Redwood bird discovery strengthens calls to stop proposed mountain bike tracks

An unlikely species has been discovered in Redwood Park that belongs in rainforests of Far North Queensland, which has sparked calls to stop a proposed tourism project from going ahead.

A Fairy Gerygone (Gerygone palpebrosa) was heard, sighted and photographed in Redwood by Roger Jaensch on 19 November 2021.

The sighting of a small yellow bird and its cheeky white moustache has reignited calls to kill the Toowoomba Regional Council’s plan for new bike tracks in Redwood Park park.

Toowoomba birdwatcher Roger Jaensch snapped several photos of the usually coastal dwelling Fairy Gerygone at the lower end of the park in November.

The bird differs from the Common Gerygone in that it has a white moustache streak and a dusky throat and chest.

Its native habitat is the rainforest of North Queensland but was recently cited as far south as Gympie.

Darling Downs Environment Council community organiser Paul King said while there was no evidence the species had moved in permanently, the discovery showed how important the park’s pristine dry rainforest was as a refuge for migrating animals.

“It shows there is much more in the park that is yet to be discovered,” he said.

The council has employed Redleaf Environmental to survey the flora and fauna ahead of a vote on plans to build new mountain bike tracks in the park.

Mr King said the environmentalists who opposed the plan would pay closer to that survey.

“If this bird is not listed then there may be other birds missed and that is of concern,” he said.