Jose essentially created the first eco-friendly attraction in Queensland .
Today, we have an incredible combination of the 7,500 plants, trees and ferns Jose and his wife Margarita planted plus the growth that has occurred over the past 70 years. The park has become an amazing habitat for hundreds of varieties of birds, butterflies, fish and many other animals.
Although more often heard than seen, the birds in the Park are varied and plentiful. A few of those more commonly seen are described below.
EMERALD GROUND-DOVE (Chalcophaps indica)
Emerald green wings, purple-brown head, neck and underparts, white shoulder patch (male) or grey shoulder (female). Often seen on the ground. Voice - low repeated cooing.
YELLOW-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Nectarinia jugularis)
Also known as OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRD. Olive-yellow head, neck, back and wings. Yellow underparts, tail tipped white. Male - deep purplish-blue chin and upper breast. Voice - high pitched 'dzit-dzit'; hissing whistle. Builds suspended nests, which can be seen near the Castle in the Top Gardens. Feeds on spiders.
FIGBIRD (Sphecotheres viridis)
Male - facial skin pink, red or orange. Back olive-green. Brilliant yellow underparts. Female - facial skin blue. Upper parts brownish. Throat and breast cream, heavily streaked. Voice - soft, musical; short sharp yelps. Often seen on the Ficus benjamina near the Castle, feeding on the small red fruit.
METALLIC STARLING (Aplonis metallica)
Lustrous black body, bright red eye. Bill, legs black. Voice - harsh, chattering. Move in flocks. Nest in colonies. One such colony can be found in the Park, near the Golden Bamboo. Migratory.
SPANGLED DRONGO (Dicrurus bracteatus)
Black body. Breast, wings, tail glossy. Flaring tail fork. Heavy black bill. Red eye. Voice - very vocal. Varied sounds - rasping, hissing, crackling. Swift erratic flight. Small flocks or singly. Often seen in Top Gardens.
VARIED TRILLER (Lalage leucomela)
Male - upperparts black, dark grey rump, white markings through wing. Underparts white, fine dark barring. Light cinnamon vent. Female - as for male, browner above, underparts grey-buff with barring. Voice - distinctive trill. Often seen on the Ficus benjamina near the Castle, feeding on the small red fruit.
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Largest of the Kingfisher family.Large head - cream with mottled brown, large bill. Back and wings brown with blue on wings. Voice - raucous laughter
ORANGE-FOOTED SCRUBFOWL (Megapodius reinwardt)
Dark brown back and wings. Dark grey neck and body, orange legs, brown crest. Builds mound for nesting.
BRUSH TURKEY
Others to watch out for: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Black Butcherbird, Azure Kingfisher.
Japoonvale Rd (Old Bruce Highway)
PO Box 88
Mena Creek
Queensland 4871
Australia
