Bird Rescue: New Holland Honeyeater
From time to time we have birds crash into one of our windows. This is a regular and common problem throughout the world it seems. It is one of the dangers presented to our bird life by our modern forms of architecture, from the humble country cottage like our home through to large high-rise buildings and everything in between.
New Holland Honeyeater
In our situation, we have several large picture windows that perfectly reflect the surrounding garden at certain times of the day. Birds flying along see what they think is a continuation of the garden, but in fact they are seeing a reflection. Crashes into the glass are inevitable.
In most cases, the affected birds sit still for a few moments before flying off, probably with a headache and very puzzled expression on their faces. We have had the occasional death and this is always regrettable and sad.
Yesterday it was the turn of one of our many New Holland Honeyeaters to suffer momentarily. I heard the thump against the glass and went outside to investigate. The poor bird was on the ground not moving. At first I thought it had died, but then I noticed shallow breathing.
New Holland Honeyeater
I put the unfortunate bird on a nearby garden table and left it to recover. A few minutes later it flew of, hopefully a little wiser. While it was recovering I took advantage of having a bird at close quarters for several photos.
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What is Birding?
No Comments »11th September, 2006; Category: Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Birding #1
Today I start a new series of articles about birding. This is a series of questions about birding with my answers to these questions. I trust that readers will find these answers useful in helping them watch birds.
If you have any more questions just use the comments section and I will try to answer them.
On most days I will only have one question but to start off the series I will have three questions today.
- What is birding? Birding is the hobby or pastime of watching birds, usually in the natural environment. This interest can take many forms. Some people just take notice of the birds in their environment occasionally and quite casually. These people could probably name just a few dozen different species of birds, usually just the very common ones they encounter in daily life. More serious birders will know several hundred or even a thousand different kinds of birds. The most serious bird watchers are quite deliberate about their hobby, going on excursions or trips to see birds. These people often spend a great deal of time, effort and money on travel, accommodation and equipment in relation to their birding pursuits.
- What is a birder? A birder is someone who enjoys watching and studying birds. Anyone can be a birder. All you need is to open your eyes to see the birds all around you. In fact, you can still be a birder and be totally blind – just listen to the birds calling.
- What is a bird watcher? This is just another name for a birder.
Red Capped Robin
Great Birding Moments #12 White Faced Heron
No Comments »10th September, 2006; Category: Waterbirds
White Faced Heron
White Faced Herons are a widespread and common waterbird in our region. On many occasions I have had close up views of this species and usually without a camera in my hand. Last Thursday, while at St Kilda north of Adelaide, I was able to creep up reasonably close to one feeding in the shallows. It was more pre-occupied by feeding rather than watching me.
With the 12x zoom fully extended on my camera, plus a little tweaking on the computer I was able to get the above photo. Not as sharp as I’d like but satisfying all the same.
Favourite Birding Spot #5 St Kilda
1 Comment »9th September, 2006; Category: Favourite Birding Spots, Herons and Egrets, Migratory birds, Pelicans, Seabirds, Shorebirds, Spoonbills, Stilts and Avocets, Waterbirds
Black-Winged Stilt
I have only recently visited St Kilda and Barker Inlet north of Adelaide for the first time, but already it is becoming a favourite birding spot of mine. Access to the area is very easy being just a few kilometers off the main highway heading north from Adelaide (the Port Wakefield road). There is a large car parking area, a large lawned picnic area, an interesting Adventure Playground (for the ankle biters – teens might even like it), a fast food outlet, boat ramp and a well kept clean public toilet block.
At low tide the tidal mudflats stretch for many kilometres along the coast. On top of the rock wall protecting the boat channel out to deeper water is an excellent walking path. This enables one to walk far out from the beach, perhaps nearly a kilometre. This allows one to get close to the birds feeding on the mudflats.
On my few visits I have observed many Black Winged Stilts (see photo above), Sooty and Pied Oystercatchers, Australian Pelicans, White Ibis, Great and Little Egrets, Black Swans and Royal Spoonbills. On my visits I have seen, far out from the shore, what looked like thousands of Grey Teal. I also recorded several Chestnut-Breasted Shelducks.
An added bonus for the birder at St Kilda is the Mangrove Boardwalk nearby. I have written about this here. Of course, my visits have been in early spring. I dare say, as the weeks progress, many migratory waders will arrive here for the summer months.
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Updated Nov 2013.
How to be a Birder part 20
Hint #20 Keep on birding – often
You can’t call yourself a birder if you don’t watch birds.
Even confined to a hospital bed you can be a birder (if you have access to a window of course). You can watch birds in your garden, birds flying past your apartment windows, birds in the street where you wait for a bus on the way to work or from the train window. Here in Australia I know of people who watch birds while riding their bikes to and from work. When I was a teacher I often had a notebook in my pocket and made a list of birds seen while in the playground on yard duty.
Set aside time to go on picnics to the local parks, public gardens and beaches. Watch the birds you see while you have your picnic. Go for a drive into the hills or a nearby national park, and then stop to look for birds. Is there a river or estuary nearby? Go for a walk along the bank looking out for birds as you go. If you have regular fitness runs along an esplanade, keep a mental list of the birds you see and then write down the species names when you get back home.
When planning a holiday, look for opportunities to go birding. Study the maps and look for lakes, rivers, reservoirs and national parks. When we travel we have breaks several times a day for a cup of tea. With a thermos or two on board we usually look for a roadside patch of scrub for our break. The birding is invariably better than in a town centre. A visit to a zoo can also reveal great birds both inside and outside the aviaries.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, birding is possible.
Just keep your eyes open and you will see them
Happy birding.
To read more hints on how to be a birder click here.
To look at my photo gallery click here.
Dusky Moorhen