tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42328764172137625002024-03-06T01:42:49.864+11:00AvitheraThis blog will mostly contain notes and photos of birds and bird behavior observed and photographed in my backyard patch, East Gippsland, and on birding journeys around Australia. Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-29057299452873761122023-09-15T10:06:00.000+10:002023-09-15T10:06:42.204+10:00Baillon’s Crakes at Byron Wetlands<p>Of the three Porzana crakes found in Australia, Baillon’s (<i>Porzana pusilla</i>) is the smallest and least reported. Baillon’s are reported in Birdata nearly half as frequently as the Spotted (<i>P fluminea</i>) and Spotless (<i>P tabuensis</i>) Crakes (see end note) . This may be due to a number of factors. Their habitat is similar however Spotless and Spotted do frequent more saline habitats whereas Baillon’s is more restricted to freshwater habitats and therefore being more particular have access to less habitat overall. </p><p>The Baillon’s larger cousins are reported to forage in more open areas of mudflats where obviously they are more easily seen. The Baillon’s is regarded as secretive and mostly stays within dense vegetation, however it does forage along edges where it can be seen. Lastly it is possible the Baillon’s, which looks similar to the Spotted, is miss identified/recorded as a Spotted Crake (of course the reverse ID issue is possible).</p><p>Given the above I was fortunate to find five Baillon’s Crakes foraging mid-morning along the edge of a heavily vegetated wetland lagoon at the Byron Integrated Wastewater Management site. I managed to approach one bird, a male (note the grey face - the females have a rufous eye-stipe), which foraged in and out of cover as it slowly moved towards me. A week later I found six birds foraging in a nearby area – the last two photos are of two birds from the second photo session.</p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAIBmPe6Q0MKxyuzNVUVurhMe9vtDsDA2SBLR0C4C2x_FLJGme3KFE7BVzhYkiqdRftIRJ5oys7QaEvVXe1uC3lRFiFcF0OTENDWtnQeRnGxIMCPwGp5L-Kdpon50PblrOO07U2bI69Z5GK3o_aHpnHOz_IwP_BuA5kXkU-NDTZTnpshIBWayjpZTVnOc/s1779/0J2A9455.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1779" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAIBmPe6Q0MKxyuzNVUVurhMe9vtDsDA2SBLR0C4C2x_FLJGme3KFE7BVzhYkiqdRftIRJ5oys7QaEvVXe1uC3lRFiFcF0OTENDWtnQeRnGxIMCPwGp5L-Kdpon50PblrOO07U2bI69Z5GK3o_aHpnHOz_IwP_BuA5kXkU-NDTZTnpshIBWayjpZTVnOc/w640-h480/0J2A9455.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NkDg-10ieELlik2d-7kI8HqKrXR4pFHruLaM-DuZdqNgfqyOv7AiXJUk1uYpGV7LAJxbxfV2DsFI8nFp_W-jlxpVCHLyIElcy9kWTVBZDqVbOLlLNGB54ZyWvg12bpO29lEZtmhcixYVKWU9IFXLXFJrvHo8Rc4oeLCSBPLFl0GSDfqqy-yaUP-fiVKo/s1738/0J2A9463.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1738" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NkDg-10ieELlik2d-7kI8HqKrXR4pFHruLaM-DuZdqNgfqyOv7AiXJUk1uYpGV7LAJxbxfV2DsFI8nFp_W-jlxpVCHLyIElcy9kWTVBZDqVbOLlLNGB54ZyWvg12bpO29lEZtmhcixYVKWU9IFXLXFJrvHo8Rc4oeLCSBPLFl0GSDfqqy-yaUP-fiVKo/w640-h480/0J2A9463.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS-pG4LgoQI3W6nlRirJQq--dQMRJd9OJmbXNf65K9EHWTtAjFZr36iVtx7e6fE88hYFG-UM06kxjPTTyhbY4hwjhksGQ4-YjkES6VtaCaC7kM7mcfIrFdEGc2y60FUG_PyA02gdVxdiCzvalpjX_WFElOoT-B1cos6SrS9qXYeQDZYsPY7DN7IfH5s3X/s1813/0J2A9466.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1813" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS-pG4LgoQI3W6nlRirJQq--dQMRJd9OJmbXNf65K9EHWTtAjFZr36iVtx7e6fE88hYFG-UM06kxjPTTyhbY4hwjhksGQ4-YjkES6VtaCaC7kM7mcfIrFdEGc2y60FUG_PyA02gdVxdiCzvalpjX_WFElOoT-B1cos6SrS9qXYeQDZYsPY7DN7IfH5s3X/w640-h480/0J2A9466.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjXgihuZ5ckqzRySWoD5dEkle6INaWwq1gdZ6N83wq7bARuzjxpg8e4p-hxWD5DXHdq9RiUquE8mX9OGsEkVIIApHdg891bHN2QGZw58YZ6WtkavpFgYrBP8MTCGSA2R6t5ck37QzKCTniA92TzN0o3Tx-EiyQEVM-FVex9TzFs5moKyW85vEwtE4bWY5/s2408/0J2A9472.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1806" data-original-width="2408" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjXgihuZ5ckqzRySWoD5dEkle6INaWwq1gdZ6N83wq7bARuzjxpg8e4p-hxWD5DXHdq9RiUquE8mX9OGsEkVIIApHdg891bHN2QGZw58YZ6WtkavpFgYrBP8MTCGSA2R6t5ck37QzKCTniA92TzN0o3Tx-EiyQEVM-FVex9TzFs5moKyW85vEwtE4bWY5/w640-h480/0J2A9472.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWpmT-BAL4KascPsNws7DcBIVFaettojvW6QXDauwwSuVoyX4z05quxv-vtbzUREFZjji0BsJVoaRMMEztXWFSByBLN_ULIYv6XgboyJRkcczoas98UjmnvIh_u_xzQjdPzZpNNWT6kKeZ3_Tis_wd2_thQiceWBRmWBKqkzDtQ3Jv4ySHnJY1ZUbybVx/s2924/0J2A9486.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2192" data-original-width="2924" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWpmT-BAL4KascPsNws7DcBIVFaettojvW6QXDauwwSuVoyX4z05quxv-vtbzUREFZjji0BsJVoaRMMEztXWFSByBLN_ULIYv6XgboyJRkcczoas98UjmnvIh_u_xzQjdPzZpNNWT6kKeZ3_Tis_wd2_thQiceWBRmWBKqkzDtQ3Jv4ySHnJY1ZUbybVx/w640-h480/0J2A9486.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hg-e8FDSm56UkmrPnfTqEZjg5q8nS5nkFBjv_GSVuGJ6M27bqaMR0suvC_vmP1n2C8k1CDXDqJEmJFaXLhNmtZgSjNcVEY7ioBGg9PEe23p8eBc0AWMLuQMPWRo4FNM61HicQ18nC0dcZv6mXGa6G7u3aF3GavIJ8_Fdo2fqTUfk2PXD2s7RvH6AyZFI/s2830/0J2A9487.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2122" data-original-width="2830" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hg-e8FDSm56UkmrPnfTqEZjg5q8nS5nkFBjv_GSVuGJ6M27bqaMR0suvC_vmP1n2C8k1CDXDqJEmJFaXLhNmtZgSjNcVEY7ioBGg9PEe23p8eBc0AWMLuQMPWRo4FNM61HicQ18nC0dcZv6mXGa6G7u3aF3GavIJ8_Fdo2fqTUfk2PXD2s7RvH6AyZFI/w640-h480/0J2A9487.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>A couple of photos from the second session a week later.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPe5LbDEN6bjK1hFr2zHI0VHO3Xau0JYWXTC-Z9IHcdovuNoNbUhkpF9ogHvc7b8oBES578RcMq0TuKFSAL9pKlmS0-nGkS30tfao3o-J67kmGgXHOHOo2Vesc5weUeo0yp_ntDoszi_O8sHp8G4RJLb_jq5Znmlrrs8yAoSWH9bRwWUgDZ-wfmu5wNln/s2103/0J2A9616.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="2103" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPe5LbDEN6bjK1hFr2zHI0VHO3Xau0JYWXTC-Z9IHcdovuNoNbUhkpF9ogHvc7b8oBES578RcMq0TuKFSAL9pKlmS0-nGkS30tfao3o-J67kmGgXHOHOo2Vesc5weUeo0yp_ntDoszi_O8sHp8G4RJLb_jq5Znmlrrs8yAoSWH9bRwWUgDZ-wfmu5wNln/w640-h480/0J2A9616.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84Xt1aTsBmxx5dKu0rmfLxj4fzq8XCRaJrn4fniJbDhobxfrYaH3--Pr0Fo78VBRkmpHNW4Yz97HNkbk2NHwymcir4H6EjCSNdvp-kWVekj3wKTsDnPziLWU2Scp7G8bjwGY0xisY7tJkaIwD2vC7_rfpSPIo-siXQ3Gn9ybACYKGRWDXFkoIhAACe7IJ/s3227/0J2A9638.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2420" data-original-width="3227" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84Xt1aTsBmxx5dKu0rmfLxj4fzq8XCRaJrn4fniJbDhobxfrYaH3--Pr0Fo78VBRkmpHNW4Yz97HNkbk2NHwymcir4H6EjCSNdvp-kWVekj3wKTsDnPziLWU2Scp7G8bjwGY0xisY7tJkaIwD2vC7_rfpSPIo-siXQ3Gn9ybACYKGRWDXFkoIhAACe7IJ/w640-h480/0J2A9638.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>In the first photo session the bird I followed browsed continuously barely pausing and only offering a few clear photos as it moved in and out of cover. After a few minutes it moved into the dense vegetation and did not appear again. The second longer photo session involved up to six birds all out foraging at once giving plenty of subject choice. The bird’s movements were somewhat jerky with frequent tail flicks and sudden lunges for food and rapid darts into cover before emerging again to forage – this resulted in many blurred subjects so many shots were needed to gain some sharp images. </p><p>Interestingly in the field all six birds appeared to be males with no rufous eye stripe. However on close examination of the photos some birds had a small patch of rufous in front of the eye and just a hint well behind the eye – see the following photo. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO_0SgHq_gqfarXBpyuJFRmGX9teY7hpYOQvus9VPUGt9IUfQobIbW1Xp9M2Rnzmzz6zArtjjRaMqCDR775YCxg5ZJNort_Jm92R6l6lG-N8ZC29G4nlsV6cT3tkKzONVYPSkzyHoEqAh-UxIFim0F-JM4qQ7pIpGvUIKKqfXvnRSr8ydJtTQGTu6EmIY/s1988/0J2A9693.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="1988" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO_0SgHq_gqfarXBpyuJFRmGX9teY7hpYOQvus9VPUGt9IUfQobIbW1Xp9M2Rnzmzz6zArtjjRaMqCDR775YCxg5ZJNort_Jm92R6l6lG-N8ZC29G4nlsV6cT3tkKzONVYPSkzyHoEqAh-UxIFim0F-JM4qQ7pIpGvUIKKqfXvnRSr8ydJtTQGTu6EmIY/w640-h480/0J2A9693.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So identifying male and female in the field on the basis of the presence/absence of a rufous eye-stripe is problematic. </p><p>Also of interest was an obvious size difference among the six birds. While all were adults some birds looked to be decidedly smaller than others – was this a male/female difference? There is no mention in the three field guides I consulted of size difference.</p><p><b>End note:</b></p><p>The following Birdata total/all-time sighting records were taken from Explore for the three Porzana crakes found in Australia:</p><p>Baillon’s Crake 6,941 surveys </p><p>Australian Spotted Crake 13,320 surveys</p><p>Spotless Crake 13,351 surveys</p><p>The above numbers show Baillon’s is reported in Birdata nearly half as frequently as its two larger cousins. Reports for the Spotted and Spotless are almost identical. </p><p>This earlier Avithera post shows a Baillon’s Crake female and her young which may be of interest:</p><p><a href="http://avithera.blogspot.com/2016/01/baillons-crake.html">http://avithera.blogspot.com/2016/01/baillons-crake.html</a></p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-18204675755914239852023-08-25T09:28:00.003+10:002023-08-25T09:28:42.906+10:00Mulga Parrots<p>We found this quiet and unobtrusive parrot in male-female pairs in many locations across the Gluepot reserve when we were there in August 2023. A pair quietly feeding in a species of saltbush (possibly Black Blue Bush – Maireama pyramidata) at the Babbler campground gave a good opportunity for photos although the female mostly remained semi-concealed within the bush while feeding.</p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhn9xqslPxC-e_8RzuvRyehZSEjg6Z556NjNKBgMKa1FGoOZxfrQZHtCLlVyMcw3pMO72JsZRhfJIhzOQuzyGhah4tP45vsAI2mH6gyCrym8USoOotrfT234GqLi6l4TOvOSoNieRGGYK4ax9pE4SmX-Sxc40Nl_J43lJkTweB83v3GN_FCC-NIxp1-Pe/s2313/0J2A9178.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1735" data-original-width="2313" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhn9xqslPxC-e_8RzuvRyehZSEjg6Z556NjNKBgMKa1FGoOZxfrQZHtCLlVyMcw3pMO72JsZRhfJIhzOQuzyGhah4tP45vsAI2mH6gyCrym8USoOotrfT234GqLi6l4TOvOSoNieRGGYK4ax9pE4SmX-Sxc40Nl_J43lJkTweB83v3GN_FCC-NIxp1-Pe/w640-h480/0J2A9178.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmre0bbmnsjQRZ0P2nVKyjPqC9LtyyjTeJMHuoF1f1y_LayGcmAKvUQxEslkhvsavhfUL_IVjJtbc1wD_KVucoPyOyCc7fzJBELRp__ma-VvVehW3lyIStBZx68CdEzSvyySh1UpTq80LNLc8wY5KygjrS9n3x6MkqO9I_Y_IX0jmE10e3W35mn3WnbXg/s2561/0J2A9184.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="2561" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmre0bbmnsjQRZ0P2nVKyjPqC9LtyyjTeJMHuoF1f1y_LayGcmAKvUQxEslkhvsavhfUL_IVjJtbc1wD_KVucoPyOyCc7fzJBELRp__ma-VvVehW3lyIStBZx68CdEzSvyySh1UpTq80LNLc8wY5KygjrS9n3x6MkqO9I_Y_IX0jmE10e3W35mn3WnbXg/w640-h480/0J2A9184.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV1Yoe8TNBMMUBQRtIQl8tATCw8iGyHQfgWjSvQwXR_0Ocl08xmcrSWfG7vfacdr5G_PQno5YepPnzucfU6bhkjNchSv3CjGVM64N74GwUy5aIRjVvTJ09VuSdHD2RslBMFwTC8TNLyvrpftSoUWs7S-dpWb0oxMlSFJVSUI45bBmzuuZ8twEQ9UqRQPv/s2344/0J2A9188.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="1875" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV1Yoe8TNBMMUBQRtIQl8tATCw8iGyHQfgWjSvQwXR_0Ocl08xmcrSWfG7vfacdr5G_PQno5YepPnzucfU6bhkjNchSv3CjGVM64N74GwUy5aIRjVvTJ09VuSdHD2RslBMFwTC8TNLyvrpftSoUWs7S-dpWb0oxMlSFJVSUI45bBmzuuZ8twEQ9UqRQPv/w512-h640/0J2A9188.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXF3Xjr_7ywles5gQln4rfLqIOV-x40951N1scf0fa7FqGoc6KQr5-vbgJ9OVXHpVx81vJ3dXTXDJrYV38FcNDLvz5tXUQ6-SVA6K5lLZaMj-pFwSR8SCFKIGyHvziUX542lFajqG2q3Wv0RBQlhuPS4xCHFG-jajfHJH8uLLcaT6WQprqxWHeJi01jdt/s2669/0J2A9193.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2669" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXF3Xjr_7ywles5gQln4rfLqIOV-x40951N1scf0fa7FqGoc6KQr5-vbgJ9OVXHpVx81vJ3dXTXDJrYV38FcNDLvz5tXUQ6-SVA6K5lLZaMj-pFwSR8SCFKIGyHvziUX542lFajqG2q3Wv0RBQlhuPS4xCHFG-jajfHJH8uLLcaT6WQprqxWHeJi01jdt/w640-h480/0J2A9193.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The pair were eating the soft green seeds of the salt bush – they spent a good half hour continuously feeding exclusively on this food source which was widespread across the reserve.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-84692269427712361502023-08-25T09:23:00.000+10:002023-08-25T09:23:02.804+10:00Honeyeaters found at Gluepot<p>While at Gluepot in August 2022 we found six species of Honeyeater, including Spiny-cheeked, Yellow-plumed, White-fronted, Brown-headed, White-eared and Striped in that order of abundance. The best way to find honeyeaters at Gluepot is to sit in one of the five hides which are provided with permanent water troughs located across the reserve and let the birds come to you. Unfortunately for us on the second day at the reserve there was a short and sharp thunder storm that filled many low points with temporary standing water across the landscape so the birds visiting water troughs declined to near zero after that.</p><p>The following photos are a selection taken of five of the Honeyeater species – mostly at two of the hides on the first day. Several species of Emu Bushes (Eremophila species) were in flower and these also proved to be a honeyeater magnet though often they were dominated by Spiny-cheeked and White-fronted Honeyeaters.</p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><p>White-fronted Honeyeater</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr0HA5Cwx6wf4i0b-Z1cspcdXJapbzXwl2c7Q9GxbajNHgQw4f7UoIzUJiIPt3ntbZQXcVfXrJtyICydOmxhbdQi8U6-CQLnYTDvFmf4-72CaUpfI7MiH6slYnhsEUasEEQX2JSakJjTCqtROnvQlLvolUYCsal8FbYNck2RyCU1xXupGt0F3dR5eBKoX/s3274/0J2A9136.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="3274" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr0HA5Cwx6wf4i0b-Z1cspcdXJapbzXwl2c7Q9GxbajNHgQw4f7UoIzUJiIPt3ntbZQXcVfXrJtyICydOmxhbdQi8U6-CQLnYTDvFmf4-72CaUpfI7MiH6slYnhsEUasEEQX2JSakJjTCqtROnvQlLvolUYCsal8FbYNck2RyCU1xXupGt0F3dR5eBKoX/w640-h480/0J2A9136.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Yellow-plumed Honeyeater</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p-_7fJjLVeURZJ3j-fRkvmoDsvn02lO08pj3EESGYaZZwCgW9H0p9k49Yk4_FlrS-d6DCVCDHi-LupZOlgYtESHqIzqQw921-f0V7QXeZbWysRKrmkMMlDA72HKtZw_P5SaXHQtGRSTdcIariZFkgo8L1PdMVVAEINWlDk0Rs-2dVCtKkzWMR_B-DbFB/s1984/0J2A9147.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="1587" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p-_7fJjLVeURZJ3j-fRkvmoDsvn02lO08pj3EESGYaZZwCgW9H0p9k49Yk4_FlrS-d6DCVCDHi-LupZOlgYtESHqIzqQw921-f0V7QXeZbWysRKrmkMMlDA72HKtZw_P5SaXHQtGRSTdcIariZFkgo8L1PdMVVAEINWlDk0Rs-2dVCtKkzWMR_B-DbFB/w512-h640/0J2A9147.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>Brown-headed Honeyeater</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaO3p9wchhJlnJ_t4fNoWU_N27r8PfFgQdmsM0RdGDik8TQAuqxLHq9qU683XQkZXcVEp83f3_8hK4cz7ffFihHCm0HZxZiDy7pjS3IFn1m88X0mkofnli1UYI9YdLW6_tlpnlmUE3yu4GpnXKJCU4eDpWVGSdWBX_f4cjRwMvpz6LXrA8jAkBuogs2_t/s1509/0J2A9149.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1207" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaO3p9wchhJlnJ_t4fNoWU_N27r8PfFgQdmsM0RdGDik8TQAuqxLHq9qU683XQkZXcVEp83f3_8hK4cz7ffFihHCm0HZxZiDy7pjS3IFn1m88X0mkofnli1UYI9YdLW6_tlpnlmUE3yu4GpnXKJCU4eDpWVGSdWBX_f4cjRwMvpz6LXrA8jAkBuogs2_t/w512-h640/0J2A9149.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXtbFiQGkdnrdMeNHbcFg6CiLMWq8BEpB46tAI0sAaktNmp68Qmndat1hBd_unUTVe7Yp4VdsJ5ByZjGRillg8cip5EttVu9eWnSwrkjehWy0-2DNtoMFoGXlT6pMh4BsmFJqxjEeVbiaEXRfzofWmLMwZ7ffXudBo82H2ZNgA7nVA8ExNdN5rP8n9I_h/s1998/0J2A9156.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1998" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXtbFiQGkdnrdMeNHbcFg6CiLMWq8BEpB46tAI0sAaktNmp68Qmndat1hBd_unUTVe7Yp4VdsJ5ByZjGRillg8cip5EttVu9eWnSwrkjehWy0-2DNtoMFoGXlT6pMh4BsmFJqxjEeVbiaEXRfzofWmLMwZ7ffXudBo82H2ZNgA7nVA8ExNdN5rP8n9I_h/w640-h480/0J2A9156.