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