15th February 2014 Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge

Weather Report

The first week from 2^nd to 8^th February saw the monsoonal trough come down and deposit 303.5mm of rain, which saw some minor flooding lasting a couple of days. One day we had 143mm. The second week from 9^th to15^th was not quite as wet, it started off with a day of 142mm then slowed down over the week ending up with two sunny days and a total of 162mm of rain. So the two weeks produced 467mm (approx 18.5 inches). Temperatures we quite cool with the overcast rainy days getting up to 25ºC but climbing up to 30ºC on the two sunny days. Minimum temperatures were around 21ºC. The monsoonal trough is forecast to return next week so we can look forward to some more rain. Further north on the west side of Cape York Peninsula the town of Kowanyama has had over 1200mm for the week! Serious rain.

Past Two Weeks Bird Sightings:-

These can be found on the Eremaea eBird site. 2nd - 8th February and 9^th - 15^th February.

Birding Highlights:-

An adult Pacific Black Duck was seen whizzing down the swollen Bushy Creek with eight ducklings in tow, they were in one big blob hanging on to each other until they managed to get out of the main current and pull off into calmer water at the rear of our neighbours property. The nesting Pacific Baza also reported in the last blog have now fledged two chicks as of five days ago. The juveniles are now in the Lodge grounds constantly begging food from the adults. A pair of White-bellied Sea-Eagle have started to call and fly over the Lodge after keeping a low profile for the last few months, maybe they are looking at nesting. Our pair of Red-necked Crake have been seen several times walking through the rainforest but no sign of the three chicks they had. 

Red-necked Crake

The two Pale-vented Bush-hen adults reported in the last blog with six chicks now have five chicks who survived the rain and flooding. Lets hope they all survive. Two Australian Bustard were found near the Julatten school just inside our 1.5km radius for the Lodge list which is quite unusual. We have had three records in the past, one in 2011 and two in 2012. This image is a male displaying at Maryfarms north of Mt. Molloy.

Australian Bustard

Channel-billed Cuckoo have been flying over heading north in small groups of up to six birds. An Eastern Koel is still with us and has just started to call again. A Lesser Sooty Owl was heard one night but not seen. Noisy Pitta have also fired up with at least four calling around the orchard one day and another couple calling from across Bushy Creek near the nursing home, who reported one presumably feeding on mangoes, it may also have been feeding on insects attracted to the fruit. A pair of Great Bowerbird were foraging in Geraghty Park, where they are not common but they are to be found nearby, usually along McDougall Road. Honeyeater numbers were down but that could be due to the lesser effort put in over the two weeks due to the rain but we did still manage nine species. Spangled Drongo appear to be heading north with an increase in numbers for at least two days, now there are just one or two hanging around. Black-faced Monarch are still with us but should be heading north soon. A pair of Spectacled Monarch are sitting on a nest in front of our accommodation units in a tree they used a few years ago but in October. A Brown Victoria's Riflebird (immature male or female) turned up in our neighbours garden to investigate their Paw Paw tree but left disappointing as there was no fruit on it. A pair of nesting Olive-backed Sunbird seem to have lost the nestlings, Black Butcherbird are the main suspects. After the rain the clouds cleared and the mountain ranges at the back of the Lodge once more came into view.

Mountain Ranges looking towards Mt. Lewis

Further Afield:-

Four Spotted Whistling-Duck turned up at Barrett's Lagoon near Cooktown on 2nd February making this the first record of this species in the Cooktown area. Thanks to Kath and Dave for this record. Their were at least 35 Great-crested Grebe at Lake Barrine on the Atherton Tableland on 4^th February. This location often has 100+ Great-crested Grebe present, full list for visit is on Eremaea eBird. 

Lake Evan (Brady Road Swamp)

Two Yellow-billed Spoonbill, a Pale-headed Rosella and two Red-winged Parrot were among birds seen at Lake Evan (Brady Road Swamp) 4km north of Mareeba. Full list can be found on Eremaea eBird. 

Red-winged Parrot

Little Lorikeet were along McLean Bridge Road in Julatten, this is about the furthermost east their distribution occurs. Also along here and at Abattoir Swamp were Black-chinned Honeyeater, Golden-backed form. Bridled Honeyeater were also in Julatten along Perseverance Road, the main population are still on Mt. Lewis.