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCOcNC51EwO-Ru6CodRNiAE3LcerOgHLgQUM6Z8yVTSHs73GG55OlJf1UnSBDEKyRURE61SaO9kreAs-aPAPT1qFHJnGPafIPg3l__HbV9Uz1gb6p-vskNpx-qvab1wY9PJEfaLsfmKhTaLTJKodQFSZU5twpCSBm32sHaE1R2X81UgpOwa0MWum6-TCI/s2331/0J2A9165.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2331" data-original-width="1865" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCOcNC51EwO-Ru6CodRNiAE3LcerOgHLgQUM6Z8yVTSHs73GG55OlJf1UnSBDEKyRURE61SaO9kreAs-aPAPT1qFHJnGPafIPg3l__HbV9Uz1gb6p-vskNpx-qvab1wY9PJEfaLsfmKhTaLTJKodQFSZU5twpCSBm32sHaE1R2X81UgpOwa0MWum6-TCI/w512-h640/0J2A9165.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6frG44cORNoXLQUFHPD3uGvUrcuyq9ZJSuuJ7cBwc3L8i4tKtQhO98o65CA1OAiARnp2CkHaS4IV6PyWJ7GCYrCq_z_pp-Yiy5raFIKX3Y1mbJlkFKpnLwp2kEsizDsHAwzZI6VhoypXVVvIWmyIpUEniPHYKLJXAQw4X0fZHjXJKFqq3c2_H0M-w0Zm/s2217/0J2A9171.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="1774" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6frG44cORNoXLQUFHPD3uGvUrcuyq9ZJSuuJ7cBwc3L8i4tKtQhO98o65CA1OAiARnp2CkHaS4IV6PyWJ7GCYrCq_z_pp-Yiy5raFIKX3Y1mbJlkFKpnLwp2kEsizDsHAwzZI6VhoypXVVvIWmyIpUEniPHYKLJXAQw4X0fZHjXJKFqq3c2_H0M-w0Zm/w512-h640/0J2A9171.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>And to finish, the beautiful Striped Honeyeater.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsIhgI95Ri3N9_yHLax_KRIlqWY13FkRiYDno0sGtpa35u2LGANw3GZo1_Yiuhzynri4_Ro-SBortIH0AHzdl98l48ruVnEnokC_tZ7iUbvT9RQve_iJsWeRZ5BqZJyCXwrqpcWXOxFPbtjPIj_AjkbuC7aYR4bx6GVAoJEHLKIi_GC7quML2R35VLlT1/s2692/0J2A9247.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="2692" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsIhgI95Ri3N9_yHLax_KRIlqWY13FkRiYDno0sGtpa35u2LGANw3GZo1_Yiuhzynri4_Ro-SBortIH0AHzdl98l48ruVnEnokC_tZ7iUbvT9RQve_iJsWeRZ5BqZJyCXwrqpcWXOxFPbtjPIj_AjkbuC7aYR4bx6GVAoJEHLKIi_GC7quML2R35VLlT1/w640-h480/0J2A9247.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRB7DGVW281fwUJc8wzAE_c2OtDIJ_qxF8qbqrPYEw6EsykFpWwvJXF5nzWALW6wJElYje6bUdAyhg_Hz_QXRTexiUPnU09bkPEdvG33mlnt7hZKymhZ6ibPXhoO-eYo87NLYuaJ2nFxeM4BKeZlQfph1vzxEk19L-oBKtkciT50Y4TbfYfR19IBCfWj0f/s1860/0J2A9249.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="1488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRB7DGVW281fwUJc8wzAE_c2OtDIJ_qxF8qbqrPYEw6EsykFpWwvJXF5nzWALW6wJElYje6bUdAyhg_Hz_QXRTexiUPnU09bkPEdvG33mlnt7hZKymhZ6ibPXhoO-eYo87NLYuaJ2nFxeM4BKeZlQfph1vzxEk19L-oBKtkciT50Y4TbfYfR19IBCfWj0f/w512-h640/0J2A9249.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VfMCG8Y46D2pXvmmqkAt-z66_Unmuo3glqsyTlryO9Hg2GHcjPAHiKgT4xxTIJrriUVVw3b-HuLMIAhDNAk-QJL7UDI2wdHd09qkEF-8zNkdotGzk02NcYU2f1wdeWtuar3qVAZI7qj_7e5hg4pPLWOXEKQLqrJjjsgKsRvma4EDQKGesM2L7GF0y4qK/s1968/0J2A9250.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="1574" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VfMCG8Y46D2pXvmmqkAt-z66_Unmuo3glqsyTlryO9Hg2GHcjPAHiKgT4xxTIJrriUVVw3b-HuLMIAhDNAk-QJL7UDI2wdHd09qkEF-8zNkdotGzk02NcYU2f1wdeWtuar3qVAZI7qj_7e5hg4pPLWOXEKQLqrJjjsgKsRvma4EDQKGesM2L7GF0y4qK/w512-h640/0J2A9250.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzXpZEi-J-3CQvs8OHt6nDBglcywGsnVy26kAsNTdWpSFCq7oTQAhmq-WYRB4sATQRFJaWnUpcFEUlyB1OoWKpYz4qymU13gKtO-rOzhUuJSaQwSIf3gKRNgcNWBLf7_iAW1g_mrycoWiEr5SKb5qHbmLubVME4pvgfeuSgpMhPRfqY3oG6-YP5lULU6x/s1781/0J2A9253.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1781" data-original-width="1425" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzXpZEi-J-3CQvs8OHt6nDBglcywGsnVy26kAsNTdWpSFCq7oTQAhmq-WYRB4sATQRFJaWnUpcFEUlyB1OoWKpYz4qymU13gKtO-rOzhUuJSaQwSIf3gKRNgcNWBLf7_iAW1g_mrycoWiEr5SKb5qHbmLubVME4pvgfeuSgpMhPRfqY3oG6-YP5lULU6x/w512-h640/0J2A9253.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>The photo above shows the top of the Striped Honeyeater’s head showing the stripes on the crown, nape and face for which it is named. </p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-58429162132280906522023-08-22T16:46:00.005+10:002023-08-22T20:03:20.572+10:00Gilbert’s Whistlers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Gilbert’s Whistler can be sedentary or locally nomadic. They are somewhat uncommon and can be hard to find, though from my experience their call – which is often made in response to our presence – can be the best way to locate a bird. Their calls are similar to the rare Red-lored Whistler which we had no luck locating at Gluepot, however we managed to find a number of both male and female Gilbert’s Whistlers in various locations across Gluepot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here are two photos of a male Gilbert’s and one shot of a female.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge. </i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDdBW0KNoYLudhNihpm65ulhm1T8boMs9i_uA8rzgaX8d2CpskNqnnLFVm1fL7BJ4UTpqtO7eGho0W8eZnxD8JVJ7YqkavmE8kBH768uA7jzg7PowXEgUPGdB7QcwABSjy2_uZL4foN8piTpaOSf1zBTeCHzJ3NmahIdP_5sg-T9lTLd6BMO1oY5hNhCW/s1234/0J2A9236.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1234" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDdBW0KNoYLudhNihpm65ulhm1T8boMs9i_uA8rzgaX8d2CpskNqnnLFVm1fL7BJ4UTpqtO7eGho0W8eZnxD8JVJ7YqkavmE8kBH768uA7jzg7PowXEgUPGdB7QcwABSjy2_uZL4foN8piTpaOSf1zBTeCHzJ3NmahIdP_5sg-T9lTLd6BMO1oY5hNhCW/w640-h480/0J2A9236.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJWjGIbSLVPo2SRqJHfFQ99VNqFBFZE_b1qRgO9JbiAAoUMyMBzJLUPaRdJ9iINaWRpkk-1hK8OI0R2nkXWmrEhmktVetqZeDApvgFk963ECUaAR1PZD9D3QYgs5K6wMW19fFAICQ4V-uicoJXVLErHH5YXdxtyx8Me4eI61NvhCOcEyklDPZEGn7VFq-/s1317/0J2A9242.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1054" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJWjGIbSLVPo2SRqJHfFQ99VNqFBFZE_b1qRgO9JbiAAoUMyMBzJLUPaRdJ9iINaWRpkk-1hK8OI0R2nkXWmrEhmktVetqZeDApvgFk963ECUaAR1PZD9D3QYgs5K6wMW19fFAICQ4V-uicoJXVLErHH5YXdxtyx8Me4eI61NvhCOcEyklDPZEGn7VFq-/w512-h640/0J2A9242.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ozMvpFX09yFNX4znXNigPevG571wEvpfh0_0Rzyd1Jy3PgYGITP0qDXHysjlETccaN9EOVNDwoYcx-E9KqHP0YEaqmKUkWFsoUBKYmyI63nPcJt7LPeUQNVVgAIsihJpwoBR-AEJE_bUoI7i3fxnolxpKDfk_Va-j0J46TdaTnP0cygHV8qBfSxNKpZl/s3211/0J2A9298.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2408" data-original-width="3211" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ozMvpFX09yFNX4znXNigPevG571wEvpfh0_0Rzyd1Jy3PgYGITP0qDXHysjlETccaN9EOVNDwoYcx-E9KqHP0YEaqmKUkWFsoUBKYmyI63nPcJt7LPeUQNVVgAIsihJpwoBR-AEJE_bUoI7i3fxnolxpKDfk_Va-j0J46TdaTnP0cygHV8qBfSxNKpZl/w640-h480/0J2A9298.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The very plain female caught our attention when she gave alarm calls in response to a circling Brown Goshawk.</div><div><br /></div></div><p></p>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-23367517598200642142023-08-22T16:36:00.000+10:002023-08-22T16:36:05.511+10:00Australian Owlet-nightjar<p>The Australian Owlet-nightjar, being nocturnal and having large eyes for night vision, does look owl-like. However they are not related to owls at all and instead are more closely related to the swift family. They are widespread across Australia and are most often found by flushing or by seeing birds by day sunning themselves at tree hollow entrances.</p><p>Recently at Gluepot while searching unsuccessfully for Striated Grasswrens in mallee-spinifex habitat I flushed an Owlet-nightjar from close to the ground. The bird flew up into a nearby mallee where it perched and did not move while I slowly moved about to get some photos. Light on Owlet-nightjars can be a challenge for photos, especially to capture both eyes with eye-shine – hence my need to carefully/slowly move while the bird sat tight. The following are a selection of a few shots with cropped versions to better show the head and face detail – especially the eyes and rictal bristles. </p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAyvB27I7XLinkh4RfQBrIbaTSEVtTiYvCtNUjHBOCNC6ZP6U3-KmbPXlbDoPCtKW4V3PtNYlf1Uo5CjgBBqFVPZqJbm9YvhFcFgUoyNQ7JnWTVyr3XyILdDmTsy0Cmad6Qb1Lk_Bw7ZetCR-HUvKLpwqHav3BkBaJndnkROMeZcAASbWWw-yWIoOp1Tm/s2365/0J2A9275.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2365" data-original-width="1892" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAyvB27I7XLinkh4RfQBrIbaTSEVtTiYvCtNUjHBOCNC6ZP6U3-KmbPXlbDoPCtKW4V3PtNYlf1Uo5CjgBBqFVPZqJbm9YvhFcFgUoyNQ7JnWTVyr3XyILdDmTsy0Cmad6Qb1Lk_Bw7ZetCR-HUvKLpwqHav3BkBaJndnkROMeZcAASbWWw-yWIoOp1Tm/w512-h640/0J2A9275.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>Cropped version of above photo showing face detail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HpSiESZUCWUfmz4kx6nAeqCxhow0usiYraFi45ZIUdHJDv8Kl8bFF2JS_B1EoFYehrJezeJ5vpa4qL90_rK3b51cpjFbg1da1b0tjBcmHMx3UV33I4HamiyQkGB-KhJem_tSYBVHNDezjLYQKEkEZAXWikNis8tsk5MP_sudjlukNHh2km_DFqn0nLWq/s1088/0J2A9275%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="870" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HpSiESZUCWUfmz4kx6nAeqCxhow0usiYraFi45ZIUdHJDv8Kl8bFF2JS_B1EoFYehrJezeJ5vpa4qL90_rK3b51cpjFbg1da1b0tjBcmHMx3UV33I4HamiyQkGB-KhJem_tSYBVHNDezjLYQKEkEZAXWikNis8tsk5MP_sudjlukNHh2km_DFqn0nLWq/w512-h640/0J2A9275%20(1).jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>Profile photo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvxT5DoYbND05q38bJNFkV5kgonaPKL2QiASobePH3Zc9MzkG_4dC_8QnTrS0GhuQocb5YOU80UVwWxR4D7pBdL_svZ10yotDBZlCCOdQEkbz5m2gBWPgLaKF2MFXQX6hjfyMSI_Z9u7-UNaoGvQuGp1CoC01i5sB52nZ0sNy3UT7Vvy7t94eU5DOiiA8/s2845/0J2A9279.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2845" data-original-width="2276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvxT5DoYbND05q38bJNFkV5kgonaPKL2QiASobePH3Zc9MzkG_4dC_8QnTrS0GhuQocb5YOU80UVwWxR4D7pBdL_svZ10yotDBZlCCOdQEkbz5m2gBWPgLaKF2MFXQX6hjfyMSI_Z9u7-UNaoGvQuGp1CoC01i5sB52nZ0sNy3UT7Vvy7t94eU5DOiiA8/w512-h640/0J2A9279.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>Cropped profile photos.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPDp3OeSmavllU6e9BCjsAuFSj56aOht3f7FbDbpTf4TAwNQqjAyk_5L97vw_jT1lbqxHSITZPvr_n0qUAP0GZI92uir4JKyz_qBuzgY6Bt41SJshIPxY4BMUxmhNTfIw_UQoveVWlieA6Ll5UiGaMaJIVipOZFIdWsooQCebGMAdANRZs-dYnUnwAS61/s1573/0J2A9279%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="1258" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPDp3OeSmavllU6e9BCjsAuFSj56aOht3f7FbDbpTf4TAwNQqjAyk_5L97vw_jT1lbqxHSITZPvr_n0qUAP0GZI92uir4JKyz_qBuzgY6Bt41SJshIPxY4BMUxmhNTfIw_UQoveVWlieA6Ll5UiGaMaJIVipOZFIdWsooQCebGMAdANRZs-dYnUnwAS61/w512-h640/0J2A9279%20(1).jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKgvjUJPx27FiNOa-AJYyxrmJTvaIDHgJgbzNoPb9TLPp_GQMcaz60i0IewzxrblW5VoZjRexJNCee1E7JKMloLCyNS70JndQddAMRn8VRE_qV91rhmooU0WtmorWHZHAklcB0oi-WBTtq-PgidliMxMP5JswXG0ZiT5GBfwFa0WU9ldVB3KUw3pNxnM3/s1535/0J2A9270.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1228" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKgvjUJPx27FiNOa-AJYyxrmJTvaIDHgJgbzNoPb9TLPp_GQMcaz60i0IewzxrblW5VoZjRexJNCee1E7JKMloLCyNS70JndQddAMRn8VRE_qV91rhmooU0WtmorWHZHAklcB0oi-WBTtq-PgidliMxMP5JswXG0ZiT5GBfwFa0WU9ldVB3KUw3pNxnM3/w512-h640/0J2A9270.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>Looking at the photos later and seeing rather worn tail-tips and thinking about the bird’s behaviour, I suspect this bird flushed from a nest – it did not fly far and stayed put while I moved about. In mallee habitat there are very few nest hollows at height, they are in the bases of the trees, which often are very old and contain hollows.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-81483451680641868392023-08-14T08:52:00.000+10:002023-08-14T08:52:05.058+10:00Chestnut Quail-Thrush<p>All species of Quail-Thrush (1) are ground dwelling and share similar behaviour and general habitat preferences. They can be sedentary and nomadic and are usually uncommon so finding Quail-Thrush is mostly unexpected and always a delight. With longish legs and short wings they tend to walk away from perceived danger though they will flush and fly short distances with a characteristic whirring wing sound – their wings are not able to sustain prolonged long distance flight.</p><p>We recently found Chestnut Quail-Thrush in a few locations in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park south east of Mildura. As for all Q-T’s the Chestnut are a challenge to photograph as they move about on the ground in dense vegetation.</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge.</b></i></p><p><i><b><br /></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32CZjhZdwEmSpFKpAv9pI_0V43KFOuCoGutmTQ_8DXQ2YZtjhZvewR9GGl0802lpM6ws3qj8BrXQv-G06CVCZOCkqFgqCP5XqxJXiYEM9iusmZ26jMrv7HfcqU0pxPRMux377s-pNdcDvTrScVaj33WGe3uYmkt1MNmOYWYhUukp42OCGx-Y7Yi98TjAX/s1299/0J2A9096.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1039" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32CZjhZdwEmSpFKpAv9pI_0V43KFOuCoGutmTQ_8DXQ2YZtjhZvewR9GGl0802lpM6ws3qj8BrXQv-G06CVCZOCkqFgqCP5XqxJXiYEM9iusmZ26jMrv7HfcqU0pxPRMux377s-pNdcDvTrScVaj33WGe3uYmkt1MNmOYWYhUukp42OCGx-Y7Yi98TjAX/w512-h640/0J2A9096.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBYikIkpocQI2QqLzh-q3koXCpchqgXTYfvWDLJVR9idlhWaYP0Nlon-PIldH-eTNE__bIlYDRaVvm-QMJHhjsJbsXc6M5rzHJFteFlKdRqnTWFuoaTC6Jrd5ybEljC5MP6182uKtOIOH-r1NVbXK5LgGT2Yy_ecfIlCvyWqQ9zPsEOcV_jEBHrLVSU_V/s1453/0J2A9098.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1453" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBYikIkpocQI2QqLzh-q3koXCpchqgXTYfvWDLJVR9idlhWaYP0Nlon-PIldH-eTNE__bIlYDRaVvm-QMJHhjsJbsXc6M5rzHJFteFlKdRqnTWFuoaTC6Jrd5ybEljC5MP6182uKtOIOH-r1NVbXK5LgGT2Yy_ecfIlCvyWqQ9zPsEOcV_jEBHrLVSU_V/w640-h480/0J2A9098.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Note the very short wings in the photo above – these wings are not for long range flights.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrryYGOtq1P-9DPGBKMpBIGkfehR6WC_6yzVZw0X9WP-nB4z4uN5UEhp3_AGQFAwdSLrGLbXGFnx2v9E8aOaXJW4xYeTzwiVwuF-I10n7_8pvu-yme9b9JW3CUIZEMe0ghs1WtCZv-Ngh9wurOLiddNl9bm7CSMdmHY-FrtqyuWN_1dYTYyLgDkHkAhlb/s2791/0J2A9103.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2791" data-original-width="2233" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrryYGOtq1P-9DPGBKMpBIGkfehR6WC_6yzVZw0X9WP-nB4z4uN5UEhp3_AGQFAwdSLrGLbXGFnx2v9E8aOaXJW4xYeTzwiVwuF-I10n7_8pvu-yme9b9JW3CUIZEMe0ghs1WtCZv-Ngh9wurOLiddNl9bm7CSMdmHY-FrtqyuWN_1dYTYyLgDkHkAhlb/w512-h640/0J2A9103.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>The chestnut band across the lower back shows this bird to be a male. Note the red eye in this and the next photo.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DTcrfsp32JQVWm8gSV6VJv5WKZ83R_6xNsR645MdLwkAxSVP0a-WR7mAEdelBh3ACiATBrK0l6VNK0vqjRVLp3Xc3txmcSGL1jQKU2JoVbjrn94NpZ8RvKjg7ZZCW76EV6dm-o_8hZNpX8UbqXAsrvHnmINaUTV65XZEwh66aZIKJfmQRj9nHV8G7Ifo/s3139/0J2A9104.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2354" data-original-width="3139" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DTcrfsp32JQVWm8gSV6VJv5WKZ83R_6xNsR645MdLwkAxSVP0a-WR7mAEdelBh3ACiATBrK0l6VNK0vqjRVLp3Xc3txmcSGL1jQKU2JoVbjrn94NpZ8RvKjg7ZZCW76EV6dm-o_8hZNpX8UbqXAsrvHnmINaUTV65XZEwh66aZIKJfmQRj9nHV8G7Ifo/w640-h480/0J2A9104.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>(1)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The number of species of Quail-Thrush has changed in recent years. My old Morcombe guide shows four species however my most recent guide shows seven – see the Australian Bird Guide for the most recent/up to date species and their range/distribution maps. The subject of this post, the Chestnut Q-T, has been split into Chestnut Q-T (Cinclosoma castanotum) and the Copper-backed Q-T (Cinclosoma clarum). No doubt quite a few birders have picked up armchair ticks for some of the Q-T’s thanks to the work of taxonomists.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-54823946493079103492023-08-12T14:10:00.000+10:002023-08-12T14:10:31.166+10:00Mallee Emu-wren<p>Mallee Emu-wrens (<i>Stipiturus mallee</i>) were once found in the Murray Mallee both in Victoria and South Australia however wildfire in the SA mallee in recent years has wiped out the SA populations – the bird is now extinct in SA and now only found in Victoria. This sadly highlighted just how vulnerable Mallee Emu-wrens are to uncontrolled wildfires. They are now listed as endangered – the species is now facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. </p><p>In the past two years there has been a Mallee Emu-wren translocation project underway to re-establish populations in SA. Over two seasons a total of 80 birds were translocated to SA – time will tell how successful this effort has been. To learn more on the status of the Mallee Emu-wren and the translocation project Google Mallee Emu-wren where you will find lots of information including Youtube videos on the translocation project.