Buchannan Dam - Flat Creek Station
Route Map
Day 1: 29th May 2025 Having sometime free time in between other commitments we decided to head out for a welcome break at Flat Creek Station with our T-van camper for a birding long weekend organised by the owners Peter and Adam. Flat Creek Station is located south of Georgetown (Queensland). We have visited this location on two previous occasions. We left early as we had to get a 500km check on our Toyota Prado’s front suspension, after having the front struts replaced, in Marreba. Check completed we set off south for our first stop at Mt. Hypipamee NP (The Crater), south of Atherton, just in time for a lunch break. Had lunch with a ever hopeful group of Australia Brush-Turkey waiting for handouts but none came their way! Met a few friends here who were birding and helping National Park staff identify a few plants. We were unable to walk down to the Crater as work was being done to improve the access track after damage caused by Cyclone Jasper.
20min.2.0 ha Search
Australian Brushturkey
White-throated Treecreeper (Little)
Lewin’s Honeyeater
Bridled Honeyeater
Mountain Thornbill
Brown Gerygone
Golden Whistler
Victoria’s Riflebird
Grey-headed Robin 9 Species
Grey-headed Robin
Next stop was Mt. Garnet at Bill Brotherton Park opposite the BP fuel station, just before the Return Creek bridge on the western edge of the town. Toilet facilities and a picnic table for afternoon coffee were the attraction here. Also present were three Great Bowerbird who seemed to be sharing a bower, which was suitably decorated with white shells, stones and a few coloured pieces of glass. A Pair of Crested Pigeon were performing, not sure whether the wing in the air was anting or it was trying to draw attention of its mate.
20min. 2.0 ha Search
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Masked Lapwing
Black Kite
Galah
Rainbow Lorikeet
Great Bowerbird
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Pied Currawong
Magpie-lark 13 species
Crested Pigeon
From here we travelled the final journey for the day to Pinarrendi Station Stay on the edge of the Fourty Mile Scrub National Park. Here we caught up with Nadine the hard working owner of the property, who we have come to know over the years we have been visiting Pinnarendi. The camping area had plenty of areas to set up camp.
T-van Set Up at Pinnarendi Station Stay
After the set up we had a short nap and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. We had unexpected guests visit, sandflies, something we had not encountered here before. Managed a survey around the campsite, late afternoon.
20min 2ha Search
Laughing Kookaburra
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Noisy Miner
Grey Butcherbird 6 Species
Tawny Frogmouth
Day 2 30th May 2025
Cold (for us) start to the morning (14ºC) after a poor nights sleep. A warming cup of coffee soon got us back on track. Recorded a survey in the campground before breakfast.
20min.2.0 ha Search
Crested Pigeon
Laughing Kookaburra
Galah
Pale-headed Rosella
Rainbow Lorikeet
Noisy Miner
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Pied Currawong 10 species
Grey Butcherbird
Went for a walk down to Garden Dam, where a few melaleuca’s were in flower attracting Brown, Scarlet and White-throated Honeyeater plus a lone Little Friarbird. Perched on one of the trees was a Little Pied Cormorant who posed for a few photos.
20min.2.0 ha Search
Little Pied Cormorant
Rainbow Lorikeet
Scarlet Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Striated Pardalote
Pied Butcherbird 8 species
Little Pied Cormorant
The track, which continued on to Big Dam, was very muddy so headed back to camp for breakfast. Then packed up the T-Van and called into the Pinnarendi Brick House Cafe to have a coffee and biscuit before we said goodbye to Nadine. Back on the road we turned off west towards the next place of interest
Mount Surprise.
