Little Corellas pay a visit
Little Corella
Little Corellas are very common around our district here in the Murraylands of South Australia. Along the River Murray and in some parks around town flocks of 200 to 500 are common. And very noisy – not to mention destructive when they start chewing on the trees in the parks. This morning I visited the Farmers’ Markets held at Sturt Reserve on the banks of the river and I saw flocks of 50 or more in a number of spots, most of the birds on the grass feeding.
Despite these large numbers in our district we rarely have then visiting our garden, even though we live only 5km from the river. I’m not sure of the reason for this. Perhaps they have access to more food along the river, perhaps there are more nesting hollows there or it could be some other factor at play.
When we do have a flock fly over like it did this week, we immediately can tell they are around due to their raucous call. It’s not something easily ignored. The flock this week was only about 60 strong but they still made quite a racket.
Birding around Mannum, South Australia
Murray River at Mannum, South Australia
The Murray River town of Mannum is just over an hour’s drive from Adelaide and about 20 minutes from home here in Murray Bridge. It is a relaxing riverside town still basking in its long and colourful history, especially its heyday as a river port in the paddle steamer era of the 1800s. It is still a popular boating area, though the vessels are a little faster these days – except the many houseboats which glide gracefully along the wide expanse of water.
We don’t get to Mannum often enough despite its proximity to our home. A few weeks ago I had a speaking engagement in one of the local churches. After lunch I did a few hours of birding along the river. It was a calm, sunny spring day, ideal for a spot of birding. I crossed over the river on the ferry and stopped on the bank opposite the town and just south of the ferry crossing. I went for a walk along the levee bank heading downstream.
Despite being mid afternoon the birds were extremely cooperative and I managed a good list with the bonus of a few good photos as well. One species hard to get posing in good light and close enough was the Red-rumped Parrots. A small flock of about 10 individuals was feeding on the grass near the walking track. eventually I managed one reasonable shot – and plenty of not-for-showing-here kind of shots.
You have days like that.
Male Red-rumped Parrot, Mannum
A flock of Red-rumped Parrots
Red-rumped Parrots, Lake Hattah
Sydney Trip June 2011
After lunch on the last day of our trip home from Sydney we drove around the Nature Drive in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. This drive follows the shore of Lake Hattah and several other lakes. Part way along I spotted a flock of about 20 Red-rumped Parrots. They flew from the grass where they had been feeding and perched in one of the trees near the road.
While it is not a brilliant photo it does illustrate the beautiful green and yellow colours of the male birds.
A private moment for two Galahs
Galahs, Lake Hattah, Victoria
Quite frequently I come across birds doing something interesting or unusual or even bizarre. While having lunch at Lake Hattah in the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park earlier this year I noticed and photographed these two Galahs in a very private moment.
I almost feel like I was intruding, so I’ll say no more.
Blue Bonnet parrots
Blue Bonnet Parrot
Sydney Trip June 2011
Yesterday I wrote about having a short stopover at the Malleefowl Rest Area on the road from Balranald to Mildura. We stopped to have a cuppa and afternoon tea in a patch of mallee scrub just off the highway.
While we were enjoying our break several Blue Bonnet parrots flew into a tree nearby and I was able to get some good photos of this colourful bird. At about 30cm in size this is one of our smaller parrots. While it is widespread in the mallee areas of Victoria, NSW and South Australia, it is generally not common anywhere. A small isolated population can also be found in SE Western Australia.
While I said that it is widespread in mallee habitats, it can also be found in several other habitats, including saltbush areas, grasslands, farmlands, mulga and acacias. I have yet to record this species on our home block but I have seen it within about 30 kilometres from our place.
Blue Bonnet Parrot
Blue Bonnet Parrot
Blue Bonnet Parrot