but it's actually an Australasian Fig Bird. Oops! I've included an actual photo of an Olive-backed Oriole here: http://target300birds.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/oops-mis-id-problem-with-my-2016-list.html

#14 Chestnut-breasted Mannikin

 

After a lap of Lake Eden I headed to Melaleuca Lakes, a 5 minute drive away, where I managed to get some more photos, including a rather unusual leucistic Australasian Swamphen! A few species did manage to evade my lens, particularly an overly shy Little Friarbird that I couldn’t get without a bunch of sticks in front of it!

eBird checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26564073

#15 Brown Honeyeater

#16 Australasian Swamphen

#17 Sriped Honeyeater

#18 Grey Butcherbird