</p><p>Mallee Emu-wrens associate strongly with long unburnt, that is large clumps, of porcupine grass (<i>Triodia scariosa</i>) – a species of spinifex. While Mallee Emu-wrens are vulnerable to fire they also depend on fire to maintain the habitat they have evolved to live in. The issue is the scale, severity and frequency of fire. </p><p>We recently looked for Mallee Emu-wrens in the Hattah area and managed to find three male-female pairs in three locations – here are a few photos from two locations.</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge.</b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8zdfEbzivsZ0TQJsyCPADk0Ne4uAq-0RPzBf68uBnN-FFoKDqwcooj8uR4yy4NFYR_kwYfpK21Bm_pBZ5WoGVHdtb0txZ1icISfnoJv1MiNek6G34UzWE7MXgEPN-HExhH5BMEY8voYi3rqXVnjzHe7fK81NFnQuFiO7F4E_bepErwRRto1649Uwao1h/s1976/0J2A9065.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="1581" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8zdfEbzivsZ0TQJsyCPADk0Ne4uAq-0RPzBf68uBnN-FFoKDqwcooj8uR4yy4NFYR_kwYfpK21Bm_pBZ5WoGVHdtb0txZ1icISfnoJv1MiNek6G34UzWE7MXgEPN-HExhH5BMEY8voYi3rqXVnjzHe7fK81NFnQuFiO7F4E_bepErwRRto1649Uwao1h/w512-h640/0J2A9065.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BAjTCid9PwwmWlGnVXWnoNZI-ELNVDsGQxCoLeKJLpxXLmUmZsmz071kDsrFV-OL1YPXaBHqyZDUMV0Y_eyXOVlywsE8KkdQ0EwG-oLEQwmxuJarNjFfi7bwgsVrslGdQw8-iaZVpxK7QLk9CJ29LFDqk2ZVa64j91TUrs1X6BM5jK7C55QgN0zXqAva/s2102/0J2A9066.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="2102" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BAjTCid9PwwmWlGnVXWnoNZI-ELNVDsGQxCoLeKJLpxXLmUmZsmz071kDsrFV-OL1YPXaBHqyZDUMV0Y_eyXOVlywsE8KkdQ0EwG-oLEQwmxuJarNjFfi7bwgsVrslGdQw8-iaZVpxK7QLk9CJ29LFDqk2ZVa64j91TUrs1X6BM5jK7C55QgN0zXqAva/w640-h480/0J2A9066.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>My only photo of a female – they are far more reclusive than the males.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCBS4U8zDZ1tka0FR6wyGWPPyZODOmEAoa8WpX6ei7fhUh8P6Qve0l4TXKqDZACif8OYPpUknfdO8b0vsnwErIA9pIQsVVg-IAz-mmSLLfm3dEYHpt8-kPD7ZBaWQKdCDy_Foh_GpvBKTdhiRCT_AbYX7uuUSChh7zPxg1XYXP0V2sSwTSzK1WyfG4WOj/s1710/0J2A9086.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1710" data-original-width="1368" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCBS4U8zDZ1tka0FR6wyGWPPyZODOmEAoa8WpX6ei7fhUh8P6Qve0l4TXKqDZACif8OYPpUknfdO8b0vsnwErIA9pIQsVVg-IAz-mmSLLfm3dEYHpt8-kPD7ZBaWQKdCDy_Foh_GpvBKTdhiRCT_AbYX7uuUSChh7zPxg1XYXP0V2sSwTSzK1WyfG4WOj/w512-h640/0J2A9086.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlYSZ5F2Ry0ykWHQe6TySQJwELDCxAcwCgiiZ2_5L0lyAG2GtfzDqsptXfWJqGcJVJ-R4hVFvJzfUTQF7lvb2tYcuWvf0VLlYBTdRiOlR5k1pWZF3KM9pXzizRmRHVkKg9i7pwK9Q60k3_cxrKJuxHllRAJeR9JZ4m8gSJyKo3ZFRv9fYB5sZVfR0L_c6/s2097/0J2A9087.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="2097" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlYSZ5F2Ry0ykWHQe6TySQJwELDCxAcwCgiiZ2_5L0lyAG2GtfzDqsptXfWJqGcJVJ-R4hVFvJzfUTQF7lvb2tYcuWvf0VLlYBTdRiOlR5k1pWZF3KM9pXzizRmRHVkKg9i7pwK9Q60k3_cxrKJuxHllRAJeR9JZ4m8gSJyKo3ZFRv9fYB5sZVfR0L_c6/w640-h480/0J2A9087.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKtvQW_9O5utQTQtwyc5bbH_y8JT9V8JgmTiL50GzBny-0bmpOOYCTvxS7KNNu9YTPZJ4Fjba4hbhDHQSGC_6VAiFuTGmEcIYov18c0a2Zb_jTBweWGsNinHTAOYTCvAJmIs5UcVgLeOx4s0b8MrFctQ9Z23hJQxsp4cEs0mt5PcLvoiBd-sOocHADQFt/s1375/0J2A9089.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1375" data-original-width="1100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKtvQW_9O5utQTQtwyc5bbH_y8JT9V8JgmTiL50GzBny-0bmpOOYCTvxS7KNNu9YTPZJ4Fjba4hbhDHQSGC_6VAiFuTGmEcIYov18c0a2Zb_jTBweWGsNinHTAOYTCvAJmIs5UcVgLeOx4s0b8MrFctQ9Z23hJQxsp4cEs0mt5PcLvoiBd-sOocHADQFt/w512-h640/0J2A9089.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>The frequency and severity of wildfire will continue to increase with global warming making protection of Mallee Emu-wrens very challenging into the future. Let’s hope this beautiful little bird has a future in the Murray Mallee.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-41837424581291744262023-08-08T13:46:00.001+10:002023-08-08T13:46:42.330+10:00Southern Scrub-Robin<p>The Southern Scrub-Robin (<i>Drymodes brunneopygia</i>) is a ground dwelling robin found, as the name suggests, in dense and mostly semi-arid scrub habitats. They are uncommon sedentary birds which can be hard to find. On a recent birding walk from the Ackle Bend campground in Little Desert National Park, we came across two Scrub-Robins (a pair most likely) in Desert Banksia (<i>Banksia ornata</i>). Loud calls from the low and dense banksias beside the path alerted us to the presence of a bird we could not place by the call. The bird soon revealed itself, and its identity, when it flew to the top of a dead wattle where we had good views. </p><p>They are said to be inquisitive and this certainly appeared to be the case as a second bird appeared close by showing interest in us.</p><p>A few photos were possible before they returned to the ground to forage among the banksias. Photos of them on the ground were not possible as they hopped and ran between the banksias presenting only fleeting glimpses in the small spaces.</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge. </b></i></p><p><i><b><br /></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW74xIFnJjVYea8eOTGLDLe6iFXZdu03rNNISEPZn4-PXydA5tEjVBBkABCZFR2wuqs6HjYIpSOWAQ2QVnMIzjVQ1965xOfEPomaob_3wRzrQ9XA63EzG6_VuP7sxmNHBw8quAP4VEhR9njniE2Z9ZYYi0ZxfwORevFBfqgHCiasNcMPnAt6IYUyOmog1/s1314/0J2A8972.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1051" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW74xIFnJjVYea8eOTGLDLe6iFXZdu03rNNISEPZn4-PXydA5tEjVBBkABCZFR2wuqs6HjYIpSOWAQ2QVnMIzjVQ1965xOfEPomaob_3wRzrQ9XA63EzG6_VuP7sxmNHBw8quAP4VEhR9njniE2Z9ZYYi0ZxfwORevFBfqgHCiasNcMPnAt6IYUyOmog1/w512-h640/0J2A8972.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg0bNCVEm1x6XM_vh1YInNjenQyVp_VsWSG51bsLSAV1MZZyAizwm4mriWRVtrETuK8esmbnE04gfQ3edFzrhPZxwYlgevfBKz0aMsYbuRaKAQBi605tyxa2WLBSkokscrI_oURawmW35uWHSq9_hPlSW5pcTqftPVAXYBLjAnk45yVgXAeGSVV9GTQDB/s2531/0J2A8976.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1901" data-original-width="2531" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg0bNCVEm1x6XM_vh1YInNjenQyVp_VsWSG51bsLSAV1MZZyAizwm4mriWRVtrETuK8esmbnE04gfQ3edFzrhPZxwYlgevfBKz0aMsYbuRaKAQBi605tyxa2WLBSkokscrI_oURawmW35uWHSq9_hPlSW5pcTqftPVAXYBLjAnk45yVgXAeGSVV9GTQDB/w640-h480/0J2A8976.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6B9djhSO_dt-zhQtnA5o3VyANmAl6EDO2CeGANEuJGBMh2LgQ1DU8tfE8T6gsLRhxylkiy7X68eDQuquo10LMSU42yILZY9NZuvauc0GiAcqoEoSzQmE5ajahAjsaaYWs1AoNDgaThRkfnGTt_HWIUFsdDNpJ4JcWcl25YcUSF33dUG_IhD4wqqoCAVB/s2781/0J2A8978.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2086" data-original-width="2781" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6B9djhSO_dt-zhQtnA5o3VyANmAl6EDO2CeGANEuJGBMh2LgQ1DU8tfE8T6gsLRhxylkiy7X68eDQuquo10LMSU42yILZY9NZuvauc0GiAcqoEoSzQmE5ajahAjsaaYWs1AoNDgaThRkfnGTt_HWIUFsdDNpJ4JcWcl25YcUSF33dUG_IhD4wqqoCAVB/w640-h480/0J2A8978.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhkgazY782oCKQvNm63whUHQb-InwfcBYHmAgf8m-2Jvfj8Vo9pv7q4pGBZzqOzvm8K-f5kYs1EHGBVv8g9CgJfHaE2_2Rq6YlzwAF5Na62gMYvnB29spU9KE1fLRJIoEGDc0ptTIwquqigCYzBXZItg226kNF4CnMg5qBS9Py_wpWBBWNo8byoGoOlAi/s4026/0J2A8981.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="4026" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhkgazY782oCKQvNm63whUHQb-InwfcBYHmAgf8m-2Jvfj8Vo9pv7q4pGBZzqOzvm8K-f5kYs1EHGBVv8g9CgJfHaE2_2Rq6YlzwAF5Na62gMYvnB29spU9KE1fLRJIoEGDc0ptTIwquqigCYzBXZItg226kNF4CnMg5qBS9Py_wpWBBWNo8byoGoOlAi/w640-h480/0J2A8981.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The bird in the photo above has sand on its bill indicating it has been probing in the soil for food.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-80706628621453142242023-06-28T09:03:00.000+10:002023-06-28T09:03:48.188+10:00Little Grassbirds<p>The following description of Little Grassbirds is borrowed – with modification by me – from Michael Morcombe’s excellent field guide. His description describes my experience with Little Grassbirds very well.</p><p><i>Secretive, skulking inhabitant of dense wetland vegetation. Usually allows only brief glimpses, then flutters away into dense concealing vegetation. The mournful three note call is often the only indication of the presence of Little Grassbirds.</i></p><p>So given this bird’s reputation it was a surprise to recently find a number of Little Grassbirds foraging out in the open at the Byron Wetlands in northern NSW. </p><p>In the last few years the Byron Wetlands have been infested with <i>Salvinia molesta</i>, an invasive aquatic weed native to Brazil, which now forms dense floating mats over much of what was previously open water. There is no doubt the loss of open water has not favoured waterbirds which need that habitat. However the salvinia harbours many small insects which the Little grassbirds were able to exploit as the dense mat easily supported their weight.</p><p>Previous attempts to photograph this species captured a partially concealed small bird peering out from dense cover. By contrast the following photos were taken of birds foraging in the open with full sun at my back. </p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-emD6OCcR8p6VmM_vJRbqeajrrE5pZdydxdiQPNvf-8Qj2lqh0M12TjUJMwOn2F_6r7bVxubufU6mkfQzYkgOmVcdS_InSqfr22EsYX0BIUyOd-YusLZnmPhmuSZIeQsg3NtxF5Q7SN8-vMyHe_i5Luk2iSpCG0i2unGvb9JVlGTGlyTGkqrHpM-Ld4B/s1779/0J2A8650.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1779" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-emD6OCcR8p6VmM_vJRbqeajrrE5pZdydxdiQPNvf-8Qj2lqh0M12TjUJMwOn2F_6r7bVxubufU6mkfQzYkgOmVcdS_InSqfr22EsYX0BIUyOd-YusLZnmPhmuSZIeQsg3NtxF5Q7SN8-vMyHe_i5Luk2iSpCG0i2unGvb9JVlGTGlyTGkqrHpM-Ld4B/w640-h480/0J2A8650.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2307" data-original-width="3076" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiBjAviaDzX8GI0Tjngsdo5UAMgp_h-q06td0iVAJ_fILaKscogcpGG2LudEBvupB0J3l-2e6LZflPrCLPM3BTazD3MsaEUPBZJZtq_h4XV4aUFd9pCjN8Oj3hws4mPl_dDFNb8gM7ElyRU9mcEYmY4CeIt2BYOC-XyEKaK9kVJONP_YXpnQY1dR8_eJ5/w640-h480/0J2A8685.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eeLXDUzrd_WrtTwDi7FoJiMLTWma0nS32ZXZt7ZKUrRJab6tmYk1iIHGwrwy28ABo_0MJwjdjCMH-h60R7ppCvXLq-jmuOOr-Tmkrw6Z3-iohv1oAbRJ8PSE-Tb_PN6K7PWQQpcQBumL9Icvh2Acm0BDA9tmiDTLE4GEVcxURfcvWVpKGvJPhLoaEHuH/s2419/0J2A8707.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1814" data-original-width="2419" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eeLXDUzrd_WrtTwDi7FoJiMLTWma0nS32ZXZt7ZKUrRJab6tmYk1iIHGwrwy28ABo_0MJwjdjCMH-h60R7ppCvXLq-jmuOOr-Tmkrw6Z3-iohv1oAbRJ8PSE-Tb_PN6K7PWQQpcQBumL9Icvh2Acm0BDA9tmiDTLE4GEVcxURfcvWVpKGvJPhLoaEHuH/w640-h480/0J2A8707.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TSFJzXMwz1ZZvxMuhzx3IhTf5nj7dDuAr-ATj9WOM9ih3W7F0cy4WLfRa5yWspAZ0La3jeuDu8cADALkX41JlZeYCfUKYGk4ePCmtVfiy65W5JNfXeXLWIReMUuSOUnEzLU0MpM7Jr77Rx0BBUKpgawIln5gIJEsFuzzaSlcP4emYKXhj1BqUJwCXBtJ/s2824/0J2A8709.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2118" data-original-width="2824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TSFJzXMwz1ZZvxMuhzx3IhTf5nj7dDuAr-ATj9WOM9ih3W7F0cy4WLfRa5yWspAZ0La3jeuDu8cADALkX41JlZeYCfUKYGk4ePCmtVfiy65W5JNfXeXLWIReMUuSOUnEzLU0MpM7Jr77Rx0BBUKpgawIln5gIJEsFuzzaSlcP4emYKXhj1BqUJwCXBtJ/w640-h480/0J2A8709.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlLbrACA0iRSOnBF_BWkz9bZxgUJjYFkf1ffH77vVyGWSa1CZLCkIeMivbIrQ9k0pOi9L0PwUYgs09jeWmZRwSAwxBAdK3nvpVOPRGnLywM1Vs4dECo1XdWV6HsAdUhZlEIgrBOmgHPTPSHKwjl846loFwCfBYvN2HcW_iSYjqW9caPjvTBz_BJdMgxYG/s2604/0J2A8710.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2604" data-original-width="2083" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlLbrACA0iRSOnBF_BWkz9bZxgUJjYFkf1ffH77vVyGWSa1CZLCkIeMivbIrQ9k0pOi9L0PwUYgs09jeWmZRwSAwxBAdK3nvpVOPRGnLywM1Vs4dECo1XdWV6HsAdUhZlEIgrBOmgHPTPSHKwjl846loFwCfBYvN2HcW_iSYjqW9caPjvTBz_BJdMgxYG/w512-h640/0J2A8710.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuShQ7-mDoiypzFNjYaTaWRnM7K-vnUhUKaBjY-0T1szM1vqTvm270qtJBNOkhzLntaiwrewYagH4bVlfv-pJbg94-MkHof4_4iD3bOKumEqGncdnx190eh8InjBiKQu11UZn0iZb6eO8sMVQlpFhjJ85rWHgXtm_gTx_0j93Amm-tsfcOgc1cSIfNeE5/s2284/0J2A8706.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1713" data-original-width="2284" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuShQ7-mDoiypzFNjYaTaWRnM7K-vnUhUKaBjY-0T1szM1vqTvm270qtJBNOkhzLntaiwrewYagH4bVlfv-pJbg94-MkHof4_4iD3bOKumEqGncdnx190eh8InjBiKQu11UZn0iZb6eO8sMVQlpFhjJ85rWHgXtm_gTx_0j93Amm-tsfcOgc1cSIfNeE5/w640-h480/0J2A8706.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The long white brow is obvious in the above photo.</p><p>A few Comb-crested Jacanas were also foraging on the salvinia.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytRW0HkjjSsNe86iQbSo-y280Tn5qIzrCFY8sS_n62O9IPPHvXwZizlNew5iaDBuB9AwIFspnMCuPxngjEfycLEOsmGdgru4Z1fPrWfkUVOSUaSEf_XIZoFf0TNmTWcrGTJsPnnKUplVX8kSqR3_mk2T6fiWRdYxQAsU6mpLCJKMiaDLYFM5NCDue1FcY/s1682/0J2A8602.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1682" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytRW0HkjjSsNe86iQbSo-y280Tn5qIzrCFY8sS_n62O9IPPHvXwZizlNew5iaDBuB9AwIFspnMCuPxngjEfycLEOsmGdgru4Z1fPrWfkUVOSUaSEf_XIZoFf0TNmTWcrGTJsPnnKUplVX8kSqR3_mk2T6fiWRdYxQAsU6mpLCJKMiaDLYFM5NCDue1FcY/w640-h480/0J2A8602.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1jLu1dsKnM-Ic0Cya2eATRWKVACRhikb7VGHFCYPxXHZhy3KvRuCajaMhvu1J-l_Sljsq90rx0edeCOgnyU2ZZ4yv7wuQlw1lQk5PCbOSTNTp-zsh_rDQLbt3xN1yLFFOni5fJeQxsZ8ODhtoAiJ0e21TKKvsI3-l83tFzb93ULoUd_2QowrbCxUaZ9L/s1497/0J2A8603.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1497" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1jLu1dsKnM-Ic0Cya2eATRWKVACRhikb7VGHFCYPxXHZhy3KvRuCajaMhvu1J-l_Sljsq90rx0edeCOgnyU2ZZ4yv7wuQlw1lQk5PCbOSTNTp-zsh_rDQLbt3xN1yLFFOni5fJeQxsZ8ODhtoAiJ0e21TKKvsI3-l83tFzb93ULoUd_2QowrbCxUaZ9L/w640-h480/0J2A8603.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The Tawny Grassbird is also found at the Byron Wetlands. While larger the Tawny Grassbird shares many habitat and behaviour similarities with the Little Grassbirds. You can see a post here on the Tawny Grassbird: <a href="http://avithera.blogspot.com/2021/07/tawny-grassbird.html">http://avithera.blogspot.com/2021/07/tawny-grassbird.html</a></p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-55617286393186953662023-01-26T13:47:00.007+11:002023-01-30T17:05:08.919+11:00Flagged shorebird records made – including the first flagged Hooded Plover on the Gippsland Lakes <p>On our regular boat run from Lakes Entrance to Ocean Grange (south of Paynesville) on Tuesday 24 January 2023 to monitor breeding beach nesting birds, (Note 1), we managed to capture seventeen flagged birds altogether which is our highest total for one day. </p><p>The first record made was for sixteen flagged Pied Oystercatchers (APO’s) as follows in order of capture: MS, 169, 160, HH, 146, 137, VP, LD, MD, 46, YU, MA, 157, 114, BE and ZV (Note 2). </p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfVPcIxF4QUhKn_5uMn7fVmGSJp4TemSYZTCfhU0AHcY2clAZe_Fq61BAX5V-1p-nR6vBRn7NGXrUllkkR6WLigND6D588pYEdEkgZFBsL48ymSUYNwsiZVq-odFZ3SF9UF4npf8WXpRfaOXrbhi79-ER98KSXC0e1SnYTTkX_5x9enYyjkPcHF9E0w/s2704/0J2A7829.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="2704" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfVPcIxF4QUhKn_5uMn7fVmGSJp4TemSYZTCfhU0AHcY2clAZe_Fq61BAX5V-1p-nR6vBRn7NGXrUllkkR6WLigND6D588pYEdEkgZFBsL48ymSUYNwsiZVq-odFZ3SF9UF4npf8WXpRfaOXrbhi79-ER98KSXC0e1SnYTTkX_5x9enYyjkPcHF9E0w/w640-h480/0J2A7829.