20min.2.0 ha Search
Black Kite
Galah
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Black-faced Woodswallow
Pied Currawong 5 Species
On the way we passed Undarra Lava Tubes, which we had visited many years ago. Had a break in Mount Surprise before continuing on to Georgetown. About 10kms out of Mount Surprise the road (Highway 1) deteriorates into single lane bitumen and sections of gravel. There are several single lane bridges, some of which have been rebuilt after recent flooding but this must be the worst section of Australia’s number 1 highway. In the past we have had our windscreen chipped and broken by stones flicked up by oncoming traffic, some of which have been travelling too fast for the conditions. This time we avoided any damage and arrived in Georgetown where we headed for the Memorial Park on the right just after crossing the Etheridge River. This is a good spot to stop for lunch, tables and benches with shade. After lunch we took the Forsayth Road heading south out of town and after about 17kms. reached the Flat Creek Station turnoff, on the right. From here it is about 28kms along a good gravel road for us (just been graded) until we reached Flat Creek Station Homestead. We were greeted by Marcus, a southern visitor and friend of the owners Peter and Adam. He told us that Peter and Adam were out mustering cattle but it was not long before they returned. We had a chat and they offered us a spot near the homestead to set up camp as it seemed that we were the only two for the weekends birding. That suited us as the normal campsite is a few kms away and saved us travelling back and forth. Whilst we were talking three Little Bronze-cuckoo decided to have a dispute above our heads and were chasing each other. Set up camp and had a welcome shower. Logged down another survey.
20min.2.0 ha Search
Little Bronze-Cuckoo
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Yellow Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Mistletoebird 5 Species
Mistletoebird (male)
Day 3 31st May 2025
Early start to the day, up at 5.00am to head off to Buchannan Dam (Big Dam). We were the only two birders who had turned up for the weekend! Peter and Adam had two friends staying with them, so the six of us set off for the dam. It was good to be following someone who knew the way as it was still dark with dawn just starting to break as we approached the dam after a 40 minute drive. The station tracks were in good order and only a few gates to negotiate. It was a great sight watching dawn break over the dam and the birds starting to come to life. Most of the birds were in the trees they had been roosting in overnight. Mainly egrets, Magpie Goose, Australian Darter and Galah. Birds started to arrive, Cockatiel, Red-winged Parrot and a large flock of Fairy Martin, overhead there were Black and Whistling Kite. One Whistling Kite perched close to us providing a photo opportunity. Two White-bellied Sea-Eagle were perched on the far side of the dam until they decided to soar over the dam. After two hours squinting through binoculars and a scope we had morning smoko, called it a day and headed off.
Morning Smoko!
2 hour 500m area search 6:15 AM – 8:15 AM
Magpie Goose
Radjah Shelduck
Pacific Black Duck
Crested Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Brolga
Black-fronted Dotterel
Masked Lapwing
Comb-crested Jacana
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian White Ibis
Plumed Egret
Australian Pelican
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Forest Kingfisher
Cockatiel
Galah
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Red-winged Parrot
Pale-headed Rosella
Great Bowerbird
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Black-faced Woodswallow
Grey Butcherbird
Pied Butcherbird
Magpie-lark
Apostlebird
Torresian Crow
Fairy Martin 36 species
Whistling Kite
Next stop was Slaty Dam, much smaller than Buchannan. On the water were a group of 16 Green Pygmy-Goose with one Cotton Pygmy-Goose. Around the edge were a few finches, Double-bar Finch plus one Pictorella Mannikin, always nice to see them. Also saw our first Diamond Dove of the trip along with a Jacky Winter.
Back to the homestead to input the survey data and relax before lunch. After lunch we tried to find our paperwork folder but was unable to locate it. We last remember seeing it at Buchannan Dam in the morning so it was back to the dam later in the afternoon to find it. Along the way we saw a group of at least 30 Spinifex Pigeon, can’t remember seeing a flock this large before, also six Squatter Pigeon on the road, who as usual were reluctant to move off the road. Arrived at the dam and had a long search but no sign of the folder. A mystery which remains unsolved, luckily nothing of great importance lost. Naturally we conducted a survey.
500m area search 4:34 PM – 5:34 PM
Crested Pigeon
Squatter Pigeon
Peaceful Dove
Brolga
Masked Lapwing
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
Great Egret
Plumed Egret
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Forest Kingfisher
Cockatiel
Galah
Red-winged Parrot
Little Friarbird
Pied Butcherbird
Apostlebird
Torresian Crow 20 Species
After the failed search for the folder we headed back to the homestead seeing a flock of Apostlebird along the way. Enjoyed an evening meal with the boys with lots of stories swapped.
Day 4 1st June 2025
Slow start to the day as Peter and Adam were loading cattle onto a truck to take them to the Mareeba saleyards. We walked around the homestead and surrounds adding Weebill and White-throated Gerygone to our trip list.