Reptiles and Mammals:-

As you can imagine with all the rain the frogs were out in force and extremely vocal. Those seen were Striped Marsh Frog, Jungguy Frog, White-lipped Tree Frog, Northern Dwarf tree Frog, Dessert Tree Frog, Dainty Green Tree Frog, Cogger's Frog and Cane Toad, plus Green Tree Frog, Peron's Tree Frog and Roth's Tree Frog were heard. 


 

Striped Marsh Frog

 
Boyd's Forest Dragon, Eastern Water Dragon and Major Skink were around as they have been for the last few months. This male Boyd's Forest Dragon was coming to the feeder for banana during the rain.

Boyd's forest Dragon

A Brown Tree Snake was curled up on a tree branch in the camping area much to the annoyance of the birds who were scalding it but the snake took no notice and kept sleeping. Mammals were not very active during the rain along with the spotters so not much was seen in the first week but the dryer weather in the second week was more productive. Those seen were Fawn-footed Melomys, Yellow-footed Antichinus, Red-legged Pademelon (adult and youngster), Agile Wallaby, Eastern Horseshoe Bat, Large-footed Myotis, Northern Broad-nosed Bat, Giant White-tailed Rat, several Striped Possum, both Long-nosed and Northern Brown Bandicoot plus Spectacled Flying Fox making 12 species.

Insects:-

A selection of insects which have appeared since the rain has started, prior to the rain insects were pretty much non existent.

Cairns Birdwing

Grasshopper Sp.

Longicorn Beetle

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28th July 2013 Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge

The weather did improve over the last two weeks with cooler nights, sunny days and some great birding as the sun bought out the flowers and birds. Rainfall was 11.5mm for the first week and no rain recorded during the second week although we did have a trace. Temperatures were down to 13.7ºC and up to 24ºC with some days failing to make 20ºC.

Past Two Weeks Bird Sightings:-

Bird sightings for the first week were 117, 112 seen and 5 heard, second week sightings were 114, 110 seen and 4 heard. The last two weeks bird lists can be found on the Eremaea Birds Website:- 14th July - 20th July and 21^st July - 27^th July. Morning walks were good with between 53 and 60 species seen and heard.

Birding Highlights:-

Two species were added to our 1.5km area bird list both waterbirds along McDougall Road. The first was Black Swan, two were heard flying over the Lodge in the dark around 5.50am and located in one of the lagoons later that day, then three days later a Pink-eared Duck was seen in the same location. This brings the total bird species seen in a radius of 1.5km from the Lodge to 223. A few Topknot Pigeons have been flying over in pairs, usually in the morning and a Wompoo Fruit-Dove has been around the Lodge grounds over the second week. Papuan Frogmouth has been calling regularly behind the units in the rainforest and three were located near the Lodge on a morning walk. 
 

Papuan Frogmouth - mum, dad and juvenile

A pair of Black-necked Stork have been in a lagoon at the rear of Geraghty Park on several occasions and one was seen flying low over Geraghty Park whilst on a morning walk, spectacular bird. Both White-necked and White-faced Heron have been seen along McDougall Road, White-necked is not very common here. Raptors have been good with Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Whistling and Black Kite, Brown Goshawk, Collared Sparrowhawk, Grey Goshawk (2), Spotted and Swamp Harrier, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon and Australian Hobby making an impressive 13 species. Red-necked Crake was again heard but not seen but the noisy Bush Stone-curlew were seen. Double-eyed Fig-Parrot were only seen during the first week but not in the second week due to the fruiting fig, mentioned in the last blog, being stripped of fruit by a whole posse of birds. A group of four Gould's Bronze-Cuckoo were in the camping area high in the eucalypts calling and displaying one morning; they were chasing each other around fanning their tails and outstretching their wings whilst rocking from side to side in what we call their aeroplane display. Barking Owl continue to call and be seen as do the Barn Owl, one pair of which have a nest and were seen bringing a rat in whilst we were on a night walk. An Azure Kingfisher was seen along Bushy Creek before heading into the Crake Pool on the edge of the orchard, this was a first sighting for many weeks. Blue-winged Kookaburra have been very vocal and foraging around in Geraghty Park where we have seen them on morning walks, one was perched low down on a rail around the oval for great views. Spotted Catbird has been coming into the feeder from time to time but not regularly and a juvenile/female Satin Bowerbird was hanging around our neighbours house defending a fruiting Alexander Palm for nearly a week. Red-backed Fairy-wren was to be found along McDougall Road most days. 14 honeyeater species were seen plus one, Black-chinned was heard, the most unusual sighting was a Helmeted Friarbird feeding in the introduced African Tulip Tree in Geraghty Park, this is a common species along the coastal areas but rare in our area. Macleay's Honeyeater were taking advantage of a flowering banana tree along with other honeyeaters including Blue-faced Honeyeater.

