Temagog Birds

Over the weekend I returned to one of my old stomping grounds where I have spent much time birding. Temagog is about 20 minutes west of Kempsey and is in a somewhat drier climate to much of coastal New South Wales. This has provided a mixture of species and habitats. I have recorded 171 species on and around my parents farm. This weekend was warm and sunny. The first species I was able to photograph was Scaly-breasted Lorikeets as they fed in some bushes in the yard. After we fed the goats, budgies and chooks we went and visited the neighbour who feeds the wild birds at 4pm everyday. My son enjoyed throwing the seeds out for them all, then in they came! There were Rainbow Lorikeets, Australian Wood Ducks, Peaceful Doves, White-headed Pigeons, Galahs and even Magpies!

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

Male Wood Duck and Rainbow Lorikeets

Female Wood Duck and Galahs

White-headed Pigeons and Rianbow Lorikeets

Peaceful Doves

Noisy Miner

The following morning I set off wanting to photograph a Red-backed Fairy-wren. Over the course of the short walk I actually photographed all three species of Fairy-wrens that can be found along the coast in northern New South Wales, but sadly I only got one male in his breeding costume. That was the Variegated Fairy-wren. Upon my return to the house area a small bird flew in front of me to a nearby tree. I thought Mistletoebird as I saw red on it, but then it called.... Scarlet Robin male!!! I could scarcely believe it! As I mentioned in an earlier post about them, they often leave the mountains during winter. They had frequented Temagog farm every winter for about 4 seasons over ten years ago when I was living there, and here he was again. He looked brilliant!

Male Variegated Fairy-wren

Male non-breeding Superb Fairy-wren

Female Red-backed Fairy-wren

Female Red-backed Fairy-wren

Male Scarlet Robin

Back in the house yard I was on a high. Then I heard the contact squeak of the Rose Robin. I had a distant shot of it from the day before, but I thought I would try again. This time it came down for a look in the citrus tree and stayed nearby for enough time to get a few shots. It too descends from the high country forests to lower, warmer country in the winter. At one stage I had two males in the same bush! It was Red Robin Birding at its best!!

Male Rose Robin