Lunch snatching Kookaburras

Laughing Kookaburra Lane Cove National Park Sydney

 Earlier this week I wrote about one of our visits to Sydney earlier this year. During one of our breaks from looking after our grandchildren, ages 8 and 5, we drove across town to the Lane Cove National Park. This lovely park is only a quick ten-minute drive from my son's home. The main feature of this park is the Lane Cove River flowing through it. Houses and commercial areas crowd in on the park on all sides, but the remnant bushland still maintains a good variety of native Australian plants, birds and other wildlife such as reptiles, insects, and turtles. Delightful picnic areas have been provided by the park's staff.

Speaking of turtles, on this particular visit we set up our folding chairs, opened up our picnic lunch boxes and were about to eat lunch. My attention was drawn to several Long-necked Turtles sitting on a log near the water's edge. I handed my binoculars to my wife so that she could have a closer look at them sunning themselves on the log.

Long-necked Turtles on a log, Lane Cove River

As soon as she had taken the binoculars, a Laughing Kookaburra swooped out of a nearby gum tree. It flew down to her chair and snatched a part of her sandwich sitting on the table on the side of her chair. It flew off a few metres with its booty, settling on the grass nearby to eat my wife's lunch (see photos). It was immediately joined by another kookaburra who claimed its share of the food.

In an ironic twist to this tale, we saw plaques attached to all of the picnic tables in this park. The rangers had placed these notices for all visitors to read. "Please do not feed the birds and animals," they said - or words to that effect. perhaps they should add a notice for the wildlife: "Please do not snatch human food."

For more stories about and photos of Australian birds, visit my other site Trevor's Birding.

Laughing Kookaburra Lane Cove National Park Sydney

What a turkey

Australian Brush Turkey

Twice over the course of this year, my wife and I have travelled to Sydney. We go there to visit our son and to look after our wonderful, energetic grandchildren, ages 8 and 5. From our home in Murray Bridge, South Australia, it is a pleasant two-day journey. Along the way, we try to stop in places where I can observe a good range of birds.

Australian Brush Turkey

While we are in Sydney, there are a few places we like to visit, places we have enjoyed during past visits. One of these favourite places would have to be the Ku Ring Gai Wildflower Gardens in the Sydney suburb of St. Ives. These gardens have a good range of native Australian plants which have been planted there. My wife always enjoys looking at these and taking photographs of anything flowering. I have included some of my photos of flowers below.

The gardens also include a large area of natural bushland. This area is a good representation of the natural habitat which existed before European occupation. While much of the surrounding area has been cleared for housing and industrial use, there are still many remnants of original bushland left. In these areas, the native birdlife can be very easy to see and photograph.

While we were having a cuppa one of the resident Australian Brush Turkeys came right up to where we were sitting on one of the garden seats in the picnic area. I am sure it was hoping to get a share of our biscuits. We disappointed it: we do not feed our native birds as human food is not suitable for them. So, in its frustration, it decided to get something for itself. It tried opening up my camera bag looking for some tasty morsel. Seeing that my camera bag was on the ground right next to where my son was sitting was no deterrent to this bird. Obviously, they are quite accustomed to people and are not at all frightened by our presence. Not having any luck with us, it wandered over to another spot where some other people were having a barbecue. They took pity on it and gave it something from their picnic food.

You can read more about Australian birds on my other site Trevor's Birding.

Ku Ring Gai Wildflower Gardens Sydney

Ku Ring Gai Wildflower Gardens Sydney

Ku Ring Gai Wildflower Gardens Sydney

Birding on the move

Musk Lorikeet

After a long absence here - I am now back. Sorry about that. Life happens.

Earlier in the year my wife and I travelled to Sydney to stay with our son and his family. While there we have the delight of looking after our two grandchildren during school holidays. Soon I will get around to showing a few of the photos taken on that trip. Mind you, a four-year-old and a seven-year-old are not easy to look after and the birding excursions were limited. I am so thankful that both of them are starting to take an interest in birds. I wonder where that came from?

