Work, Travel, Photography: Eubenangee Swamp National Park

Since beginning my Australian travels and locum work back in 2015, I have passed Eubenangee Swamp National Park many times. Sitting east of Mount Bartle Frere and Mount Bellenden Kerr (Queenslands two highest peaks), the National Park is located 81km south of Cairns and an easy drive on sealed roads.

On more than one occasion I have stopped here but been reluctant to explore it alone. David and Annie Anderson (two of Cairns local birders) very kindly offered for me to join them. They picked me up early from my accommodation and we headed south. The first thing I noticed this morning was the fog hanging in patches along creeks and over cane fields. As the sun began to poke through, the fog swirled and eddied as it began to evaporate creating a scene of eerie anticipation. My mind wandered and I thought of the swamp and crocodiles, mosquitos and march flies .... hmmmm. Would the birds be sitting low waiting for the fog to dissipate before beginning their morning forage? Only time would tell.

Wompoo Fruit-Dove

David looking for targets

Arriving at the car park we saw seven Wompoo Fruit-doves to start the count. Suitably attired and protected from the elements and potential insects we headed off. The decision was made to walk around the outside of the Rain Forest which was replanted about 25 years ago as part of a regeneration program. The fog was initially quite thick and in the long grass we could hear Pale-vented Bush-hens calling.

Visibility was poor and we were reliant on bird calls for identification. Our shoes were soon wet from the dew on the ground which had gathered overnight. As the sun rose over the trees, grasses and cobwebs along the edge of the track glistened with droplets. Insects were busy drinking and feeding.

As we headed up the hill to the lookout I was distracted by a small skink on the ground. It kindly sat there in the grass sunning itself and allowing time for a few photos.

Juvenile Pink-tongued Skink (Cyclodomorphus gerrardii)

Painted Grasshawk (Neurothemis stigmatizans)

Dew coated cobweb

On reaching the top of the hill, the elevated view of the swamp took my breath away. Lined with a paperbark forest and reeds, the reflections in the water were spectacular and distracting from the job at hand. We took time to enjoy the location and have breakfast as we set to identifying as many species as possible and enjoying the insect and plant life as well.

Eubenangee Swamp National Park - view from lookout looking towards Bellenden Kerr

By 9.30am it was starting to warm up and become uncomfortable so we headed back down the hill and returned via the rainforest section of the track. The immediate change in temperature as we entered the trail was evident and a relief. As we meandered along the trail we saw a large number of moths and butterflies and started to encounter rainforest and bush birds. By the time we returned to the car we had recorded 58 birdspecies over a three hours including an Oriental Cuckoo (a lifer for me) and Bird of the Day - 10 x White-throated Needletail. For the detailed bird list please see eBird Checklist S61827288.