Any Brisbane birders want to go birdwatching?

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Andy
Andy's picture
Any Brisbane birders want to go birdwatching?

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone in or around Brisbane would like to catch up for a bird walk. I don't drive, but there are a few places around Brisbane that are accessible by public transport (e.g., Brisbane Forest Park, Boondall Wetlands).

I might be able to bribe my boyfriend to come with me, but I was thinking that it would be nice to go with some birdy forum members. Anyone interested? If so, maybe you'd like to reply here and then perhaps we could swap email addresses.

Naturally, I would be happy for forum members to bring others if they would feel more comfortable doing that than being alone when meeting someone they don't know.

Okey dokey, perhaps hear from someone soon.

Andy.

Tassie

Gidday Andy, What a shame you don't live up here, I am always looking for someone to go "Birding" with, that is why I started going with the club.

birdie
birdie's picture

Likewise Andy, I would like someone up here to go with. Is the Boondall wetlands the area next to the gateway motorway? I drive past there and always think it'd be nice to have a look around.

Cheers

Birdie

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Andy
Andy's picture

Hi Birdie,

Yep, the wetlands are near the gateway motorway. Birdlists indicate that some interesting birds can be found there: Red-rumped Parrot (on my "need to see" list), Night Heron, Grass Owl, Collared Kingfisher, and White-breasted Woodswallow. Also, at this time of the year, the Boondall Wetlands are fantastic for migratory waders.

There are boardwalks, graded walks, and birdhides. If you're ever keen to check it out and would like company, let me know.

Andy.

Andy
Andy's picture

Hi Birdie,

Yep, the wetlands are near the gateway motorway. Birdlists indicate that some interesting birds can be found there: Red-rumped Parrot (on my "need to see" list), Night Heron, Grass Owl, Collared Kingfisher, and White-breasted Woodswallow. Also, at this time of the year, the Boondall Wetlands are fantastic for migratory waders.

There are boardwalks, graded walks, and birdhides. If you're ever keen to check it out and would like company, let me know.

Andy.

heva1
heva1's picture

Hey Andy, I would like to join you for a birdy walk but bit far from Melbourne! Where do you get a 'list' of birds in an area? I've heard others talking about birdlists they have too...

Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best

birdie
birdie's picture

Hi Andy

I would like to go there sometime. Can I ask you a personal question ( more for my husband's sake than mine!! Are you a male or female? Before I go making meeting dates I thought I'd better check!!! :)
Would it be safe with snakes etc as the summer? I am a bit of a chicken and can't wear shoes/boots to enclose feet.

Cheers

Birdie

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Andy
Andy's picture

Hi Heva, go to http://www.eremaea.com/ and click on the "latest list" for your state. The number of lists that have been added in the last 30 hours is shown in brackets. But there are lists from the last few years, I think. Just scroll through til you find a location in which you're interested, then click on the number next to it. Also, I think you can use the search function to type in the name of a place, and see if anyone has posted any lists for that area. I've also found bird lists on other birdwatching sites for my state, and on the Environmental Protection Agency website. The EPA has info sheets for natural areas, and those sheets contain info regarding birds and other animals.

Hi Birdie, I'm a 27-year-old lady (Andrea). Hmmm... snakes... yeah maybe winter would be better. I think there are raised boardwalks, but we'd have to walk on the ground sometimes, I suppose, so there's no guarantee we could avoid snakes. Anyway, it's an open invitation - I'm always on the lookout for birdy people who might like to go on birdy walks.

Regards,
Andy.

birdie
birdie's picture

Hi Andy and thanks for that. my husband went nuts about meeting someone off the internet etc etc... as I knew he would! Do you live near that area or work there at all? I sometimes go down to Brackenridge for work which is not far from there.
Actually I am going down on Tuesday morning I think to meet some clients at the retirement resort there.
Maybe we could catch up some time and then make the arrangements from there. I would really love to go bird watching for real. All I ever get to do is rush outside and grab a shot when I see something. I really am very much an amateur and have so much to learn.

Hell I can't even get a shot of one little spectacled monarch in my own back yard!!! :'D
First I ran out then found no card in the camera, then the next time (this morning) I was ready for it and rushed outside and lined up the shot only to have it ruined by a noisy miner who took exception to the bird being in my garden at all!!
Not impressed I can tell you.
Cheers

Birdie

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Tassie

Gidday Birdie, If you don't mind me weighing in on this conversation, being a bloke I can understand your hubby's stance after all I would be the same. (Initially)
When I wanted to meet up with some people to go "Birding" with I met them through phone calls then went from there, the internet is not that much different as long as you take precautions. (By the way this is not aimed at anyone on here)
Anyway after all that I have met a heap of people with the same interest as myself and in addition have been shown some really good spots locally.
I look forward to the magnitude of pics that you and Andy are going to post from Boondall Wetlands.... :)

birdie
birdie's picture

Thanks Tassie, I do understand his caution too. It's a shame life just isn't more simple isn't it?
I could join a bird group locally, but I am not much into going to meetings etc. Life seems to be busy enough without that. I'm sure we can work something out and meet up one day.
As for the snakes..... that may be another thing altogether!!!!