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />While this was an impressive tally and day record for flagged APO’s the real highlight and surprise was the second record - the capture of the first record of a flagged Hooded Plover on the Gippsland Lakes. On our monitoring run we usually find about ten Hooded Plovers across the area which are mostly in pairs or single birds. Hooded Plovers have site fidelity meaning pairs tend to have territories that they habitually live and breed in and defend. To date there have been no attempts to capture and band and flag Hoodies on the Gippsland Lakes or the adjacent ocean beaches, hence none of the birds we regularly find on our monitoring run are flagged. <p></p><p>Therefore it was a surprise to find flagged Hoodie YE on Rigby Island on Tuesday morning not long after setting off from the marina at Lakes Entrance (we did have warning that a flagged HP had been sighted in the area so we were on the lookout for the bird).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey2SrsmpFQxrP5vdyTT1KJUGZgGylrifyqlNCBtrmQQN-qx4iqpXfcWcayCqBtsfEhAg2ex734WvgUJw0nU3r6H0J5OWfckifwBVgsurKwpVuswU7U1J2aWjgAPIEzCvrRIDRITjguRQlRExxNWSl5_SxOH7fDIFJz1u-sYYXi8pvOlvHyPYbecIbAQ/s1183/0J2A7817%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1183" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey2SrsmpFQxrP5vdyTT1KJUGZgGylrifyqlNCBtrmQQN-qx4iqpXfcWcayCqBtsfEhAg2ex734WvgUJw0nU3r6H0J5OWfckifwBVgsurKwpVuswU7U1J2aWjgAPIEzCvrRIDRITjguRQlRExxNWSl5_SxOH7fDIFJz1u-sYYXi8pvOlvHyPYbecIbAQ/w640-h480/0J2A7817%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The letters YE rang a bell in the back of my mind but I could not be sure I had seen the bird before much less where and when. Later, a niggling thought was I had seen the bird near Mallacoota so I checked my photos from the BirdLife East Gippsland Spring camp held at Mallacoota in 2021 where I found photos of YE on the beach at Shipwreck Creek taken on 26 October 2021. Later confirmation revealed YE was a breeding adult that had been banded and flagged in February 2021 at Seal Creek, West of Shipwreck Creek, which is in the Croajingolong National Park West of Mallacoota. YE bred at Seal Creek successfully in summer 2021.</p><p>Given Hoodies form strong pair bonds and have high site fidelity the question arises - why has YE abandoned the Mallacoota area and travelled approximately 165 kms west along the Gippsland coast to Rigby Island? Some suggestions include YE has lost its partner and has moved in a quest to find a new mate. Another option is climate change induced sea level rise is flooding sandy ocean beaches where Hoodies live and more importantly breed and YE has been forced to look for new territory. Many of the sheltered beaches along the Croajingolong coast are now breeding death traps during storms when high tides and sea surge combine to inundate the sand beach habitat where Hoodies must nest. Perhaps a combination of the loss of a mate and loss of breeding habitat are at play?</p><p>Of course the majority of Hooded Plovers are not flagged, so individual birds and their movements cannot be observed and therefore we do not know the extent of movement of this species along the coast. The only other flagged Hooded Plover in East Gippsland I am aware of, found a relatively long distance from its banding and flagging site, was W0 at Cape Conran in July 2017. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEtqmq6cjF5vRyJAJUOJ8W0flx7UBKf7NF8nbCgzwe0WUW09rzpR0YogGbim-y0NVvU4j6qlmVHLMcXSljsLDM7oalmw0imvgedYFdK7JU5JRNard18proND-x4bc4fa52nct_T1m5ozpbyAeGrB4gglt-wT7E5UnBexOr8RmDZEX2KxOgUXsIPoJbQ/s1609/092A3941.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1609" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEtqmq6cjF5vRyJAJUOJ8W0flx7UBKf7NF8nbCgzwe0WUW09rzpR0YogGbim-y0NVvU4j6qlmVHLMcXSljsLDM7oalmw0imvgedYFdK7JU5JRNard18proND-x4bc4fa52nct_T1m5ozpbyAeGrB4gglt-wT7E5UnBexOr8RmDZEX2KxOgUXsIPoJbQ/w640-h480/092A3941.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>W0 was flagged near Eden in NSW and had travelled south and west about 170 kms along the coast from its banding site to reach Conran. You can read more about W0 in this blog post: <a href=" http://avithera.blogspot.com/2017/07/hooded-plovers.html">http://avithera.blogspot.com/2017/07/hooded-plovers.html</a></p><p>Hooded Plovers are a threatened species due to low breeding success caused by loss of habitat resulting from a range of factors including disturbance by people and pet dogs on beaches, introduced cats and foxes and more recently, sea level rise changing the profile of ocean beaches and sea surges reaching even the highest points at the top of sandy beaches. </p><p>In recent years Hooded Plovers have been nesting on islands on the Gippsland Lakes as the Ninety Mile Beach is no longer a safe place to nest. Over the five years or so now we have been monitoring beach nesting birds on Rigby, Fraser, Flannagan, Pelican, Barton, Waddy, Crescent and Albifrons Islands, we regularly find Hooded Plovers and sometimes see nesting birds, however the success rate is low.</p><p>If we are to arrest the decline of beach nesting birds, including Hooded Plovers and small terns in East Gippsland and elsewhere we need to take urgent action now to create, maintain and protect breeding habitat – while volunteer efforts are important Government intervention is essential. </p><p>It will be interesting to see if YE stays in our area and if YE is able to breed successfully – YE was with another adult HP on Tuesday – we will be keeping a look out and our fingers crossed.</p><p>NOTES</p><p>(1)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The regular monitoring run is conducted from early October to late February and is led by Deb Sullivan BirdLife Australia’s East Gippsland Conservation Coordinator with assistance from Pete Johnstone (Skipper Pete) Lakes Explorer (who provides the commercial boat for our transport), myself and other volunteers from time to time. The primary objectives are to monitor nesting Hooded Plover, Red-capped Plover and Australian Pied Oystercatcher, small terns (Little and Fairy) and Pelicans. We also look for flagged/banded shorebirds including migrant shorebirds such as Bar-tailed Godwits, Red Knots and so on. Where possible all flagged birds are captured by camera in order to identify the text/numbers on the flags - the metal bands also fitted to the flagged birds are far too small to capture the ID numbers and text unless the bird is in the hand. The flagged birds are reported to the Victorian Wader Study Group (VWSG) via the Birdmark online portal at <a href="https://www.birdmark.net/">https://www.birdmark.net/</a></p><p>(2) These APO’s were captured by canon netting and banded and flagged at a number of locations in Corner Inlet and Western Port Bay. This work is undertaken by VWSG volunteers. </p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-87666992051616736342022-10-06T20:11:00.000+11:002022-10-06T20:11:23.118+11:00Black-faced Cormorant<p>Australia has five species of Cormorant including Great, Little Black, Pied, Little Pied and Black-faced – all five species can be found on the Gippsland Lakes. Four of the five species have a wide distribution across Australia including inland waters. However the Black-faced appears to be the odd species out as it has a much more restricted range along the southern coast of Australia and around the Tasmania coast and only extending into coastal bays and lakes where these have marine water environments – that is it is not found in freshwater habitats.</p><p>The Gippsland Lakes has a sedentary population of Black-faced Cormorants with small flocks of up to 70 birds often found resting on sand islands in the Ocean Grange area, especially on Albifrons Island, and on rock groins on Rigby Island near Lakes Entrance. </p><p>In early October 2022 I photographed a Black-faced Cormorant near Crescent Island which had fine white striations on its hindneck – a clear sign of breeding condition. </p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiLrB1ph3Kr1Dg4Tuz5HhVimnwJOu--5-xFAbVq6hBaonkXsOIzSkCxVaqgESh8A0yrrnHJPyOygqKgkc5NeXHhQmyeQ49Y_oA3sydKDQmizmiaW0gkKcAz8A0jucAO7XAe7C-lqWB10bHKmQvmu-Ga5rBtsggZwxV39AR7XBryIlFerdlduKFh6XDA/s5321/0J2A6619.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3192" data-original-width="5321" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiLrB1ph3Kr1Dg4Tuz5HhVimnwJOu--5-xFAbVq6hBaonkXsOIzSkCxVaqgESh8A0yrrnHJPyOygqKgkc5NeXHhQmyeQ49Y_oA3sydKDQmizmiaW0gkKcAz8A0jucAO7XAe7C-lqWB10bHKmQvmu-Ga5rBtsggZwxV39AR7XBryIlFerdlduKFh6XDA/w640-h384/0J2A6619.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXO7q1HhDaWjYUyum-lhvLuu_iUrBKvUzz83wS6qATzse1rKqRbCMGUN4mcyeRU9tfA4jQ4oURqdN8tU44E_KRf5uX6RtZLhRD_dCh848D4jcOs7RO0n_9RHuGwJVj60AyQPQGCzjX5HuGO2A-poWPTl-F1_E5FDJp_r3W1S2dT_7A5E5dVINYfNdwg/s3900/0J2A6622.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="3900" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXO7q1HhDaWjYUyum-lhvLuu_iUrBKvUzz83wS6qATzse1rKqRbCMGUN4mcyeRU9tfA4jQ4oURqdN8tU44E_KRf5uX6RtZLhRD_dCh848D4jcOs7RO0n_9RHuGwJVj60AyQPQGCzjX5HuGO2A-poWPTl-F1_E5FDJp_r3W1S2dT_7A5E5dVINYfNdwg/w640-h480/0J2A6622.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>At this time there was a noticeable drop in numbers in the area which prompted me to check their breeding time which is September to February. So I concluded that most of our Black-faced Cormorants are away breeding at present. As they generally breed on rocky islands with cliff ledges and rocky platforms it is assumed they are breeding on rocky islands in Bass Strait to our west between Wilsons Promontory and Flinders Island. </p><p>It is intriguing to ponder how the Black-faced Cormorant’s evolutionary history has confined it to marine habitats while our other four Cormorant species are much more versatile?</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-55742626898651460242022-10-02T16:58:00.000+11:002022-10-02T16:58:36.657+11:00White-throated Treecreeper using next box<p>White-throated Treecreepers (WtT) build a cup shaped nest from bark, fur and grass in tree hollows. The Pizzey and Knight guide states they sometimes nest in building cavities and mine shafts. That said I was surprised to find on our rural property a pair of White-throated Treecreepers nesting in a 2019-20 Black Summer fire recovery artificial wooden nest box (box number 8605).</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge</b></i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMEUdxV1G1NX0s6LfKMPmhNAG_ocVIrHBI2A7RVbn7E5avHeTKmnM-IiwzRIQxBxThVLSSpvO1JdJnJOWe06qTrwOjljqNEl4tjcqVuV0J0pqp8hQMY9tbRdbGy8iIbI27pY8IgevkYK4kLBpVQpEbxyWSKQ_dz8WoKzJ7Wku6wTyLgmZjUhdMp6CJw/s5602/0J2A6566.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4202" data-original-width="5602" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMEUdxV1G1NX0s6LfKMPmhNAG_ocVIrHBI2A7RVbn7E5avHeTKmnM-IiwzRIQxBxThVLSSpvO1JdJnJOWe06qTrwOjljqNEl4tjcqVuV0J0pqp8hQMY9tbRdbGy8iIbI27pY8IgevkYK4kLBpVQpEbxyWSKQ_dz8WoKzJ7Wku6wTyLgmZjUhdMp6CJw/w640-h480/0J2A6566.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Ten boxes were installed in box woodland on our property in April 2022 under the East Gippsland Nest Box Project (EGNBP) – you can find more information about this project here:</p><p><a href="https://birdlife.org.au/projects/woodland-birds-for-biodiversity/egnbp">https://birdlife.org.au/projects/woodland-birds-for-biodiversity/egnbp</a><br /></p><p>The project was managed by Sam Monks, BirdLife Australia Woodland Birds Project Officer – East Gippsland Nest Box Project. The size of the project was significant with over 500 boxes installed on 50 properties across East Gippsland by Tom Dawson of TD Tree Services. The project was funded from the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.</p><p>I first noticed a WtT at the box several weeks ago. This morning (2 October 2022) I found that the pair have young they are feeding and still brooding, judging by the time the adults are spending in the box.</p><p>Before the box was occupied by the WtT’s it had clearly been visited by a bird that seriously chewed the face of the box around the hole and the roof/lid above the hole – see photos. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgxIrMCjKV2jLj8U98kHNweo1odNWHHtD-k5RA5dOsiKHy4ouD27sFfr6BVx7jNGiyrxeKjh86TxseIUcAomIA3K3XJcZI1DVufqncxRVZmp70IFrOqQcVw00dx8lQs90cARsM167-4l1Zw3OKW2klA7dJwWZZWD3XzXxNPKRIt4aEjxc-41pEQRFCQ/s4412/0J2A6567.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="4412" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgxIrMCjKV2jLj8U98kHNweo1odNWHHtD-k5RA5dOsiKHy4ouD27sFfr6BVx7jNGiyrxeKjh86TxseIUcAomIA3K3XJcZI1DVufqncxRVZmp70IFrOqQcVw00dx8lQs90cARsM167-4l1Zw3OKW2klA7dJwWZZWD3XzXxNPKRIt4aEjxc-41pEQRFCQ/w640-h480/0J2A6567.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I suspect a Rosella did this or perhaps a Galah – several other boxes have the same damage. Hollow nesting cockatoos and rosellas will do this to enlarge holes and to obtain chewed wood to form a nest base on which to lay their eggs. In hindsight it looks like the nest boxes would have benefited from a sacrificial piece of timber fitted to the roof above the nest box hole for the birds to chew to avoid damage to the roof. The boxes were installed with a layer of wood shavings for the birds to use however it looks like the urge to chew is ingrained in the bird’s nesting behaviour.</p><p>The following photos of the WtT pair at the nest box were taken this morning from the cover of a tree at a distance using a 600mm focal length lens to avoid disturbing the birds at their nest.</p><p>The male arrived with a small food item which he passed to the female seen inside the entrance of the box.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZNDy6ezL_vEPHr0s-hlygHCkH55vSkm-yz4tWnEgBod1jDe89g5tHHogbu5Zfgs2RwIfI6snTJ_JOIsVEuwVNLbrL5bKmXBCGCYC_m8gyhAtSmske_HUNVbytuJeUMS8X_qzKif2dl_AL_lMUWMqv3O_f-7_rln3iADsndoDsD6P-lDCh5Ftw8sb1A/s2094/0J2A6578.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2094" data-original-width="1675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZNDy6ezL_vEPHr0s-hlygHCkH55vSkm-yz4tWnEgBod1jDe89g5tHHogbu5Zfgs2RwIfI6snTJ_JOIsVEuwVNLbrL5bKmXBCGCYC_m8gyhAtSmske_HUNVbytuJeUMS8X_qzKif2dl_AL_lMUWMqv3O_f-7_rln3iADsndoDsD6P-lDCh5Ftw8sb1A/w512-h640/0J2A6578.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>The male at the hole with more food for the female inside.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV_7W_PzZGhhiQFCunCGdv0H0QWr4d-XmJirKCD7clNw_q9TmwsTfN0GEh_7hU3l76zq6fBRvZeJUHNFKvVVRn0h75eAoaQYzexC2DhCIMIKFffPLmwMxkqDYJ8zOYcwigKUUWjQTcN2EKOysJS2HJyzRU8vsghAwqsQ2FEIDKZMLXhNVkyWXsBFTRw/s1360/0J2A6581.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1088" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV_7W_PzZGhhiQFCunCGdv0H0QWr4d-XmJirKCD7clNw_q9TmwsTfN0GEh_7hU3l76zq6fBRvZeJUHNFKvVVRn0h75eAoaQYzexC2DhCIMIKFffPLmwMxkqDYJ8zOYcwigKUUWjQTcN2EKOysJS2HJyzRU8vsghAwqsQ2FEIDKZMLXhNVkyWXsBFTRw/w512-h640/0J2A6581.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>The female – note orange spots on the side of her neck – is about to leave the nest box. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCht_fP11mjxUJr-z-YzUbgy-L88Z4gIdoexMxXOAAG8lsLGSKidK4kqyjZ_K5bnZr7C83fGn11bp3hrRgLpibPMJ-jADcmd2Dv6rTUoZBL19ThKKtC9nlPh-_NjLIUEWoWxg-z1VdWRFFwthfsOrvvj3Vjcx1xh2_KPMNdxpOkHEH2IXrFQtNUBc5xw/s1191/0J2A6583.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="952" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCht_fP11mjxUJr-z-YzUbgy-L88Z4gIdoexMxXOAAG8lsLGSKidK4kqyjZ_K5bnZr7C83fGn11bp3hrRgLpibPMJ-jADcmd2Dv6rTUoZBL19ThKKtC9nlPh-_NjLIUEWoWxg-z1VdWRFFwthfsOrvvj3Vjcx1xh2_KPMNdxpOkHEH2IXrFQtNUBc5xw/w512-h640/0J2A6583.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>The male made several food deliveries to the young inside the box before he entered the box and did not come out again before I left so he was clearly brooding the young as it was early morning and the box was in the shade and it was cool. The female did not return before I Ieft.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUQ4eKviW5ZscyKB-1lSI-MATmIgcVCRCdVmupBDiZCyY_5dfeVupJ0aIaAg5q0MRQv717b1zzzL6RVKjKwIS3BSG9j6_DdrRwX3H2oh8ZdqVPxeKU1wuw7mx7wJCNKGm4s_UsdYmQTI-_CPATfphWVOtJGMUmkBeE0wb5JLYtD6BxwTQQTsxxvI89w/s1680/0J2A6591.