Macleay's Honeyeater

A few Barred Cuckoo-Shrike lingered on in the area once the aforementioned fruiting fig tree ran out of fruit with at least one in our orchard at the end of the second week. The Golden Whistler, male, mentioned in previous blogs is still with us and is heard calling most days if not seen. At least one Bower's Shrike-thrush has been seen around the Lodge grounds but they are only winter visitors from the mountains behind us and will leave any time in the next few months. Both Yellow and Olive-backed Oriole have been around calling as has Black Butcherbird. Rufous Fantail are around in low numbers but Grey Fantail numbers have increased in the last week, maybe on their way south? 
 

Rufous Fantail

A male Shining Flycatcher was heard along Bushy Creek and seen flying away, this is an occasional visitor for us. Pied Monarch are still regular at Bushy Creek having a bathe in the afternoon and have been active in the Lodge grounds calling. The female Victoria's Riflebird which has been with us for several months has been making a few trips to the reception area feeder to get some banana to supplement the food it has been getting around the Lodge grounds. Lemon-bellied Flycatcher have been calling and foraging on the edge of the Lodge grounds as well as in Geraghty Park where up to eight have been seen. A Blue-faced Parrot-Finch was heard calling from the edge of Bushy Creek from the Mt. Kooyong Road early one morning but not located.

Further Afield:-

The odd Blue-faced Parrot-Finch has been seen in the area but only 1-2 at a time so they are not easy at the moment. A few guests were lucky enough to see a Golden Bowerbird on Mt. Lewis when one flew in front of them. Square-tailed Kite and Varied Sittella were reported from Mt. Molloy. A Radjah Shelduck was seen along Mt. Perseverance Road (just outside our 1.5km Lodge area), on a dam at an old fish farm by Del Richards from Fine Feather Tours. Budgerigar were still along the Hurricane Station Road (1hr. North of the Lodge) and a flock of 2000 was reported on Cape York Peninsula near Hann River. Red-backed Kingfisher, Diamond Dove and displaying Australian Bustard were at Maryfarms between Mt. Molloy and Mt. Carbine. 

Australian Bustard

A trip to Cairns and the Esplanade to look for reported Spotted Redshank and Laughing Gull failed to find either. Nobody has confirmed these sightings and the original observers have failed to supply any further requested information so both these sightings are doubtful as there was no supporting evidence. The Cairns Esplanade is always good for viewing waders (Shorebirds) and rarely disappoints, of note were seven Black-fronted Dotterel on the mudflats. The full list of species we saw is available on the Eremaea Birds website. We also called into the Cattana Wetlands but were met with strong winds which kept most of the small birds hidden away but there were plenty of Comb-crested Jacana and Green Pygmy-goose close into the banks for excellent views. Again the full list is on the Eremaea Birds website.

Comb-crested Jacana

Reptiles and Mammals:

Some good sightings over the past two weeks with 22 species of reptiles and mammals. A Leaf-tailed Gecko on a night walk was the first seen for some months. 

 

Leaf-tailed Gecko

 
Good views were had of Northern Blossom Bat feasting on a flowering South American Sapote in our orchard. A Striped Possum was seen in the same tree and a Green Ringtail Possum was seen on a night walk. Red-legged Pademelon have been around the Lodge grounds with several sightings of at least two and Agile Wallaby have been around the edges of cut cane paddocks. A male Yellow-footed Antichinus has been coming to the feeder for banana and also checking out our accommodation in the units! A Boyd's Forest Dragon was seen on two consecutive days and then disappeared, this was the first for a month. Frogs are hiding with the cooler weather but we did see Jungguy Frog, White-lipped Tree Frog, Cogger's Frog and a Cane Toad. Only one snake was seen and this was in our neighbours garden, an Australian Scrub Python.