On our way to returning home to Murray Bridge, we called on our daughter in Clare in the mid-north of South Australia. Over the next two months, we had many trips to and from Clare. These trips were to help our daughter pack up all of her belongings ready for storage at our place. All of her furniture and most of her books and clothing and personal belongings are now in storage in a shipping container in our paddock (see photo below).

During this busy time I had very few opportunities to go birding, or to take photos of birds, and certainly not much time or energy to be writing posts here on this site or on my other site (Trevor's Birding). The photo of  Musk Lorikeet (above) was taken during one brief break from packing and cleaning. 

Every day we were staying with our daughter we heard dozens of Musk Lorikeets feeding in the eucalyptus tree overhanging her back garden. This species is a common parrot here in South Australia and they can be very noisy when feeding. This often happens with loose flocks of many dozens in the one tree. While it is hard to see the green feathers of the bird in the photo, blending in with the leaves, the red feathers on the forehead and crown show up brilliantly.

By the way, I case my readers are curious about it, my daughter's belongings are being stored here at our home while she teaches in Ethiopia for the next two years. Although she has not updated her site since her last visit there a few years ago, you can follow her adventures on Rose's Travel Jottings here. She is planning on updating her travel site regularly. 

And I hope to update this site every week too. 

More and still more Peaceful Doves

Peaceful Dove

We have lived in our home now for over 30 years and during that entire time I have kept lists of birds seen. I have done this every month over that period of time. It certainly gives an interesting picture of the bird life in our garden, and on our five-acre block of land surrounding the house.

Peaceful Doves are quite common and widespread in the Murray Bridge, South Australia area where we live. Despite this, we rarely saw this species in our garden until about five years ago. Gradually, they have become more and more frequent visitors. Over the last year, they have become almost daily visitors. I could almost call them a resident bird in our garden, meaning that we see or hear them every day.

Late last year we saw two of them mating and we are sure that they nested somewhere nearby, though we never found the nest. Over recent weeks, we have been seeing up six birds at a time, often near or at our bird baths. I would like to think that this is one family of birds resulting from last year's breeding season.

You can see more photos of Australian birds, and read more about them on another of my sites called Trevor's Birding.

Peaceful Dove

Peaceful Dove

Topsy the Crested Pigeon

Crested Pigeon with extra long feathers

Over the last few months, my wife and I have been amused to see an unusual Crested Pigeon coming almost daily to the bird baths in our garden. We have many Crested Pigeons in our garden and on our five-acre block of land, but this one individual has caught our eye.

We can easily identify this individual due to its extra long feathers in its crest - see the photos to see what I mean. Some of the feathers are almost twice the normal length. I am not sure what has caused this, but we have called this bird "Topsy".

Many people here in South Australia wrongly call this species "Topknot" Pigeons. I grew up calling them this. Only in more recent years have I reverted to the correct and official common name of Crested Pigeon. There are Topknot Pigeons in Australia but this totally different species is confined to the eastern states.

You can read more about Australian birds and see more photos I have taken on my other site Trevor's Birding.

Crested Pigeon with extra long feathers

Crested Pigeon with extra long feathers

Crested Pigeon with extra long feathers

Tree Martins at Pangarinda

Tree Martin, South Australia

Earlier this year we went out to lunch with friends of ours. This was to celebrate my wife's birthday. After a delicious meal in one of our local hotels in Murray Bridge, we drove south for a half hour to the small town of Wellington on the lower reaches of the River Murray.

Just over the river - we had to wait for 20 minutes to cross on the local ferry - we drove the short distance to the Pangarinda Botanic Gardens. This 50-hectare site has been planted up with Australian native plants and my wife enjoys visiting these gardens due to her interest in growing our native plants.

