aussiebirder

Last weekend while recovering from our recent illness my wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary in the Capertee Valley in Gardens of Stone and Capertee National Parks staying at a luxury accommodation called Belle Bois (beautiful timber or trees) which we highly recommend which is owned and run by Wendy who is the chairperson of the annual Capertee Valley Bird Festival held in Spring. Capertee is one of the world’s top 50 birding sites which people from all over the world visit each year in search of the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater which nests by the Capertee River and feeds from the many mature Mugga Ironbark Tree blossoms which are essential to their health and that of their young. The Capertee Valley in NSW is the widest canyon or valley in the world, being 30 km (19 miles) at its widest point, 1 km wider than the Grand Canyon in USA. Click on images to enlarge.

At present the Mistletoe blossom is providing nectar for the many species of birds as the Ironbarks will not flower till next Spring. The valley, situated at the north west of the Blue Mountains, has its own sub climate which has many species of birds. It is a very quiet place to stay with a beautiful morning chorus of birdsong where one can here the beautiful chimes of the Pied Butcherbird (one of my most favorite songbirds) with the laugh of the Grey Butcherbird calling together. You can also hear the repetitive call of the Peaceful Dove in the background. Listen !

Morning Chorus featuring the beautiful chimes of the Pied Butcherbird

This time of year is not the best for birding here, and the weather was cloudy and wet so we were thankful for what we did see. The Noisy Friarbird and Noisy Miner were the most numerous and noisiest of the birds feeding in the the Mistletoe blossom (for nectar) and Ironbark trees (for lerps)

Here is an example of the very aggressive Noisy Friarbird being noisy, as they communicate to one another and often chase and squabble among themselves as they selfishly pursue blossom. The Friarbird gets its name from its appearance. Its bald head and drab plumage resemble that of a monk. Listen to the noisy chuckle of the Friarbird as it feeds.

As we looked out from our room at Belle Bois we could watch the local Eastern Grey Kangaroo. I was chased by one male which was quite unusual. This was a beautiful peaceful vista at the backdrop of the valley walls. Kangaroos can hold off birthing till season is good, this is why we see so many young. Usually one boomer (alpha male) has a harem of several females.

We also noted these Straw-necked Ibis grazing in a paddock displaying their beautiful plumage in what little sun there was.

Our greatest find in the Ironbark trees at Belle Bois was this Brown-headed Honeyeater which is found in this area feeding on the Mistletoe and lerps from the Ironbark trees.

Have a wonderful week and hopefully one day may be good for a birding date, as the changing season is somewhat unpredictable with rain and dull weather and fewer birds. If your are new to my Blog, Welcome ! Check out my Home Page for info on Birding and tips you can learn from them to de stress. Info also on establishing your own backyard birdbath to enjoy the antics of the birds drinking and bathing.

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

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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, 2026