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="1344" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUQ4eKviW5ZscyKB-1lSI-MATmIgcVCRCdVmupBDiZCyY_5dfeVupJ0aIaAg5q0MRQv717b1zzzL6RVKjKwIS3BSG9j6_DdrRwX3H2oh8ZdqVPxeKU1wuw7mx7wJCNKGm4s_UsdYmQTI-_CPATfphWVOtJGMUmkBeE0wb5JLYtD6BxwTQQTsxxvI89w/w512-h640/0J2A6591.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcmPKzeefcRJ1HFyCXpPTJO3c59tKY4tD7nEHB1LELvsPO0LX1wN4-jmGTZ8NOIYuUUTA4WYd81OCQvMgiFl0bE4gyOeIOQKGo1BrjVxO0mGDAFi7yzKSdFwGkKhR3P4xbGE38UmbmD_z4hWvVx_bgCeTn6sIe8wfoP5oKoOoMlTaWeIVIbWTVhT6QA/s1507/0J2A6593.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="1206" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcmPKzeefcRJ1HFyCXpPTJO3c59tKY4tD7nEHB1LELvsPO0LX1wN4-jmGTZ8NOIYuUUTA4WYd81OCQvMgiFl0bE4gyOeIOQKGo1BrjVxO0mGDAFi7yzKSdFwGkKhR3P4xbGE38UmbmD_z4hWvVx_bgCeTn6sIe8wfoP5oKoOoMlTaWeIVIbWTVhT6QA/w512-h640/0J2A6593.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>So far this spring the nesting WtT’s are the only confirmed birds using the EGNBP nest boxes, however other boxes have been chewed and I have seen a pair of Crimson Rosellas inspecting one of the boxes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FAMqO1AwZBC5JTcusiRZHvAkGrLkZmYIi8tSTsCdvs8Z_3mTHfKSEKYuYSw0VqJFa4fwx4uF1PrIGQBJnrZFIXud3lxEbkF9e8csm4S83vGjEyzCpuVIr08nRsxyu3mgz-gct9vfDtoslxSwkAWbvZDIjSbMWbeY7uspiEFS3PG8cd8eARC0aE47Mg/s3727/0J2A6574.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3727" data-original-width="2982" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FAMqO1AwZBC5JTcusiRZHvAkGrLkZmYIi8tSTsCdvs8Z_3mTHfKSEKYuYSw0VqJFa4fwx4uF1PrIGQBJnrZFIXud3lxEbkF9e8csm4S83vGjEyzCpuVIr08nRsxyu3mgz-gct9vfDtoslxSwkAWbvZDIjSbMWbeY7uspiEFS3PG8cd8eARC0aE47Mg/w512-h640/0J2A6574.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>In addition to the ten EGNBP boxes we also have six Gang-gang boxes installed in May 2022 under another post fire program. The boxes are 18 to 19 metres high in Manna Gums along about a 500 metre section of our river frontage. So far I have only seen one pair of Galahs using the Gang-gang boxes. </p><p>The sixteen nest boxes are a valuable addition to our area which is tree rich but hollow poor, especially after the fire swept across our property.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-10827930223065274832022-09-27T16:58:00.002+10:002022-09-27T16:58:53.912+10:00Immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle<p>While monitoring small terns (Fairy and Little), beach nesting birds and breeding Australian Pelicans by boat on the Gippsland Lakes near Crescent Island in late September we came upon an immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle perched in a dead tree near the Pelican rookery. </p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYGtf5E9lmGlsAurzctCj8nW2sLNFuNSRKdj5rb_FBGrngzmBHtFv_B9NtF3oELWl_VWVPChsi9A0L6U8leDSEabboHMehvb0gY64MDDhkrNDJgazKhuxKrocV5vAcuj60e16r6l99KB1E-5vUKy-VN_Uve5nVoH53VC8wctrb6pPm8ZC21y0IC6XyQ/s1860/0J2A6515.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1860" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYGtf5E9lmGlsAurzctCj8nW2sLNFuNSRKdj5rb_FBGrngzmBHtFv_B9NtF3oELWl_VWVPChsi9A0L6U8leDSEabboHMehvb0gY64MDDhkrNDJgazKhuxKrocV5vAcuj60e16r6l99KB1E-5vUKy-VN_Uve5nVoH53VC8wctrb6pPm8ZC21y0IC6XyQ/w640-h480/0J2A6515.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This bird had been observed in the area in recent weeks feeding on cygnets – there are a significant number of Black Swans nesting in the area with many parents with cygnets on the water and some still at their nests.</p><p>A young Sea-Eagle (1) such as this one still learning to hunt, would find the cygnets an easy target. Ravens – possibly Little and if not Forest – are also feasting on the cygnets in this area.</p><p>As we approached the young Sea-Eagle I knew it was going to fly, so I took the opportunity to capture some photos of this beautiful raptor as we motored slowly by.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eSSUwwZwxOmfgYpBUZkNWUdoRUJUadONFhXHv61yhaqCCK2qd6rOdGYEGkxZTI34eL1zvRusB2h-stJmz4uJYMqI2JDaxeD-4YgFUJnAwGQskquwqsfL7P49SWT-MxEQC2PBUK8RhsykjKoK3xxeQyjQhHH-vTe6n2sQev4O-QTkVJzqBa7Qlcp7Ow/s1036/0J2A6518.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="829" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eSSUwwZwxOmfgYpBUZkNWUdoRUJUadONFhXHv61yhaqCCK2qd6rOdGYEGkxZTI34eL1zvRusB2h-stJmz4uJYMqI2JDaxeD-4YgFUJnAwGQskquwqsfL7P49SWT-MxEQC2PBUK8RhsykjKoK3xxeQyjQhHH-vTe6n2sQev4O-QTkVJzqBa7Qlcp7Ow/w512-h640/0J2A6518.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hJy0wWjbjKVlP2SE0qf6ulAaIDfPNHnZQjYFwnLOV7n7fRjySEU2XYhNfHzmcIy2EJnVidrehKG6loddrlYErC5uTUTNeidkz809e8tOIPWQk1TkDhlf0Tda6WIpCamz-GEzWv0-75V7F-z9is1xSOc27NMuupVx3Mx0oqDBFpExQJq-kL5LI7WZKQ/s1092/0J2A6519.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="874" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hJy0wWjbjKVlP2SE0qf6ulAaIDfPNHnZQjYFwnLOV7n7fRjySEU2XYhNfHzmcIy2EJnVidrehKG6loddrlYErC5uTUTNeidkz809e8tOIPWQk1TkDhlf0Tda6WIpCamz-GEzWv0-75V7F-z9is1xSOc27NMuupVx3Mx0oqDBFpExQJq-kL5LI7WZKQ/w512-h640/0J2A6519.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jomJuUhKSTxkrH_iWppyBBNG4KqhADKAozady1l9RI7KLwir6FXJXleicD4yxieT0_ptLBskeQW7CjWJQ1_v4JtitLnXfajqGNy0pGfEMOFl50-UniNGy9JYYSzfhGLmui_j5AhNoX2CMYVsjkYapbTpOeZPqALM12qoT50Cv2IySpGucp3Tu-SRCQ/s1415/0J2A6521.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1415" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jomJuUhKSTxkrH_iWppyBBNG4KqhADKAozady1l9RI7KLwir6FXJXleicD4yxieT0_ptLBskeQW7CjWJQ1_v4JtitLnXfajqGNy0pGfEMOFl50-UniNGy9JYYSzfhGLmui_j5AhNoX2CMYVsjkYapbTpOeZPqALM12qoT50Cv2IySpGucp3Tu-SRCQ/w640-h480/0J2A6521.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrxE5xJMq-WdEoPeofcKxyiuwu8nbUv9zBh2xc7Df6CAjN9FhFo4idT1ZL20EcyOW87l3IEgWam5qfvv_yoxy7Me2udACYJEpXBZRy_8zb-DGRNndynMrc_t8YsZ3uWcWKqP8rO0ZMcm2KwwBJAXKM-4hxo12CU3KdVHDQej1DkL_UWX6pRWUZ5lmIg/s2090/0J2A6522.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="1672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrxE5xJMq-WdEoPeofcKxyiuwu8nbUv9zBh2xc7Df6CAjN9FhFo4idT1ZL20EcyOW87l3IEgWam5qfvv_yoxy7Me2udACYJEpXBZRy_8zb-DGRNndynMrc_t8YsZ3uWcWKqP8rO0ZMcm2KwwBJAXKM-4hxo12CU3KdVHDQej1DkL_UWX6pRWUZ5lmIg/w512-h640/0J2A6522.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMPZwGEOFloBSAOPbx0_y7Y_FRmqSz_HBIpxyXcBFOSq2tEclZaLZu31O87RtRLBHMhfDwbMjM_1u3B6fjkHlpxRk4Cc3dlpPf7pnnqPbyYiCMI72eubaNp7XIt92_J54KXzOnNaFUvRAS0_BMvzZ9Enp8JG5K0xEdk23ydMluyi9BZcu9Vh4BKbFnQ/s2910/0J2A6523.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="2910" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMPZwGEOFloBSAOPbx0_y7Y_FRmqSz_HBIpxyXcBFOSq2tEclZaLZu31O87RtRLBHMhfDwbMjM_1u3B6fjkHlpxRk4Cc3dlpPf7pnnqPbyYiCMI72eubaNp7XIt92_J54KXzOnNaFUvRAS0_BMvzZ9Enp8JG5K0xEdk23ydMluyi9BZcu9Vh4BKbFnQ/w640-h480/0J2A6523.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>NOTE (1) This bird’s feather colours indicate it is likely to be from last year’s breeding season – May-August 2021.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-58762651425925174062022-09-02T16:37:00.003+10:002022-09-02T16:37:55.777+10:00Brown Treecreeper<p>On our recent visit to six National Parks in south west outback Queensland we had Brown Treecreepers for company at all of our camp sites on rivers and billabongs. Often the camp sites were surrounded by near treeless plains so being tree dependent foragers it was natural that Brown Treecreepers would be found along the riparian strips where redgum, coolabah and Yapunyah (E ochrophloia) grow. </p><p>Brown Treecreepers spend about half their time foraging on tree trunks and half on the ground. They are very active birds and can be quite confiding, coming into camps to forage and coming very close at times, so they are easy to observe and are endearing birds due to their apparent trusting nature. They are often found in small groups of up to six birds which are the breeding male/female pair and retained male young from previous breeding seasons. They were breeding at the time of our visit so activity was particularly busy with independent young from previous years helping to feed the incubating females and chicks.</p><p>It was relatively easy to obtain some photos while sitting in my camp chair at happy-hour when the light was good and the birds were still actively foraging ahead of the approaching sunset. </p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PNYpGiUr10PmZv_2vWTjyf0Ey0lfeRgz7_R6WsGM-8ka9Ph9N6CriSH8LC4KSmK7JZG0Za1gxiPvOl9SEf5OTu4ghPYNKSJBfpOcXxVzg7IP7XX8BLlW3xFfIZD4o467AcHzVrSRxTfP-0CeP0H_1dq5gXiWA6lqRG1lCDEURtTTyEim54qincfUuQ/s3190/0J2A6407.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2392" data-original-width="3190" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PNYpGiUr10PmZv_2vWTjyf0Ey0lfeRgz7_R6WsGM-8ka9Ph9N6CriSH8LC4KSmK7JZG0Za1gxiPvOl9SEf5OTu4ghPYNKSJBfpOcXxVzg7IP7XX8BLlW3xFfIZD4o467AcHzVrSRxTfP-0CeP0H_1dq5gXiWA6lqRG1lCDEURtTTyEim54qincfUuQ/w640-h480/0J2A6407.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjtmhlbQXotLw6B0o3B3RTRUrO-rcQrhzkCa4ILWnhqy4ygUDyQkMwDGqbzuUY9uefnDSq0-i5n6ENdbjEwC0qXLPdb_z2Q_ut5pB-pXqpaKcNhU4oVdC1IMVVnfiVtO3vVF_w0uhu3ODQfmJgEr2Z-b3RUK6MZMkRzwdIe_6CCWa-wZbfzvmfN7fnQ/s3562/0J2A6415.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3562" data-original-width="2850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjtmhlbQXotLw6B0o3B3RTRUrO-rcQrhzkCa4ILWnhqy4ygUDyQkMwDGqbzuUY9uefnDSq0-i5n6ENdbjEwC0qXLPdb_z2Q_ut5pB-pXqpaKcNhU4oVdC1IMVVnfiVtO3vVF_w0uhu3ODQfmJgEr2Z-b3RUK6MZMkRzwdIe_6CCWa-wZbfzvmfN7fnQ/w512-h640/0J2A6415.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSlje9gJINyh_N9gwgUdnFODGoMWyEuHtzhxjMSDvsY7Bt3Le-tj5cTsyksKBNygVlBGPF7l_YzSWGmuWEpMF3hWaFuHOcQ4hem0078T8XqeXqwADNYvBbmFsI6LnrOvjKMOeLuQ6sXXeadIH0JoExNfCzzAiKaZSazC3aWEjmnHS0nhxQWW02W9rAg/s3670/0J2A6416.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3670" data-original-width="2936" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSlje9gJINyh_N9gwgUdnFODGoMWyEuHtzhxjMSDvsY7Bt3Le-tj5cTsyksKBNygVlBGPF7l_YzSWGmuWEpMF3hWaFuHOcQ4hem0078T8XqeXqwADNYvBbmFsI6LnrOvjKMOeLuQ6sXXeadIH0JoExNfCzzAiKaZSazC3aWEjmnHS0nhxQWW02W9rAg/w512-h640/0J2A6416.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi7a6COaR8lky-cvPHH8utMrU8R7F7L-c9C9B4ys-CDnlDtDPL3kI9tF4Jq3Dg3QT6ulmQzHTXiGjOTJa5jyA2EzaxXnKmBvVXE3XySIJfK_LPvLbauiG1vPsPhNFdwKRWKw3rCc3aGk9C_wbjzsua3xZAdfx8gY9rvR6zjZhtqhMRylZqpI5_Xe5lw/s3517/0J2A6423.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2638" data-original-width="3517" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi7a6COaR8lky-cvPHH8utMrU8R7F7L-c9C9B4ys-CDnlDtDPL3kI9tF4Jq3Dg3QT6ulmQzHTXiGjOTJa5jyA2EzaxXnKmBvVXE3XySIJfK_LPvLbauiG1vPsPhNFdwKRWKw3rCc3aGk9C_wbjzsua3xZAdfx8gY9rvR6zjZhtqhMRylZqpI5_Xe5lw/w640-h480/0J2A6423.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-26275015235932425812022-08-30T16:46:00.000+10:002022-08-30T16:46:16.875+10:00Emu portraits<p>The Emu, Australia’s largest bird, needs no introduction as it is widespread across the Australian mainland (the sub species once found in Tasmania is now extinct) and is very familiar to most Australians and even features prominently, along with the Kangaroo, on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. They can be found in a large variety of habitats from our coasts to alpine country and are very well adapted to arid Australian habitats but are largely absent from intensive farming areas. </p><p>While travelling in central west outback Queensland to visit six national parks (1) we saw Emus in many locations including some groups containing up to 40 birds on Mitchell Grass plains. </p><p>In Currawinya National Park we had a close encounter with four immature birds as we slowed on approach to a road intersection. The young Emus were probably as surprised by us as we were by them. Instead of running away into moderately dense vegetation they milled about for a minute or so as I stopped the car, wound down the driver’s window and got my camera ready for some photos. With a 600mm focal length lens they were already too close for full body shots and as I tried to decide on which bird to focus on, they became curious and slowly approached our vehicle. </p><p>Within seconds they were so close I was dealing with head shots of moving birds. I managed about a dozen photos and then put the camera down and watched the birds as they moved about showing clear curiosity. Unexpected close encounters with birds like this are a real joy. Eventually I started the car and at the sound of the engine the group bolted into the bush. </p><p>Looking at the photos later I could see they were all immature and at slightly different ages based on the amount blue skin developing on the side of the head and neck.</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge.</b></i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiGWLob71dAyDUfUahxaiFhJOAS7BRTPr56ToMTu6gsl4O2JU6p510cTeL5tlZ7y6x0R4tSxTt4KXMturyz6JDTZs-wm3pkpRWIHzOl7J5MsJ1TcKckcv53VH4HJN2Tq0CO9a9MOXYfzasOItP4vnTMPbIQ8upse7ZOeEEjVkrb-ydo0z6DvKHybt8A/s3254/0J2A6334.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3254" data-original-width="2603" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiGWLob71dAyDUfUahxaiFhJOAS7BRTPr56ToMTu6gsl4O2JU6p510cTeL5tlZ7y6x0R4tSxTt4KXMturyz6JDTZs-wm3pkpRWIHzOl7J5MsJ1TcKckcv53VH4HJN2Tq0CO9a9MOXYfzasOItP4vnTMPbIQ8upse7ZOeEEjVkrb-ydo0z6DvKHybt8A/w512-h640/0J2A6334.jpeg" width="512" /></a></i></div><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7VW6xviaL9bqrmr-IZgf70fzG0ZI-ki7tBysbA_Sdok4BWZfLJZEC-X19XL-dlXnkYD7yAHb8Y6F46nZYJuwMzPjIiSyhhgMeVXFizudaq051_RHgNUBvMC3fLAa-rucvgfspw85R1rHOhom9t2IhnaDVAjZl8oiW6nZpYr45DudsHFMLhibyLRIFw/s4098/0J2A6335.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4098" data-original-width="3278" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7VW6xviaL9bqrmr-IZgf70fzG0ZI-ki7tBysbA_Sdok4BWZfLJZEC-X19XL-dlXnkYD7yAHb8Y6F46nZYJuwMzPjIiSyhhgMeVXFizudaq051_RHgNUBvMC3fLAa-rucvgfspw85R1rHOhom9t2IhnaDVAjZl8oiW6nZpYr45DudsHFMLhibyLRIFw/w512-h640/0J2A6335.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ4S46TnFOHqo0ej2ZDnO8ARQZoEk5bqT7SXMIdm2rBh2OQt90LGVsqBsP0QxlEeyc4MAyFPoqcpnJpeZtIxSdJ2Z9MkTT4fKc1W8yxUy1jSya0uPBjH-OQnbsLJiA-7G8gEfae6C_4EMhclDUiDIGLUI5HXQ2UFL73YthGouo0N6pv1xlR3P4Y9k3A/s3014/0J2A6336.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MWpme00dkevh3SL9wwDsguEDMgJRUqe83-Avpb7wgcLLLRk4ano2ty_LWXLv4oS7MN4EeraxPZNqQoJQ8PVtncd3VRYfC6rR9WmZHIGP2MH0AzAJVB_yAZ97IuuWxWajomzsVmpLELGAeoDdzoT7mwugRMtCp_MIYVZo6JYq727Tbm5JkSON4UDcfg/s3484/0J2A6341.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3484" data-original-width="2787" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MWpme00dkevh3SL9wwDsguEDMgJRUqe83-Avpb7wgcLLLRk4ano2ty_LWXLv4oS7MN4EeraxPZNqQoJQ8PVtncd3VRYfC6rR9WmZHIGP2MH0AzAJVB_yAZ97IuuWxWajomzsVmpLELGAeoDdzoT7mwugRMtCp_MIYVZo6JYq727Tbm5JkSON4UDcfg/w512-h640/0J2A6341.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmw2XjQPfpM8lqYGxhdBumnOiC20lzuHaJ6RqcIW2S5sRScBG3miDM_oEF8z-E_2UOjSspISUnjXYWAptxwCNO0s5ktdHi0g2IafvGQskbLo7fQcVbVHvXyQnJDYwBN_p7BBCFmIDTgbE4qOYywI7zujAUhUJhd0qAyexJw9qYgXi2bxsDB_98bGtLQ/s2697/0J2A6342.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2697" data-original-width="2158" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmw2XjQPfpM8lqYGxhdBumnOiC20lzuHaJ6RqcIW2S5sRScBG3miDM_oEF8z-E_2UOjSspISUnjXYWAptxwCNO0s5ktdHi0g2IafvGQskbLo7fQcVbVHvXyQnJDYwBN_p7BBCFmIDTgbE4qOYywI7zujAUhUJhd0qAyexJw9qYgXi2bxsDB_98bGtLQ/w512-h640/0J2A6342.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></i><p></p><p>Note (1) The National Parks in order of our visits were, Mariala, Hell Hole Gorge, Idalia, Lochern, Welford and Currawinya.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-86995848359227654752022-08-18T14:58:00.000+10:002022-08-18T14:58:08.385+10:00Spinifex Pigeon<p>We encountered Spinifex Pigeons at the eastern extremity of their range in Hell Hole, Lochern and Welford National Parks in outback Queensland. They were found in pairs or small flocks of up to 20 birds and often the males were performing courtship displays with bowing motions, fanning their tails and issuing soft cooing calls. Given the generally good conditions with many bird species in breeding mode it was likely the Spinifex Pigeons were also going to breed.