As we were having a cuppa and some birthday cake, we were intrigued by the hundreds of Tree Martins swooping overhead. This is not all that unusual because this is a relatively common species here in South Australia. What puzzled us was the fact that these birds were coming to rest in large numbers in one of the eucalyptus trees near where we were sitting. Then they would all fly off en mass for a few minutes before settling once again in the same tree.

I am puzzled as to what they were actually doing. Perhaps they just wanted a rest for a few minutes. Perhaps there was an abundance of insects to eat on the wing and they didn't need to be constantly flying and swooping. Whatever the reason, it did give me a good chance to capture some photos of this species. Normally I only see them on the wing and it is frustrating trying to get good shots of tiny birds like this while they are flying so quickly, as they do.

Tree Martin, Wellington, South Australia

Tree Martin, Wellington, South Australia

The beautiful Splendid Wren

Male Splendid Wren, Pandappa, South Australia

 I have recently been looking back through photos of birds taken several years ago. This set of photos date from September 2014 on a trip to Peterborough in the mid north of South Australia. While staying with relatives I took a day out by myself to go birding, hoping to get a few photos to share here.

I travelled some 40 kilometres south east of Peterborough, through Terowie and further east to a locality known as Pandappa. This is primarily sheep grazing country though some cereals are also grown in good seasons. The farming in this area is marginal at best. On my drive I was aiming to visit Pandappa Conservation Park.

Today I am showing a series of photos of several male Splendid Wrens seen along the road as I travelled. I had to stop several times and wait patiently for these beautiful birds to pose out in the open. They can be frustrating to get good shots, sometimes secretive, always on the move. While these photos are not brilliant, they are amongst the best I have taken of this elusive species.

Further reading (click to read):

• Great birding moments #35
• Great birding moments #34

Male Splendid Wren, Pandappa, South Australia

Male Splendid Wren, Pandappa, South Australia

Male Splendid Wren, Pandappa, South Australia

Apostlebirds in Peterborough

Apostlebird, Peterborough, South Australia

Apostlebirds are usually seen in small family groups, numbering from four or five through to more than a dozen. They get their name from the thought long ago that they always lived together in groups of 12 - as in the Twelve Apostles of the Bible.

In the eastern parts of Australia, especially in New South Wales, I see them frequently as we drive along on our way to Sydney to visit family. Here in South Australia, however, they are far from common. I know of only about six or so locations where they can be seen. Peterborough in the mid north of the state is one of the more reliable places to observe this species in South Australia.

In and around the town, which has a population of about 1600, I have over recent years, seen small flocks in about six locations. These sightings have all been in the streets or parks of the town. All of these sightings are possibly of the same group, though I would not be surprised if there were several groups in the township and nearby. I know of two other small groups some 20 kilometres to the north east, near the former village of Dawson.

Over recent years there have been an increasing number of reports of this species in the mid north region of the state. It is thought that the species could well be thriving and growing in numbers in South Australia. Interestingly, I know of another population in the town of Taplan near Loxton, some 300km to the south east. This location is where I grew up in the 1950s. This species was not present on the farm when I grew up. Interesting.

Further reading:

• Apostlebirds in Peterborough
• Apostlebirds

Apostlebird, Peterborough, South Australia

Apostlebird, Peterborough, South Australia

A little birding in Peterborough

Western Grey Kangaroo

Last year we spent a few days visiting relatives in Peterborough, a small town in the mid north of South Australia. This is an interesting area for birding. Birders can see many of the bird species seen further south, but there will always be a few species better known from the drier inland regions of the state.

During our visit it was extremely cold with heavy frosts every morning. Peterborough usually gets a light sprinkling of snow every few years. It is one of the coldest areas in the state. Consequently I did not get out all that often to do some birding. Okay - so I like the warmth of home.

One one afternoon I did venture out for a few hours. This I mainly spent in the nature reserve just to the north of the town. The wildflowers were out in force and I managed quite a few good photos of them. The birding was a little slow, but I managed a few good shots of the Australian Ringnecks (see below) and one of a Western Grey Kangaroo (see above), which are common in this area.

