Whipbird

G'day,
Duncan and I had a chance to check out the Crinigan Rd Reserve in Morwell today. In particular we were hopeful of some orchids but except for the odd greenhood and helmet, we lucked out. In the process we came across an Eastern Whipbird that checked us out a few times. I've always found this species to be particularly well hidden and shy. I've often heard of stories told of birds that regularly show themselves at this picnic ground or that but it has never happened to me, until today.

If you are a non-Aussie reader you may be interested to hear the stunning call that gives this bird it's name. There are heaps of on-line links to this call, try this one.

Regards,

Gouldiae.

It's Starting ...

... Spring I'm talking about.

G'day Readers,

This morning's walk before jumping on a mower, took me through a patch of 'back 9 bush' that normally sees the first of the Spring terrestrial orchids. I've been keeping my eyes peeled, (where does that idiom come from?), for some days now to no avail, but this morning a tiny blue flower caught my eye.

The Blue Finger Orchids are starting.

I didn't have much time to spend getting camera settings right and the light wasn't great, but you've gotta get a photo of the first Blue Fingers. Now I just have to be patient for the pinks, whites, Wax-lips, etc.

Regards,

Gouldiae.

Heyfield Birdwatchers August 2012

G’day Readers,

A small band of hardy regulars travelled south to Yarram and environs today. Here’s a brief summary …

Port Albert -

Nankeen Night Herons, Red and Little Wattlebirds, White-faced Herons, Pied Oyster Catchers, White-bellied Sea Eagle, White-eared Honeyeaters, Striated Pardalotes, Silver Gulls, etc. Common Correa, Tall and Nodding Greenhoods, Grass Trees, numerous and various wattles, Pink and white Common Heath, Nodding Blue Lilies, etc.

 

 

 

 

Won Wron State Forest –

Eastern Yellow Robins, Scarlet Robins, Jacky Winters, Grey Shrike-thrushessss, etc. Running Postman, Gnat Orchids, heaps of Hardenbergia, Helmet Orchids, Cobra Greenhoods, Austral Indigo, etc.

 

 

The above is a very brief summary of just some of our sightings. Often our minds were not completely on the job …

Vale John W. We were thinking of you all day Nance and will continue to do so for some time.

Regards,

Gouldiae.

Upon Reflection

G’day Everyone,

This morning’s walk on the golf course was particularly pleasant. The water on the main dam was super calm and provided an excellent opportunity for some reflections.

 

 

Next it was into the bush up the back to check some of the small plants. There are some early Trigger plants out at the moment and they provide me with regular and endless fascination. There is a great explanation of how they work here. I’ve only managed to get one or two to set off their trigger so far – perhaps a bit early in the season and a bit cold in the mornings.

 

For some weeks now the White Marianth has been on show. We seem to get a lot of this wonderful little shrub here, certainly more of it than what I’ve noticed in similar nearby habitat.

 

Lots of Nodding Greenhoods this year too, and for the first time for a season or so there have been a few Maroonhoods popping up.

 

Finally, while I was scrambling around on my knees for several of these shots, I looked up to see one of the resident Galahs watching me from its sunny perch.

 

Hope you enjoyed the walk?

Regards,

Gouldiae.

A Tree Full of ...

  ... Nankeen Night Herons!

G'day Readers,
Ross and I tootled down to Port Albert yesterday to check a few sites for future Heyfield Birdwatchers outings. We'd just stepped out of the car and sprung a couple of Nankeen Night Herons from a nearby tree. Not understanding that these birds will mostly flock roost - we had only seen them previously in singles or pairs - we checked the tree more in hope there might have been one heron left for a photograph. We counted at least sixteen.

They were not too easy to see or photograph as the tree was on private property and we could only look up almost directly into the sunlight. It was tempting to hop through the fence but not wanting to give bird watchers a bad name we decided to use some disgression.

The walking track we were on had Grass Trees, Correas in flower, Greenhoods and heaps of other stuff we couldn't quite identify. A few honeyeaters dashed through the tree tops and the occasional blue wren would scurry from one side of the track to the other.

The tide was high and cosequently almost no mud flats. Swans and various ducks on the water were the only water birds we saw. Down one small side road we did come across a large group of Royal Spoonbills behind some low scrub. Again, they were on private property and we couldn't get much closer.

We headed back to Sale via the Won Wron Forest and chased some Scarlet and Eastern Yellow Robins for a while, listened to calls from Grey Shrike Thrushes, Eastern Whipbirds, etc. All good therapy!

Regards,

Gouldiae.