Autumn Arrives

The past few weeks has seen the temperature drop back into bearable range, and allowed for easier birding. And the birds seem to be enjoying the cooler conditions too. Late last month I had the privilege of leading a group of 24 bird-watchers from Port Macquarie around Manilla. It was a great day out with the highlights being a pair of Black Falcons at the Manilla STW, a few Red-kneed Dotterels at Borah Crossing TSR, the regulars at Dowe NP such as Chestnut-rumped and Inland Thornbills, Blue-Bonnets, Grey-crowned Babblers, Southern Whiteface and Western Gerygones. There were no Painted Honeyeaters found at Rangari, but the weather turned sour there hindering our efforts. Not before a group of eight Ground Cuckoo-shrikes were located, and a couple of Singing Honeyeaters too.

Sorry, no pictures that day as I was too busy leading the group around. But the pictures have flowed off the camera this weekend just gone. For the parrot lovers out there I finally got a half-decent shot of the beautiful Turquoise Parrot. This parrot is endangered in New South Wales. The male is more brightly coloured, but even the female is lovely!

Turquoise Parrot

Male Turquoise Parrot feeding behind log.

Turquoise Parrot up tree.

Female Turquoise Parrot

In the same small reserve were other endangered and uncommon species. The finch lovers may enjoy the stunning Diamond Firetails. Three of them were buzzing around, and finally landed near me briefly.

Diamond Firetail

Diamond Firetail

Also coming and going were a group of Plum-headed Finches, which are not generally regarded as common in New South Wales. This one was feeding on grasses along the bank of a small dam.

Plum-headed Finch

The last bird of interest in this reserve 25kms from Manilla was the Hooded Robin. They are declining in numbers and now also listed as endangered. They were actively feeding from low branches and even rocks, and the male was seen to be enjoying a worm for breakfast. Afterall, the early bird catches the worm!

Female on the left, male on the right; Hooded Robins

Male Hooded Robin enjoying a worm.

Hooded Robin, male.

Hooded Robin, male.

Today I came across a group of about six White-backed Swallows. Most people in Australia are familiar with the Welcome Swallow but probably only bird-watchers even know about White-backed Swallows. They are the least common Martin or Swallow in Australia by a long way being generally uncommon. Theyprefer sandy creek banks to nest in, and are quite stunning! Unfortunately my photos do not do them justice. You will have to try and find one for yourself!

White-backed Swallow.

White-backed Swallows.

White-backed Swallow

More Robins and a Parrot

I am lucky to have seven species of Robins within a few hours of my place, and today I was lucky enough to find and photograph the most common sort; Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis. We pulled in for a picnic lunch at a roadside TSR (Travelling Stock Reserve) just north of Barraba and were greeted with a small number of these Robins and about six endangered Brown Treecreepers. As you can tell from the pcitures, the Robins like perching on any branch and are inquisitive. They dart onto the ground to catch their prey. They feed on insect, spiders and anthropods.

After we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the winter sun and out of the winter breeze we went for a walk up a nearby hill where this view welcomed us!

Panorama from the top of Lower Bottom Mountain TSR, Barraba

 After a short rest up top it was time to return to the car and continue on our journey. My wife headed off and arrived at our picnic spot first. I saw her motion for me and she had her "I've found a bird" look..... I was able to get one photo of the bird she found before my camera battery ran out of charge.

Male Turquoise Parrot

She had found a small group of Turquoise Parrots Neophema pulchella. They are endangered. In fact they were considered extinct in 1915 before returning gradually since then. They had been caught for averies and shot for pie-fillings! Their beauty is not really shown by that photo. 

Sadly, since my camera had ran out of batteries I couldn't get any more photos. Thus, the next bird landed in a low bush right next to me and it was a male Golden Whistler..... oh well let's hope I can get his picture next time!