The last few weeks have been good for bird sightings at the Distillery Creek picnic area. Satin Flycatchers have returned to breed in the area – see a male in full cry below. This photo was taken at the Distillery Creek ‘pond’, a great place for those who like to sit and have the birds come to them!
Satin Flycatcher
The excited calls of Rufous Whistlers are back, as well as the insistent calling of cuckoos. Also present: determined Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, swooping Dusky Woodswallows and occasional zebra-faced Eastern Shrike-tits.
Yellow Faced Honeyeater
Recent highlights include Pallid Cuckoo, Restless Flycatcher and on the ground floor a Painted Button-quail was seen, proving sometimes the birds are below eye level.
At the beach, the Hooded Plover team were ecstatic at the fledging of a bird before Christmas, which is early in the season and a good sign. Four nests in the area are currently being monitored.
James Orton
Images: Rob Shepherd