</p><p>I find Spinifex Pigeons rather comical in both looks and behaviour. They are quite confiding allowing a close approach both in a vehicle or on foot.</p><p>The following photos show a male courtship display.</p><div><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>In the first photo the male at left was about to display to the female at right.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U8amardbpdbczYS-RBgiyshMSYa-_Y90NBisTF0Om3nTn--imsseJ3wkUhRL90RWq2yIMDdBnK4eJGG7qF3S9cryOZfbGsXDP1_aUd2BSalS2GxzzV7Bvpyp3W_USy8peudoXEGrZkbyD7Y9Ots8MT7i48tRdhw1xoUdP_OcdPpUl7R4bAnt4eVk3w/s3847/0J2A6099.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2308" data-original-width="3847" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U8amardbpdbczYS-RBgiyshMSYa-_Y90NBisTF0Om3nTn--imsseJ3wkUhRL90RWq2yIMDdBnK4eJGG7qF3S9cryOZfbGsXDP1_aUd2BSalS2GxzzV7Bvpyp3W_USy8peudoXEGrZkbyD7Y9Ots8MT7i48tRdhw1xoUdP_OcdPpUl7R4bAnt4eVk3w/w640-h384/0J2A6099.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUN0HCNnqCzhcOQGS1fqOKh4YVo9DCCT1TfY_KV1jkCjauPQLKoJqzBEBqwddZw7I2XaESF02NMmAnNZXEjOfPOveBkdEElXV45ghMNytb70R2xpsioXyv0jPsOxFAy2sTi-_Mc8EqGg8JH11LdUpk3tIq3osAy1QDg16Mr2hBvYeIb2R6rwl2qi5UA/s2119/%20%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="2119" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUN0HCNnqCzhcOQGS1fqOKh4YVo9DCCT1TfY_KV1jkCjauPQLKoJqzBEBqwddZw7I2XaESF02NMmAnNZXEjOfPOveBkdEElXV45ghMNytb70R2xpsioXyv0jPsOxFAy2sTi-_Mc8EqGg8JH11LdUpk3tIq3osAy1QDg16Mr2hBvYeIb2R6rwl2qi5UA/w640-h480/%20%20.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqPp7QSMUhOe9qdwIYZ3TahBuwZ4XAv96SulpedyW1ixPQroOHfOLrrG397_ORIMbd35bvevCUvxkGeQCGhpmTG3SLmBQ2mNZMMdjOLkAJeLRXuM3gNbWjp_9HUGwtoSFU85G0BAe1OXeT_0RnTnDYEk8fbDhOeMPMFK9DnHEn6duselXkks8tqlzhQ/s1844/0J2A6103.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1844" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqPp7QSMUhOe9qdwIYZ3TahBuwZ4XAv96SulpedyW1ixPQroOHfOLrrG397_ORIMbd35bvevCUvxkGeQCGhpmTG3SLmBQ2mNZMMdjOLkAJeLRXuM3gNbWjp_9HUGwtoSFU85G0BAe1OXeT_0RnTnDYEk8fbDhOeMPMFK9DnHEn6duselXkks8tqlzhQ/w640-h480/0J2A6103.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOrG_gdAWA_3JYBs3Te1CGH4gN1Br9sfm3UiGzByGpqKyOVMpxwzcMW75z0LzYcVLl4ZlLYyAlAVbFAATidUu8wfG-UqqQzqA74X_W8X8gpY52xgAbsLYpYfL2meCdiCHPsZmBpCz4tKfBJZNK-Li9dENJ9Q1J_BAdv_czWS2r70kJqLhSS6NBwmbFA/s2145/0J2A6105.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1609" data-original-width="2145" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOrG_gdAWA_3JYBs3Te1CGH4gN1Br9sfm3UiGzByGpqKyOVMpxwzcMW75z0LzYcVLl4ZlLYyAlAVbFAATidUu8wfG-UqqQzqA74X_W8X8gpY52xgAbsLYpYfL2meCdiCHPsZmBpCz4tKfBJZNK-Li9dENJ9Q1J_BAdv_czWS2r70kJqLhSS6NBwmbFA/w640-h480/0J2A6105.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The male mostly faced the female but not always.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2PEHRhS5V3MOoAHwaYq_pTArYSmcQvhV6cnrB3fmaLHg8liOkINClCQpplTigkSGMJjwCidHw_u8-vs0pEyAhoGh193bIBB5AmuLrDKrkgRtdWpGNtlu-23EF6DAojWx2_ogG7j1G1uzc6VLZbNXxfLBrhrTt4VkHSO8I5tin1_r510IZU7A7U7F7w/s2456/0J2A6114.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1842" data-original-width="2456" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2PEHRhS5V3MOoAHwaYq_pTArYSmcQvhV6cnrB3fmaLHg8liOkINClCQpplTigkSGMJjwCidHw_u8-vs0pEyAhoGh193bIBB5AmuLrDKrkgRtdWpGNtlu-23EF6DAojWx2_ogG7j1G1uzc6VLZbNXxfLBrhrTt4VkHSO8I5tin1_r510IZU7A7U7F7w/w640-h480/0J2A6114.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The male takes a break from performing.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FuVIqR2CUYh1fjt2ggY44gJ1fTIJGeHPypBqGrO2BK34Uk7cmkED2gDS81fpx8UOBjCPAYtc8ESLu4wi0BDIk3LD37i53aOwx26S8gNmT-_CdJZawH110s5LjbTV5UW-RhrMjs_6JHzSK5WrKXnEOBLsSodJeqVYqSl0GX_MJNCsi1aFT1pxx45eRQ/s2173/0J2A6110.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1630" data-original-width="2173" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FuVIqR2CUYh1fjt2ggY44gJ1fTIJGeHPypBqGrO2BK34Uk7cmkED2gDS81fpx8UOBjCPAYtc8ESLu4wi0BDIk3LD37i53aOwx26S8gNmT-_CdJZawH110s5LjbTV5UW-RhrMjs_6JHzSK5WrKXnEOBLsSodJeqVYqSl0GX_MJNCsi1aFT1pxx45eRQ/w640-h480/0J2A6110.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-59971896825674777412022-08-17T14:59:00.000+10:002022-08-17T14:59:07.766+10:00Bourke’s Parrot<p>Our first encounter with Bourke’s Parrots on this trip was at Oma Waterhole on the Barcoo River south of Isisford. Here, when logging the Bourke’s on a Birdata survey for our camp area I found the sighting was deemed to be outside of the species estimated core range and I was therefore requested to “please provide notes to support the sighting”. There were two birds, a male and female pair which were seen in the late afternoon and again in the morning at our camp site on the waterhole. Some photos were taken including the following of the male.</p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqqCZdqce9QWFAIJ6gVo2RpuYVhtT05PGr_1DoZKAbTLY35p-s4Eq-4X7g6TXxYW1CNTD_c7CGo_p26FLuhyastPG8U5Cf55sc_hiw01zZTzp3vv79iH6eXsix_Du5wfmJvtl5MqF4w5ecUHY_vZyE_ALgsH0wh937gq5hul1BmH99oDW9gTizhqCww/s1128/0J2A5952.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqqCZdqce9QWFAIJ6gVo2RpuYVhtT05PGr_1DoZKAbTLY35p-s4Eq-4X7g6TXxYW1CNTD_c7CGo_p26FLuhyastPG8U5Cf55sc_hiw01zZTzp3vv79iH6eXsix_Du5wfmJvtl5MqF4w5ecUHY_vZyE_ALgsH0wh937gq5hul1BmH99oDW9gTizhqCww/w640-h480/0J2A5952.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The males are only slightly more coloured than the females however the faint blue on the forehead above the bill shows this is a male.</p><p>Travelling west from Isisford to Lochern National Park we saw several pairs and some single birds by the roadside and again more birds in the park and more later in Welford National Park giving us the impression Bourke’s are moderately numerous in this area of outback Queensland at present.</p><p>In Welford we saw pairs in a number of locations and one small flock of eight birds. The two photos below show a female (no blue on the forehead) which was with a male and seen on a number of days near our camp at Little Boomerang Waterhole Campground in Welford NP. </p><p>Most birds seen were in pairs and given it was mid-August and they breed from August to December, and conditions were good following drought breaking rain - there were many seeding forbs and grasses – the Bourke’s were no doubt in breeding mode, as were many other species including Budgerigars, White-browed and Masked Woodswallows, Cockatiels, Spinifex Pigeons, Crimson Chats and Rufous Songlarks.</p><p>Bourke’s Parrots are mostly ground feeders and they have developed plumage that makes them blend in to their surrounds. They are shy and only come to water after sunset and before dawn so photo opportunities are hard to come by. In addition their plumage colours and patterns give the birds a slightly out-of-focus look in the images, so obtaining sharp photos of the Bourke’s is a challenge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21BDE1FI9ZDOnuU8k5Uszyt9dI6cIJSZwPsBSslSt7AFqdz4E-mEqHVGS_hUm6EjPs2fdAl_80ONx7B5C3UjcSKPkeQuypd_rdGFO_hdc1zY9-GnMGS0D1chMR3ufKeXXtBIHk6CGTF4EDVQTtZyDYfbAGAE0zL5xu106EBU0SHL_XtbaS7BvzZLKOQ/s1753/0J2A6185.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1753" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21BDE1FI9ZDOnuU8k5Uszyt9dI6cIJSZwPsBSslSt7AFqdz4E-mEqHVGS_hUm6EjPs2fdAl_80ONx7B5C3UjcSKPkeQuypd_rdGFO_hdc1zY9-GnMGS0D1chMR3ufKeXXtBIHk6CGTF4EDVQTtZyDYfbAGAE0zL5xu106EBU0SHL_XtbaS7BvzZLKOQ/w640-h480/0J2A6185.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJE0S_iGSqSSpn0C58kv61sGsi5eoAfZ0SX93JMEGxWWMTlhgy3K_ulfFWX3lWj1E9vePbKk97oMFdZSjVRKgDRZAzUCXrBZOO3AXRp-Uhrj68b4NXTozG3buaWPqfMF7O6zOBcfLH85rTdsfVdzJJZ2eAJLd1vHVQwCb90dXeHsHnX3cNd3-KKr4mg/s1689/0J2A6187.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1689" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJE0S_iGSqSSpn0C58kv61sGsi5eoAfZ0SX93JMEGxWWMTlhgy3K_ulfFWX3lWj1E9vePbKk97oMFdZSjVRKgDRZAzUCXrBZOO3AXRp-Uhrj68b4NXTozG3buaWPqfMF7O6zOBcfLH85rTdsfVdzJJZ2eAJLd1vHVQwCb90dXeHsHnX3cNd3-KKr4mg/w640-h480/0J2A6187.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-88635499385649941762022-08-12T11:43:00.003+10:002022-08-12T11:43:56.859+10:00Spotted Harrier<p>Driving north on the Thompson Development Road towards Longreach across a Mitchell Grass plain we came upon a Spotted Harrier. The bird was hunting low along the boundary between the green roadside grassy vegetation and the straw coloured pure Mitchell Grass plain beyond. Using a moderately strong NE wind, the bird did not need to use any flapping flight at all. We followed the bird for about a kilometre when it took a break giving me time to get out of the car with the camera and take some photos including a couple of flight shots as it took off to continue hunting along the roadside. </p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge.</b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdmbUuWQGIJ1kq2gjb2st-nrEq7yMoDjHO-esbn_rvw0BSDRLHAKk-OxX-4pOYVCg-T9Bdqyetz4vpxwbjYJNCvVbwrbVevcjkzxZGLVdb6PTXrF7X8uo39Be9XGUsv57gVeqzb3qPGTA_sl-lJP3VDT3IGC2HFLLUqw8Er1-IN07nfqMrTv-fxdqVg/s1876/0J2A5980.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1876" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdmbUuWQGIJ1kq2gjb2st-nrEq7yMoDjHO-esbn_rvw0BSDRLHAKk-OxX-4pOYVCg-T9Bdqyetz4vpxwbjYJNCvVbwrbVevcjkzxZGLVdb6PTXrF7X8uo39Be9XGUsv57gVeqzb3qPGTA_sl-lJP3VDT3IGC2HFLLUqw8Er1-IN07nfqMrTv-fxdqVg/w640-h480/0J2A5980.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysFySMLcEyNxV6o7dQ1AWWcMLHNXs1O-dosmqkICTP36lktFDAFnWNQqx0L1Lzu_Dzko-K1wF1yTaGVCepr6zpQ8f_-l9v6_tPfENkKGxcYWCUAbSE8MfJQQ7rKEq3hYD5N0Ya6cqY5Xqw_qtBqCx15t-b9vYrcSBSMA5ydTBjWjiUiozJet4efwAZw/s1773/0J2A5974.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1773" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysFySMLcEyNxV6o7dQ1AWWcMLHNXs1O-dosmqkICTP36lktFDAFnWNQqx0L1Lzu_Dzko-K1wF1yTaGVCepr6zpQ8f_-l9v6_tPfENkKGxcYWCUAbSE8MfJQQ7rKEq3hYD5N0Ya6cqY5Xqw_qtBqCx15t-b9vYrcSBSMA5ydTBjWjiUiozJet4efwAZw/w640-h480/0J2A5974.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCWAMAk6HgRxIzBEuIjJX5DBMaxzvBSwtkLXgyiTIaB8y-0K2VFPOmSYTd2faf5fokWl-wwLvxQPW37pjO_eVoEu-CHQgRbfEsGwf35wlCivtuKpdOeJiWcPwS5n4lKgcNlpqvYos098TCMH-i1WDWY8e5rgomliQS_EMoPFku32ke58E6ek0KrhStg/s1776/0J2A5982.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1776" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCWAMAk6HgRxIzBEuIjJX5DBMaxzvBSwtkLXgyiTIaB8y-0K2VFPOmSYTd2faf5fokWl-wwLvxQPW37pjO_eVoEu-CHQgRbfEsGwf35wlCivtuKpdOeJiWcPwS5n4lKgcNlpqvYos098TCMH-i1WDWY8e5rgomliQS_EMoPFku32ke58E6ek0KrhStg/w640-h480/0J2A5982.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2ANdsN4Eru-Gy437dNdX2cAMv5MFAd2o9FvPEF-OMtCxkz9f8C0IEZUnWE8hOMTQr5jzpdscvjtab-LQ2fsMCh2iDTa90ihn1FYMRhjR90sKgW7EG9SIsfQPXOJvqXigQFN_v1xEFQYvGZJeQm2aM0SkeaAef7fORbPktPdEShYsRNQAz-O8nWg4WA/s1941/0J2A5983.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="1941" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2ANdsN4Eru-Gy437dNdX2cAMv5MFAd2o9FvPEF-OMtCxkz9f8C0IEZUnWE8hOMTQr5jzpdscvjtab-LQ2fsMCh2iDTa90ihn1FYMRhjR90sKgW7EG9SIsfQPXOJvqXigQFN_v1xEFQYvGZJeQm2aM0SkeaAef7fORbPktPdEShYsRNQAz-O8nWg4WA/w640-h480/0J2A5983.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijM9FnW6D253lpwkap1maRIUlU363VVUmn-2VIfs2eNrMRfZJeWkRRlw4hw0dIC_JwC1nds7Ik7AHVrTVmKFkvBVpsyg1CxMD373BJjkqyeVgQ7g7kdEFTEAOodZ04He-w9Yp0K4-u6B3WYSr8wiCFxhFqsuhXWxeqek3CqzTM2UvAfZ7ppJWAkIE8ug/s2669/0J2A5984.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2669" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijM9FnW6D253lpwkap1maRIUlU363VVUmn-2VIfs2eNrMRfZJeWkRRlw4hw0dIC_JwC1nds7Ik7AHVrTVmKFkvBVpsyg1CxMD373BJjkqyeVgQ7g7kdEFTEAOodZ04He-w9Yp0K4-u6B3WYSr8wiCFxhFqsuhXWxeqek3CqzTM2UvAfZ7ppJWAkIE8ug/w640-h480/0J2A5984.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwwir6n-e8dcsl-B4Mhp6Jh161hcvje9nJifRVeCn5PlwfHuzdsatr5WViuuL_SUahPKV22KyOfKs0Hz4cmxQg_yxaAk2H1soxc3KhZI5x9IDCqSMicmQQjgBIag8kk8vjEAwyegzB0j9um64NLYXBSPgHwrYwyvPyOlIcAOsEnC8kTApxpoBtnNELw/s2767/0J2A5985%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2075" data-original-width="2767" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwwir6n-e8dcsl-B4Mhp6Jh161hcvje9nJifRVeCn5PlwfHuzdsatr5WViuuL_SUahPKV22KyOfKs0Hz4cmxQg_yxaAk2H1soxc3KhZI5x9IDCqSMicmQQjgBIag8kk8vjEAwyegzB0j9um64NLYXBSPgHwrYwyvPyOlIcAOsEnC8kTApxpoBtnNELw/w640-h480/0J2A5985%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Watching such a beautiful raptor hunt as we followed in the car and then having the opportunity for some photos was a great privilege, and one of the joys of outback travel.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-91874297510447399282022-08-12T11:36:00.004+10:002022-08-12T11:36:55.273+10:00Australian Pratincole<p>Australian Pratincoles are shorebirds/waders that can often be found beside remote roads on inland plains where some water is present. They seem to like roadsides where they will flush ahead of an approaching vehicle displaying their slender form, long wings and tern-like flight. They usually do not fly far and often alight close to the flush point once you have pulled up - however more often than not they fly to the sun side of the road leaving a photographer with an unsuitable light angle. Driving south from Lochern National Park towards the small hamlet of Stonehenge we had passed several groups of Pratincoles plus numerous single birds. Finally one bird alighted on a rare rock beside the road with the sun behind us giving an opportunity for reasonably close photos from the car window with good light. Here are two of the shots taken before the bird flew.</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge.</b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0G1aqLAXBnoHPCSQoKsZusZ2keHP4DpAbb6kZkRkl4o0vEHGyPjw1KO0mEJ91_V96iHGcRULENdog-Gz7GifkF6AUxSDayCEznTUwJtDsGneNTwLvAoYkR6uJcWixun6TQnTYo5-Jq9TCGIG0PM3MnXnp68Iz7YFoMRDDxGLg003r_AP0LHRCcZD8A/s4375/0J2A6050.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3281" data-original-width="4375" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0G1aqLAXBnoHPCSQoKsZusZ2keHP4DpAbb6kZkRkl4o0vEHGyPjw1KO0mEJ91_V96iHGcRULENdog-Gz7GifkF6AUxSDayCEznTUwJtDsGneNTwLvAoYkR6uJcWixun6TQnTYo5-Jq9TCGIG0PM3MnXnp68Iz7YFoMRDDxGLg003r_AP0LHRCcZD8A/w640-h480/0J2A6050.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxzKfxKmU6pMIXQDaqBRlSLQ-ALc-dxha3nzbHBQJfnvRMW_L1i_WamkrSIHRaa6yuF5FdOrh-GD28oLjRAoahh6k7tC7KiZoeaOX_bVXtleeXWnmvy0E-FhwdQf8ybx0LwPNGKLJk2IQFPH8jXVxdSrmeIecQc1Rpk0imwyZBt7t4kLNsOrRHSRX5g/s2312/0J2A6053%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1733" data-original-width="2312" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxzKfxKmU6pMIXQDaqBRlSLQ-ALc-dxha3nzbHBQJfnvRMW_L1i_WamkrSIHRaa6yuF5FdOrh-GD28oLjRAoahh6k7tC7KiZoeaOX_bVXtleeXWnmvy0E-FhwdQf8ybx0LwPNGKLJk2IQFPH8jXVxdSrmeIecQc1Rpk0imwyZBt7t4kLNsOrRHSRX5g/w640-h480/0J2A6053%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The black flight feathers extend well beyond the tail which is just visible.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-41657617453180343522022-08-08T10:42:00.002+10:002022-08-08T10:42:55.884+10:00Spotted Bowerbird<p>While camped in Idalia National Park in outback Queensland at Monks Tank – an earthen water storage dam – we found a Spotted Bowerbird bower. The bower location was well concealed however with the temporary use of a rope, one end of the bower was exposed enough to enable some photos.</p><p>Like other species of Bowerbird, male Spotted Bowerbirds live a hyperactive life building and maintaining a bower, protecting it from other males and using it to attract females during the breeding season in addition to simply finding food each day to survive. Bowers may last for years and are maintained throughout the year, though activity at the bower varies across the seasons.