Australia hosts some 780 kinds of birds, with the diverse habitats of tropical North Queensland alone numbering an astonishing 450+ species.
In this account - Down Under 2 - the first of a pair of two hour DVDs, wildlife film-makers Ann & Malcolm Rymer spend a month getting to know the birds & wildlife of this relatively compact, bird-rich region, documenting a cross-section of common, everyday birds, as well as local endemics & more difficult to find species.
'....cranes, currawongs & dreams of cassowaries....' highlights the birdlife of differing habitats around coastal Port Douglas & the higher, drier regions just inland from the coastal belt.
We move base, allowing us to explore the forests, agricultural pasture lands & wetlands of the picturesque Atherton Tablelands. Here dozens of new, exciting species are added to our trip list - king parrots, scarlet rosellas, golden bowerbird, Victoria's riflebird, cranes, honeyeaters, catbirds & many of the local endemic species.
Our final adventure finds us birding Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef, coming to terms with impressive breeding colonies of seabirds.
Then, with a hot tip of a male cassowary escorting three well grown chicks, the stage is set for a resounding top-listing finale.
The DVDs are designed to appeal to first-time as well as experienced, seasoned birders to North Queensland featuring scores of interesting & sought - after birds.
Running time : 2 hours - Filmed, presented and produced by Malcolm Rymer.
