Minnippi Parklands is on Stanton Road West, Tingalpa (UBD 162; B17).
The number of small birds we saw on the one kilometre walk around the lake was just amazing. We didn't really stop, just strolled around and spotted a Pacific Baza, Spangled Drongo, a bunch of Scarlet Honeyeaters on a paperbark in flower, a Grey Fantail, and a Darter among the usual egrets, ducks and water fowl. Got some pics though missed so many I was sad. The Pacific Baza later flew over my head, craning its neck downwards as it eyed me off with that big yellow eye.
Pacific Baza
Scarlet Honeyeater (female, probably). Tried to get a male but they didn't co-operate.
Grey Fantail
Darter
The last picture is sad. It was a lump of rubbish floating down the creek with a peewee on it foraging among plastic bottles and other rubbish, even a baseball.
The weather looks nice, what a great walk and fantastic birds to see. The last, and o so sad photo, could be a nice project for you? Contact who ever is responsible for the lake, and ask them to clean it up .Take more photos, ask to meet them on site, and demand action. I have done it with two lakes in my area, with great success. Both of them get cleaned now once a month. Good luck.
M-L
Karen said
The Pacific Baza later flew over my head, craning its neck downwards as it eyed me off with that big yellow eye.
he was most likely thinking if you would be good to eat
Peter
M-L, good on you for doing that. I've done it here with a local lake too. I am impressed at how clean it is considering the huge number of picnicers on the weekends. Actually, Logan Council does a good job of keeping the waterways free of rubbish. This is a different council, not sure what one, maybe Redlands. Will have to find out. It was, indeed, a glorious day today.
Peter, that's just how I felt, being eyed off as a potential meal. I believe the baza is an insect eater though. It was sure strange how he checked me out though.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
I absolutely loved Minnippi when I went there and you did well with those birds.
The honeyeater in your pic is a Brown HE due to that yellow on the side of the face.
I didn't see the Scarlet HE or the Baza though
Cheers, Owen.
Keeping it clean so I can enjoy it!
Yes that last photo .
I have my own tracks and creeks on my door step. I just don't understand why people can't leave it clean? Fishmen are my biggest problem .Plastic bait bags, fishing line, beer bottles. They come here to fish because it's clean and quiet. But that's ok.. because as long as I live here, it will be my job to look after it.
Years ago I over heard my kids ask their mother , why does dad pick up all of this rubbish, my answer was.
So I can enjoy it!
Nightowl
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
Good work Nightowl. It is so different to walk through parks around lakes that are kept clean. The source of this rubbish would be up creek somewhere, but there was so much of it strewn along the banks and the creek itself. Plastic bottles seemed to be the worst culprits but we saw other rubbish as well as something that looked like a lamp shade. Access to the creek is very limited so to clean it a small boat would be needed.
Owen, the paperbark tree was absolutely riddled with honeyeaters, and there males that were definitely red, so I presumed they were all scarlet honeyeaters. But on blowing the pic up, I think you may be right. That yellow tick I thought was the eye may be a bit far back, so there were probably at least 2 different types of honeyeaters in the tree. I tried to get photos of even a glimpse of a male but with my eyes, all I could do was point and shoot and hope. Unfortunately I never even got a part of a red one. I think the honeyeaters must be somewhat seasonal as they would go where the flowers are and just follow the food. I haven't seen any around our area for quite a while now, so I was really excited to see them yesterday. Unfortunately they don't hang around long, however we are going to go back today and see if we can see them. This time we'll try harder to get the pics. Wish us luck.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Nice work Karen, Minnippi is Brisbane City Council responsibility and Bulimba Creek where you saw the rubbish runs quite a distance through some industrial areas so anything could end up in there. I do believe we are still getting rubbish that has been there since the floods last year. That creek is on the canoe trail and the council should be told of the polution as they go to lengths to erect signs in a number of areas about it being the Bulimba creek catchment. Unfortunately because of how dirty it looks I have never considered putting my Kayak in there for a paddle. I am glad you saw the Baza's as I saw a pair about this time last year and a Channel-billed Cuckoo.
Regards
Shane
Thanks Shane for that info. I thought the rubbish had been washed down, as we ran into the park rangers this morning on our short walk in that park. Yes, I'd be wary about putting a canoe in that creek too. Didn't get to speak to the rangers though as we were patiently waiting for "that" picture of the scarlet honeyeaters which were back in the same tree today. The rangers drove by in their ute/truck and and scared them all away. We waited about half an hour more before finally a few came back. These pics thanks to Barry, but the birds were right up the top of the tree, and don't stay still to pose. These pics are heavily cropped, I'm afraid, but the best he could do with the conditions there. But anyway, mission accomplished.
Owen, there were more Brown HE's than Scarlets, but we got one in the end. The first 2 are male Scarlet HE, and the 3rd is the Brown HE.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
I am so jealous Karen! Were the scarlets in the small flowering trees near the north western side of the lake where the grass hill and boardwalk is?
Cheers, Owen.
Hi Owen. Yes, that is close, a bit more south of the boardwalk. Some younger paper barks grow by the path there. The flowers are nearly finishing to finished so I guess they won't be there much longer. I am sorry the pics aren't great but am so excited we got to see these beautiful, tiny birds two days in a row.
Shane, the Baza was flying around today like an eagle on high. I did see other birds but not long or close enough to try to identify. The grey fantails are a very cheeky, playful little bird, almost landing on one or the other of us at different times.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Would it be helpful to put up photos of the rubbished creek in supermarkets & other suitable locations with commentary about the need to keep it clean, Karen? Analysing the rubbish would enable you to find its sources which would, in turn, determine the most suitable locations for the photos. Supporting container deposit legislation might be helpful, too. There's a conference of state ministers of the environment soon about this very topic.
Woko, we went back for another visit, and to be honest, couldn't find any further debris in the creek as the tide must have taken that lot away. Also came across rangers in the park, so it is being looked after. I hope that pic above was just a one off event, maybe after some flooding further upcreek.
Australasian Grebe on the lake at Minnippi Parklands.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
That's a relief, Karen. Let's hope there's no more where that lot came from!