A Battlefield in the Garden
While out in the garden today I was suddenly aware of a noisy scuffle nearby. They were at it again. The interloper New Holland Honeyeater trying to snatch insects from the resident Willie Wagtail’s favourite patch. This time they actually came to blows!
After a few seconds of screaming at each other, many ruffled feathers and a clash of claws they both retreated to nearby trees. After that there was an uneasy peace. The battle may be over but I feel that the war has just begun.
For details of the previous battle click here.
Willie Wagtail
It worked!
No Comments »9th June, 2006; Category: Garden birds
We had six special visitors in the garden this morning so my thoughts of yesterday worked. This morning my wife observed six Straw Necked Ibis walking purposefully up our driveway, as if they were paying us a visit. After my thoughts of yesterday’s posts – written in jest – I was delighted that they found their way back. I am assuming, of course, that the visitor from yesterday brought back some of his friends or family.
Still no Glossy Ibis though.
[Another big SIGH]
Interesting Garden Visitor
No Comments »8th June, 2006; Category: Garden birds
This morning we had an interesting visitor to our garden and orchard. A single Straw Necked Ibis decided that the snail population on our five acre block of land was worth a visit. It hung around for about an hour before heading off elsewhere.
The Straw Necked Ibis is a common and widespread species throughout many parts of Australia. Flocks of many hundreds can often be seen flying over different parts of the Murray Bridge district. This is a familiar sight in many parts of the country. We’ve even had large flocks – as many as 300 at a time – fly over head.
So why the fuss over a single individual?
This is the first time in the 22 years we have lived here that we have seen a Straw Necked Ibis actually land on our property. This is strange because one section is open paddock and ideal for a small flock to land and feed. I felt like going up to it and asking it to invite all its friends to come pay a visit.
I felt tempted to ask it to invite its cousin, the Glossy Ibis to come pay a visit. You see, the Glossy is one of my “bogey birds” – no matter how hard I try in suitable habitat, I don’t seem to be able to find even one!
(Sigh)
And when I do eventually get to see one, what are the chances of seeing dozens everywhere I go? It seems to be an unofficial birding law.
Golden Whistler visit
We just had a beautiful bird visit our patio area next to the house. A female Golden Whistler was hopping about the pot plants just outside our lounge room. We have seen this beautiful bird in the garden and in the plant nursery but rarely does it come so close to the house. We were able to watch it from inside the sliding glass door as it hopped around for several minutes, catching the insects near the plants.
Although the female seems to be a dull brown colour, up close like this, one is aware of the subtle markings on the wings and back. I must keep a lookout for the male; he is coloured bright yellow – golden yellow, hence the species name.
Black-Faced Cuckoo-Shrikes
No Comments »27th May, 2006; Category: Garden birds
Now back to birding.
While working in the garden over the last few days I have been aware of two Black-Faced Cuckoo-Shrikes visiting the garden from time to time. While not staying in the garden all the time they do seem to be hanging around the general area quite a bit. I wonder if they are actually a pair? Are they looking for a suitable nesting site?
Are they really a “pair”
That reminds me of a birding friend many years ago who gently corrected me on the use of the word “pair” when speaking of birds. I commented that I saw a pair of a particular species (can’t remember which one now). “Did you see them breeding? Were they mating, or feeding young in a nest? If not – your saw two of them, not “a pair.”
Regular Garden Visitor
This beautiful bird is worthy of note in this blog. I could not say that it is a resident species in our garden. It is a regular visitor. In recent months those visits have been quite irregular – until this last week.
Common, Widespread Species
It is a common species and widespread throughout Australia, including Tasmania. In my experience this species is most often encountered singly or in twos. Occasionally I have recorded 3 or 4 together, and once about 8 in a loose flock. According to one field guide I consulted large migratory flocks can be encountered in northern Australia.