Frilled-neck Lizards

I have had two recent encounters, my first for a few years. Maybe I am not in the area at the right time to see more. These are in between what I would call the Top End and Central Australia, so the Victoria River Region and around Katherine/Mataranka.

The first was standing on the main highway, warming itself. I saw where it ran to off the road as I approached and somehow managed to find it in amongst the rocks and leaf litter as its camouflage was excellent. I doubt I could have found it without seeing it run to around that spot.

The second was just on the very edge of the road, and I saw it run towards a tree. I wasn't going too fast so it was fairly easy to stop and keep an eye on the right tree. Again, without having seen where it went I would never have located it where it had moved to. Their hiding ability is excellent. Anyway, the tree was quite close to the road. This time I stayed inside the car. It jumped off and ran to another tree a bit further away, after peering at me from a few positions on the other side of the original tree. Watching them run always makes me laugh. Then the jump off this tree to another one. In all I was watching it for about 10 minutes. Fascinating creatures. Hope you enjoy the photos:

Frilled-neck Lizard

Spotted Pardalote, Red-browed Finch, Superb Fairy-wren photos

Sometimes the smaller birds sit way up in the tree tops, or in the thickest bushes, and other times they come and play in the area close to where you are standing. These photos are from the latter circumstances. Hope you enjoy.

Spotted Pardalote

Red-browed Finch

Superb Fairy-wren

Cinnamon Quail-thrush and a Perentie

On the road to Chambers Pillar I was surprised by the lack of bird life. Very few raptors in the air, and even the Willie Wagtails, a constant sight around these parts numbered just 1 during a late afternoon drive from Titjikala to about half way to Chambers Pillar.

When I was driving back from my turn-around point, I came across a few Black-faced Woodswallows flying just above the ground and then swooping up, presumably to catch insects. I stopped the car as I saw another bird fly low across the road. I wasn't travelling very fast as the road isn't fantastic and just sat in the car, waiting for the bird to appear. I could hear it calling but couldn't see it. I knew it was an unusual bird for me as I didn't recognise the call.

Eventually it popped its head out from behind some bushes. A Cinnamon Quail-thrush:

There was only the one that I saw, although I think I heard at least one other one calling.

I got back in the car and drove a bit further and came across this guy. He was sitting on the road edge as I approached and scurried off the road and into the grasses. I haven't noticed this before but they have the same eye protection as some of the larger raptors ie the blue lens cap, and I'm sure there are lots of animals with this protection. I just haven't noticed them before. Again I stayed in the car for the photo, his claws are just a bit too big for my liking:

Perentie

Victorian birds - Lorikeets, scrubwrens, water birds

We've landed in Victoria and it takes a little while to get used to the new sounds and sights. Here is a small selection of the locals in the eastern suburbs:

Rainbow Lorikeets:

 Brown Thornbill

Eurasian Coot

Musk Lorikeet

Pacific Black Duck

Red Wattlebird

White-browed Scrubwren

Enjoy your Bird-watching!

1000s & 1000s of Budgies - photos and videos

I had a truly amazing experience recently where I saw Budgies darken the sky with numbers, then come down to drink, get chased by Birds of Prey, and fill the area with a cacophony of noise. I don't know how many there were in total, but many many thousands, and the groups were in hundreds and thousands. They started arriving about 30 minutes after the sun rose, and continually arrived, in small and large flocks for the next couple of hours. Before they had finished arriving, some were way too thirsty and started.
It was interesting to watch their behaviour. They would circle above the water, and then fly off into the surrounding trees. At one point I wondered if I had the right spot as they seemed to be flocking in trees beyond my reach, but eventually they came and put on a display I will always remember. Unfortunately the photos and videos can't relay the enormity of the event, but you can get a fair idea. I hope you enjoy.

Photos of Budgerigars in flight and drinking:

Videos of Budgies in Flight and Drinking

Enjoy your Bird-watching!