The Australian Ringnecks (race Mallee Ringneck) are common in the area too. Other parrot species I would expect to see include:

• Red-rumped Parrot (common) 
• Mulga Parrot (common)
• Budgerigar (occasional visitor)
• Galah (very common in large numbers)
• Bourke's Parrot (uncommon)
• Scarlet-chested Parrot (uncommon)
• Blue Bonnet (uncommon)
• Cockatiel (uncommon)
• Purple-crowned Lorikeet 
• Little Corella (localised)
• Major Mitchell's Cockatoo (uncommon)

Please note that in the Peterborough district I have not seen all of these species listed.

Click on the links in colour to read about those species.

Australian Ringneck parrot (Mallee Ringneck)

Australian Ringneck parrot (Mallee Ringneck)

Australian Ringneck parrots (Mallee Ringnecks)

It sure is hot

White-winged Choughs

Over some of my recent posts here I have written about the hot weather we have been having over the summer just gone. The summer in southern Australia set all kinds of records. During hot days, and especially during heat waves, our birds can suffer terribly. I like to help the birds in our garden  by keeping our various bird baths topped up with fresh, clean water.

This has a double purpose. The water attracts the birds and this gives me great opportunities to take more bird photos. Through a large picture window in the room we often use I can get good close-up photos of the birds having a drink, or cooling down in the water.

Today I feature a set of photos taken of a family of White-winged Choughs. These birds are often in our garden, or somewhere on our five acre property. They feed by scratching at the leaf litter under plants and trees looking for a tasty insect, beetle or spider. 

You can see more photos on my other site Trevor's Birding. 

White-winged Chough

White-winged Chough

Birds up close and personal

One of the essential pieces of equipment for any serious birder is to have a good pair of binoculars. I don't have an expensive pair. They only cost me just over $200. For the really fussy, or the well-heeled, fanatic birder, the cost can be as high as $2000 or more. I will just say that I would hate to drop such an expensive piece of equipment - or have it stolen or lost. 

In fact, most bird lovers get along perfectly well just watching birds with their eyes only. Everyone can enjoy the birds in their gardens without the expense of buying special equipment. On the other hand, just a reasonably priced pair of binoculars - say up to $500 - will certainly give you a fresh appreciation of the beauty and colour in the birds of our world.

Another piece of equipment I enjoy having is a camera with a powerful zoom lens. All of the photos shown here are as a result of using a Canon PowerShot SX20. The 20 refers to the 20x zoom. I am able to manipulate the photos on my computer to further enhance the photos. This powerful zoom enables me to take much closer shots of the birds I see. And I love sharing them here and on my other site Trevor's Birding.

Sometimes, I get the photo just right and the result is amazing. The zoom enables me to get up  to birds really close and personal - without scaring them away. 

Further reading:

• Bird photography
• I have a new camera

Australian Magpie-lark

Australian Magpie-lark

Getting crowded at our bird bath

White-browed Woodswallow (L), Magpie Lark (C) and Brown-headed Honeyeater (R)

Over recent posts on this site I have mentioned how hot it has been here in South Australia this summer. Some of our heat waves have broken records in many places. We have also had several major bush fires in our state.

On hot days I am especially careful to maintain fresh, clean water in our various bird baths in our garden. I know that the birds appreciate having plenty of fresh water to drink, and to bathe in during the warm weather. They also seem to like the water supplied no matter what the temperature.

On one occasion several weeks ago I took the photo above showing three different species at the bird bath at the one time. This happens more often than one might think. On a hot day I have counted up to a dozen or more species using the water in a very short space of time, such as a ten minute period. On this occasion we had (from the left) a White-browed Woodswallow, an Australian Magpie-lark, and a Brown-headed Honeyeater.

You can read more about Australian birds on my other site Trevor's Birding. 

