White Ibis

Report from Bill & Els : They saw a White Ibis at Rosetta High School playing fields yesterday afternoon, Thursday 9/2, "while the sprinklers were working". A common bird elsewhere in Australia and seen here somewhat rarely, but 'irrupts' occasionally, when quite large numbers are reported.

On The Move

It's about this time of year that the Yellow-throated Honeyeaters start to move. This move is largely a 'dispersal', often moving into urban areas. Over the past 20 years or so I've recorded them appearing in my garden early in February, mostly in ones and twos. This year they started appearing in early January. Exactly what this may signify, I can only guess at. In the Meehan Range at the moment they are particularly abundant, gleaning insects from leaves and under bark. They are also one of the numerous species bathing. I've noted while banding, that they are usually in moult at this time, and often have pieces of feather sheathing on their plumage, which may account for the frequent bathing. One February, my son, Matthew and I, caught and banded over 50 mainly juvenile birds in one net, in less than one (frantic) hour. Which for a species not usually (ever?) found in flocks, was somewhat surprising. For an endemic species, I suspect we know rather less than we should about Yellowthroats.

Kingston Wood Duck

Felix Wilson writes: I had recently noticed Wood Duck at the Kingston Wastewater Treatment site as I passed. As they were on my list of birds to photograph, I decided on a visit. The flock there, consisting of about 20 birds were quite obliging, obviously desensitized to human presence by passing traffic. It's encouraging to see councils establishing areas like this to treat stormwater run-off, rather than just letting it run into the sea.

Happier Birthday Party

I was invited to a 2 year olds birthday party at the weekend and since the parents are longtime friends I duly went. Well small talk is not really my scene, so I 'snuck' into their yard which adjoins the bush and took the accompanying pix. I returned in time to photograph the blowing out of the candles, so I feel I didmy duty! I must say, looking back, I did have a happy birthday party.

[ Above:Male and female Superb Fairy Wrens , below: Dusky Robin and juv. male Scarlet Robin]

Suburban Pardalotes.

Bill & Els write: Recently we went over to Howrah after a report of a possible sighting of a Fortyspotted Pardalote by a Mrs Mary Crowe. An occasional bird, which may be this species, has been seen in and around her garden for some years. The birds were thought to be feeding in trees along the Minerva Park Creek walking track, which provides good cover and has the odd Euc. Viminalis. Unfortunately more and more trees are being removed as people want to create or retain views. One 'lady' wishing to retain views of the bus stop!(even though she doesn't use the bus) and another known as "Big Foot", reportedly stomp on any saplings planted near their gardens. Despite this, the area is teeming with birds, but no Fortyspots. There was a faint call which could have been one, which suggests the area warrants further observation as well as searching the viminalis in other parts of the area. Numerous family parties of Spotted and one of Striated Pardalotes fearlessly came to within a metre of us as they searched the foliage. Areas such as this, which are well used by man, have helped reduce the birds fear of humans.

Galahs Love Dandelions

Felix Wilson writes: I found a flock of 4 Galahs on the roadside near Gould's Lagoon. They were pretty tame and allowed me to go within a metre or so to take these photos. They were feeding on dandelions as you can see. I don't know how much nutrient they get from them, but they obviously relish them. I know people make dandelion tea (although I've never tried it!) They are attractive birds and I was pleased to get so close to them.

Singing Killer

John Tongue writes: I was visiting a friend's farm at Kempton/ Melton Mowbray today, and enjoying the clear, melodious carolling of a Grey Butcherbird in a nearby Oak Tree. The thought struck me of the irony of how such a beautiful songster can also be such a fearsome killer. I wonder if the potential victims "appreciate" the Butcherbird's serenade as much as we do?

Bathtime

Do you mind, we're trying to have a bath!
Two Silvereyes and a lone Brown Thornbill enjoying the 'luxury' of bathing in clean water in the Meehan Range.

Heavy Stuff!

From Bill& Els: A project has started looking at the incidence of avian diseases and the possibility of the presence of the H5N1 virus in our waterfowl. The go-ahead has also been given to look at gulls as carriers and up to 150 will be swabbed along with a seriological assay on each bird.
Last week we captured 20 Wood Duck and a Masked Lapwing with the help of a zap net. This is a net dragged out over the birds by strong bungee chords. The area was pre- fed for a week in order to attract the birds and this worked well. With a species like Wood Duck, which spends much of its' time out of water, it may be possible to learn more of their movements by using flags in the same way as used on waders. The next target will probably be hybrid Mallard x Black Ducks as they appear to be of most concern as potential carriers and vectors of disease. Their lack of fear of humans also makes them easier targets for the project.

Bluewing

Revisited the Meehan Range this morning, to show Peter Willshire the Satin Flycatchers at the dam. Saw at least 4, possibly as many as 6 while we sat and watched several other species come and go. One visitor I didn't expect was this Bluewinged Parrot--a distant photo I'm afraid. I've often heard the Bluewings pass high overhead, but it's the first I've seen in the valley. I have found several pairs of Bluewings nesting in the "Meehan" over the years, but all of them high up along the ridge of the hills. Although Bluewings are surprisingly common, I suspect most of us rarely get more than a fleeting view of them.

Flycatchers

Went for a short walk this morning, armed as usual with my camera, in the Meehan Range. I've spent many hundreds of hours in this section, called "Red Gate" , after the gate at the railway crossing,( both the gate and the railway having disappeared long ago). The entrance is just West of Cambridge township, close to the overpass. I had a banding site here for several years, which I operated with my son. It's a highly underrated area and on a good day, one of the best.
I spent 30 minutes or so at a waterhole, watching several species, drinking and washing, but the highlight of the morning was this pair of Satin Flycatchers. Flycatchers usually just 'dunk' themselves in the water in flight, which is what these 2 were doing, unfortunately much too quick for my photographic skills. Still I managed a few shots shown here.