Spring Has Sprung On Gorgeous Fraser Island

Ranger Amelia here – back and refreshed from holidays – and with a month’s worth of birdie happenings for you.  Spring is certainly here and Fraser Island’s Weeping Bottle Brush is in full bloom – adding red, yellow and pale greenie-gold splashes of colour into the Wallum heath at the front of Kingfisher Bay Resort.  The Rough-barked Tea Tree and white-flowering Wedding Bush (it’s perfect for spring brides) also add to the kaleidoscope of colours.

Spring has sprung in the wallum at the front of the resort

This month as we've headed out on our early morning bird walks, we’ve welcomed its first new spring arrivals into the Kingfisher Bay fold. Sightings of nestlings are abundant and both the mum and dad birds have been working overtime keeping the kids happy and fed.

When it comes to nesting season, resort real estate – with optional bay views - is super important.

Our Welcome Swallows (easily identified by their metallic blue-black feathers on their breast and belly, with a touch of rust on the forehead, throat and upper breast) have several ‘choice’ locations along B-wing (in the hotel wing) and underneath the Kingfisher Bay Jetty already picked out; some have up to five nestlings in residence.

Our local Grey Shrike Thrush alpha male has been busy serenading his new lady and is about to welcome triplets any day now (We’re pleased to report that mum is doing very well).   These drab coloured birds generally mate and remain together for life and generally inhabit the same areas throughout this time – so they’re a common sight at the resort – we even had one usurp the angel at the top of our Christmas tree in the resort’s foyer last year. Both birds share the nest-building and incubation duties and both care for the young birds.

Have you spotted a bird back home that you’re finding it hard to identify?  Check out Birds in Backyards' online bird finder – it’s a great resource tool.

A Red-backed Ferry Wren is spotted

If chilling out was on the agenda this month, then guests relaxing by the pool would’ve encountered our ‘fire-birds’ or Red-backed Fairy Wrens (pictured right) frolicking in amongst the foliage. Our little male has blushed up; with his back patch and upper tail patch animated red. Shoulders up and tail feathers wagging, he is as vibrant as any disco dancer - bobbing in and out of the bushes and generally showing off to the ladies.

And for all those bird nerds out there – we’re pleased to announce we’ve spotted a Spotless Crake (Portzana tabuensis) in the resort Wallum. With only the one sighted at time of writing, he (or she) now joins our other freshwater denizens, such as our Lewins Rail and Dusky Moorhen, on our ever growing twitcher list.

On the water, eagle-eyed guests have been treated to some amazing displays from our Humpback Whale visitors.  Guests on a recent 2pm ferry from Kingfisher Bay to River Heads were lucky enough to see a mother and calf showing off in the calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait. Check out the pic on our Facebook page.

And some FINtastic news since last month’s blog-  Hervey Bay’s very own patron Humpback Whale,  Nala, was sighted last week with a new calf in tow.  Mum and bub are doing well with amazing daily interaction with guests aboard Quick Cat II - the action takes place a short cruise from Kingfisher Bay.

Having a WHALE of a time in Hervey Bay

Nala is famous for her friendly nature and tail extensions, so she is a researcher’s dream. As of yet, her bub has not been named and suggestions are coming in thick.  If you wish to join in the fun please send in the suggestions to the Fraser Coast Chronicle, who are running a naming competition.  Names have to be good for either boy or girl as we don’t know what we have yet.

As you can probably tell, we absolutely love Spring on Fraser Island… and look forward to bringing you more from our resident furry, feathered and finned friends in next month’s blog.  This is Ranger Amelia signing off for now.

A bundle of joy for our resident blogger...
The Kingfisher Bay Resort team would like to wish Ranger Amelia, and her partner Chris, the very best of luck as their gear up to welcome their own new arrival into the world.  Congratulations guys!