VOL. 13 (7) SEPTEMBER 1990 209

AUSTRALIAN BIRD WATCHER 1990, 13, 209-217

Cape York in the Wet

by GORDON BERULDSEN, Cape York Bird Weeks, PD. Box 387, Kenmore, Queensland 4069

Although there have been several studies of the birds of (Barnard 1911, Thomson 1935, Mack 1953, Officer 1967, Kikkawa 1976) there is little information from the wet season. I have now had the opportunity of visiting Cape York six times between 1986 and 1989 and here record some of my experiences and the more interesting observations. I do not propose in this paper to list all species observed, just those that I found of particular interest. More detail will follow in a later article.

Habitats Between the course of the Jardine River that runs across the Cape from east to west, and Jackey Jackey on the east coast, north to The Tip, there exists a surprising variety of habitats. Even the open vary widely in form, content and structure. Habitats range from a wide variety of open forests to heathlands, fresh-water lakes, swamps and streams, salt-water estuaries, monsoon scrubs and forests, including several locations with a stand of tree ferns. There is open grassland around (Jackey Jackey) airport and a few other locations. Beaches and wide tidal flats are backed by monsoon forests or casuarina scrub or mangroves. Rocky headlands support low shrubbery in exposed situations and low monsoon scrub in sheltered areas. There are a few small areas of low coastal scrub, similar in appearance to southern coastal heath (Kikkawa 1976). There are extensive fresh-water swamps immediately south of the mouth of the Jardine River. These swamps are generally not accessible in the wet season.

Seasons Typical of tropical areas, there is a wet season and a dry season. Unfortunately there are no quantitative or qualitative rainfall records available, nor any other useful detailed information on climate. Nevertheless there are summer rainfall records from Bamaga available for the years 1960 to 1980. However, they do not accurately reflect rainfall patterns or volumes over the Lockerbie Scrub or at or about the tip of the Cape for, according to the locals, the weather pattern differs over and north of the Carnegie Range, including the Lockerbie Scrub. Despite the claimed variation those rainfall figures reveal significant variations in rainfall patterns, in particular in the time of commencement and the time of conclusion of the wet season and in the volume of rain by months through the wet season. Broadly speaking, rain showers commence in December in most years, building up through January to heavy rains in February and March with the volume tapering off in April. The following extracts from the figures will reveal the measure of the variations. (a) In the 1963/64 wet season peak rainfall occurred in January and again in March with little or no rain in February. (b) In 1965/66 the rains ceased in March. (c) In 1967/68 heavy rains ceased in February with showers through March, April and May. AUSTRALIAN 210 BERULDSEN BIRD WATCHER

(d) In 1969/70 no worthwhile rains fell until February, then there was moderate rainfall in March. April was dry, but there were some showers in May and a sprinkling in June. (e) In 1966/67 and again in 1972/73 no rain fell in December. A peak in 1966/67 occurred in January, then fell away to showers in February, then another peak occurred in March falling away to showers in April and May. In 1972/73 the peak again occurred in January but then fell away to showers in February and March. However, that year showers persisted through until June. On the matter of temperature and humidity some guide can be had from records available from Thursday Island. The figures are ( 0 C): Month Maximum Minimum January 29.7 24.7 February 29.4 24.6 March 29.5 24.5 April 29.5 24.5 May 28.9 24.1 June 28.1 23.0 July 27.4 22.2 August 27.8 22.5 September 28.6 23.1 October 29.8 24.1 November 30.9 25.1 December 30.9 25.4 On humidity the level is generally above 80° through February, March and April and above 70° through the rest of the year. Generally speaking the hottest months are November and December and the driest period is November and frequently into December.

Nesting seasons Despite the relatively short season of rain, there is a surprising spread of variety in nesting seasons. Some birds can be found nesting in almost every month. March is probably the least preferred (and usually the wettest) month. Some species nest as the wet starts (December/January) and some of those species nest again when it ends (March/April). Others nest only in the dry season, yet others towards the end of the dry, and a few nest usually only as the wet season is tailing off.

