Why have a bird note book?
Frequently asked questions about birding #12
What do I write in the notebook?
So you have decided to always carry a notebook and pen or pencil while out birding in the field.
What do you write in the notebook?
I usually write the date, the time, the location, the GPS reading, a list of every species seen and an estimate of how many birds present eg 30 pink Galahs, 3 Wood Ducks, 2 Crested Pigeons and a Partridge in a pear tree – oops – a partridge? I’d better take a few notes and do a quick sketch of its main features.
Here is another use for the notebook. I know that there are no partridges in Australia so I take notes. That way I can check in my field guides later when I get home and check my notes against the field guide notes. Oh – that should have been Partridge Pigeon. Of course.
If I had seen a Partridge Pigeon I would have been very excited. They are only found in the extreme northern edge of Australia, a long way from home. Any seen around here in Murray Bridge, South Australia would have to have escaped from someone’s aviary. I’m not sure if this species is kept in aviaries here in South Australia. One would have to have a special permit because this bird in vulnerable in its natural habitat.
This post was updated on 22nd October 2015.
A bird of a different colour
6 Comments »17th August, 2006; Category: Parrots and Lorikeets
I recently had a picnic lunch at Clonlea Park in Gawler, South Australia. Gawler is a large town an hour north of Adelaide. The park consists of tennis courts, barbecue areas, extensive areas of lawn and is bordered by the Gawler River. We enjoy having lunch or a cuppa here on our way to visit our daughter in Clare. The bird life is interesting without being spectacular.
Australian Magpies, Wood Ducks, Adelaide Rosellas and Noisy Miner are the most common species present. Crested Pigeons and Spotted Turtledoves are likewise common. Masked Lapwings are sometimes seen on the lawns and Little Pied Cormorants along the river. Red Wattlebirds and White Plumed Honeyeaters are often seen foraging in the tree canopies. Striated Pardalotes are more often heard than seen.
On my most recent visit I was enjoying some lunch when my attention was drawn to a strange looking bird feeding on the grass some fifty metres away. I did not immediately recognise it so I scrambled for the binoculars. It turned out to be a white coloured Cockatiel (see photo), not a species I was expecting to see here. While it was not entirely impossible to see a Cockatiel here, the fact it was a white individual means that someone local is missing their pet bird.
Cockatiel parrot (aviary escapee?)
Cockatiels are bred by some aviculturalists in a range of colour variations. Why they do this always puzzles me because their natural colours are quite beautiful. We had a natural coloured one when I was quite young and I was able to teach it to speak a number of words. They make quite endearing pets and are quite at home living inside one’s house, like the pet of close friends. Theirs takes delight in harassing their two cats who also spend most of their time indoors.
Favourite Birding Spot #4 Lake Inchiquin, Clare
Lake Inchiquin, Clare
Lake Inchiquin is an artificial lake in Clare in the mid-north district of South Australia. The lake borders the southern and western parts of the Clare Country Club and its golf club. The lake is essentially an artificial one, more of a large dam to give the country club a beautiful outlook. The southern edge of the lake incorporates a picnic area, complete with a model train track several kilometres in length. This track is used by enthusiasts two weekends a month.
Convenient Birding
I enjoy birding at Lake Inchiquin because it is so convenient. It is a two minute walk from my daughter’s home in Clare. Not only that, there is a good walking path along the water’s edge. The path has many trees and bushes planted on each side making the path an elongated natural bird hide. There are enough gaps in the vegetation to get good views of any birds on the lake or along the edges. Another reason for enjoying this spot is the variety of water birds present all year round. Some species I have trouble tracking down in other parts of the state.
Waterbirds
Ducks are very well represented on the lake. I have recorded the following species:
- Pacific Black Duck (very common)
- Pink-Eared Duck (present in small numbers)
- Grey Teal (common)
- Blue-Billed Duck (common)
- Freckled Duck (rare)
- Australasian Shoveler (present in small numbers)
- Australian Wood Duck (very common)
- Hardhead (White-Eyed Duck) (present in small numbers)
- Mallard (introduced)
Other water birds include:
- Hoary Headed Grebe (common)
- Australasian Grebe (common)
- Eurasian Coot (very numerous)
- Black-tailed Native-hen (sometimes numerous)
- Dusky Moorhen (common)
- Black-fronted Dotterel (usually 2-4 present)
- Black Swan (occasional)
- Little Black Cormorant (common)
- Little Pied Cormorant (common)
- Masked Lapwing (common)
- White-faced Heron (several)
- Nankeen Night Heron (3 recorded on one occasion)
Along the path and in the nearby golf course and picnic grounds I have recorded many more species. I will write about that tomorrow.
Favourite Birding Spot #2 Swanport Reserve
This is the second in a series of articles I plan to post about my favourite birding spots. The first article can be read here.