20min.2.0 ha Search 7:43 AM – 8:03 AM
Peaceful Dove
Little Bronze-Cuckoo
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Lorikeet
Great Bowerbird
Yellow Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
Weebill
White-throated Gerygone
Rufous Whistler
Grey Butcherbird
Pied Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Magpie-lark
Leaden Flycatcher 16 Species
White-throated Gerygone
Mid-morning when Peter and Adam returned we headed off to Rocky Dam. Not a lot happening on the water, a few Green Pygmy-goose, 2 Cotton Pygmy-goose, 3 Hardhead, a group of Pacific Black-Duck and a few Comb-crested Jacana. Highlight was a group of seven Black-throated Finch coming down to the waters edge to drink. A pair of Whistling Kite had a nest along the edge of the dam and one bird was standing in it. As we walked around the dam we disturbed a mixed flock of Peaceful and Diamond Dove. Bird numbers were down from previous visits here, however we still managed 33 species, not too bad. I guess the heavy rainfalls this year have resulted in more opportunities for waterbirds to spread out.
Rocky Dam, 500m Area search 10:15 AM – 11:55 AM
Magpie Goose
Green Pygmy-Goose
Cotton Pygmy-Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Hardhead
Crested Pigeon
Diamond Dove
Peaceful Dove Little Bronze-Cuckoo
Eurasian Coot
Comb-crested Jacana
Australasian Darter
Great Egret
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Rainbow Bee-eater
Forest Kingfisher
Sacred Kingfisher
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Yellow Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
Weebill
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
Black-faced Woodswallow
Magpie-lark
Paperbark Flycatcher
Apostlebird
Torresian Crow
Double-barred Finch
Black-throated Finch 33 species
Comb-crested Jacana
We left Rocky Creek Dam for another small dam, which had been put in by a now failed mining venture. Nothing here, not surprising as the water quality looked very uninviting. Back to the homestead for a late lunch before spending the afternoon relaxing and catching up on more data input on the computer. In the late afternoon we joined Peter, Adam and their three guests (extra one had arrived) for a trip to Telstra Hill, which is behind the campground and as the names suggest mobile phone reception can be had if the wind is blowing in the right direction! Here the guys set up a table of food as we watched the sun go down and the stars come out. Great spot looking into outer space and seeing the many satellites cross the sky.
Telstra Hill at Sunset
Day 5 2nd June 2025
Leisurely start to the morning as we were leaving today and in no hurry. 20 minute survey to start the morning around the homestead.
Flat Creek Station 20min.2.0 ha Search 7:35 AM – 7:55 AM
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Great Bowerbird
Yellow Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
Rufous Whistler
Grey Butcherbird
Pied Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Apostlebird 12 Species
Rufous Whistler
Peter and Adam plus their friends were heading out to do some work so we said our farewells and had breakfast before packing up. Then onto the road back to Georgetown to fuel up. We had thought of going to Cumberland Dam 20kms west of Georgetown, which is a well known birding site. As we had visited here many times before we decided not to go this time. Instead we headed east to Mount Surprise and took it easy. Just as we entered the town we saw our first Australian Kestrel for the trip swooping over the road. Stopped here for lunch at a small park in the centre of town where there is a children’s playground. Tables and benches here make for a good lunch spot plus there were plenty of birds feeding on some flowering and fruiting trees.
Mount Surprise, 20min.2.0 ha Search 12:39 PM – 12:59 PM
Peaceful Dove
Straw-necked Ibis
Black Kite
Nankeen Kestrel
Rainbow Lorikeet
Great Bowerbird
Yellow Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Little Friarbird
Australian Magpie
Pied Currawong
Magpie-lark
Apostlebird 13 Species
From here the 71kms (45mins.) back to Pinnarendi Station Stay was uneventful. Booked in and set up camp before finding our friends from Townsville who we had arrange to meet here. Chris and Len had a powered site for their setup and were easy to find. Spent sometime catching up and story telling! The camping area had plenty of empty spaces when we arrived but soon had others arriving but it was not crowded. Late afternoon was time for another survey, this time in the campground. Three Common Bronzewing were calling nearby and five Red-tailed Cockatoo flew over, Noisy Miner were the most dominant species (as usual).
