A few years ago, I spent a couple of days exploring the Rockhampton area in central Queensland. Two of its natural highlights were the Kershaw Gardens and Botanic Gardens, where I found abundant birdlife, vibrant plants and inviting walking tracks. In this first of two posts, I’m sharing five favourite photos from Kershaw Gardens.
Kershaw Gardens opened in 1988 on 50 hectares of rehabilitated former landfill. Today, the gardens offer nature walks, playgrounds, picnic shelters and short-term camping areas. The entrance sculptures pictured above reflect the rich variety of flora found throughout the gardens.
Along one of the nature trails, I spotted several great egrets near the water. Mixed flocks of Australian white ibis and straw-necked ibis were also feeding in the shallows.
Known for their beautiful, intricate songs, pied butcherbirds are found across most of Australia. There are one of five Australian butcherbird species, and have strong, hooked bills, which they use to impale prey on thorns or lodge it in tree forks. Further information about the species and a recording of its musical calls can be linked here.
One bird that I had heard of but never seen before was the Australasian figbird. True to their name, figbirds often feed on fruit, seeds and berries in orchards and gardens. Males are especially distinctive, with bare red skin around the eyes. A photograph showing this feature can be linked from the BirdLife Australia website.
Another waterbird I encountered in Kershaw Gardens was the plumed whistling-duck. Found in wetlands and grasslands across Australia, the species often gathers in flocks. I had previously seen large groups along the river when I visited Junee, NSW. A recording of the bird’s soft, sibilant whistle can be linked here.
Beyond the featured birds, the gardens were lively with noisy miners, apostlebirds, masked lapwings and kookaburras. The subtropical setting also brought plenty of colour to the walk, including the vibrant grevillea pictured at the top of the post.
You can find out more about the Kershaw Gardens through the official visitor information site. If you have explored the gardens, which birds, plants, or walking trails stood out to you?
Photo: grevillea spotted in the Kershaw Gardens, Rockhampton QLD
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