FNQ TROPICAL WETLANDS Birdwatching (Private Day Tour)

This unqiue private guided tour is perfect for nature lovers, especially those whom have an interest in bird watching!  No other company can provide this itinerary, as FNQ Nature Tours is the only local operator who has the exclusive access permits. This "Shared Earth Reserve" encompasses 5000 acres of lagoons, trails, bird hides and dirt roads containing an abundance of bird watching opportunites. 

With amazing habitat diverity including permanent lakes, swamps, billabongs, creeks and an incrediable mosiac of old' growth savanna woodlands. Our team of staff are highly experienced and passionate naturalist guides, with their own personal interests in bird watching and photography.  You will be gauranteed a wonderful and memorable tour experience.

PICK UP FROM CAIRNS, NORTHERN BEACHES OR PORT DOUGLAS: 

Departs 6:30am / Returns 4:30pm

If your group size differs to those listed above, please get in touch for a quote.

TOUR DESCRIPTION:

The early morning is invaluable for birdwatches. Our morning will focus on the Tropical Wetlands and Shared Earth Reserve which is home to over 220 recorded bird species and an exclusive site for us to explore.

After a short 90 minute drive we will arrive at Clancy's lagoon. This open expanse of water has comfortable walking tracks surrounding the perimeter, providing guests with the opportunity to observe the resident birdlife.

After a short break for morning tea we 4WD to our second location, Pandanus Lagoon. Here we find a large diversity of waders and waterbirds including a massive population of Black Swan. It is also home to kangaroos, echidnas, dingos, snakes and scores of other reptiles.

You can explore over 12km of walking trails which criss-cross the wetlands. A break from the binoculars while we enjoy a picnic style lunch under a shady billabong during the heat of the day.

To further our bird watching prospects, we venture into the nearby Atherton Tablelands for the last couple of hours. Locations such as Lake Barrine and Yungaburra have afforded our customers amazing birdlife encounters and opportunities for photographs over the years.

BIRDING OPPORTUNITES:

The diverse range of birdlife and wildlife include 6 different Quail species, Magpie, Geese, Black Swans, 11 different duck species and three different Grebes, Darters and Cormorants, Pelicans, Crakes, Rails, Swamphens, Moorhens, Coots, Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Ibis, Spoonbills, Storks (Jabiru), Cranes including Brolga, Sarus Crane, Bustards, Sandpipers, Godwits, Common Greenshank, Stints, Jacanas which thrive on the water lilies, Curlews, Stills, Avocets, Lapwings, Plovers, Dotterels, Terns.

Birds of Prey including Osprey, Kites, Hawks, Eagles, Harriers and Falcons. Five different pigeons and doves have been recorded and of course the famous Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo. We have great sightings of Black Cockatoos at the Wetlands and on the road into Mareeba Wetlands. Parrots including Lorikeets, Rosellas & Red Wing Parrots. With 9 different varieties of Cuckoos, Keels and Coucals not to mention a great location if you wish to see owls; five different species, 3 different Frogmouths and Night jars.

One of the most beautiful birds to see are the Kingfishers especially the Azure Kingfisher, a delight to see around the lagoons. Both the laughing Kookaburra and Blue Winged Kookaburra are regularly seen. Bee eaters, Rollers, Tree Creepers and Pardalotes are well represented as well as numerous Honeyeaters, Robins, Bee Eaters, Thrushes, Monarchs, Magpie Larks, Fly Catchers and Wagtails are seen throughout the Wetlands.

One to look out for is the fascinating Great Bowerbird, a delight to watch. The open savannah and eucalypt habitats within the Mareeba Wetlands give great opportunities to observe Finches, Fairy Wrens and Manikins. The Wetlands is also famous for the Gouldian Finch program.

INCLUDED IN TOUR:

• Morning tea
• Picnic style lunch
• Bird books/apps
• Private access to Shared Earth Reserve
• Sun cream 
• Insect Repellent
• Steel water bottles and refill station
• First aid kit
• Umbrellas (wet season)

WHAT TO BRING: Sun protection (hats, sunglasses) P Natural coloured light weight clothing P Binoculars (communal pair in the vehicle) P Day pack with camera P Comfortable walking shoes

CONSERVATION:

The wetlands reserve is owned by Forever Wild. Forever Wild work to protect Earth's last great wildernesses for societal well-being, for biological diversity and its evolutionary potential, for our cultural record and economic values.