Dry Rainforest at Rushes Creek

Dry Rainforest sounds like a misnomer, but it is indeed a classified forest type in Australia. It can handle dry seasons, typically Spring, has less understorey vegetation but still very good bird diversity. It is common around Lismore, the Upper Macleay and Manning but I had not heard anything about it in the Hastings valley which sits between the last two I mentioned. Yet on closer inspection of my father-in-laws property at Rushes Creek near Ellenborough vast swags of the forest here is Dry Rainforest.

Looking up into the canopy.

From left to right: myself, Peter, Julia and Tony

  

I was able to share this morning with good friends Peter, Julia and Tony, all from nearby Port Macquarie. Even before we got to the area I wanted to explore we had a handy list from the drive in including Wompoo Fruit-dove, Large-billed Scrubwren, Bell Miner and Restless Flycatcher to name a few.

We were now greeted by calls of the Emerald Dove, then we flushed a Wonga Pigeon. Both Spectacled and Black-faced Monarchs were easily found.

We ventured into the forest along an old snigging trail. A pair of Rose Robins flitted about noisily above us, but they remained high enough to remain hidden from some of those with me. We added Green Catbird, Regent Bowerbird and Pale Yellow Robin along the trail, but it was getting harder to navigate around the fallen trees and overgrown regrowth. We made one last desperate bid up the trail as a Rose-crowned Fruit-dove was calling up ahead, but in vain. We had all heard it so that will do today!

Green Catbird hopping around the middle levels of the forest.

We decided to return along the creek, which was easier than along the path! My ears alerted me to a Russet-tailed Thrush. But when I popped my head over the bank it scurried away. A Logrunner remained for a minute though. In the same area on the opposite side if the creek I heard tell-tale signs of wildlife: leaf litter being scratched. I snuck in and eventually found a young Noisy Pitta. The rest of the group came in and we all stood about 3 metres from it as it sat motionless on the forest floor.

I had noticed a Rufous Fantail and its wineglass nest in the area while searching for the Pitta, but now struggled to re-locate it. Eventually I did but could only get this angle photo of it: directly underneath!!

Young Noisy Pitta squatting on the forest floor.

Perhaps the worst angle for a photo of the Rufous Fantail nest!!!

We finally found the Thrush briefly and returned to our car for morning tea happy with our effort. As we sat there I heard the contact call of a Crested Shrike-tit which came over close enough for a photo.

Crested Shrike-tit

On our exit we identified an area of farmland that should support Red-backed Fairy-wrens and we left the comfort of the air-conditioned car and walked over to a fence. There were lots of Superb Fairy-wrens.... and finally a male Red-backed came into view! Stunning little guy! But by now the thermometer was pushing mid 30's so back to the car and head for home....

Male Red-backed Fairy-wren

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