Around Manilla

Yesterday was a restful day at our house after a crazy busy week. The weather added to our need to rest as it was miserable; cold, showery and windy. Some places higher in elevation received a dusting of snow. Eventually after lunch I lured the family out for a walk to the river. We have a very pleasant short walk to the river here. Today was no exception apart from the shower of rain on our way home and the coolish conditions. Within 5 minutes I came across an Australian Hobby frozen (??) on the powerlines. He allowed a close approach an thus some nice shots on my Panasonic 60x zoom camera (which I am compiling a review of for those contemplating getting a non-SLR birding camera).

Australian Hobby posing nicely for the camera!

We continued down to the river where the birdlife was like the weather, dull. We avoided the local footy game nearby which was obviously being won by Manilla, and came and instead flushed a pair of Eastern Rosellas from the roadside. Unfortunately they hid in a bush and the rear-angle picture of the female below was the best I could manage.

Female Eastern Rosella

Hopefully things at home will begin to settle down and there will be more time for serious birding. I'm still working on a website, putting up some pictures and imagining how I could guide and assist birders around this area or wherever they like in Australia. Check it out if you like at www.climacteris.wix.com/redrobinbirding. Anyway, this last picture summed up the outlook around Manilla yesterday.

Rain clouds, sunshine and a quiet paddock in Manilla.

Quipolly Dams

I called in to Quipolly Dams on my return from preaching at Quirindi SDA church today. Once again my young son Isaiah was with me to add to tbe ambience of each dam. It had been nearly 15 years since my only other visit.

I was greeted by two dogs near the birdhide. Not sure if they were locals or wild as they quickly dashed into the forest, suggesting the latter. The old dam is full of water, Hardheads and Coots. After a thorough scan I came across the bright blue bill of the so-named duck. It is a year bird, but not for my TRC challenge as this site is about 30 kms out of the region.  Another interesting observation were the pair of Australian Hobby's which bothered the wildlife frequently. They can be seen in this phone picture resting in a gum that overlooks the dam.

We then headed to the main dam. There are plenty of birds there currently, but not too many species. Great Crested Grebes, Black Swans and Pelicans are about 90% of the wildlife. There are only a few, including Musk Ducks. Throw in a Stilt or two, two Sea Eagles, Cormorants and an Echinda and that about covers it! Oh, and there was the familiar sound of Little Grassbirds too, pushing my year tally to 233.

Australian Hobbies

Main Quipolly Dam