It’s been a bit quiet on the bird front with hot and windy days, so I was happy when a keen birder alerted me the other day to three Tawny Frogmouths at Coogoorah Park, right there in a tree at the car park. Tawnies are nocturnal, and during the day they sit camouflaged as tree branches, as per this photo.
Tawny Frogmouths (image: Jordan Ayton)
During January, a second colleague often saw young tawnies after sunset while walking around Point Roadknight. Below is a photo of one of the young after-dark tawnies.
Young Tawny Frogmouth (image: Paul Wright)
The young tawnies would fly and perch close by, apparently unconcerned by human presence. I have wondered before whether young birds take some time to learn caution. But maybe in the case of tawnies they are just emboldened by the dark. Anyway, keep an eye out for Tawny Frogmouths, and see if you can beat their camouflage puzzle.
James Orton