Swanport Reserve
This reserve is about 5km south of the Murray Bridge CBD in rural South Australia. The local council has set aside this reserve on the banks of the Murray River as a picnic area. The area is about two acres in size and is mainly lawn with a scattering of River Red Gums and a few other trees, making it a lovely shady place in the summer. There is a safe swimming beach approximately 60 metres in length. A part of the beach is set aside for fishing.
Noisy Miner at Swanport Reserve
Over the years this reserve has become one of our favourite picnic destinations; it is only a ten-minute easy drive from home. I have lost count of the number of times we have taken fish and chips or chicken and chips there for a picnic lunch or tea. And as always, the thermos and tea bags are always handy too. Sitting in a picnic chair watching the river traffic go by has to be one of the more relaxing ways of spending a few hours on a lovely day or a summer’s evening. What is more, the bird life rarely disappoints.
The Birds of Swanport Reserve
Over the years I have recorded 72 species of birds on my visits to the reserve. Naturally, the waterbirds are well represented. This includes four species of cormorants, the Little Pied being the most common. One almost always sees several Australian Pelicans, Straw-Necked and White Ibis, and several White-faced Herons. Of the ducks, the most common would be the Pacific Black Duck and the Australian Wood Duck though I have seen both Mallards and Grey Teal.
Grebes
Interestingly, I have only once observed a single Great Crested Grebe at Swanport and never the Hoary Headed nor the Australasian Grebe, both common species in this area. The Great Crested is not regularly seen in this part of SA.
Other Waterbirds
Almost always one is able to see the Eurasian Coot swimming near the bank and Purple Swamphens skulking along on their long legs. Dusky Moorhens are also seen from time to time, trailing a string of little ones paddling furiously trying to keep up with mum and dad. Black-tailed Native Hens come and go, sometimes there are dozens of them but often none at all. Once I saw a Black-fronted Dotterel, another species widespread but not numerous in this area.
Gulls and Terns
Silver Gulls are always flying past, sometimes in loose flocks of two or three up to several dozen. Single Caspian Terns regularly patrol up and down the river, as do Crested Terns and Whiskered Terns.
Raptors
Whistling Kites, Little Eagles and Black Kites are almost always present and regularly breed in the taller trees along the river banks. The Whistling Kites mournful calls can be heard as they patrol to river banks and nearby dairy farm swamps and wetlands. Swamp Harriers and Spotted Harriers also occur here as does the small Black-shouldered Kite.
Pigeons, Doves
There is a huge population of feral pigeons (Rock Doves) along the river. They seem to nest and breed prolifically underneath the three bridges which cross the river at Murray Bridge. They are also a pest in many of the town’s buildings and they also utilise the hollows in some of the old-growth eucalypts along the river. Flocks of 20-100 can be seen flying along the river at any time of the day. More pleasant at Swanport are the Peaceful Doves, their cooing on a still summer’s day adding to the atmosphere of relaxation. Crested Pigeons are plentiful as are the introduced Spotted Turtle-Doves.
Parrots
Flocks of 100s of Little Corellas and Galahs are often seen along the river it this area. The noisy and gregarious Corellas can undo the peacefulness of the reserve as they fly overhead. Other parrots include Red-rumped Parrots, Rainbow Lorikeets and Purple-Crowned Lorikeets and I once recorded two Yellow Rosellas. This sub-species of the Crimson Rosella is normally found much further upstream; my record seems to be one of those occasional odd sightings.
Honeyeaters
Red Wattlebirds and White-plumed Honeyeaters are common in and around the reserve. New Holland Honeyeaters and Singing Honeyeaters are also present and Noisy Miners (see photo above) are everywhere.
Picnic at Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge
Other birds
There are many more species to see at Swanport Reserve. 100s of Welcome Swallows swoop low over the river. Australian Magpies and Magpie Larks patrol the lawns looking for a feed. Willie wagtails and Superb Fairy-wrens are always present and Australian Reed-Warblers can be heard in the reeds lining the river bank. Both the Laughing Kookaburra and the Sacred Kingfisher are resident species.
An Anomaly
This reserve is at the historic settlement of Swanport. In all of my visits, I have only ever once seen a Black Swan there! They are much more common further upstream at another wetlands area.
Related Articles and Links:
Post updated on 30th May, 2017.
Little Pied Cormorant
No Comments »14th July, 2006; Category: Waterbirds
On our recent visit to the Wittunga Botanic Gardens in the Adelaide Hills I was not surprised to observe two Little Pied Cormorants sitting on the dead limbs of trees. Little Pieds are very common throughout Australia where suitable habitat exists. Here they were taking advantage of the large artificial lake in the middle of the gardens.
Little Pied Cormorant
This photo is not a close up but I still like it anyway. I particularly like the blurred reflections and colours in the water. The the effects of the reflections on the water of the dead branches on which it is perched it are also particularly pleasing.
Related articles: