Wednesday, June 13, 2007

South Hobart Birding

Mona Loofs Samorzewski writes: A few days ago, while deep in a discussion with my husband, Meika, about why he hadn't passed on a message to me about an important appointment that was cancelled that I had tried to go to, he suddenly pointed over my shoulder and said "what's that bird!" I thought it was a desperate attempt to change the subject, but instead it turned out to be a Tawny Frogmouth (pictured) ! It's the first time I've seen one at the Cohousing Co-op where I live, and only the second time I've seen one since I've lived in Tasmania. As you can see it was perched near one of the houses in full daylight. We were wondering if it would be interested in the many Eastern Spinebills that frequent the pineapple sage nearby, and whether it would hunt during the day. Interestingly, that morning I heard many Blackbirds doing alarm calls right in that area, but couldn't spot the source of their concern. Perhaps the presence of the Tawny Frogmouth explains it. Spotting it has brought my list for the "Cohousing" to 47. I'm constantly amazed that I keep adding new birds after living here for over 7 years. Birding out your window must be one of the most satisfying activities I can think of!
Another bird of note here a few weeks ago, was a White Goshawk, perched on one of our guinea pig hutches, two days in a row. Another person who lives here had the best views, I only caught the occasional glimpse, but later had a good sighting while walking to the South Hobart Primary School. I haven't seen them much in this area before, Has anyone else noted them flying over South Hobart? Meika and I also saw a pair perched above a chook yard near Longley at the weekend. It's funny how sightings of birds go, I hadn't seen a White Goshawk at all until this year, and now I've seen them three times in the space of a few months.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Mona,
A great bird to add to your 'home' list!! We've been adding some new ones to our 'home' list since moving to Ulverstone a couple of months ago - most distressing of which is the Rainbow Lorikeets we see almost every day!

Anonymous said...

Hi again Mona,
Just as well this wasn't an Owlet Nightjar, or we'd have been really jealous!

Anonymous said...

Meika HAS actually seen an owlet nightjar and I AM really jealous!!! He went for a walk up the mountain just near our place one day when I was having a nap and returned saying, "hey what's that bird that looks like a small owl and has bristles around its beak?" He remembers exactly where he saw it and I keep intending to go there with him some child-free moment and see if we can spot it...

Anonymous said...

tassiebirds.blogspot.com; You saved my day again.

Ruth said...

We at Woodbridge Hill Hideaway seem to be seeing the tawnies a lot lately. I have posted a couple of photos on our facebook page. Fantastic photos.