Magpie Geese were fairly abundant in Queensland but not encountered in New South Wales. Apart from small scattered flocks real numbers began to become evident in the Atherton Tablelands with these birds at Lake Mitchell with the larger flocks being at Hasties Swamp.
Not commonly found in north Queensland was far commoner around Brisbane and in New South Wales Australian Wood Ducks are a cute and often tame species, the images below are from Brisbane Caravan Park and Royal National Park near Sydney respectively.
Pacific Duck was the commonest of the ducks encountered and the most widespread, this one was at Centenary Lakes in Cairn's.
A small flock of Radjah Shelducks were found at a fish farm about midway between Wonga Beach and Daintree in north Queensland. Apart from a lone bird later in the trip these were the only birds seen.
Mareeba Swamp was the best place to get up and personal with the smart Green Pygmy Goose. They were seen in numbers at Lake Mitchell but the late afternoon boat ride out on the lake at Mareeba resulted in some excellent views.
One of my favourite ducks Pink-eared Ducks were seen at only three locations, all in New South Wales: Five Bough swamp where they were distant, at Blue Gum Swamp where these pictures were taken, and at the Lithgow Sewage Works. At all sites it was a fairly common species but closest views by far were at Blue Gum.
Eastern Australia - November 2008
Wildfowl
