Daintree River Cruise

Saturday, October 24, 2009:

We left early in order to get to our early boat ride in time. The group was divided into two parts, the Sacremento 6 and the Coastal 6. The other group took the boat first. They got to see crocodile (we didn't). We birded along the road to a bridge over the Daintree, finding many Green Orioles on the way.

Double-eyed Fig-Parrot Rainbow Lorikeet
Double-eyed Fig-Parrot Rainbow Lorikeet
Daintree Area Green Oriole
Daintree Area Green Oriole

A variety of other birds were visible from the more open area around the bridge.

Magpie-Goose Spangled Drongo
Magpie-Goose Spangled Drongo
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon Whistling Kite
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon Whistling Kite

After returning to the dock and ordering lunch, we got on the boat for our 2-hour ride on the Daintree. There was a bit of rain, but most of it came while we were moving on the main river. The only new bird was Shining Flycatcher, but we saw a number of kingfishers and got killer looks at a Wampoo Fruit-Dove.

Little Pied Cormorant Daintree River Detail
Little Pied Cormorant Daintree River Detail
Shining Flycatcher Daintree River
Shining Flycatcher Daintree River View
Papuan Frogmouth Wompoo Fruit-Dove
Papuan Frogmouth Wompoo Fruit-Dove
Azure Kingfisher Daintree River
Azure Kingfisher Daintree River
Eastern Water Dragon Wompoo Fruit-Doves
Eastern Water Dragon Wompoo Fruit-Doves
Torresian Imperial-Pigeons Daintree River Scenery
Torresian Imperial-Pigeons Daintree River Scenery
Waiting Birders
Waiting Birders

When the boat ride was done it was time for lunch. Then we headed off for Cow Bay. We got some nice views of the Daintree River mouth at an overlook on the way. After settling in at the Daintree Rainforest Retreat Motel, we visited the Jindahlba boardwalk in Daintree National Park. We didn't see any new birds, but the rainforest was spectacular. It was particularly nice to see an area with little visible hurricane damage. It contrasted with the areas around Mission Beach, which all showed signs of extensive hurricane damage (probably from Cyclone Larry). Needless to say, I was pleased to see the Boyd's Forest Dragon!

Daintree River View Boyd's Forest Dragon
Daintree River View Boyd's Forest Dragon

Next, we visited Marrdja Boardwalk, which goes through some mangroves. There we ran into a very young birder with his family. Although only almost 9, he knew his birds! Although recognizably a mangrove habitat, there were substantial differences from Florida mangrove areas. Not only are the mangroves themselves different, but the understory is more varied.

We returned to the Daintree Rainforest Retreat for dinner, including skewere of exotic meats.

Trip total—253 species including 238 lifers.

Daintree Rainforest Retreat Motel, Cow Bay