Welcome Swallows
Birding while doing the washing
I was hanging up the washing this morning and was aware of the many garden birds we enjoy here in Murray Bridge, South Australia. Often I have stopped and listened to the birds calling. More than once I have been distracted from the task at hand and followed a bird or two – or raced inside for the camera.
Stubble Quail
Possibly one of the best sightings I’ve ever had while doing the washing was a single Stubble Quail. This is a common and widespread species in this region, but it was the only time I’ve seen one in our garden.
Swallows
This morning I was suddenly aware of twittering in the sky above. Two Welcome Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) hawking for insects above. Again – this is a widespread and very common species in this area. It is not unusual to see 100s swooping low over the water of the nearby River Murray, or dozens lined up resting on power lines. What is unusual is the occurrence of this species above our garden and five acre (2 hectare) property. For some reason we only see or hear them once or twice a week, sometimes even less often. I have rarely seen more than 5 or 6 here at a time. I can’t give a reason for this.
Gouldian Finch Recovery
Endangered Species
There was a beautiful item on ABC TV News in Adelaide this evening about Gouldian Finches, a highly endangered species of northern Australia. This stunning bird has been in decline both numerically and in distribution for some time. It is also one species I have yet to see in the wild. A friend used to keep some in an aviary; they are one of the world’s most beautiful birds.
Large flocks
The item on the news suggested that the Gouldian Finch is making a recovery. Evidently it has been seen in some localities for the first time in over 15 years. Colleen O’Malley, from the Threatened Species Network said that flocks of 200-400 are being seen which is vastly larger than in recent years. This is still far short of the sightings of flocks in the thousands in earlier days.
For the full story click here.
For more information, and photos which do not do the species justice click here.
A better photo can be found here.
I just hope the species not only survives – but thrives. I’d like it to be easy to find and photograph when I finally get to Kakadu, Arnhem Land or other parts of northern Australia.
Yellow Billed Spoonbill
Today I needed to visit someone in a part of the city I don’t normally frequent. This was quite close to Long Island Reserve, so I took five minutes out of my busy schedule to check out the birds there, seeing I hadn’t visited that reserve for about a year – maybe more.
Long Island Reserve
Long Island is a long island (funny about that) in the middle of the River Murray just down stream from the CBD of Murray Bridge, South Australia. It has extensive lawned areas for picnics, a small sandy beach, a jetty and a boat ramp. It is a popular place for water skiers and boating enthusiasts. The car park has been deliberately widened to cater for boat trailers.
Birdwise there was nothing much to report. Several Magpie Larks feeding on the lawn, a flock of about 40 Silver Gulls sheltering from the wind and about 6 Straw Necked Ibis feeding in an adjacent grassy area. Wasn’t even worth getting out of the car.
Rocky Gully Wetlands revisited
On my way home I made a slight deter past the Rocky Gully Wetlands. Last week I observed Royal Spoonbills there for the first time. Today it was a solitary Yellow Billed Spoonbill next to a White Faced Heron. Always nice to see spoonbills – and so funny the way they feed, swishing that odd-shaped bill through the mud.
Sadly – I didn’t have my camera with me. (Sigh)
Birds After Rain
Hot, dry summers
We have not had any significant rain here in Murray Bridge, South Australia for the last four months – since mid-December. This is quite typical of our hot, dry summers. We either get nothing for most of summer or torrential downpours over several hours. The previous summer of 2004-05 saw much flooding in many areas of the city. Over the intervening twelve months the local council has been very busy correcting the lack of adequate drainage in some areas.
Significant Rain
Overnight and during this morning we have had steady rain amounting to 25mm (1 inch) which amounts to 7% of our annual average rainfall (344mm). The weather forecast is for heavy rain later in the day. A check of the radar on the Bureau of Meteorology website showed heavy rain heading our way. There are currently in place flood warnings in our area.
Birds after the rain
While it was still raining the birds around our garden were quiet and inconspicuous. When it stopped there was much activity. The Grey Shrike Thrushes began singing as did the Spiny Cheeked Honeyeaters. Our resident family of White Winged Choughs came patrolling through the garden and scrub at the front of the house. Flocks of noisy Galahs are wheeling through the trees as I write. White Plumed Honeyeaters and New Holland Honeyeaters are also calling.
Brown Headed Honeyeaters
While having breakfast this morning a flock of Brown Headed Honeyeaters flew past. This species is a regular visitor to our garden here in Murray Bridge, South Australia. I love hearing their “chip, chip, chip” contact calls as they swarm from tree to tree. They are not often seen alone; usually they come through the garden in waves of anything from 5 or 6 through to 15 or more.
So far I have been unable to get a photo of these rather plain yet delightful little honeyeaters. It is a challenge because they seem to be constantly on the move. My best chance will be when they visit our bird bath. Here they line up on the branch above, or on the edge of the bird bath, ready for their turn to bathe. On occasions I have observed 5 or 6 in the water at one time, water splashing in all directions.
Related Article:
- Great Birding Moments #9 Brown Headed Honeyeaters – with a photo.
UPDATE: I can now add the photo below.
Brown-headed Honeyeater