20 -22 May 2011
Downfall Ck Camping Area
Tinaroo Dam
Far North Queensland, Australia
The water level in the dam is quite high (over the spillway and as high as I have ever seen it). There is plenty of birdl life in and around the lake and these are a few that caught my eye.
Male has dark brown head.
Female has lighter coloured head.
These birds gathered in groups of about 20-30 individuals and grazed on the grass and vegetation along the bank of the lake.
The guide says that they are quite common in our area. Despite the fact that they were living within a busy and popular camp grounds they were not keen on coming too close to people.
Adult male with white eyebrow and black face
(Female has all white face and no eyebrow)
This cheeky fellow was scrounging around the fire place for any scraps we may have left behind (no luck buddy). There were many specimens at the camp grounds and they were quite happy to fly quite close to campers and into camp sites. Noisy all weekend with their distinctive high pitched call.
Both male and female have the same markings.
These ducks spent all weekend dabbling about in the water at the edge of the lake. They duck dive to rootle about under the water for food but they also seemed to enjoy picking some of the grass shoots along the lakeside. They were very shy but this one ventured closer than most. Their call was infrequently heard but is a traditional quacking sound.
More photos from the weekend.