</p><p>There were three adult Spotted Bowerbirds at or around the bower, however given males and females look the same – except the females have a smaller crest which is not much help to separate the sexes – it was not clear if any of the three birds were female or if they were all males. From observations over about one and a half hours at the Monks Tank bower it seemed likely that one male was the owner of the bower and the other two birds were males as they were vigorously chased away from the bower on numerous occasions whenever they put in an appearance.</p><p>The owner of the bower came and went and when in attendance I observed him perform a range of activities including placing a stem of grass in the bower wall, moving green fruits in and out of the bower, picking up and moving objects at the bower entrance, and bringing a large bill full of a green plant to the bower entrance which was consumed in five portions. </p><p>The photos below show some of this action.</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge.</b></i></p><p>The first photo was taken looking through the bower which is made of grass stems with collections of generally white objects at either end. The second photo shows the collection of green fruits within the bower plus a few prized green glass objects, a few polished rounded grey stones and a few other miscellaneous pieces of plastic. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoz3uWIgxb9HaIcO-rip7SV6y-XD1jrLeUGauHW5Pis_X6xI-lJdC32g1tX8Tq_bw65pp6DNzCp3-N4s-tFddpm_KVQq88VtKparyyl38DVcXt9wvKep43zy7EQMN8I7IU0ZzHRIPprvofyrfOV2uKYvIu40iSX7Tnjtf13F-AjaIx2mffv-a5umf8A/s4032/IMG_4918.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoz3uWIgxb9HaIcO-rip7SV6y-XD1jrLeUGauHW5Pis_X6xI-lJdC32g1tX8Tq_bw65pp6DNzCp3-N4s-tFddpm_KVQq88VtKparyyl38DVcXt9wvKep43zy7EQMN8I7IU0ZzHRIPprvofyrfOV2uKYvIu40iSX7Tnjtf13F-AjaIx2mffv-a5umf8A/w480-h640/IMG_4918.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhk3WK395pUIKWSWBg9XB00Pogo1jEh5H5d9wTAymntmZ_OG9LE0Rc43GDBXd3-_5rkRUXEt_yOAqsH2BD1XuAnIWqmMoYLNqtnYd4HzOiS144a2vC_7sn7gPevtklRfuVDEXrNO1-QKtczjnfEQEDCe36lRBaeECKWH4eZya2HYwxtF6FtzribW3NMQ/s3697/IMG_4912.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3697" data-original-width="2956" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhk3WK395pUIKWSWBg9XB00Pogo1jEh5H5d9wTAymntmZ_OG9LE0Rc43GDBXd3-_5rkRUXEt_yOAqsH2BD1XuAnIWqmMoYLNqtnYd4HzOiS144a2vC_7sn7gPevtklRfuVDEXrNO1-QKtczjnfEQEDCe36lRBaeECKWH4eZya2HYwxtF6FtzribW3NMQ/w512-h640/IMG_4912.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>The assumed bower owner at one entrance to the bower.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-2-G9qG6XDul5O5IrrpHOjwCuEMkLbiWRepvSlw_EF44FFM4iku-aS_CobyinlywxKS4oy1EWxz9LChJ5vtfFyosW3o-nNGYwals8ZMvznUdg2m71roBl6ybOdlEh9KbZ5ExVUYhY3LA3laRzj56E3ntZZfpRKtKU_Pd_HE-rKBIDqfYxScSKwkU9A/s2677/%20%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2677" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-2-G9qG6XDul5O5IrrpHOjwCuEMkLbiWRepvSlw_EF44FFM4iku-aS_CobyinlywxKS4oy1EWxz9LChJ5vtfFyosW3o-nNGYwals8ZMvznUdg2m71roBl6ybOdlEh9KbZ5ExVUYhY3LA3laRzj56E3ntZZfpRKtKU_Pd_HE-rKBIDqfYxScSKwkU9A/w640-h480/%20%20.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>A back view of the bird showing a partly exposed pink erectile crest, which can be completely covered or exposed by degree and erected when the bird is excited, and the ash grey patch on the lower nape – the Western Bowerbird does not have a grey nape.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmx0pRv7Of_6mWBUNx4Icw2Zj6R5EO88B61fYvE9XQzoAFzTrRtIYpBXF7uHQ944xftU98gVGoIiy4VExCB1Cgr1TgT1Esf_pEKVc2BEGAm2eNDFlSZi0PsAcSZEf4N_6qEfLj9Q1NcBAI-pOnjdlse848B2Uye965Wou3bspOv_BI2HdF1tvPQBJBg/s1654/0J2A5903.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1241" data-original-width="1654" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmx0pRv7Of_6mWBUNx4Icw2Zj6R5EO88B61fYvE9XQzoAFzTrRtIYpBXF7uHQ944xftU98gVGoIiy4VExCB1Cgr1TgT1Esf_pEKVc2BEGAm2eNDFlSZi0PsAcSZEf4N_6qEfLj9Q1NcBAI-pOnjdlse848B2Uye965Wou3bspOv_BI2HdF1tvPQBJBg/w640-h480/0J2A5903.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The next photo shows the owner chasing another bird away with much loud churring, grating, hissing and throat-clearing noises (voice description taken from Graham Pizzey’s field guide). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZsk32msCNlW5FZGSHX9exhaSTzgO7eN2nlu29SZAZwZpsS-qHE4EtdRGn7nQIifBrrqDAOnB1kRvjiIU2xLGTbOQBl76oguT0hvZdyzfGWsrxhq7cTaXWphzH_C68aVLV3FmLh_R28i1bN-PBm2hncamqsDlyeBueuSktlckzWVOO4j9Ac6KeYUvlQ/s4671/0J2A5905.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2803" data-original-width="4671" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZsk32msCNlW5FZGSHX9exhaSTzgO7eN2nlu29SZAZwZpsS-qHE4EtdRGn7nQIifBrrqDAOnB1kRvjiIU2xLGTbOQBl76oguT0hvZdyzfGWsrxhq7cTaXWphzH_C68aVLV3FmLh_R28i1bN-PBm2hncamqsDlyeBueuSktlckzWVOO4j9Ac6KeYUvlQ/w640-h384/0J2A5905.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This photo shows the bird with a green fruit – there was a lot of moving of the green fruits into and out of the bower and also on two occasions the bird flew in with a fruit. In all our walks in different locations within the park we did not see the shrub with this fruit. Given the timing of the arrival of fruit there must have been at least one plant with fruit close to the bower.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWL-7rDtv-Oc_oqcJB3Yt_1ckDppmEUP_tl62TlxOZkXI5FenEP6UahIxgcX1zMHxn1tHLT0Lg_l3vPUH3J9ewNdts7P4TNB0TVWTACddd_gkshRGDVGvEYSsJq3DklkZMeGEoSJnf8VMiCfvduwRe8xRQjJ2gIPI4IVgmMt-FQ7GJDgJbKCh4TsdHQ/s2321/0J2A5910.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1742" data-original-width="2321" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWL-7rDtv-Oc_oqcJB3Yt_1ckDppmEUP_tl62TlxOZkXI5FenEP6UahIxgcX1zMHxn1tHLT0Lg_l3vPUH3J9ewNdts7P4TNB0TVWTACddd_gkshRGDVGvEYSsJq3DklkZMeGEoSJnf8VMiCfvduwRe8xRQjJ2gIPI4IVgmMt-FQ7GJDgJbKCh4TsdHQ/w640-h480/0J2A5910.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The bird picked up and dropped pieces of clear glass and a rare red plastic item.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijC6gUuAYkSHt-B-lflbWfaOZA3fq1EbhFRGnWD7VqXeSx_vc6FJ_4tuH6BqZ0Hyw94SyLSMgQEKG-r6RhsKJCzzgJVlKrKjOfXcp3cHGYpd62j3oy1cVXPBXnOyJENfR8iLZ496EK1KoaMfr7E-zw_NQMu5UGi-wWq7M9Nf8TSYq5569xOZUnFjywg/s2335/0J2A5912.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1752" data-original-width="2335" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijC6gUuAYkSHt-B-lflbWfaOZA3fq1EbhFRGnWD7VqXeSx_vc6FJ_4tuH6BqZ0Hyw94SyLSMgQEKG-r6RhsKJCzzgJVlKrKjOfXcp3cHGYpd62j3oy1cVXPBXnOyJENfR8iLZ496EK1KoaMfr7E-zw_NQMu5UGi-wWq7M9Nf8TSYq5569xOZUnFjywg/w640-h480/0J2A5912.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuelH6igOw5Rh1bbgb0A3rRTT3F4Tm9ZywK2khF9P2dZJyrdxwfEZRlFZxTFgZ0M-j0Er3P9ZSt6fHHxZbsjzQ79cdVlsyyK3Xa_AyQod679S31b8uG2rbgOjr4hj1P3krjcu-g_fzcO0ext3oLOkdL630aXeiwSarADopDZ4XugiIbVo-lUqLw-jbAw/s1959/0J2A5919.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1959" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuelH6igOw5Rh1bbgb0A3rRTT3F4Tm9ZywK2khF9P2dZJyrdxwfEZRlFZxTFgZ0M-j0Er3P9ZSt6fHHxZbsjzQ79cdVlsyyK3Xa_AyQod679S31b8uG2rbgOjr4hj1P3krjcu-g_fzcO0ext3oLOkdL630aXeiwSarADopDZ4XugiIbVo-lUqLw-jbAw/w640-h480/0J2A5919.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngzrPCHfkoLf8BxmxNfQAK2mmIFlV-02cb4BK_lXIQWpVL2RiEreraj1KsqFAmuRnHgXRzPvmlo91fyzAm97Ehri1XtJEloIJWvGqiVd_Rm_GhavqiE7VsekGtIVfZ0Z532QsJQiiu5N54Qx1JQVXEmrKNOW9QXA7gndaj2ihELRbwKRWl8DnHzqhqg/s2114/0J2A5920.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="2114" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngzrPCHfkoLf8BxmxNfQAK2mmIFlV-02cb4BK_lXIQWpVL2RiEreraj1KsqFAmuRnHgXRzPvmlo91fyzAm97Ehri1XtJEloIJWvGqiVd_Rm_GhavqiE7VsekGtIVfZ0Z532QsJQiiu5N54Qx1JQVXEmrKNOW9QXA7gndaj2ihELRbwKRWl8DnHzqhqg/w640-h480/0J2A5920.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The bird brought in a bill full of a green plant which it ate at the bower entrance – perhaps the bower owner could not afford to be away from the bower too long as competitors would soon move in or steal objects – so eating at the bower minimised time away. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGYfBzXucNo4dES0FCpeN5i6I776b4PfOZqmfgjvJyZ9o6BR9JqNeIdrBK7PN0XmZAgdLY-1EWsCJrveTfwyu4Kj9p_3rHIhgxAjioHmHNrYN0p6fH8AQRxjznI6CEttMGtg_5-7IaO8J6zP4WFDH7t0sg6lUe6CxOAdB7tkMQWxoKVX4AvPPkMHwzg/s1521/0J2A5925.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1521" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGYfBzXucNo4dES0FCpeN5i6I776b4PfOZqmfgjvJyZ9o6BR9JqNeIdrBK7PN0XmZAgdLY-1EWsCJrveTfwyu4Kj9p_3rHIhgxAjioHmHNrYN0p6fH8AQRxjznI6CEttMGtg_5-7IaO8J6zP4WFDH7t0sg6lUe6CxOAdB7tkMQWxoKVX4AvPPkMHwzg/w640-h480/0J2A5925.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Male Bowerbirds perform displays at the bower entrances often using objects accumulated there as part of their dances and they accompany these with varied vocalisations. None of this behaviour was observed at Monks Tank however this is not surprising given breeding is generally from September to December. Females are attracted to the bowers to mate and are solely responsible for nest building, incubation and raising of young – the males take no part at all.</p><p>The Western Bowerbird is very similar to the Spotted. The Avithera post “Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, Alice Springs” shows a Western Bowerbird at a bower: </p><p><a href=" https://avithera.blogspot.com/2015/07/olive-pink-botanic-gardens-alice-springs.html"> https://avithera.blogspot.com/2015/07/olive-pink-botanic-gardens-alice-springs.html</a><br /></p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-48888107803413018392022-08-08T09:19:00.025+10:002022-08-09T08:40:08.229+10:00Brolgas<p>Driving north on the Adavale-Blackall Rd we came upon a pair of Brolgas feeding in lush grass beside the road. We managed to pull up without flushing the pair and using the car as cover a few photos were obtained as they made cursory probes with their bills in the soft red soil and slowly moved away. One bird looked to have a larger dewlap under the chin so as the male has a larger dewlap it was assumed this was a male-female pair. The male stayed in the background while the female paid more attention to us – it was not long before they slowly moved away and we continued our drive north.</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge.</b></i></p><p><i><b><br /></b></i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ldSQWdVy5hqQ-TvP4AJzPvHyHWdCslKw9vnttVPyJ7PUhC1cwqTIrUlaV2cfGimTx5AUEzhP3pDGB848eHp6zGov0IGBLvZdfQjfJLGG1dmxlbQVvqMs3gTSiCYz4TEw3j5az8_4qXfPJQX4_2iXq3lJn6lKZq6OsHOPHMFU2ePdZLD-1gRqVdljIQ/s4480/0J2A5769.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="3584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ldSQWdVy5hqQ-TvP4AJzPvHyHWdCslKw9vnttVPyJ7PUhC1cwqTIrUlaV2cfGimTx5AUEzhP3pDGB848eHp6zGov0IGBLvZdfQjfJLGG1dmxlbQVvqMs3gTSiCYz4TEw3j5az8_4qXfPJQX4_2iXq3lJn6lKZq6OsHOPHMFU2ePdZLD-1gRqVdljIQ/w512-h640/0J2A5769.jpeg" width="512" /></a></i></div><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTyCTc5qMCcuORVZW9w4OYu4vD5239ChHnC6g73XU1bA8XEOpkk-GC3VQhBK3VqNzBWQVUnJIAI9NuW1ehfh6YheKV-eJBuPngawB03RsHFIZzdFMIqz9l8IwF1cAgC6XXFBcJjFJx36fNe0o2_PqelOdWAkNkRhjfdoVGnMnUqAidfWgHRplMrQG0g/s3344/0J2A5773.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3344" data-original-width="3344" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTyCTc5qMCcuORVZW9w4OYu4vD5239ChHnC6g73XU1bA8XEOpkk-GC3VQhBK3VqNzBWQVUnJIAI9NuW1ehfh6YheKV-eJBuPngawB03RsHFIZzdFMIqz9l8IwF1cAgC6XXFBcJjFJx36fNe0o2_PqelOdWAkNkRhjfdoVGnMnUqAidfWgHRplMrQG0g/w640-h640/0J2A5773.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_q1BboZdn_vDtWJkvqa5QWxER0rCMy7X6_GmciF9SX8hfyK0P_06VFrKYU7y8_WB7fMWLnGqIwFVmM_BOSkgjNIlfmEHBtboK54-3dDvMb4QXW-vCLvbZ1tus2rs7Edjtd2bU8-9Nj8AkAa-N2MVQni5qGgEFRXbKlqQd5AitzX4YL97Kg0DWUb2AQ/s2944/0J2A5779.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2355" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_q1BboZdn_vDtWJkvqa5QWxER0rCMy7X6_GmciF9SX8hfyK0P_06VFrKYU7y8_WB7fMWLnGqIwFVmM_BOSkgjNIlfmEHBtboK54-3dDvMb4QXW-vCLvbZ1tus2rs7Edjtd2bU8-9Nj8AkAa-N2MVQni5qGgEFRXbKlqQd5AitzX4YL97Kg0DWUb2AQ/w512-h640/0J2A5779.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMnCxzecv5kLXxigkNasIk7AywB6OCLYy3HOjKBM0pTWhEpltdkay9S_QfBwsFfLOkY2-gy6FOiQNMj1H23QwihS0e7NhiilgsssD16TqUkSiwl0SC5qsZwNE3zbdjHpZBlAkVrN1wzSjuBIGLlk9mMDZ6C9JZIMZGbjoqQAdCePOqW51qzLWokcpww/s1292/0J2A5770.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="1034" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMnCxzecv5kLXxigkNasIk7AywB6OCLYy3HOjKBM0pTWhEpltdkay9S_QfBwsFfLOkY2-gy6FOiQNMj1H23QwihS0e7NhiilgsssD16TqUkSiwl0SC5qsZwNE3zbdjHpZBlAkVrN1wzSjuBIGLlk9mMDZ6C9JZIMZGbjoqQAdCePOqW51qzLWokcpww/w512-h640/0J2A5770.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><b><br /></b></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6bO7q-VXJ52EdBK0wLxx7eWeQQE-yrOdGrvKFreyeyRNLQ3SJ4ZwtryfqL2Hqw_V59rWSxYi8wRrZDwSjxccgghK-9ilenoduudhRj-yx5pixPb-NaZcupEIlFDUFLZhl0vFukTWJiv7Q2aSN7AFxre4A-1ZhO_etGws81WZLVw5iTrY4rv_QOrqVA/s1588/0J2A5772.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1270" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6bO7q-VXJ52EdBK0wLxx7eWeQQE-yrOdGrvKFreyeyRNLQ3SJ4ZwtryfqL2Hqw_V59rWSxYi8wRrZDwSjxccgghK-9ilenoduudhRj-yx5pixPb-NaZcupEIlFDUFLZhl0vFukTWJiv7Q2aSN7AFxre4A-1ZhO_etGws81WZLVw5iTrY4rv_QOrqVA/w512-h640/0J2A5772.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5xi1PQejP7lgb_sF_vRj2QOn9cPi9E7TJsqSjQcjssQW5TlAVYBjOMhbDk9t_MfItpLp1LLi-WHC4JrP1k8AkUtdLsQA4gTN_G-Q6vGlEDLcAogZS2aDm27IzcXZr9Dpa9SFSyno4m1rn7eFmEufg90Gqq11Aemzh71FOY0MXgabnJbN58XwBG0oMg/s3238/0J2A5782.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2428" data-original-width="3238" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5xi1PQejP7lgb_sF_vRj2QOn9cPi9E7TJsqSjQcjssQW5TlAVYBjOMhbDk9t_MfItpLp1LLi-WHC4JrP1k8AkUtdLsQA4gTN_G-Q6vGlEDLcAogZS2aDm27IzcXZr9Dpa9SFSyno4m1rn7eFmEufg90Gqq11Aemzh71FOY0MXgabnJbN58XwBG0oMg/w640-h480/0J2A5782.jpeg" width="640" /></a></i></div><p><br /></p>It is always a thrill to find and observe Brolgas - Australia’s only crane.<div><br /></div><div>PS Correction: It has been pointed out that Australia has two cranes - the Sarus Crane, an Asian species was first recorded near Normanton Qld, on the Gulf in October 1966 and it has expanded in number and range significantly since. As the Sarus is now resident in Australia we do now have two cranes. I am not sure of the deep history fo the Brolga in Australia but assume it has been here for a very long time, long enough to be regarded as Australia's crane and only crane until 1966. <br /><p></p><div><br /></div></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-41124593078887399042022-08-08T09:06:00.000+10:002022-08-08T09:06:03.891+10:00Banded Lapwings<p>By an earthen stock water dam beside the Adavale-Blackall Rd in an open area with a carpet of short vegetation we found a pair of Banded Lapwings. Using the vehicle and van as cover the following photos were captured of the two adults. One stayed in the short vegetation while the other moved to the top of a small pile of soil and timber left by fence line clearing – it was barely half a metre high but gave the bird a better view of the flat surrounds and no doubt it felt more secure there given our presence on the road nearby. It was very likely this was a breeding pair.</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge.</b></i></p><p><i><b><br /></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsnQvmJxxusWgwWmn9m7tyK2-7uElIsm68_3JUIAHnsLriY0p83H19C6kMPlNpA26VuXnjn3czOTg1biUiehqeMIDNpY2lo-YMKijiI_-0SojvyYLD7-pn9UNhissBiOFuR3TJwpkoRlrq_9h8cLM98QaDc5spHoevIEv9bJYjxeJ3PEeChA34KIFgw/s1626/0J2A5736.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1626" data-original-width="1301" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsnQvmJxxusWgwWmn9m7tyK2-7uElIsm68_3JUIAHnsLriY0p83H19C6kMPlNpA26VuXnjn3czOTg1biUiehqeMIDNpY2lo-YMKijiI_-0SojvyYLD7-pn9UNhissBiOFuR3TJwpkoRlrq_9h8cLM98QaDc5spHoevIEv9bJYjxeJ3PEeChA34KIFgw/w512-h640/0J2A5736.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabz3ov02Id9d5bSOGtM8fLk-D_gPxv3L_sNWTWTCYMfVVnkwuxhTIfxiYbYkmIc_lQI5Vy5x7H6HhD1im8Y4r9hk8TXaNDY8LYq4hiBxV4Zjy20dOo8scaoK0twIxX00dA7mj_zj4tEBfYRlUZU0h3nylSP9GayIngbScxH7T7UlYalhzg7Sd6bmZUw/s2009/0J2A5748.