Warrina Lakes monthly birding outing: February 2026

Ceri Pearce | Cassowary Coast Area Coordinator and Birds With Altitude Project Leader and Geoff Stapley | Guest contributor

Rain set in early on Sunday morning, so it was a pleasant surprise when six keen birders turned up for our monthly Warrina Lakes walk. Raincoats were zipped, umbrellas popped, and we set off undeterred. Fortunately, the weather soon relented and the rain eased, allowing us to turn our full attention to the birds.

With several paths on the botanical gardens side of the Warrina Lakes Parkland flooded, we kept closer to the main areas. Although waterbirds were few on the lake itself, there was no shortage of activity elsewhere to keep us thoroughly entertained.

High in a dead tree, two Channel-billed Cuckoos were spotted, by Sylvia, perched nonchalantly using their wings as a kind of natural umbrella. Their sodden silhouettes provided some comedic relief.

Excitement peaked again when Sandra called out “White-browed Crake!” she saw scuttling through swamp grass into thicker cover right in front of us. This was a particularly special sighting, as the species hadn’t been recorded during our visits to Warrina Lakes since January 2025.

The Brown-backed Honeyeater breeding season appears to be drawing to a close, although one pair was still attending an active nest – remarkably positioned just 50 cm from a large wasps’ nest. Other breeding activity included a Magpie-lark on a mud nest high above the back drain, and a pair of Crimson Finches nesting cleverly among the spiny petioles of a cycad.

Sylvia was especially delighted to spot a Mistletoebird sitting out in the open, glowing red when the sunshine briefly broke through. At the same time, several of us were puzzling over a cuckoo-shrike stubbornly showing us only its back in poor light. When it finally turned, confirmation was swift and satisfying - a Barred Cuckoo-shrike.

Early in the walk, a Black Bittern was glimpsed briefly flying through, but later it made a triumphant return, rewarding everyone with excellent views along the lake edge.

The Black Bittern returned to the lake and we had excellent views. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

Another view of the Black Bittern. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

Few things rival a good view of Double-eyed Fig-Parrots, and this morning delivered such a view in style: three birds fed on figs at eye level just five metres from the group - a sensational encounter. Geoff captured some fine photographs, and Ceri even managed a photo on her phone.

A Double-eyed Fig-Parrot feasting on a fig for breakfast. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

That Double-eyed Fig-Parrot still feasting on that fig. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

The final bonus for the morning was a pair of Azure Kingfishers. Perched on Raintree roots and rocks beside the lake, they appeared to ignore us completely, intent on one another (and perhaps the fish below), gently bobbing their heads in an endearing display.

One of the Azure Kingfishers beside the lake. Photo by Geoff Stapley.

In total, 41 species were identified by sight and sound. The morning was wrapped up in the best possible way, with a relaxed and social shared morning tea.

The Warrina Lakes birding outing is held on the second Sunday of each month starting promptly at 7 am. Each outing is also advertised on BirdLife Northern Queensland’s Facebook page. We’d love you to join us – rain or shine.