Migration Almost year-round, migrating birds are moving through the area. The locally breeding land birds that come in from the north in the wet season usually arrive with the early storms from December or January, breed, and are mostly gone by the end of April. Other migrants which continue farther south, such as Rainbow Bee-eaters Merops ornatus, Dollarbirds Eurystomus orienta/is, Channel-billed Cuckoos Scythrops novaehollandiae, Spangled Drongos Dicrurus hottentottus and so on arrive earlier but leave about the same time as the locals, that is April/May. In April 1989 it was obvious that many migrants were moving north through the area. There were many flycatchers, both adult and immature, in the forests and scrubs and large numbers of Dollarbirds, Bee-eaters and lesser numbers of both Sacred and Kingfishers Halcyon sancta and H. macleayii and Common Koels Eudynamys scolopacea around. Therefore I decided to spend an hour or two each evening over the last few days of March and the first week of April 1989 sitting on the cairn on VOL. 13 (7) SEPTEMBER 1990 Cape York in the Wet 211

the highest point of The Tip. On evenings when the wind was from the south-west through south to the south-east, large numbers of birds headed out over Torres Strait. All were flying north-north-west. On evenings when the wind was from the east through north-east and north to north-west, very few birds left The Tip. Occasionally a flock left, headed out towards York Island, then turned around and came back, settling into the mangroves on the western side of The Tip or farther back in forest trees. Generally only the Dollarbirds 'tested' the wind although on one occasion a flock of Tree Martins Cecropis nigricans went out and came back, and on another occasion a flock of Metallic Starlings Aplonis metallica left then came back (the only Metallic Starlings I actually saw fly past The Tip).

Selected systematic list Frigatebirds Fregata spp. Both Least F. ariel and Great F. minor have been seen in the air over The Tip, in all plumage phases (adult and juvenile). Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Observed fleetingly several times along Crocodile Creek, the nearest mangrove creek to The Tip. At least three pairs are known to be resident in the mangroves of Jackey Jackey inlet. Those mangroves cover a vast area and almost certainly other pairs hold territories there. Rufous Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus One evening in April 1989, in rapidly failing light, small (5-9) floc ks of this species were seen heading out across Torres Strait. It was too dark to see whether the flocks included adults and immatures or just adults, or just immatures. They were calling occasionally as they flew. It was the call that first attracted attention. Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon A pair appears to have a territory adjacent to the Bamaga (Jackey Jackey) airport. They have been seen there on a number of occasions. Quail sp. In April 1989 an unidentified call could be heard coming from tropical grassland at the northern end of the Bamaga (Jackey Jackey) airport. As several of us searched through the grassland, two quail flushed from the grass and flew south for some distance. The species could not be identified. However, they appeared to be similar in size and colour to Stubble Quail Coturnix novaezelandiae, but the call was wrong. Although I know the call of most quails this part!~ular call was completely unfamiliar to me. Sarus Crane Grus antigone A pair observed from a helicopter close to the mouth of the Jardine River in January 1988. There was a flock of Brolgas Grus rubicundus not far away. Migratory waders Sixteen species have been identified so far, despite the lack of a concerted effort to seek them out. Pigeons Two quite distinctive and unidentified calls have been heard in the closed forest. From the published description of its call one almost certainly was a Zoe Imperial Pigeon Ducula zoeae, a New Guinea species. Kikkawa (1976) commented, 'Most closed forest birds nest towards the end of the dry season (early summer). Exceptions include the Wompoo Pigeon Ptilinopus magni.ficus laying in July'. Barnard (1911) also found the Wompoo Fruit-Dove nesting between October 1910 and January 1911 inclusive, but did not say which months. In the Lockerbie and other closed forest areas in the vicinity of the tip of the Cape I found the species nesting in January of both 1988 and 1989. Good rains had fallen in both those months before my visit. Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus Not common but widely scattered. They can be seen most days. Several nesting sites are known. Pale-headed Rosella Plarycercus adscitus The blue-cheeked race is present but only in small numbers. Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus Seen occasionally through the wet season. They were very quiet (not calling) and usually along the margin of the monsoon scrub with the open torest. AUSTRALIAN 212 BERULDSEN BIRD WATCHER

