Banks Street Reserve is a pocket of birding magic tucked in along Enoggera Creek in Brisbane’s inner western suburb of Ashgrove. The local Bushcare Group and schools have done some good work revegetating and controlling weeds along the creek. This can be a good place to find Pale-vented Bush-hens and other denizens of freshwater habitats. There have been recent sightings of roosting Powerful Owls and the forest/scrub component is alive with bush birds, particularly in the morning. Brown Goshawks are commonly seen over the open sports field area. Some 77 species were reported in the Reserve in 2022 and, based on eBird Hotspot data, the site has amassed an impressive 153 species over the years.
I thought we might spend 2-3 hours exploring the Reserve, staying on the Grade 2 tracks rather than hauling ourselves up any unpleasantly gravelly hillsides. We will return to Quandong Park for Bird call so bring a chair/blanket and some morning tea. There are no restrooms at Banks Street Reserve but the shopping centres at either end of Ashgrove Avenue would provide some options in that regard. Bring a hat and sunscreen and consider insect repellent (although I don’t usually find that necessary here).
Directions: Meet in Quandong Park. Best approach is via Ashgrove Avenue, turning into Greenwood Street. On-street parking is available along Quandong Street.
UBD Map Ref: 139 E16
