aussiebirder

We finally received a really lovely warm Autumn afternoon for a walk, so my wife and I asked a friend of hers to join us for a bird walk down our usual National Park track. After a tasty burger lunch from our local award winning burger shop we drove to our usual parking spot and commenced our walk. We did not see the Azure Kingfisher that we saw and posted last week on the river, but we did see many Satin Bowerbirds busily feeding on the now ripe figs on the Big Fig at Big Fig Flat by the river. Figs make up their staple diet. Most of the birds were female or juvenile birds. I managed to catch an occasional glimpse as they moved through the thick foliage of the dense and dark fig tree. The extremely shy and elusive male to whom the satin name applies was difficult of all to capture. Click on images to enlarge them

Several species of native songbird presented themselves briefly before I could photograph them, though my wife and her friend had some lovely views through their binoculars.

It was lovely catching this pair of Red-browed Finch which are tiny seed eating birds found in family flocks. They are also one of our Firetail species due to their bright red tail.

It was a plus for our friend to see this female White-throated Treecreeper climbing a Eucalypt, as she could hear them but they can be difficult to spot, especially since they prefer to climb to darker side of the tree trunk as they poke the bark for insects and grubs. When they reach the top of the tree they fly to the base of another nearby tree and commence the climb making their classic climbing call.

While we rested at the picnic table our friend sighted this bright Eastern Crimson Rosella quietly feeding on the seed pods in a nearby tree, trying to be inconspicuous.

The delight of the afternoon was the seeing the other bright red bird in the park, the tiny Scarlet Honeyeater which flies above and within the canopy of the very tall eucalypt trees in small flocks constantly communicating with their very high pitched ascending calls similar to the Fantails. It is a challenge to photograph these birds flying rapidly from branch to branch high up either in the darkness of the canopy or in bright sunlight. Most images have to be adjusted for the darkness. The photos are mainly of the male which has the bright chest colouring. The female and juvenile have only a faint wash of red on their face and neck. Click on mages to enlarge them.

Here is some brief video of the bird calling. Note the high pitch as it calls and received calls. Note its rapid movements as it searches for food. These birds also feed on nectar, insects and lerps.

Scarlet Honeyeater foraging and calling

Lastly, we noted this Eastern Spinebill another honeyeater species feeding from the current Banksia spinulosa flower heads which are very high in nectar. This is one of the few nectar producing flowers at this dormant stage and resting Autumn season.

Enjoy your week and take in some birding if you are able. We are all currently very concerned about the H5N1 deadly bird flu which has been reported by Birdlife Australia in species of birds on the sub Antarctic Heard Island. If the disease spreads to Australia and other continents it will be devastating to both birds and mammals causing severe pneumonia and multi-organ failure.

Our Almighty Everlasting Creator and Sustainer – Father God has been seeking out those who have come to realise the Truth – that ones selfish sinful defiant attitude to His authority only ends in restlessness, fear, loneliness, poverty, depression of spirit and eventually hopelessness realising that we cannot save ourselves from ourselves or from the aging, death and ultimate unknown that follows.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He [Jesus] was in the world, and the world was created by him, but [we] the world did not recognize him. He came to what was his own [the Jews], but his own people did not receive him.  But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children.” – John 1:9-12

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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, 2026