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo Cuculus castaneiventris This bird is moderately common in the monsoon and adjacent open forests although it is difficult to locate. It apparently breeds there, as immatures have been seen. Whether some or all remain the year round is not known although I have seen them from November through to May. Unlike Fan-tailed Cuckoos Cuculus pyrrhophanus, which forage largely on or near the ground, Chestnut-breasted Cuckoos feed mainly in the canopy, where they are quite nimble in picking insects from the foliage. Fan-tailed Cuckoos apparently do not stay in the area through the wet. Unless one has a very acute sense of hearing and a 'feel' for bird calls, it is almost impossible to differentiate between the call of this species and the short trill of the Yellow-billed Kingfisher Syma torotoro. The Kingfisher can easily be identified once it launches into its long trill, but it uses the short trill much more frequently than the long trill. The Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo also has two other notes, very similar to calls of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo, plus a complex series of notes given during what appeared to be courtship and/or territory displaying. The only species seen to be aggressive towards this cuckoo were the Yellow-spotted Honeyeater Meliphaga notata, and the Graceful Honeyeater Meliphaga gracilis. As yet no host species has been seen feeding a young cuckoo of this species. Although I found the bird to be moderately common, earlier ornithologists had difficulty finding it. Barnard (1911) said of this species 'very rare; only one specimen observed'. Macgillivray (1917) stated, 'not uncommon; more often heard than seen'. Officer (1966) stated, 'On my second visit, after some frustrating failures, I finally obtained a satisfactory identification of the Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo'. To me the secret to finding the bird lies in the recognition of the call and the ability to separate it from that of the Yellow-billed Kingfisher, then to locate the calling bird, often perched in the open in the sunlight over the top of the closed canopy. Little Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx malayanus Both the white-breasted and the rufous-breasted forms have been seen. It seems to me significant that I was attracted to the rufous-breasted bird by its quite distinctive call, which I found consistently different in structure and tone from that of the white-breasted form. Common Koel Eudynamys scolopacea In April 1989 there were many birds present, including many immatures, but none was actually seen flying out. Perhaps they delay their departure until after dark. Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae In April 1989 a few pairs were seen and heard heading out, always only two at a time. They called occasionally as they flew. Barking Owl Ninox connivens Moderately common. Marbled Frogmouth Podargus ace/latus Moderately common in the closed forests. Papuan Frogmouth Podargus papuensis Moderately common in the open forests. Swifts Both Fork-tailed Swifts Apus pacificus and White-throated Needletails Hirundapus caudacutus can be seen, particularly when there are storms around. In April 1989 both species were seen flying over in flocks, occasionally 'chattering' as they flew. In November 1987 I saw what I am sure was a single Uniform Swiftlet Collocalia vanikorensis. Kikkawa (1976) said of this species, 'the only specimen known from was collected by Kemp in September 1913 at Peak Point'. (Presumably Peak Point is the tip of the cape). On several occasions in April 1989 a few smaller uniformly coloured swiftlets were seen with a flock of Fork-tailed Swifts. There is little doubt in my mind that they were Uniform Swiftlets. I had a good look at several in one mixed flock one evening. The wing shape was slender and less pointed, with a noticeable elbow. Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azurea Little Kingfisher Ceyx pusilla Both are present in the mangroves, particularly along the narrow streams through the mangroves. The Azure Kingfisher is also present along fresh-water streams, particularly under closed canopies. One pair of Azure Kingfishers nests each year in a sand bank just above high tide on a beach facing Torres Strait. The Little Kingfisher is far from common, and particularly difficult to locate.

Other kingfishers All the kingfishers with the exception of the Red-backed Halycyon pyrrhopygia have been seen. The Sacred Kingfisher Halycon sancta appears to be migratory (at least most of them are), and I suspect that ..1any Forest Kingfishers Halycon macleayii are also migratory. I saw no Sacred Kingfishers and very few Forest Kingfishers in January, yet they were common in April/May. Barnard (1911) apparently VOL. 13 (7) SEPTEMBER 1990 Cape York in the Wet 213

Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azurea, Jan. 1989 Cape York, Q1d Photo: B. & K. Richards

Frilled Monarch Arses telescophthalmus, Cape York, Qld Plate 54 Photo: Graeme Chapman

