Birding in the heat
It is hot.
Really hot.
The last week here in South Australia has seen us enduring some really torrid heat. Most days have been over the 40C mark with yesterday the temperature reaching 44C (that’s 111.2F) under the shade of our front veranda. It certainly doesn’t encourage one to go out birding in that kind of heat. Possibly the best spot in the house is near the air conditioner watching the endless parade of birds coming to our bird baths in the garden. On days like this they really appreciate the ready supply of water. It’s a lazy way of birding, but forgive me. It’s the best I can do at present. I don’t feel like going out birding anyway because I have a heavy head cold at present. Colds are bad enough in winter, but in summer they are doubly uncomfortable because you cannot curl up in bed and wrap yourself up in all your miseries.
Just to keep all my readers happy, here are some articles from my archives about birds, heat, water and bird baths:
- White-browed Babblers and water
- Diamond Firetail Finch
- Birds and communal bathing
- Rufous Whistler
- Time for a bath
Mallee Ringneck Parrot
It’s a scorcher here too! Even the ravens have gone quiet. I’m sitting in front of a pedestal fan — no airconditioner. I’m looking forward to moving to the tropics where, not only are there more birds, but it’s cooler as well.
Another hot yesterday with the temperature under our veranda reaching 47C – that’s 116.6F. Just a tad too hot.
Only got to 35 today and then a slightly cooler breeze came in late afternoon, so we opened up the house to blow out all the hot air. Lovely.
You can have it!
We got to about 30 today, and that was quite warm enough, thanks very much!
Thanks John.
Much cooler this evening – it has dropped below 20C for the first time in many days.