14th July 2013 Kingfisher Park Birwatchers Lodge

Weather Report:-

In a word yeuk! Well it did start out great for the beginning of the first week but deteriorated into drizzle for most of the remaining week and all the second week. There were a few breaks which allowed some good birding but the high pressure zone south-west of Australia in the Tasman Sea remained pretty static sending high winds and rain onto the tropical north Queensland coast. Despite this the rainfall was pretty low with only 7mm for the first week and 20.5mm for the second week. Temperatures were down to 10ºC and only up to18ºC on some days. The highest temperature was 25ºC on one day.

Past Two Weeks Bird Sightings:-

Bird sightings for the first week were 103, 101 seen and 2 heard, second week sightings were 102, 99 seen and 3 heard. The last two weeks bird lists can be found on the Eremaea Birds Website:- 30th June - 6th July and 7th July - 13th July

Birding Highlights:-

A very juvenile Emerald Dove decided to visit us in the office and landed on the computer screen before moving to the shelf and checking out the hole punch!

Emerald Dove-juvenile

A Great-billed Heron was a nice surprise on a morning walk, it was standing on the bank of Bushy Creek by the Mt. Kooyong Road bridge before it flew off downstream. We do see the odd one along Bushy Creek but not usually until August through to December with one exception in 2011 when we had one along McDougall Road creek on 8^th July. A single Straw-necked Ibis was foraging in a paddock opposite Geraghty Park one morning which was one of very few sightings this year. Yellow-billed Spoonbill are not very common in our area but one was seen flying over Geraghty Park on a morning walk which was a first for the walk. It was seen several days later perched in a dead tree opposite Geraghty Park by some ponding. Pacific Baza sightings have been scarce this year so two calling and seen on a morning walk both perched and flying over was a great sighting. A Wedge-tailed Eagle moved into the area, probable to check out the cut cane paddocks, and was seen soaring over McDougall Road whilst an Australian Hobby was perched in a tree below. Just after dark on several nights a Brown Falcon has been flying over the Lodge grounds calling and heading towards McDougall Road where we think it is roosting. We have seen this behaviour before, usually when we have been looking for owls. Red-necked Crake are still being heard but not seen – grrrr. A pair of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo have been doing the rounds of the orchard chewing off branches and generally pruning trees! They are not called chainsaws of the sky for nothing! This is one of the culprits who looks very innocent.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

The fruiting fig mention in the last blog at the end of Mt. Kooyong Road still has some fruit on it and attracting many birds including Barred Cuckoo-Shrike and Double-eyed Fig Parrot which have all been juveniles or females, no males spotted with them – interesting. 
 

Double-eyed Fig-Parrot - female

Barking Owl are still calling through the night as well as 3.00 o'clock in the afternoon one day. They have been seen sitting on our entrance sign quite often and in this area some birds legs were found and identified as a Pale-vented Bush-hen, also here was a dead Red-browed Finch; both likely victims of the Barking Owl. The bush-hen was of interest as there has not been any sightings for a few months and we assumed they had all left the area, maybe not. Rainbow Bee-eater have been foraging low down and taking advantage of the railing around the Geraghty Park oval to perch on.

Rainbow Bee-eater

Eleven honeyeater sightings over the two weeks plus Black-chinned Honeyeater (Golden-backed) was heard but not seen. A male Golden Whistler turned up at the water bowl opposite the units one afternoon and has subsequently been seen and heard around the grounds. We get the occasional one coming down off the mountains behind us in the winter months and they usually stay until about August/September. This is also the case for Bower's Shrike-thrush which also come down occasionally and one was seen on a morning walk on the 13^th foraging in the Lodge grounds. Both Black (adult) and Brown (juvenile) Black Butcherbird have been around the grounds calling and skulking through the rainforest. 

Black Butcherbird - juvenile

All the fantails have been seen over the two weeks, Rufous, Grey and Northern plus Willie Wagtail. Pied Monarch are still coming to Bushy Creek for an afternoon bath and Yellow-breasted Boatbill have been very vocal and showing well. An Australian Reed-warbler was calling from an adjacent cane paddock and after a lot of perseverance was seen flitting around. Chestnut-breasted Mannikin have been making the most of the seeding cane paddocks and forming quite large flocks.