Yellow-billed Kingfisher Syma torotoro, Cape York, Q1d Plate 55 Photo: Graeme Chapman AUSTRALIAN 214 BERULDSEN BIRD WATCHER

failed to find the species (Sacred Kingfisher) between September 1910 and January 19ll. Macgillivray (1917) stated that McLennan 'found them numerous in July 1913'. Macgillivray (1914) again quoted McLennan, 'first noted them as numerous in the mangroves on 17 March 1910 - all proved to be young birds'. Draffan et al. (1983) said of this species in the islands to the north of Cape York , 'a common passage migrant and winter resident'. The Yellow-billed Kingfisher Syrru1 torotoro is common in the monsoon forests and adjacent open forest. It nests a month or so earlier than the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher Tanysiptera sylvia, selecting arboreal termite mounds. Some nests are actually within the monsoon forest, whereas others are in open forest immediately adjacent to the monsoon forest. The Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher is one of the most common birds in the monsoon forest and scrubs. Almost every suitable termite mound is used for nesting. In one area the density of nests appeared to be as high as five per hectare. I suspect that goannas take a high toll of eggs and young and sometimes incubating adults. I have seen nests that have had their entrances scraped open and the eggs removed and in January 1989 I saw a large goanna carry off an adult of this kingfisher. I suspect that what the goanna had done was to scratch on the outside of the termite mound thus disturbing the sitting bird, then grabbed the bird as it exited from its nest hole. The goanna had the kingfisher by the neck and upper body. It ran off through the forest when I approached. Rainbow Bee-eater Merops omatus In April 1989 there were thousands around all day. They flew out low over the sea heading north­ north-west. The local fishermen report seeing them fly past when they are out fishing. Calls could be heard from dawn to dusk. Dollarbird Eurystomus orienta/is Again, large numbers moving through in April 1989. They congregated in the vicinity of The Tip in the evening then commenced to head out in widely scattered groups. Some could be seen fl ying over at great heights, sometimes out of sight of the naked eye. Once on their way the birds were silent. Noisy Pitta Pitta versicolor Red-bellied Pitta Pitta erythrogaster The Red-bellied Pitta arrives as soon as the first major storms set in , usually in December, and departs as soon as the wet season finishes in April. Most, if not all, are gone by early May. Both species are present and moderately common in the closed forests through the wet season, and both nest there. They do not appear to compete with each other and clearly territories overlap. In January 1988 a pair of each species had a nest quite close to each other and were frequently seen in each other's territories. In January 1989, in a different locality, while an observer was watching an occupied nest of the Noisy Pitta, a Red-bellied Pitta hopped past that nest with nesting material for its own nest, under construction not far away. Selection of nest sites by the Noisy Pitta is fairly rigid, either in a buttress or by a log or rock on the ground. The Red-bellied Pitta is much less particular. In fact almost any site suits them. I have seen nests in buttresses and on the ground by logs and rocks, just like the Noisy Pitta. I have also seen nests on stumps, in the tops of Pandanus palms, in vines (usually lawyer vines) in notches in the side of trees (usually figs) , on the ground amongst fallen palm fronds, and one out in the open on bare ground backed up to a small sapling, like a Logrunner Orthonyx temminckii nest. One uniform feature is that almost all nests (of both species) are beneath the closed canopy and in dimly lit locations. The nests of the Red-belled Pitta are generally similar to those of the Noisy Pitta although nests that are built on the top of a stump or in a Pandanus or in a notch in a tree are generally somewhat bulkier and less tidy. These nests frequently have a substantial 'landing' platform in front of the entrance. Three eggs seem to be the normal clutch of the Red-bellied Pitta. The eggs are similar in shape, colour, marking and size to those of the local Noisy Pitta, whose eggs are smaller than those of its southern form. Despite the spectacular colours of the Red-bellied Pitta it is particularly difficult to locate. One can sometimes hear its mournful call coming from many directions in the forest and know there are many birds around . To find them one has to select one call and follow it to its source. At close range great care has to be taken, for the calling bird, the male, is almost always in a tree top just under the canopy. One has to locate the tree, creep in, then try and locate the brilliant red underside amongst the foliage. One would think that would be easy, but that is not so. Fortunately the bird almost always selects a bare section of a branch clear of foliage but that doesn't make the task of locating it any easier. When you ultimately locate the 'red' patch, you wonder why it took so long to find . As long as you are quiet and move slowly the bird will stay there and continue calling, often for a long period of time. giving ample opportunity for observation. A feature not shown in any of the field guides is a narrow white 'parson's collar', broken in the centre of the throat, that some birds have, usually only displayed as the bird calls. It is possible that this is caused by the white bases of the throat feathers showing as the throat swells during the calling (see plate 56). VOL. 13 (7) SEPTEMBER 1990 Cape York in the Wet 215

