Of Emus and Fairy-Wrens
Drew Fulton, and American naturalist and birder, has just announced his itinerary for travelling throughout Australia over the twelve months commencing on 26th July. His aim is to cover as much of Australia as he can during his year long stay here, photographing and journalling his travels and experiences.
Drew is planning on writing and posting a daily journal of his travels as well as a monthly emailed newsletter. Having spent a little time looking at his photos on his web site, we are in for a treat as he attempts to capture many Australian species on his camera.
To look at his photos click here.
To subscribe to his newsletters click here.
Birds of Tasmania
One birding site I often visit, mainly for the photos is Birds of Tasmania which features the birds of Tasmania. Some of the photos are quite beautiful.
Here some other sites featuring photos of birds:
Hampel Photo Gallery – am I allowed to list mine first??Sorry – we’ve closed this site.
- Ben Cruachan Blog – Duncan’s photos from SE Victoria.
- Woodsong – Dances with Moths – about birds, moths, animals and more.
Great Birding Moments #6 New Holland Honeyeaters
New Holland Honeyeater
We have many flowering trees and bushes in our garden on the outskirts of Murray Bridge in South Australia. As a result of all these plants there is a steady supply of food for many species of birds, especially a range of honeyeaters. Over the last 22 years we have recorded the following species of honeyeaters:
- Red Wattlebirds – resident, breeding, very common.
- White Plumed Honeyeaters – resident, breeding, very common.
- Spiny Cheeked Honeyeater – resident, breeding with only several present at any one time.
- Brown Headed Honeyeater – regular visitor, breeding and usually in groups of 8-12.
- Noisy Miner – only one doubtful record many years ago despite being common along the River Murray less than 5km away.
- Striped Honeyeater – occasional visitor, recorded breeding only once which remains probably the most south-westerly record of breeding in Australia.
- White Eared Honeyeater – occasional visitor despite being widespread in this area.
- Yellow Plumed Honeyeater – occasional visitor.
- New Holland Honeyeater – resident, breeding and very common.
- Singing Honeyeater – resident, breeding and common.
New Holland Honeyeaters
The most prominent species has to be the the New Holland Honeyeater. This was not always the case. When we moved here we never saw any New Hollands despite being very common throughout Murray Bridge and the district. After the first few migrated to our garden, the numbers increased rapidly until they are now the dominant species. They are also rather aggressive. (See my posting called “Aggressive bird behaviour in the garden.”)
Distribution and Habitat
New Holland Honeyeaters are widely distributed along coastal south-eastern Australia. They are also found in southern Western Australia and in Tasmania. They prefer gardens, parks, golf courses, orchards, mallee, heathlands, coastal scrubs and eucalypt woodlands. They are often found in association with other honeyeater species towards which it acts aggressively, chasing them away from their preferred flowering plants.
Photo opportunities
I have had many opportunities to photograph this species over the last year. The best is the one featured at the top of this post. I was near the neighbour’s fence looking at the old plough set as a garden ornament. The bird alighted on the handle only three metres away and settled long enough for me to zoom in, focus and shoot. I am very pleased with the result; it couldn’t have posed better if I’d given it instructions.
The photo below is of another bird, and yes, it is up the right way. It’s the bird that’s upside down!
New Holland Honeyeater
Bird Photos on the Net
From time to time I spend time surfing the net for photos of birds from different parts of the world. Numeriscopages is a site from France. It includes beautiful photos of birds, insects, butterflies, animals and flowers. It’s worth spending a few minutes looking at this extensive site. Warning: the site is in French, but there is minimal text to worry about. The photos speak for themselves.
Updated Nov 2013.
Ringnecks and Kites
3 Comments »30th June, 2006; Category: Eagles Hawks and Kites, Garden birds, Parrots and Lorikeets, Photos
Mallee Ringneck Parrot
I was putting out the rubbish bin a few days ago. Our rubbish is collected once a week and it requires a 60 metre walk towing the bin behind – we have a long driveway.
I was in that kind of mood where the brain was in neutral and the eyes weren’t really trained for birding. It happens.
The brain suddenly snapped back into focus as a Black Kite soared low overhead, perhaps only 15 metres above me. Great views. Seemed to have a few feathers missing on the wings. I wonder what caused that? Maybe it’s been in a scrap with another bird.
As I returned to the house two Australian Ringneck parrots were sitting in a tree right next to the house. They just sat there less than 5 metres away, watching me for a minute before flying off. They are regular visitors to our garden. The above photo of one of them at our bird bath was taken last year.
This is one of the reasons I love being a birder; I don’t have to travel anywhere to enjoy my passion. The birds just come to me, insisting that I share my garden and my life with them.
All I can say is – fantastic.
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