Further Afield:-

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo was seen at the base of Mt. Lewis along the road and further up the mountain a brown Golden Bowerbird was seen. West and East Maryfarms Roads south of Mt. Carbine are still turning up Diamond Dove with over 200 present late on the afternoon of 7^th July, also here was a Rufous Songlark and on the 3^rd was a Spotted Harrier plus Red-backed Kingfisher on the 13th. Wetherby Station lagoon between Julatten and Mt. Molloy had a good variety of waterbird including Pink-eared Duck on the 6^th , a first for this location, full list on Eremaea Birds site. Pink-eared Duck were also on Brady Road Swamp north of Mareeba on the 4^th, full list on Eremaea Birds site. Pink-eared Duck are on just about all the regions wetlands and Hasties Swamp is no exception, here they are sharing a quiet corner with a row of Plumed Whistling-Duck.

Plumed Whistling-Duck and Pink-eared Duck

Reptiles and Mammals:

A total of 19 mammal and reptile species were seen over the two week which is about average for the winter months. Several sightings were had of Striped Possum around the Lodge grounds and a Green Ringtail Possum was seen roosting during the day high in a tree behind our bunkhouse. Both Long-nosed and Northern Brown Bandicoot were seen but only a few times as numbers are still down. A few frogs ventured out with the highlight being a Green Tree Frog in an adjacent cane field; this species is quite uncommon here unlike the White-lipped Green Tree Frog which we see most weeks. Platypus was seen late in the afternoon when almost dark at the viewing area on Busy Creek. Red-legged Pademelon are appearing in the orchard and Agile Wallaby are foraging around in cut cane paddocks. A Green Tree Snake was in vegetation along Bushy Creek and an 2m Australian Scrub Python was in our neighbours garden and almost got hit by a brush-cutter (whipper snipper or strimmer) as it lay in the grass. Late in the evening of the 13^th a White-tailed Rat came to the reception area feeder, which was the first one we have seen for nearly two weeks.

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19th May 2013 Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge

Weather Report:-

Mixed weather over the past two weeks with a few wet rainy days, some drizzly cool days and some lovely sunny weather with temperatures ranging from 18ºC to 28ºC. Rainfall for the two weeks was 56mm.

Past Two Weeks Bird Sightings:-

Bird sightings for the first week were 95 seen and 6 heard, second week sightings were 98 seen and 7 heard. The last two weeks bird lists can be found on the Eremaea Birds Website:- May 5th – May 11th and May 12th - May 18th

Birding Highlights:-

Our last Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher left on the 8^th May setting a record for latest departure by one day. Always sad to see them go as they are such an iconic and beautiful bird to have around the Lodge. Two species, Varied Triller and Black-faced Monarch, have bred very late this year with a pair of trillers feeding a youngster near the nursing home and an adult monarch feeding a begging juvenile. Both these species are about 6-8 weeks beyond normal breeding season. Waterbird numbers have been increasing at the nearby Barramundi Farm with mainly Pacific Black Duck and Hardhead with up to five Royal Spoonbill, eight Australian White Ibis, several Intermediate Egret and one Eastern Great Egret. Little Black Cormorant turn up but are quickly chased off! Cattle Egret numbers are still increasing with an estimated 2000 along McDougall Road one evening as they came into roost. A bit different to the lone Eastern Great Egret that has been hanging around with them. This bird has been around the area since last year and has a damaged leg which dangles down when flying but seems to be ok when it is walking.

Eastern Great Egret with Cattle Egret

 