Tree Martin Cecropis nigricans Fairy Martin Cecropis ariel In April 1989 flocks of these species, mainly Tree Martins, passed over The Tip from time to time, generally at intervals of 15-20 minutes. Only a few flocks of Fairy Martins were seen on one evening only. Both species were calling as they flew. Northern Scrub-robin Drymodes superciliaris Not common and habitat selective. Found in specific types of monsoon forest, generally a scrubby type of forest with a low canopy, in which it is difficult to see very far because of the numerous thin tree trunks, shrubs and other foliage. Three nests have been located, all in January. The call is particularly distinctive. Mangrove Robin Eopsaltria pulverulenta Observed in January 1989 in mangroves around Mt Adolphus Island and again in April 1989 in mangroves in Jackey Jackey inlet, where a pair were attending a nest. Yellow-legged Flycatcher Microeca griseoceps Moderately common and easy to locate once the call is known. Two nests have been found , each in the second week of January 1988, one in the canopy at about 30 m and the other only 6 m up in the middle storey, both in monsoon forest. Lemon-breasted Flycatcher Microeca jlavigaster Not common and usually in open forests, frequently adjacent to monsoon forest. White-faced Robin Tregellasia leucops This species has only been seen in one locality and only two pairs have been identified. Others probably occur elsewhere but clearly the bird is habitat selective and uncommon. Kikkawa (1976) said of the species when talking about John Porter Rogers and Robin Kemp as collectors for Mathews, 'The White-faced Robin was relatively rare at Cape York'. Likewise Barnard (1911) said of this species, 'Two birds of this species were observed'. Macgillivray (1914) stated, 'not a common species at Cape York only one pair being noted, in a big patch of scrub about 4 1h miles from Lockerbie'. I found it of particular interest that the only two pairs that I could find were about 7 km (4Y, miles) from Lockerbie, which may be co-incidental as Macgillivray did not reveal a direction. Despite extensive searches in many apparently suitable locations I have been unable to find any others. Those located have remained within a few hundred metres of the original find since 1986. Despite the foregoing comments it is of interest to note that Officer (1967) said of this species, ' in the vine scrub the White­ faced Robin was frequently seen'. It should be noted that all records quoted are from similar seasonal periods, that is the pre-wet and wet seasons. Mangrove Golden Whistler Pachycephala me/anura Confined to mangrove areas and uncommon. Has been seen in the mangroves at Jackey Jackey and around Mt Adolphus Island. Grey Whistler Pachycephala simplex Not uncommon in closed forest, sometimes venturing out into adjacent open forest. Although the call is quite distinctive, the bird is not easy to identify by sight, particularly as it tends to keep to the higher foliage. Yellow-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus jlaviventer Common in most closed forest areas. Frilled Monarch Arses telescophthalmus Widely distributed, though not common, in closed forest. Many of their beautiful swinging purse­ shaped nests have been seen. It is often easier to find nests than see the birds, which spend much of their time high in the canopy. Black-faced Monarch Monarcha melanopsis Black-winged Monarch Monarcha frater Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca The only occasion on which I was able to locate these three species was in April 1989. Adults and immatures were present, and appeared to be moving north, though none was actually seen heading out over Torres Strait. They probably migrate at night. The failure to find the Black-winged Monarch on other occasions was despite specific detailed and extensive searches for the species. In relation to the Black-faced Monarch, Officer (1967) quoted McLennan as saying, 'this bird comes from the south in February for about two months and then disappears'. I found them common at the end of April 1989 and again in April 1990. They were moving, apparently northward, and almost certainly on migration. In relation to the Black-winged Monarch, Barnard (19ll) did not mention this species, and Macgillivray (1918) said of the species, 'Though rare at Cape York .. .' and again (1914), 'Only one noted at Cape York during McLennan's stay there'. Officer (1967) said of this