Finke Stories - the Little Eagle who Walked

I was at the Finke Poo Ponds. (see the other posts of Finke Stories from the following links Finke Stories - Plethora of Birds and Finke Stories - Australian Hobby )

There were storm clouds on the horizon. The wind was blowing from the south and it was strong and hot. I had been entertained by the Major Mitchell Cockatoo, trying to fit in with the Corellas and Galahs.

I had seen the Little Eagle the day before, it had flown up from some reed beds near where I was watching, but had been too close and too quick for me to get any decent photos.

I had seen the Australian Hobby the previous day, and a part of me was hoping it would return for another enjoyable display. Instead, the Little Eagle was the one who made me pinch myself after it had left.

It flew down into the wind, gliding in a tucked formation, but without speed normally associated with this position. It landed on the muddy flats, about 30 metres from me. It stopped, propped, looked around, and then hopped. I hadn’t seen this behaviour before. It then walked and I could see its beautiful “trousers”. I kept taking photos and then a few short videos. And even though I am sure the bird knew of my presence due to its continual glances towards me, it certainly wasn’t prepared to fly off until it had had a decent drink.

Little Eagle

Enjoy your Bird-watching!

Finke Stories - Australian Hobby

It was late afternoon. The hot wind was breathing a fiery heat from the desert to the east, blowing the deep aroma of the water treatment area as an added bonus. The sun was at my back and I had front seats to an awesome display of deception by an Australian Hobby. I have been very lucky this year with my experiences with this bird species. You can find some other photos and stories here.

The first indication the Hobby was around was the panic it engendered in a large flock of Galahs, mixed with some Little Corellas, as well as some waders including a group of 11 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Initially I thought the Hobby was coming for a drink as it didn’t seem to take much notice of any of the birds. It flew slowly compared to the speeds I have seen in the past, and then land on the shoreline, just looking around, almost aimlessly. Eventually it flew off, causing another flurry of panicked fluttering by the other birds. I watched as it flew off to a nearby low hill and disappeared. The sandpipers returned in small groups, first 4 then another pair, and then the final 5.

Ten minutes later, the same scenario occurred. Loud squawking by the Galahs and Corellas and scrambled fleeing by the waders. Again, the Hobby seemed fairly disinterested. Again the sandpipers returned, although there were only 7 in the group I could see. I wondered if the other 4 had decided they might find a different camp for the night.

For the third time, this time about 20 minutes later, the Hobby flew in and settled eventually on a fence post rimming the south of the ponds. It looked as though it had a bit more intent this time. The light was fading as the sun had finally dipped below the western horizon. I could still see the Hobby quite easily, but the waders on the ponds were harder in the greying evening light. As I alighted from my perch atop the car, I noticed movement to my right – the Hobby had taken off. This time the Sandpipers voiced their high-pitched  terror although they remained as a large group. I watched as they rose above the ground level, fleeing to the north-west, while the Hobby headed to the north-east. As the sandpipers wheeled towards the north, the Hobby wheeled into the same flight path and smashed into the small flock, taking one of the sandpipers with its talons and flying directly over my head, not very far above. I think my presence had been forgotten as it immediately dropped the sandpiper, all of 10 feet in front of the car. I’d already put my camera back in the car as the light had become too low for any decent photos, so for once I was just bird-watching, not taking photos. The poor sandpiper was helpless, trying desperately to get to its feet but it was too badly injured from the initial onslaught. It flopped towards me twice before the blue-grey shape sped down to claim its prize. It didn’t stop and say hi, or pose for an imaginary photo, it just snatched the prey in its talons and took off. I was left dumbstruck by what had just happened, and in the car on the way back to my accommodation, wondered whether or not I could have saved the sandpiper if I had been more alert to what was happening, rather than being frozen in awe of this raptor. I decided eventually that I had to let nature take its course without interference from me even if I didn’t enjoy seeing a living creature get taken. 

Here are some photos:

Australian Hobby