Eastern Great Egret

At least one Wompoo Fruit-Dove has been coming into bunches of palm fruits outside the accommodation units usually early morning or late afternoon and a single Topknot Pigeon was in our neighbours garden for one day. Papuan Frogmouth have not been seen in the Lodge grounds for several weeks but they have been found near the local nursing home but they are not our ones, they are a pair with a first year juvenile. Raptors have been around with a Collared Sparrowhawk being seen along McDougall Road several times and Pacific Baza have been around the Lodge. An Australian Hobby was around the back of the nursing home along with a Black-shouldered Kite who were eyeing each other off from adjacent perches. Red-necked Crake have been heard around the Lodge grounds and seen in our neighbours bird bath! A juvenile Pale-vented Bush-hen was seen at the beginning of the first week in our neighbours garden but not since, so they have probably left the area. A Black-fronted Dotterel was at the Barramundi Farm for a few days. A female Double-eyed Fig-Parrot at the front entrance to the Lodge on a guided morning walk was a great sighting as it clung to the side of a dead tree branch in the sun. Barking Owl were heard during the early part of the second week but not for the last four days but Sooty Owl was heard during the Barking Owl absence. Blue-winged Kookaburra continue to show well in Geraghty Park as do several pairs of Forest Kingfisher. Rainbow Bee-eater have been around the Lodge in big numbers with several hundred passing over on northward migration, they have been in the area for the last two weeks. 

 

Rainbow Bee-eater

A Noisy Pitta has been heard but not seen unlike Spotted Catbird who are very vocal and have been seen. Lovely Fairy-wren have been seen several times in our neighbours garden, usually late afternoon as they move to roost in bamboo along Bushy Creek. Eleven honeyeater species were seen and one, Black-chinned Honeyeater heard. The odd Barred Cuckoo-shrike has been seen but no Cicadabird over the last two weeks. At least one Yellow Oriole has been around the Lodge grounds calling but only one, of the usually more common, Olive-backed Oriole was heard. A Black Butcherbird caught and ate a Cogger's Frog along our main driveway about the same time that we heard a White-lipped Tree Frog crying out as it had been caught by something, probably a Green Tree Snake – hard life being a frog. A few Rufous Fantail are still here and are being joined by Grey Fantail (sub-species alisteri) who have migrated from southern parts. Pied Monarch are coming down to bathe late afternoon in Bushy Creek and one was foraging at the back of the accommodation units one morning with a female Victoria's Riflebird. 

Victoria's Riflebird -  female

At least 12 Golden-headed Cisticola were calling and foraging in a grassy paddock behind the nursing home with two Tawny Grassbird whilst on a guided morning walk. The cisticolas were in breeding plumage and the two grassbirds were sitting up on the grass stems showing well for over five minutes which is quite unusual as they are usually skulking around in the dense lower stems. A Bassian Thrush was seen along McDougall Road which might mean that a few are coming down the mountains to lower altitudes. A few usually make it to the Lodge grounds each year. Australasian Pipit have been seen in the fields behind the nursing home and at the local Barramundi Farm.

Australasian Pipit

Further Afield:-

Two White-browed Woodswallow were perched on power lines at West Mary Road, Maryfarms (between Mount Molloy and Mt. Carbine), not often reported this far east. At least two Black-throated Finch were seen nesting along the Hurricane Station Road north of McLeod River. Red-backed Kingfisher was seen at Mt. Carbine by our bird guide Carol Iles . 

Red-backed Kingfisher

An Azure Kingfisher was at Brady Road Swamp just north of Mareeba, not a normal place for this species out in the dry open woodland but they do turn up in odd places, we had one in the rainforest at 950m on Mt. Lewis! Speaking of Mt. Lewis it proved good for one couple who saw a male Golden Bowerbird fly across the road, always a difficult bird to see. Two Pacific Baza have been around Euluma Creek Road, Julatten circling and calling over the past two week, maybe going to nest in the area? A Square-tailed kite was circling over the Peninsular Highway on the northern outskirts of Mount Molloy on Saturday 18^th before gliding on upswept wings over the treetops adjacent to the highway. Here it encountered a flock of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo who noisily escorted it out of their territory.

Reptiles and Mammals:-

17 species of reptiles and mammals were seen, which was again down on previous weeks due to a lesser effort in looking, especially at night due to unfavourable weather. A few frogs were tempted out of hiding by the drizzly weather with Jungguy Frog, White-lipped Green Tree Frog and Cane Toad seen, Cogger's Frog was heard. 

Jungguy Frog

A Green Tree Snake took up residence in our neighbours property when it made a home in a flowerpot. The pot was disturbed and the snake leapt out much to the surprise of our neighbour! The fishing bat, Large-footed Myotis also made its roost under the same neighbours house. A Striped Possum was coming to a flowering banana tree each night to get the nectar and a Northern Brown Bandicoot made occasional visits to the seed feeder by the reception area.