species, 'There was one rather AUSTRALIAN 216 BERULDSEN BIRD WATCHER disappointing record of the Pearly Flycatcher, an immature bird lacking the black face markings'. I saw two similar birds (lacking the black face markings) in January 1989 but was not satisfied that they were in fact Black-winged Monarchs. I was unable to find any adults and in my opinion it was too early for migration north to have commenced. Certainly there were no other flycatchers migrating north at that time. Broad-billed Flycatcher Myiagra ruficollis I prefer not to identify this species until I have a nest and see male and female (I call them in with a tape recording) at the nest. Not common and confined to mangrove creeks, though there may be more than I have identified. The problem is that the Leaden Flycatcher M. rubecula also inhabits, and nests in, the same localities. I have had a nest of each species only 30 metres apart on the one mangrove creek. Tawny-breasted Honeyeater Xanthotis flaviventer Moderately common in closed forest, venturing out into adjacent open forest. Not seen or heard in the mangroves. White-streaked Honeyeater Trichodere cockerelli Common in suitable (heath) habitats and adjacent open forest. Nesting frequently at the end of the wet (April). Blue-faced Finch Erythrura trichroa Whilst walking along a road bordered by tall grass and isolated trees with thick monsoon forest behind, in the rain in April 1989, my attention was attracted by an unfamiliar trill call. I looked in the direction from which the call came, to see a small bird with a green back and dull red tail flying with a long strand of dry grass away from the roadside towards the forest. It flew into the forest just below the canopy level. I am familiar with both the call and the appearance of the Red-browed Firetail Aegintha temporalis. That species occurs in the area including along the edges of the Lockerbie Scrub. In this particular case it was the call that attracted my attention. I was unable to locate the bird again but all indications were that it was a Blue-faced Finch. Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica Late one evening in April 1989, when the light had almost gone, a flock of about 30 flew low overhead, descended to just above sea level and headed out over Torres Strait. They were flying very fast and calling as they flew. Shortly after they returned and 'dived' into the mangrove trees on the western side of The Tip, where presumably they waited for the north-east wind to drop. There are many large nesting colonies throughout the forest areas. Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Where the forests were full of Drongos in January, their numbers were depleted in April 1989. However, only one single bird was seen to head out over Torres Strait. I kept it in view with my binoculars until it disappeared from view heading north-north-west. It was with a large scattered flock of Dollarbirds. Fawn-breasted Bowerbird Chlamydera cerviniventris There are several territories, with bowers, not far from The Tip. The species is not common. Magnificent Riflebird Ptiloris magnificus Common in all closed forest areas. Several low display stages are known. Trumpet Manucode Manucodia keraudrenii Moderately common in closed forest. A nest with two young was located in January 1989, about 15 m up in the crown of a monsoon forest tree.

Acknowledgements Graeme Chapman made valuable comment on this paper and that comment was appreciated, as was his assistance as a guide and help-mate at Cape York in January 1989.

References Barnard, H.G. (1911) , 'Field notes from Cape York ', Emu 11, 17-32. Draffan, R.D.W. , Garnett, S.T. & Malone, G.J. (1983), 'Birds of the Torres Strait; an annotated list and biogeographical analysis', Emu 83, 207-234. Kikkawa, J. (1976), 'The birds of Cape York Peninsula', Sunbird 7, 25-41, 81-106. Macgillivray, W. (1914) , 'Notes on some North Queensland birds', Emu 13, 134-186. -- (1918), 'Ornithologists in North Queensland', Emu 17, 63-212. Mack, G. (1953), 'Birds from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland', Mem. Qld. Museum 13, 1-39. Officer, H.R. (1967), 'In the footsteps of McLennan and Barnard at Cape York', Emu 66, 279-287. Thomson, D. F. (1935), Birds of Cape York Peninsula, Govt Printer, Melbourne. Received 31 May 1989 • VOL. 13 (7) SEPTEMBER 1990 217

Red-bellied Pitta Pitta erythrogaster at Cape York, showing white collar Plate 56 Photo: Graeme Chapman