Mallee Ringneck parrots come to our bird bath

Mallee Ringneck parrots

I live on a five acre property on the outskirts of Murray Bridge in South Australia. Over the years I have recorded over 110 different species in or near our garden. Some of these are occasional visitors but many of them are resident species, that is, they are here all the time. Many of these species are actually resident breeding species, meaning that they also have been recorded breeding on our property.

One of our favourite bird species would have to be the colourful Mallee Ringnecks, a race of the Australian Ringneck parrot found over large parts of the drier parts of the Australian continent. They are a resident breeding species in our garden. They are also one of the noisiest birds in our garden.

To be truthful, we have a love-hate relationship with these birds. We love having them around every day and their cheerful calls and brilliant colours brighten up our day. On the other hand we don't like it when they get into our many fruit trees, especially our delicious pears. I try to keep them out using netting over the trees, but far too often they beat me to it.

You can read more posts I have written about these birds on Trevor's Birding. 

Mallee Ringneck parrots

Juvenile Grey Currawong

Juvenile Grey Currawong

A few days ago we had a juvenile Grey Currawong come to visit one of our bird baths. It was a very hot day and the parade of birds coming to the bird bath was constant - until the currawong arrived. 

Being such a large bird, all the smaller species like honeyeaters, thornbills and wrens made way. The adult currawong will take the eggs and nestlings of many of the smaller species, so their caution is well founded.

Until a few years ago we rarely saw any currawongs on our five acre block of land near Murray Bridge in South Australia. We occasionally would hear one calling in the distance. They were a resident species in the patch of mallee scrub up the hill from our place. In the last 5 or so years they have become regular visitors in our garden. I can't yet call them a resident species because we do not see them everyday, but their visits are becoming more regular. 

Juvenile Grey Currawong

Juvenile Grey Currawong

A brown snake at our bird bath

Eastern Brown Snake

On hot days we have a constant stream of birds in our garden coming in for a drink at our bird baths. This summer has been particularly hot, breaking many records. Our bird baths have been well used. A few day ago we were surprised by an Eastern Brown Snake drinking from one of the bird baths on the ground.

Eastern Brown Snake

Over the years I have recorded many bird species coming to use the bird bath, plus a few other interesting creatures, including a rabbit, various lizards and even a fox. This is the first time we have actually seen a snake using the water though I guess it has happened before.

While we know that we have Eastern Brown Snakes in our garden and around our property, they usually keep well out of our way. They tend to be on the timid side - except when cornered or threatened in any way. We try not to annoy them - which is just as well. This species is the second deadliest snake in the world.

Without them around we would probably have an enormous mouse and rat problem - so they are welcome.

You can read a full list of birds and other creatures visiting our bird baths here on Trevor's Birding site.

Eastern Brown Snake

Australia Day birds

Male Emu and chicks

Today is Australia Day, a time where we celebrate the European settlement of this great land of ours. In a simple way I want to celebrate the day by showing some well-known and well-loved Australian birds.

The photos featured today include:

• Emu (above) - the male Emu hatches the eggs and cares for the chicks for up to 18 months.
• Galah (below) - probably our best known parrot, and a favourite as a pet.
• Australian Magpie (below) - a common bird in gardens, parks and in rural landscapes.
• Laughing Kookaburra (below) - the call of the Kookaburra is known throughout the land and is iconic of the Australian bush - and increasingly suburbia as well.

You can see more photos and read more about Australian birds on my other site called Trevor's Birding. 

Happy New Year

Mallee Ringneck parrots

HAPPY NEW YEAR to my readers.

Yes -  I realise that I am over two weeks late in posting such greetings, but I have been rather busy of late. We have had family visiting over the Christmas - New Year break, and we have also been visiting other family members. On top of all that I have been without a computer for some of that period. My son has been busy transferring all of my files to a new computer.

Today's photo of two Mallee Ringneck parrots was taken during one of the very hot days we have been experiencing here in South Australia so far this summer. The ringnecks are present every day in our garden and we love seeing them. However, they are not our favourite birds when the chew our ripening pears. 

You can read more about Australian birds on another of my sites called Trevor's Birding.