Cheers

Birdie

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Andy
Andy's picture

Hi Birdie,

Yep I totally understand the need for caution.

Maybe we could chat via email (so we don't dominate the social thread!). I think it's pretty safe for me to put my email address here; people could easily find it on the net by typing in a few things that they know about me. It's

I live near the inner city of Brisbane so I don't get out to Boondall or Brackenridge often (esp because I don't drive). If, for whatever reason, we're unable to organise something, that's fine, I'll just have to work on bribing my boyfriend to get up early one morning! But feel free to email me if you'd like to chat about a potential birdy meetup.

Bye,
Andy.

Tassie

Hi Birdie, It is a shame that life is not that simple fortunately its only a minority that are lowlifes not a majority.
Don't worry about the Bird group thing either as you and I are on the same page there.
I am not into meetings and all that other stuff that goes with a club I am way to busy and to be honest I don't have the patience for it either :)
I am in my element when I am on my own in the scrub.
I have met a couple of people from the local bird group and thats enough for me.

heva1
heva1's picture

Hey Andy, thanks for that link will check it out and then I too can have a list!!
Birdie I totally understand where your husband is coming from too...(mind you I did meet my partner on the internet so there are some lovely people to be met that way!!)
Tassie... the ladies could bump into someone totally uncouth who thinks Lambrusco is a 'fruity little wine with oaky undertones' eh? hehe

Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best

Tassie

Gidday Hev, I love your posts I always get a laugh.
Hev do you think I should stick to driving trucks rather than look for a career as an official wine taster in the Barossa Valley, is that what your saying??........lol.

heva1
heva1's picture

yup... reckon stick to your day job :)

Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best

comin2gether
comin2gether's picture

Hi all

I have joined this group but I know very little about birds. I know I love them... I would love if there is anyone in Brisbane that would like to go bird watching with me... I am a first timer....

Morag 

darinnightowl
darinnightowl's picture

heva 

I like your sign off

See it!  Hear it!

Mid-North Coast NSW

birdie
birdie's picture

Hey darinnightowl ... just noticed this post and sorry to tell you , but Heva passed away several years ago ... she was a lovely soul and I went birding with her for a day up at Noosa once .... never laughed so much in my life . 

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Reflex
Reflex's picture

I have just had a read through this thread. I didn't realise it was started over four years ago!!

 Might just check out the Boondall Wetlands trail. I have been once before many years ago and  remember a bird hide being built near the mouth of Cabbage Tree Creek. Probably best to go on a quiet day during the week.

 Photograph from Google Images shows the hide to the right of the photograph.

Samford Valley Qld.

birdie
birdie's picture

Yes indeed Reflex, this was a very long time ago now , when we all first started using this forum !!  Sadly Heva passed away a few years ago but I did have the pleasure of sharing her wonderful company for a days birding once up here at Noosa.  And another great thing for me was finally getting to meet Andy, and have been out with her a few  times since then..... and only wish I had her youthful eyes to be able to pick the species and/or their presence in the field smiley. She is amazing at that and has such great knowledge .

I have never been to Boondall but have had a look over the river around Osprey house a few times. good luck if you go there we will look forward to seeing your results !

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Reflex
Reflex's picture

Here you go Birdie,enlightenedjust for you and your friends who used to chat on here.

I took a walk around the Boondal Wetlands on Sunday morning and was very impressed indeed. Just one thing, if you are going to go make sure you have some mosquito repellent because the mozzies are in abundance!!

I spent about three hours there altogether and an hour on the other side of Cabbage Tree Creek.

The Hide as it is now at low tide. First bird was an Australian Magpie followed by an Indian Miner. Third was a White Faced Heron.

 Fourth was a Brahminy Kite but too high up to photograph. From here on in no particular order were Great Egret, Australian Pelican, Silver Gull, Striated Pardalote, Grey Fantail and Australian Ibis.

 Both the Grey Fantail and Pardalote were firsts for me so not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning at all. Hope you enjoyed the photographs, I enjoyed taking them.

 Regards Reflex.

Samford Valley Qld.

birdie
birdie's picture

Thanks for that Reflex, I really must have a look in there, I have to go to Brisbane in a few weeks so I might take the camera and drop by as I will be at the airport . Great shots, and that bird hide looks pretty solid!!   I was in heaven this week too as I got my first pardalotes .... haven't posted them yet, just taking a break from posting stuff for a week or so .

Cheers

BIrdie

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Rick N
Rick N's picture

Looks like you had a great morning, lovely shots.

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