20min.2.0 ha Search 5:30 PM – 5:50 PM
Common Bronzewing
Laughing Kookaburra
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Pale-headed Rosella
Rainbow Lorikeet
Noisy Miner
Grey Butcherbird 7 Species
Common Bronzewing
Spent the evening having dinner with Chris and Len at the Brick Oven Cafe, this time a delicious Lasagna.
Day 6 3rd June 2025
Slow start to the day with a survey around the campground.
20min. 2.0 ha Search 7:37 AM – 7:57 AM
Pheasant Coucal
Laughing Kookaburra
Galah
Rainbow Lorikeet
Noisy Miner
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Torresian Crow 8 species
Noisy Miner
After breakfast we said goodbye to Chris and Len, who were slowly making their way back to Townsville, before going for a walk to Garden Dam. Once again a Little Pied Cormorant was perched in the same tree it was on our last visit 4 days ago. A few flowering Melaleuca trees were attracting many Brown Honeyeater and Noisy Miner.
20min. 2.0 ha Search 8:44 AM – 9:04 AM
Pheasant Coucal
Masked Lapwing
Little Pied Cormorant
Galah
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet
Great Bowerbird
Noisy Miner
Brown Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
Australian Magpie 11 species
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
In the four days since we were here the track to Big Dam had dried out sufficiently to be able to walk to the dam. It is only a short walk to the waters edge, where we found a single White-necked Heron. The only birds on the water were four Pacific Black Duck and in the trees overlooking the water was an Australasian Darter and a Little Pied Cormorant. The surrounding bush had a few honeyeaters along with a noisy group of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and a couple of Black-faced Cuckooshrike.
20min. 2.0 ha Search 9:06 AM – 9:26 AM
Pacific Black Duck
Pheasant Coucal
Australasian Darter
Little Pied Cormorant
White-faced Heron
Black Kite
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet
Noisy Miner
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Noisy Friarbird
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Australasian Figbird
Grey Butcherbird
Pied Currawong
Spangled Drongo
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow 18 species
Black KiteFurther along the track is No 1 Dam which proved very quiet but the surrounding bush was productive due mainly to the flowering Melaleuca trees.
20min. 2.0 ha Search 9:46 AM – 10:06 AM
Peaceful Dove
Pheasant Coucal
Red-winged Parrot
Pale-headed Rosella
Rainbow Lorikeet
Lewin’s Honeyeater
Scarlet Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
Noisy Friarbird
Striated Pardalote
Weebill
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Grey Butcherbird
Leaden Flycatcher
Mistletoebird 16 species
Weebill
Back at camp we had acquired some neighbours, three caravans, with kids and dogs. The kids were enjoying themselves in the outdoors rather than looking at screens!
Day 7 4th June 2025
Started off with a survey around the campground before breakfast and to pack up the T-van ready to head home.
20min. 2.0 ha Search 7:48 AM – 8:08 AM
Crested Pigeon
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Galah
Rainbow Lorikeet
Noisy Miner
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Magpie-lark
Torresian Crow 9 species
Galah
Farewelled Nadine at the Brick House Cafe/reception and headed off. Uneventful journey to our coffee break at Mt. Hypipamee (The Crater), another survey here.
20min. 2.0 ha Search 10:34 AM – 10:54 AM
Australian Brushturkey
Tooth-billed Bowerbird
White-throated Treecreeper (Little)
Lewin’s Honeyeater
Mountain Thornbill
Brown Gerygone
Eastern Whipbird
Victoria’s Riflebird
Grey-headed Robin
Pale-yellow Robin 10 Species
Pale-yellow Robin
Next stop was Centenary Park, Mareeba, where we arrived in time for a lunch break and a relaxed survey whilst we ate our lunch.
20min. 2.0 ha Search 12:09 PM – 12:29 PM
Peaceful Dove
Australian White Ibis
Black Kite
Laughing Kookaburra
Rainbow Lorikeet
Yellow Honeyeater
Scarlet Honeyeater
Blue-faced Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Striated Pardalote
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Rufous Whistler
White-breasted Woodswallow
Willie Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Common Myna 16 species
After lunch we replenished our food stocks and drove the 45 minutes back home, so ended a very enjoyable and welcome birding break.
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