As I write on 15 February it is still hot and dusty and not enough birds for the keen birder. But it has been a good year for Mistletoebirds buzzing high in the eucalypts, plenty of Latham’s Snipes poking around at Coogoorah and the Collared Sparrowhawks are back raising a family at Distillery Creek, impacting the New Holland Honeyeater population!
I have also noticed plenty of Common Bronzewings this year. They are a handsome pigeon, but a bit nervy so you need to see them (typically on the ground) before they see you and fly away.
Common Bronzewing (Image: Rob Shepherd)
There are also plenty of Southern Emu-wrens (including two seen on last month’s Angair bird walk at Coogoorah). These little birds are always a favourite with photographers.
Southern Emu-wren (Image: Margaret Lacey)
Finally, I always get excited around mid-February at the prospect of White-throated Needletail swifts arriving from the north and swooping around my house and today it happened!
James Orton