aussiebirder

My wife and I travelled up the coast for a few days to visit a friend with whom we had become reacquainted with in recent years. My friend and I went through school together on the Central Coast and as young teens would spend time exploring Sydney by train. My friend and his wife hosted our stay in Port Macquarie, where in their backyard they would see many species of rainforest birds seeking the fruit of their various fruit trees which are presently fruiting, including their huge mulberry tree, which even though was netted, the birds continued to enter beneath and feed. We have fond memories as boys raiding a huge mulberry tree near our homes after school and coming home with mulberry stains on our face and clothing. Though the Noisy Miner tried to ward off other birds and keep the tree to themselves, the male Satin Bowerbird continued to come and eat of its ripe delights.

These birds have a beautiful blue sheen to their plumage and a mauve/pink eye. They also use blue objects to decorate their bower to enhance their own blue beauty to the female. He builds the bower to attract the female for courting and mating as he performs his song and dance routine as she stands in the bower. If she stays he mates with her, if she is not impressed by the performance will leave and find another competing bower. My friend’s wife showed us his bower. Later the female also showed up in the yard, she has quite different plumage.

Other birds that came to the yard while we were there were the beautiful Eastern Rosella which had a nesting box at the side of their house, the Spotted Dove, Australasian Figbird, Little Wattlebird, Rainbow Lorikeet and in Spring and Summer the Eastern Koel. Click on image to enlarge it.

One place we always visit with our friends when in Port is the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre which is run by NSW National Parks. This is another place you can purchase my Beautiful Bird Books which are available also here on this website. It was one of the first places where my books were sold over nine years ago. So we went and had a a walk and lunch at the rainforest cafe. This is one of the last preserved areas on the east coast of pure littoral rainforest near the ocean. Click on image to find out more, it will open on another page.

One special bird we seldom see was spotted several times on our walk was the Spectacled Monarch. We commonly see the Black-faced Monarch in our local Royal NP, but the spectacled is rarer, and quite elusive. The Monarchs have a beautiful song.

Other rainforest birds sighted were the Eastern Yellow Robin, male Golden Whistler with its joyful melodious call, female White-throated Treecreeper and the resident Powerful Owl which I have sighted here in previous posts. Sadly we did not see or hear the Green Catbird which as unusual.

Rainforest vegetation is quite unique from all others. It is much cooler and quite refreshing on a hot day under the tall rainforest tree canopy, and the vegetation is thick with many vines and lianas as well as Birds Nest Fern and Strangler Fig.

We all enjoyed a lovely lunch in the cafe and highly recommend a visit to this park when in Port Macquarie.

Enjoy your week and have some mindful birding moments as you embrace the fresh air and forests where birds love to play. This Saturday I will be doing a book signing at Harry Hartog Bookshop in Miranda Fair. Drop in if you are in the centre and say Hi. My books will be at a sale price during my time there.

God our Heavenly Father calls us to enjoy Him, which is life’s supreme joy for which we were all created. King David of old knew this joy and sang about it. Jesus came to earth as a man to make this possible for each one of us though God cancelling out our sin record through the death of Jesus on our behalf. Now the loving Father invites you with open arms to come into his loving embrace free of all guilt and fear of punishment:

“You show me the Way of Life, allowing me into the joy of Your Presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.” – Psalm 16:11

The following video is for those who are suffering recent loss and are grieving – may you be comforted:

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

Member of Birdlife Australia

To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed  by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.