BAZAS & BACKYARD BIRDING

Our travelling has come to an end, at least for the short term, as we intend to settle down back on the Sunshine Coast if things go according to plan. Meanwhile, based in the hinterland at North Arm, we are enjoying our stay in the backyard of my sister and partners seventy acre bush property.   

View to Mount Ninderry

The bird list has grown rapidly to 78 species in the few weeks that we have been here, including some corkers such as Powerful Owl (heard), Peregrine Falcon, Spotted Harrier, Pacific Baza, Rose Robin, Crested Shrike-tit and Satin and Regent Bowerbirds.  

Our humble abode among the gum trees.

At least three of these Fan-tailed Cuckoos are making their presence known with their mournful calls. Others of the family here include the Brush and Shining-Bronze Cuckoos and Pheasant Coucal. 

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Along with a couple of Laughing Kookaburras, a pair of Forest Kingfishers don't seem to mind sharing the same hunting grounds.   

Forest Kingfisher

Laughing Kookaburra

Half a dozen Brown Cuckoo-Doves are present most days. These large and conspicuous pigeons are attracted to the fruit of the wild tobacco plants that grow in the more open areas of the property. Big flocks of Topknot Pigeons have been observed flying low over the trees, accompanied by the susurration of their wings as they pass by. The monotonous call of the Wonga Pigeon has been heard on occasions, with Peaceful, Bar-shouldered and Emerald Doves also seen.

Brown Cuckoo-Dove

While walking the fence line I disturbed a roosting Tawny Frogmouth, that flew a short distance away. It had quite a rufous wash to the plumage, which one of my field guides suggests is sometimes characteristic of the female.

Tawny Frogmouth

A pair of Pacific Bazas have been active around the property since we arrived and I assume would be resident. These stunning raptors hunt together in close proximity, leap frogging through the foliage of the mid to upper canopy of the trees, pouncing on unsuspecting stick insects and frogs. Their flight is almost silent as they weave their way through the branches and leaves.   

Pacific Baza

The name baza apparently comes from the Indian word for goshawk. Originally known as the Crested Hawk, the moniker I prefer, it was officially changed in the late 1970's.

A misty morning at North Arm.

Cheers & Happy Birding

A MORNING AT EWAN MADDOCK

Back in June I joined my local birding-watching group for their monthly outing, this time to Ewen Maddock dam at Landsborough. It was a crisp start but warmed up by mid morning, a lovely day.

At bird call after the walk we had totted up over 60 species, in a couple of hours.

Having lived nearby for quite a few years this is one of my favourite places and with a bird list of over 160 species it's great place to visit and one that comes up with the occasional rarity, such as Oriental Cuckoo, Baillon's Crake, Musk Duck and Australasian Shoveler.  

Sunshine Coast Bird Observers Group

I only managed to get a few average shots of some of the more co-operative birds such as this pair loafing on one of the ponds near the causeway.

Pacific Black Ducks

The moorhen was one of a small group pottering around on the Salvinia weed that infests some parts of the lake.

Dusky Moorhen

 A pair of Forest Kingfishers were busy hunting around the edges of the water and one sat still long enough for a picture, albeit at the furthest reach of my cameras focal range.

Forest Kingfisher

This bigger hunter was also watching for prey over the water, acting like a real kingfisher!

Laughing Kookaburra

I was also able recently to visit Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary and did the shorter wheelchair access walk. There were at least three male Golden Whistlers trying to outdo each other with their vocal prowess.

Golden Whistler

 And Scarlet Honeyeaters abounded, chasing each other through the tangled undergrowth.

Scarlet Honeyeater

Meanwhile back at home I have been hearing the call of a Noisy Pitta frequently over the last few weeks.

This is the first time in my three years here in Kureelpa I have heard this bird and getting to see it has proved impossible so far. It only calls a couple of times on dawn or dusk and it only responded once to my use of playback. I am assuming it may be roosting overnight in our backyard and heading to more suitable habitat to feed during the day. Seeing as I'll probably never get a photo of this elusive dweller of the rainforest I have posted a picture from Ian Montgomery's fantastic site http://www.birdway.com.au

Noisy Pitta

NEW CAMERA FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY

I finally bit the bullet and purchased a new camera, after 6 months of using my mate's old Panasonic FZ20. I had a good excuse: my birthday! I decided to go with what I knew and bought an updated version of the borrowed one, an FZ100. I took it out last Sunday morning on the off chance of shooting a Black Bittern. My friend Vince and I were tipped off about a recent sighting in a local creek at Kiamba and as we pulled up at the site the said bird took off from the bank and headed upstream.

Creek at Kiamba

We waited around for a while hoping it may return, but no luck. There were some Azure and Forest  Kingfishers hunting along the creek and the best I could do was this distant shot.

Forest Kingfisher.

I was able to get a tad closer to this cisticola that was responding to my pishing after I heard it calling in the paddock across the road from my place. I'm assuming this was probably a non-breeding male. 

Golden-headed Cisticola. 

Even with all the rain of late the birds still flock to the bath for their daily splash and on this rare occasion I got seven honeyeaters to sit still long enough for a half decent photo!

Brown Honeyeaters

 And this one  quietly contemplating it's reflection!

This lone silvereye dropped in for a sip.They seem to have moved on from the area lately, probably heading further north.

Silvereye.

Another couple of locals were active recently. This young whip snake was trying to catch some rays when it got disturbed and moved off in a flash.

Yellow-faced Whip Snake

 And this little critter had the audacity to chew on our dogs discarded bone while he snoozed on his couch only a metre away.

House Mouse

Our "watch"dog - Coco