The aim of this North Queensland tour was to explore various habitats and see as many birds as we could. We would take time to enjoy and photograph most species we saw, and also watch out for other animals and plants. In the end we saw about 190 species. This tour was at a fortunate time of the year, with many of the birds starting to exhibit breeding behaviours and some species seen on the nest.

We started off in the urban environments around Cairns. Cairns is in fact a great city to watch birds. We explored the botanical gardens for sunbirds, the cemetery for bush thick knees, and the esplanade for many species of waders. We spotted brush turkeys, bee eaters, and several species of honeyeaters.

Scarlet Honeyeater feeding

We ventured out to the Great Barrier Reef on Ocean Spirit. As usual, Michaelmas Cay was crowded with breeding birds.

The next few days we spent exploring the mangroves and lowland rainforest of Mission Beach. Despite the still obvious effect of the cyclone six month previous, we still managed to see scrubfowl, yellow-spotted and graceful honeyater and of course cassowary.

We then headed up to the always rewarding Atherton Tablelands, where we stayed at Chambers Rainforest Apartments. Upon arrival we saw spotted catird, lewins and macleays honeyeater and great views of the Victoria's Riflebird.

The stunning Victoria's Rifllebird, at Chambers Lodge

We also ventured up into the higher altitude forests around Possum Valley, where we were rewarded with Golden Bowerbired, Satin Bowerbird (and bower), Mountain Thornbill and many others. The Atherton Tablelands also rewarded us with viewing s of many mammals, including Platypus, Pademelon, 5 species of possum, long nosed bandicoot, white-tailed rat and bats.

The last few days were spend exploring the savanna and wetlands of the mareeba region. The savanna was as usual great for colourful parrots, from white and black cockatoos, to rainbow lorikeets. There were also Great Bowerbirds (and bowers) and many honeyeaters.

Kite flying around Mareeba

The various wetlands gave viewings on many different species of waterfowl, including both pygmy geese. We also saw several mammals, including rock wallabies and kangaroos.

A cormorant watches the boat cruise at Mareeba Wetlands

Notes -

- For examples of birdwatching itineraries run by ETA, refer to the "itineraries for groups" section and the "Birdwatching Tropical Australia" itinerary.

- For information on the birds themselves, check out the individual entries of bird families.