Monthly Archives: May 2012
Shining Flycatcher
The Shining Flycatcher is one of the most recognizable birds of the Wet Tropics. The brilliant glossy plumage of the male contrasts deeply with the drab chestnut and white of his mate and as the birds usually travel in pairs … Continue reading
Mission Beach Satinash
Mission Beach Satinash or Syzygium alliilgneum is an uncommon locally occurring tree of great beauty and edible fruits. Its other common name is Onionwood which refers to the odour of the blaze of the trunk when cut and not the … Continue reading
Helmeted Friarbird
The Helmeted Friarbird owes its name to the bare patch of skin on top of its head. It is in fact a Honeyeater and as often the way with the family, aggressive. These birds are common throughout Mission Beach and … Continue reading
Scrub Daphne
Scrub Daphne, properly known as Phaleria clerodendron is a small tree commonly encountered in rainforests of the Mission Beach area. Deciduous during the warm summer months the tree bursts into blossom in February or March with showy, heavily scented white … Continue reading
Bush Hen
The Bush Hen is a common but very rarely seen inhabitant of the Mission Beach rainforests. A ground dweller and belonging to the Rail family, Bush Hens are smaller then chickens but as loud as the average rooster. The most … Continue reading
Graceful Honeyeater
The Graceful Honeyeater is a common Mission Beach bird and very similar in appearance to its close relative the Yellow-spotted Honeyeater. The tow may be distinguished by the Graceful having a more rounded yellow cheek patch and also on call … Continue reading
Guanabana or Soursop
The Guana Bana, also known as Soursop, is the largest member of the custard apple family and is produced by the Graviola Tree. It is a large fruit of a small fast growing tree. Its skin is dark green or … Continue reading
Yellow-faced Whip Snake
One of the least seen creatures inhabiting the Mission Beach area is the small, secretive Yellow-faced Whip Snake. These little reptiles which rarely attain a size of more than 70 cms in length are skink eaters and so active by … Continue reading
