Trevor's Birding

Happy Birday to me

5 Comments »16th November, 2007; Category: Birders

It’s my birthday today.

Okay – that is quite enough cheering, singing and laughter. (Laughter??? Why are you laughing? I’m not THAT old.)

I was hoping to go for an early morning birding walk before the forecast hot weather. Then I was going to read a bit, relax watching a DVD or two and some of the cricket Test Match on television and generally have a lazy day.

Alas – I have to work. (I do occasional relief driving for a courier company and they had a minor crisis and needed me.)

So the celebrations of the BIG SIX OH will have to wait a few hours.

You never know – I might get to see some really wonderful birds as I do my rounds delivering parcels.

I’ll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, here is a photo my wife took of me doing some birding last year. This is to remind me of some great birding moments I’ve had in recent times – when I was not working.

Typical Pose of Husband

Birds and Cats do not mix

8 Comments »12th November, 2007; Category: Bird Behaviour, Birds

A comment by a reader last month got me to thinking – always a dangerous thing. The comment was in response to a post I wrote called “Why do baby birds disappear?” In this article I explained that cats are responsible for far too many bird casualties. One reader responded in this way:

I’m a responsible cat owner (I have a cattery attached to my house, and my three are all desexed, etc) and I agree with you.

There’s no reason a cat can’t be completely happy in a cat run, while giving the native fauna a fighting chance. If you’re going to have pets, the very LEAST you can do is make sure they are properly looked after.

Cats and wildlife can live in peace, if owners take a few responsible steps.

Well said.

Here is part of what I said in my original article:

It would certainly help if all cat owners were responsible and made a run for their animals. This would eliminate some deaths in our fauna, but a far greater problem is the feral cats. There is no control of these and all are very big, strong and cunning. I think compulsory desexing of cats is the way to go, but it would only be a start. Catching all the feral cats is probably not feasible. Making sure no more are added to their ranks will be a good start though.

Do not misunderstand me. I am not anti-cat. I think that they can be a wonderful pet but only if kept in a responsible manner. The harsh reality is that, in a land like Australia, cats alone have accounted for the extinction of many species of birds and reptiles over the last two centuries. They do not have a good reputation.

What do you think on this issue?

Leave your comments in the comments section. Comments are moderated so debate the issues in a responsible manner, be nice and not abusive.

I and the bird #61

No Comments »4th November, 2007; Category: Carnivals, I and the Bird

The latest edition of the carnival I and the Bird #61 has been posted.

As usual there are many links to interesting articles and photos about birds.

To read the latest edition click here.

Another White-necked Heron sighting

2 Comments »3rd November, 2007; Category: Herons and Egrets, Waterbirds

Earlier in the week I wrote about a sighting of a White-necked Heron near Meadows in the Adelaide Hills. I commented that I have rarely seen this species over the years as a birder, despite it being widespread throughout much of Australia.

Well – I saw another one yesterday. It was in the same spot as the sighting earlier in the week, so presumably it was the same bird. This time I had my camera with me.

White-necked Heron

The photo is not as good as I would have liked. This was because the bird was some 80-100 metres away. Click on the photo to enlarge the image.

This species has eluded me on many birding trips. Now that I’ve seen one twice in the same week, I’ll probably see them everywhere.

I hope that rule also applies to the Glossy Ibis. This ibis has frustrated me endlessly. I’ve seen it from only a metre away in a walk through aviary at the Adelaide Zoo, but I have yet to see one in its natural habitat. I am hoping that once I see my first one, I’ll see them everywhere. That appears to be an unwritten Law of Birding.

Black-tailed Native-hens form roadblock

2 Comments »1st November, 2007; Category: Bird Behaviour, Waterbirds

I was minding my own business driving along a road in the Mt Lofty Ranges south east of Adelaide, South Australia today when I had to come almost to a complete halt.

Two Black-tailed Native-hens were standing in the middle of the road. It was almost as if they were forming a roadblock, or determined to have a career change and join the local police force. I half expected them to whip out a speed gun. I wasn’t speeding, just casually cruising along quite safely within the normal speed limits in these parts.

As I approached to within a few metres they decided that they had better head off into the undergrowth on the side of the road where they were more at home.

I do not have a photo of this species so click here to see one.