In a first overseas trip since Covid we were privileged to spend nearly three weeks birding in two different areas. Firstly, we were at O'Reilly's Mountain Resort, inland from the Gold Coast in Queensland. This had been a long-awaited visit, a dream place for a birder like me. It did not disappoint, and it has to be a place to visit on the bucket list of any real birder. The star of the show is the regent bowerbird, whose gold colours flash bright in the dark rainforest around the resort. The second area we were in was central NSW, where we have family. Usually it is dry and hot, but this time it was wet and cold. Instead of red dust, this time it was red mud! Many roads we could not pass because of water, and the birds were so scattered because of there being water everywhere. Usually, the birds are around the water holes, and easy to photograph. All in all, it was a great trip, and I managed quite a number of lifer birds, which is very satisfying.
