Love your pics Jefferson. Where are you taking them ?
We have moved to Macleod. We used to be in Blackburn and there were a lot of birds there especially Kookaburras. Being close to the Rosanna Parklands and a lot of birds so pretty lucky
Some interesting behaviour to note: the small flock of Gang-gang Cockatoos that annually visit the Yarra River along the Richmond/Hawthorn border haven’t left yet; they’re usually back in the hills by now.
I wonder if they’re going to be the next attitudinal migrant to remain in the area year-round, following King Parrots in about 2015, and Pied Currawongs 10-15 years before that.
#Terek Sandpiper - Stockyard Point. Took a trip down the Bass Highway today to Jam Jerrup and in amongst literally thousands of Red Necked Stints BH spotted this chap with a longer and slightly upturned beak. Only the second time she’s seen one, years ago, and quite a bit of fist pumping ensued. Carpark was empty when we arrived around 2 for the high tide, best time for viewing waders there, but as none of the ace birders from her site have reported one this year that won’t be the case tomorrow.
PS On the subject of hard to find birds, the current celebrity bird is an Oriental Magpie which was last seen in West Melbourne this morning. Speculation is it arrived on a ship, was originally misidentified as a Pied Butcher Bird with a long tail.
#Chestnut Quail Thrush and Chick! - Hattah
Now BH tells me that Chesnut Quail Thrushs are hard to spot and spotting their chicks is out of this world. BH saw the adult first and soon after heard unusual bird noises on the other side of the road which she duly investigated. Turned out to be the chick which was running about even though it appeared to be newly hatched. The normally shy adult male then suddenly arrived close by and BH realised the relationship and backed off straight away.
#Spotted Harrier - Lake Tyrrell. BH caught this impressive raptor in flight today on a brief break in our long drive back from Mildura. Note that like the more common Swamp Harrier its legs hang down in flight.
New zealand tui. ?
So my little friend Scruffy that I posted up the thread a little decided the other day that I wasn’t feeding him fast enough and went upside my head. Specifically, in to my eyeball. Blurred for the squeamish:
Fortunately missed my cornea by millimetres, but fark me, it hurt more than the 99 prelim.
He and his partner are currently nesting in a tree in my yard, there are two chicks (?) in the nest and it’s all very adorable (both parents do equal work with the youngsters). His partner is lucky not to be a single mother after after his little stunt.
4 hours in the urgent care clinic, two days off work and some very irritating antibiotic eye drops.
Birds.
Edit: on checking, it wasn’t the individual I posted earlier, it was the male bird who has been the most friendly and interactive. Until now, obviously.
Were you feeding them small round dog biscuits about the size and shape of a pupil? If so, you trained them well.
I planted this species of Hakea specifically to get visits from these birds.
This is the first time I’ve seen them on my block. They usually just fly past.
I’m very pleased.
What bird are they ?