Following our visit to Theresa Creek Dam (following post) we continued north, overnighting in the quaint hamlet of Greenvale before moving on to the caravan park at Malanda Falls on the Atherton Tableland for a two-night stay. Birds here included Square-tailed Kite, the distinctive northern races of White-throated Treecreeper and Brown Gerygone, and Bower’s Shrike-thrush.
Bower's Shrike-thrush
Brown Gerygone (above) and White-throated Treecreeper (below)
A couple of Green Ringtails were seen at night.
We had two delightful mornings at the home in the rainforest of Peter and Val Valentine outside Malanda. Here we were entertained by a constant procession of birds coming to feed on fruit and mealworms put out for them, or visiting the bird baths. Victoria’s Riflebird was all over the place, with three males at one point on the table and birds being happily hand fed. Spotted Catbird was equally numerous.
Victoria's Riflebird female
Victoria's Riflebird male
Spotted Catbird (above) Peter and Val Valentine (below)
Bird bath visitors included Grey-headed Robin and Pied Monarch.
Grey-headed Robin (above), Pied Monarch (below)
McLeay’s Honeyeater and Helmeted Friarbird were plentiful.
McLeay's Honeyeater (above), Helmeted Friarbird (below)
We moved on to Chambers Lodge near Lake Eacham for a four-night stay in this delightful place. The large, self-contained rooms here are set tastefully in the rainforest and there is a comfortable, well-equipped common room with a library for visitors. We were able to leave our caravan outside.
Chambers Lodge - guest rooms (above) and common room (below)
The lodge’s star attraction is the procession of mammals that come to floodlit trees smeared with honey each evening. Most impressive is the stunning Striped Possum, which I’d seen just once previously. Each night saw a Striped Possum spending long sessions at the feeding trees, undisturbed by the soft lighting. Chambers is easily the best site to find this elusive species.
Striped Possum
The possum was joined occasionally by a Krefft’s Glider, recently split from the Sugar Glider. The glider and possum fed amicably side by side.
Sugar Glider (above) Striped Possum and Sugar Glider (below)
Occasionally the Striped Possum moved to feed at the base of the tree, where dripping honey pooled. Northern Long-nosed Bandicoot and Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes) also came in to feed at the honey pots. It was not difficult to spend hours sitting quietly here. Lesser Sooty Owl was heard and the distinctive lurida race of the Southern Boobook (Little Red Boobook) was calling well but seen just briefly despite a good deal of tracking.
Northern Long-nosed Bandicoot (above), Bush Rat (below)
Many of the birds at the Valentines’ home were also common here, with riflebirds and catbirds landing on the verandahs in search of titbits. Lake Eacham was visited nearby. Bridled Honeyeater was feeding commonly in the umbrella trees here.
Lake Eacham
Bridled Honeyeater