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2009" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabz3ov02Id9d5bSOGtM8fLk-D_gPxv3L_sNWTWTCYMfVVnkwuxhTIfxiYbYkmIc_lQI5Vy5x7H6HhD1im8Y4r9hk8TXaNDY8LYq4hiBxV4Zjy20dOo8scaoK0twIxX00dA7mj_zj4tEBfYRlUZU0h3nylSP9GayIngbScxH7T7UlYalhzg7Sd6bmZUw/w640-h480/0J2A5748.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrbYFm-hz-GfL1kHKIEv3tyuWGkAdOkv0pJ0n8qmW2p1GCFzUk-BgydKBYZ-SCtAloDy431UsM1ah6n4TUDIOOGSFAVraGmfP1Ys-k1LdgEzVpTKEcR4hbSVMBmy81-dP7hVWyaj1lhxVgKDqeIonnj5bqbU6XgmcbxRoqkjrH_Dx8hl9p_mcygtNPA/s1596/0J2A5750.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1277" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrbYFm-hz-GfL1kHKIEv3tyuWGkAdOkv0pJ0n8qmW2p1GCFzUk-BgydKBYZ-SCtAloDy431UsM1ah6n4TUDIOOGSFAVraGmfP1Ys-k1LdgEzVpTKEcR4hbSVMBmy81-dP7hVWyaj1lhxVgKDqeIonnj5bqbU6XgmcbxRoqkjrH_Dx8hl9p_mcygtNPA/w512-h640/0J2A5750.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphmKXyvv42Xc8U-7cTnugX5vTi_YuszlQ5AXRdjA6xZwq43-TMLHzBlFMiEhFIi9mk0Aies9T_oMPxlsbd6e_VCVeJv6kGFaukx4w5kwexlGXmZxsDbTdUwPGn6WqC6NvMHHRj17tc5G2uv70fc7Rwnu5JBKWxoET-AZj6WO_PUhnZbUMo9DDCSNGVw/s1582/0J2A5756.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1582" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphmKXyvv42Xc8U-7cTnugX5vTi_YuszlQ5AXRdjA6xZwq43-TMLHzBlFMiEhFIi9mk0Aies9T_oMPxlsbd6e_VCVeJv6kGFaukx4w5kwexlGXmZxsDbTdUwPGn6WqC6NvMHHRj17tc5G2uv70fc7Rwnu5JBKWxoET-AZj6WO_PUhnZbUMo9DDCSNGVw/w640-h480/0J2A5756.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>A few days later heading west out of Blackall on the Isisford Road on our way to Idalia National Park we found two adults with two advanced young on bare cleared ground beside the road. Like the Masked Lapwings, Banded Lapwings seem comfortable breeding in bare open areas and beside roads.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4icWI9CN6Eso6K2WEQw3MDNF6Q30Vd_MJx83nAB5XDx7xURQc2EswDVZPQHcnDxdObUSL4VMB96KIo_d3VKdtyfOHH8p8o-vkz079qSGYRMFYtngD7G4JcaY8qrpR39lCwGiMEYf9Zo9FjG_IHIGcO2Rif_qpSzAGMvrn6T58GnaUDUDhOqz_2eVSA/s1836/0J2A5791.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1836" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4icWI9CN6Eso6K2WEQw3MDNF6Q30Vd_MJx83nAB5XDx7xURQc2EswDVZPQHcnDxdObUSL4VMB96KIo_d3VKdtyfOHH8p8o-vkz079qSGYRMFYtngD7G4JcaY8qrpR39lCwGiMEYf9Zo9FjG_IHIGcO2Rif_qpSzAGMvrn6T58GnaUDUDhOqz_2eVSA/w640-h480/0J2A5791.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-64020888553175845362022-08-02T15:06:00.001+10:002022-08-02T15:06:36.742+10:00Redthroat<p>Redthroats are a typical LBJ (little brown job), rather plain and shy ground foraging birds that tend to duck for cover when disturbed. They are found across a large area of arid (1) Australia in a variety of habitats. They can be hard to find and tricky to identify unless the male is seen with the distinctive red or rufous throat patch to help nail the ID – the female has few distinguishing features. The males call during the breeding season (Aug-Nov), often from the top of a shrub, and this can be a way to locate them. Pizzey ranks Redthroats, along with the Shy Heathwren, as the sweetest singer of inland arid scrubs.</p><p><i><b>Please click on photos to enlarge.</b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMWD5NSRUaKOhmE6F93rt74bwgFfLNS6wqMPDK3PyONQT_ToghpJx641sdy0pjlD-iXE9RzJOL46p2GUaCU7k4ZovpRlRJZ2YNTKgV6Aa6JrG4uTkI2Z0IwPyuzMkxTl-4RuF5Hj1b3tQyNA-iXFKnzMLInDZKi0w6QwakSd9TE5v4cH59Ha0AyghFg/s1755/0J2A5640.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1755" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMWD5NSRUaKOhmE6F93rt74bwgFfLNS6wqMPDK3PyONQT_ToghpJx641sdy0pjlD-iXE9RzJOL46p2GUaCU7k4ZovpRlRJZ2YNTKgV6Aa6JrG4uTkI2Z0IwPyuzMkxTl-4RuF5Hj1b3tQyNA-iXFKnzMLInDZKi0w6QwakSd9TE5v4cH59Ha0AyghFg/w640-h480/0J2A5640.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I have often looked for Redthroats over the years without much success, only finding one once on a walk near the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station site. Recently while camped at Hell Hole Gorge National Park in outback Queensland I flushed a pair of Redthroats in moderately dense scrub only 100 metres from our camp site. The female immediately fled the scene however the male stayed to check me out from the cover of a dense shrub giving me the chance to identify him and get a few rough ID confirmation photos.</p><p>The next photo shows a section of the habitat where the Redthroats were found.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgoIxiq5y0NbdNGUVc4I3DweHmBlahEOeV0GjXPPk95NvCARiThzTjfAvqqfHEdIXkEF5EkJdNICCdD9EN8KmmHkHU5C1RITIZxeNr55idmdcalBYYeR-GZ_RM_6st3xoqYbty6FjZ3vbdLDI1JBuE_wnOnBfhdwvt-7YXQQ5gEPhmBY5KTh8bAb46g/s4032/IMG_4860.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgoIxiq5y0NbdNGUVc4I3DweHmBlahEOeV0GjXPPk95NvCARiThzTjfAvqqfHEdIXkEF5EkJdNICCdD9EN8KmmHkHU5C1RITIZxeNr55idmdcalBYYeR-GZ_RM_6st3xoqYbty6FjZ3vbdLDI1JBuE_wnOnBfhdwvt-7YXQQ5gEPhmBY5KTh8bAb46g/w640-h480/IMG_4860.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Over the next couple of days the pair were located in the same patch of shrubs on a number of occasions so I thought they may be occupying a breeding territory but as the male was not singing they had not yet commenced breeding. This was confirmed when on another walk to check on the birds and try to get some photos the male was found by his loud and sharp scolding call which it soon became apparent was directed not at me but a pair of Splendid Fairy-wrens. The Redthroat male was chasing the wrens out of his territory. While he was occupied with the wren eviction he disregarded me so I was able to get some photos.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnTXsw76D3xoSo5Zict7_ba-OvjRMyds0am-mSvSezyujAWwVQVkDxDIPWlG7cHF8d1qedYfTUf95Cb7jWEQsOGNyPCO8-yeqER9jJpKrZ8cGWNABcDjH6JEuke1eItKdddqsN-_0ufVAP8Ljc4E9MP6O1sk92GLps2u2wDNKeTkEP-BJeOJEh1h5Bw/s1313/0J2A5633.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1313" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnTXsw76D3xoSo5Zict7_ba-OvjRMyds0am-mSvSezyujAWwVQVkDxDIPWlG7cHF8d1qedYfTUf95Cb7jWEQsOGNyPCO8-yeqER9jJpKrZ8cGWNABcDjH6JEuke1eItKdddqsN-_0ufVAP8Ljc4E9MP6O1sk92GLps2u2wDNKeTkEP-BJeOJEh1h5Bw/w640-h480/0J2A5633.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-xWb5drDmv-f3lAVq0Jm80cTVmJAz1jYQ-hS_TH6L_75YeOY2RGxF2JPsrcrL3TUpdq8KzPY2BMs7ACIsv1GsnaWgnyPC0E_OvpRid2-kjiPSbpT3x9p47-hsKrxeqcfhw6lG2MCoJRIxamqSPNqn3OUqV9I_g2WQB2yID_Fv7AWpgfkXUbDzSPwpA/s1372/0J2A5637.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1372" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-xWb5drDmv-f3lAVq0Jm80cTVmJAz1jYQ-hS_TH6L_75YeOY2RGxF2JPsrcrL3TUpdq8KzPY2BMs7ACIsv1GsnaWgnyPC0E_OvpRid2-kjiPSbpT3x9p47-hsKrxeqcfhw6lG2MCoJRIxamqSPNqn3OUqV9I_g2WQB2yID_Fv7AWpgfkXUbDzSPwpA/w640-h480/0J2A5637.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6pxQkIEuV3uHrv5M-_A-hzFi0SaJjXO3wcoeRI7cNQDGRIiAlqV9LUlgc1vc6fIHPm1AWqQP10FD_8NGDz-nLwtOup4NtIQknplAazg3SDesMNHIy1al39ReYoZ0_COtWDxnwHj-PTPnQXb6jFpa284gxTC8HoLodtAL0u_YUWLuXUkjaJ1yRXM2ag/s1395/0J2A5641.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1395" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6pxQkIEuV3uHrv5M-_A-hzFi0SaJjXO3wcoeRI7cNQDGRIiAlqV9LUlgc1vc6fIHPm1AWqQP10FD_8NGDz-nLwtOup4NtIQknplAazg3SDesMNHIy1al39ReYoZ0_COtWDxnwHj-PTPnQXb6jFpa284gxTC8HoLodtAL0u_YUWLuXUkjaJ1yRXM2ag/w640-h480/0J2A5641.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Observing bird behaviour in the field is an important aid to bird photography and sometimes, as in this case, the interaction of two bird species can provide an opportunity to photograph a bird that is otherwise difficult to approach.</p><p>Note (1) Arid Australia is defined by the area where the average annual rainfall divided by the average annual evaporation is equal to or less than 0.4 – just over 70% of the Australian mainland land mass meets this criteria. Some would describe this same area as desert. </p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-89805000274588031182022-08-01T19:10:00.000+10:002022-08-01T19:10:48.837+10:00Splendid Fairy-wren portraits<p>There are four races of Splendid Fairy-wrens and while the nominate race <i>splendens</i> is found in SW WA the other three are found in arid country. While camped at Hell Hole Gorge National Park a family of Splendid Fairy-wrens (<i>Malurus splendens melanotus</i>) were resident in the area of our camp site and after a couple of days they became accustomed to our presence and often visited the camp site on their foraging forays. The male in breeding plumage was particularly bold and by luck one morning as we set off on a birding walk he perched and posed for photos.</p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_4ccLAwEC_NJyuVHyaRald_EsameCFxF-HE74XINb5tgnHGn4LLIU2zKcbBf71exoVO5bUQ63QQ3VdhFkhp9qhCl9CmU5us8wLRysFX0scdBHqQnyVKI3piYjebM5rvC5nUkQx_6UkhULSau8nPqkztzVPd3dvadrCPGClCtrDwObAEevOFwjYu9NQ/s1572/0J2A5696.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1572" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_4ccLAwEC_NJyuVHyaRald_EsameCFxF-HE74XINb5tgnHGn4LLIU2zKcbBf71exoVO5bUQ63QQ3VdhFkhp9qhCl9CmU5us8wLRysFX0scdBHqQnyVKI3piYjebM5rvC5nUkQx_6UkhULSau8nPqkztzVPd3dvadrCPGClCtrDwObAEevOFwjYu9NQ/w640-h480/0J2A5696.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DPKa449qoeYtD3n6JMUVk410hYgaRDJrpXBSukK590HXog6CEGBUjGIU1Z1EH1-MeVLclFRy4W4F0tTVb91YnVmW72XD0wYDb0ezfMSWt2Krm-3BZz_xDKParxZXu9wvR4jzE-79hEoaZaDTRhd-AnMGFP-W6w_1dnj4jcyKGIYWc-UGr7cDaB0z9Q/s1642/0J2A5699.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1642" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DPKa449qoeYtD3n6JMUVk410hYgaRDJrpXBSukK590HXog6CEGBUjGIU1Z1EH1-MeVLclFRy4W4F0tTVb91YnVmW72XD0wYDb0ezfMSWt2Krm-3BZz_xDKParxZXu9wvR4jzE-79hEoaZaDTRhd-AnMGFP-W6w_1dnj4jcyKGIYWc-UGr7cDaB0z9Q/w640-h480/0J2A5699.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bXMX5kOXiWAzzerZgQVbgHRZIAblZKcniN9AwYeaqjNLOsk2C28-CYHC2acY-KzwV720ZWUE5yS0p4KZ1zBpUn-yJAcjk5N3NYQEcNVOEBbowoWbY_LsA4gvjK3FLiX09cpc7-iZb6I-Wc-Og1kXFeNW9wo56Vpso1HPyTDPzY2bttxBUWD-N5BnfQ/s2157/0J2A5706.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="2157" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bXMX5kOXiWAzzerZgQVbgHRZIAblZKcniN9AwYeaqjNLOsk2C28-CYHC2acY-KzwV720ZWUE5yS0p4KZ1zBpUn-yJAcjk5N3NYQEcNVOEBbowoWbY_LsA4gvjK3FLiX09cpc7-iZb6I-Wc-Og1kXFeNW9wo56Vpso1HPyTDPzY2bttxBUWD-N5BnfQ/w640-h480/0J2A5706.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQJM1Hot_GHS6FCOYzl-2_u56FwtESpndbRx5PRTWrjklHjIPVvZLoqK-Z-vq0zW4wzHwrC371HxBwLhLeSiuxVZT424BzOgoQX2vq8vwXIioi__Yo2yG-N3hFuUCCf2u_6tHTM0pDYGGqtIrXg73BfrXJMQtMTluaIBW9zW5e6J_IpLT5aIcEVYO4w/s2206/0J2A5709.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1655" data-original-width="2206" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQJM1Hot_GHS6FCOYzl-2_u56FwtESpndbRx5PRTWrjklHjIPVvZLoqK-Z-vq0zW4wzHwrC371HxBwLhLeSiuxVZT424BzOgoQX2vq8vwXIioi__Yo2yG-N3hFuUCCf2u_6tHTM0pDYGGqtIrXg73BfrXJMQtMTluaIBW9zW5e6J_IpLT5aIcEVYO4w/w640-h480/0J2A5709.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The subject ended the portrait photo session - he had the serious business of finding food and living in this challenging environment to get on with.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0if5QskXQ_dvb3TdiDPiu0SuL9m4ThPmOKGaTen_lwTUr_Vy47_YGsskLuIbQOxau0m8Ekga1sO6FFX1hlhNwlVi4xss7SIHxHovPu41xpaOAgI-viRizkTiCGzhUeVFgtI7fPaKOs5eqnPm5BjDAaqFSlkeXyn39EuZhvRP38dHAJEgUmZjT-d766Q/s1530/0J2A5702.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1530" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0if5QskXQ_dvb3TdiDPiu0SuL9m4ThPmOKGaTen_lwTUr_Vy47_YGsskLuIbQOxau0m8Ekga1sO6FFX1hlhNwlVi4xss7SIHxHovPu41xpaOAgI-viRizkTiCGzhUeVFgtI7fPaKOs5eqnPm5BjDAaqFSlkeXyn39EuZhvRP38dHAJEgUmZjT-d766Q/w640-h480/0J2A5702.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Hell Hole Gorge NP is remote – to give the reader an idea of how remote, it is 180km by road north from Quilpie, 253km west by mostly dirt road from Charleville and 297km by mostly dirt road south from Blackall. Hell Hole Gorge NP is within the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre catchment. The park is mostly mulga woodland with two significant water courses, Powell Creek and Spencers Creek which join in the park, passing through the park on the way to eventually join Cooper Creek. </p><p>The Powell and Spencer creeks have cut deep and scenically impressive gorges through ancient rocks where permanent water holes provide an oasis for water dependent species. So the environment in the park is very arid and often extremely harsh, especially during summer, and yet small birds such as Splendid Fairy-wrens can live here - their insectivorous diet provides all the moisture they require, they do not need water, even during summer – their adaption to life here is truly impressive.</p><div><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232876417213762500.post-717372350868831452022-07-19T13:48:00.000+10:002022-07-19T13:48:22.741+10:00Striated Heron portraits<p>The following photos of an adult Striated Heron were captured on the Brunswick River at Brunswick Heads in northern NSW. The late afternoon winter light was falling directly on the subject however reflected light from off the River’s rippled surface was also bathing the Heron in soft faintly banded light. Both sources of light were absorbed and reflected back off the bird’s feathers producing richly coloured portraits of this stocky heron. Here are three of the images taken just before the bird took flight.</p><p><b><i>Please click on photos to enlarge.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxX6vO2Y73oYe5twYtT6wjJVQBms_LSiPG2tvBX9wwlRyB28K7xfQx7sW-dDiHrGpuSUhpVoVa-e8Vik9W0GnHyg5HnkluuG57BPKmMarYtJECBooiCAyFcRm91fJ7KrajoBnGQ1S1NWrowpJyLECQ8-0jhuCjrGOYPQLavbLyqtufY4gssI1wIcsWw/s2275/0J2A5580.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="2275" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxX6vO2Y73oYe5twYtT6wjJVQBms_LSiPG2tvBX9wwlRyB28K7xfQx7sW-dDiHrGpuSUhpVoVa-e8Vik9W0GnHyg5HnkluuG57BPKmMarYtJECBooiCAyFcRm91fJ7KrajoBnGQ1S1NWrowpJyLECQ8-0jhuCjrGOYPQLavbLyqtufY4gssI1wIcsWw/w640-h480/0J2A5580.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WKSn_Gywb7lqb5Sdh7KMpE-KeSSPbIguEuegrjvqWMibC0Q8-mPYdAp9ITR0PZzWHwkV2jAQSM7dnoA_yf_L5BnCWhmeOv5u5Pt5J-qOX0lxV8QWmlq1PgMTsJmvZsoSzK3FT5jE2Fn4q665ZzcCBzmXa8lmlivobnl0vZ_c0a5YIC-d5zTUx5gO1Q/s2426/0J2A5581.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1819" data-original-width="2426" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WKSn_Gywb7lqb5Sdh7KMpE-KeSSPbIguEuegrjvqWMibC0Q8-mPYdAp9ITR0PZzWHwkV2jAQSM7dnoA_yf_L5BnCWhmeOv5u5Pt5J-qOX0lxV8QWmlq1PgMTsJmvZsoSzK3FT5jE2Fn4q665ZzcCBzmXa8lmlivobnl0vZ_c0a5YIC-d5zTUx5gO1Q/w640-h480/0J2A5581.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg7TjCnOBgab7_XtgMwwzIoaeC0V9XyBdAqq4atzje8t4iWzUL_N8aJX0_cxqc-e36kO6hvnajtG_EltAWyVwCbDeG7vP4AnkG6rw6MqyQLuvCAvB97l7xT3WTS7rgyNQh2NM4GeJQQAddE90yqJmquWRrewAanpjxghmcXPnryfhDVyFXlLzzfcM2g/s2670/0J2A5582.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2670" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg7TjCnOBgab7_XtgMwwzIoaeC0V9XyBdAqq4atzje8t4iWzUL_N8aJX0_cxqc-e36kO6hvnajtG_EltAWyVwCbDeG7vP4AnkG6rw6MqyQLuvCAvB97l7xT3WTS7rgyNQh2NM4GeJQQAddE90yqJmquWRrewAanpjxghmcXPnryfhDVyFXlLzzfcM2g/w640-h480/0J2A5582.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Please note there has been minimal post photo processing to tweak colour saturation – the colour in the these images is as my eyes saw it in the field. </p><p>Two other Striated heron posts can be found here:</p><div><a href="http://avithera.blogspot.com/2017/05/nankeen-night-heron-hunting.html">http://avithera.blogspot.com/2017/05/nankeen-night-heron-hunting.html</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://avithera.blogspot.com/2021/08/striated-herons.html">http://avithera.blogspot.com/2021/08/striated-herons.html</a><br /></div>Avitherahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652582822206813391noreply@blogger.com0