Black Mountain Road to Granite Gorge

Another action-packed day began along Black Mountain Road at first light. At first we could only hear lots of birds and we weren't actually seeing anything. But a random bit of tape playing resulted in several Noisy Pittas calling back from several spots. All were a little distant and there was no way of getting 'inside' so we had to stay on the road but eventually one inquisitive bird came in a lot closer. We did find somewhere to view the forest floor from the road and after a thirty minute battle we had a couple brief views. However, on the opposite side of the road we got excellent views of a bird that circled us several times - didn't get any photos but was so happy just to nail this bird. it was one of my most wanted species for the trip, so I didn't care. We also saw a Pied Monarch and a pair of Bar-shouldered Doves as well. 

After breakfast we drove to Tinaroo Creek Road. It wasn't that far away and the habitat was much drier and arid than at Cassowary House. First new bird was our only Blue-winged Kookaburra of the trip....

Blue-winged Kookaburra

I saw a Great Bowerbird fly across the road and into the dry creek bed next to us. We walked in and discovered a bunch of new birds resting in the shade of the huge trees. Here we had White-winged Triller, Pale-headed Rosella, Rufous Whistler, White-throated Honeyeater and Lemon-bellied Flycatcher. Other goodies included Grey Shrike-Thrush, Australian Figbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Red-browed Finch and Shining Flycatcher amongst others....

Olive-backed Oriole

Further exploration along the road began to get a little harder as it was really hot, but we saw Weebill, Whistling Kite, and finally a good view of Great Bowerbird. So with the temperature soaring we drove to Mareeba Wetlands, which proved to be a bit disappointing. But the drive did turn up Brown Falcon and a close Australian Bustard....

Brown Falcon

Australian Bustard

At Mareeba we had a coffee in the Visitor Centre overlooking the lake. The water levels were way too high and the Emus were plastic! But our first Red-backed Fairywren was stunning in the Eucalyptus forest and we also scored with Barred Lorikeet, and a White-necked Heron was cool. A flock of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos flew over the road as we drove to granite Gorge for our date with the endemic Mareeba Rock Wallaby. Sure enough the wallabies were easy but I was more impressed seeing Squatter Pigeon and Grey-crowned Babbler....

Mareeba Rock Wallaby

The wallabies were quite confiding....

The Grey-crowned Babblers were rather frisky.....

The evening light was superb and we found Granite Gorge a great place to spend an hour. 
But there was still one more lifer to be had, although I didn't expect to tick Bush Thick-Knee walking around the pubs patio this evening.......

Bush Thick-Knee taken by my iPhone