Warrina Lakes monthly birding outing: April 2026

Ceri Pearce | Cassowary Coast Area Coordinator and Birds With Altitude Project Leader

If birdwatching came with a “perfect conditions” setting, Sunday 12 April would’ve been it.

Under clear blue skies, nine happy birders set off at 7:00 am, with not a raincoat in sight!

Over three hours, we tallied 287 birds from 36 species, though at times it felt like at least half of them were Rainbow Lorikeets. With more than 65 squabbling, screeching, and generally behaving like a feathered rock concert, the parkland rang with noise. Hidden among this colourful chaos, two Scaly-breasted Lorikeets were quietly minding their own business – the introverts at the party.

High above, two Oriental Dollarbirds took up their posts, occasionally launching themselves into insect-chasing sorties. Down at the waterline, a Little Kingfisher zipped back and forth, diving for prey.

Perched high, an Oriental Dollarbird surveys its surrounds. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

The next generation was well represented too, with three juvenile Comb-crested Jacanas chaperoned by an adult, foraging across the lake’s lily pads and expanding salvinia. There were few other water birds to be seen, no doubt dispersed after the widespread wet season rains.

Three juvenile Comb-crested Jacanas. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

Two Radjah Shelducks stole the prize for calmest birds of the day, barely batting an eyelid as we wandered close by along the path.

A pair of Radjah Shelducks, unfazed at close range. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

As usual, the morning concluded with a relaxed and social shared morning tea.

Yellow Honeyeater – A bright gem in the canopy. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

Metallic Starling after a bath. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

All in all, a cracking morning of social birding with plenty to see, hear, and smile about.

Species seen at this outing were:

Radjah Shelduck	Double-eyed Fig-Parrot
Orange-footed Scrubfowl	Helmeted Friarbird
Spotted Dove	Yellow Honeyeater
Peaceful Dove	Graceful Honeyeater
Brown-capped Emerald-Dove	Large-billed Gerygone
Little Bronze-Cuckoo	Varied Triller
Australian Swiftlet	Australasian Figbird
Bush Stone-curlew	Green Oriole
Masked Lapwing	Black Butcherbird
Comb-crested Jacana	White-breasted Woodswallow
Australian White Ibis	Spangled Drongo
Pacific Baza	Willie Wagtail
Oriental Dollarbird	Leaden Flycatcher
Little Kingfisher	Shining Flycatcher
Forest Kingfisher	Magpie-lark
Laughing Kookaburra	Mistletoebird
Rainbow Lorikeet	Olive-backed Sunbird
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet	Metallic Starling

Visit our events page for upcoming Warrina Lakes social birding outings. All welcome!

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