aussiebirder

Thankfully my wife and visiting grandson managed to have a walk in our local nature reserve on a day that rain was predicted, but unexpectedly turned out to be a beautiful sunny winter morning. On our walk we were told by other birders that our Powerful Owl was quite visible, so we quickly made our way to the nesting tree, as we wanted the grandson to see it. We found the male resting well back into the mangroves with a clear line of sight to the nest. He had what appeared to be a Grey-headed Flying fox body hanging from its talon, having eaten its head, as they do. We were delighted that the result of his warding off the Raven attack allowed us to get our first good profile images of the male.

The owl was stressed because it was being mobbed by a small flock of Australian Raven which were trying to remove it from the area as they are a threat to them. Owls eat birds as well as possum, cats, gliders etc. We added Flying-Fox to the menu, as this was the first one we had seen as his prey.

We had another birder point out that the female was not in the nest but perched near the nest high above the track and was being mobbed by a small flock of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo who were loudly and raucously attacking it, as well as raising their head cones to show their displeasure and stress.

The female finally flew off I managed only blurred images as it caught me off guard. The Ravens eventually gave up their attempts also and peace returned to the nesting area. Other birders said they had seen the Cockatoo in the nesting hole yesterday, so it is all a mystery as to what has been transpiring in the last two months, as we know this is where the Owls nest. They failed to nest last year as the Southern Boobook occupied the nest and it may also repeat this year.

Here are some of the other passerines that were actively foraging in the casuarina pine trees beside the track. There was a lot more activity since our last visit. Click on image to enlarge it.

Being the middle of winter we begin to seeing some beautiful bush flowers including the Grey Spider Grevillea and the ‘Eggs and Bacon’ pea flowers also known as the Parrot Pea which are common this time of year.

Meanwhile down by the creek which waters the mangroves it was low tide which is the best time to look out for waders on the sand bar which can be viewed from the walking bridge across the creek. A lone Royal Spoonbill was making the most of the time as it foraged vigorously using its classic scythe action to detect marine insects and fish. It has sensors along the outside of its bill which detect any contact which it rapidly consumes with its broad bill while a male and female Chestnut Teal enjoy the water nearby.

Also on the bank nearby was alone Little Black Cormorant looking quite lost and dishevelled and a White-faced Heron displaying beautiful breeding plumage.

All up it was a lovely walk which my grandson enjoyed as a break away from his university studies as he says he enjoys going on our little adventures as he calls them, when visiting us during his break.

Learn more about these amazing birds from my unique book “What Birds Teach Us”. Click on the images below to find out more:

Unlike the Powerful Owl and its hardships, being unpopular with other birds and being vulnerable recently to death from ingestion of fox bates, a person who places their trust in their loving Heavenly Father God through faith in the Lord Jesus can experience the peace, rest, joy and de stress knowing that no matter what happens to them, God is always working to mature and shape their character through both their good and bad experiences and will never leave or desert them. Jesus is our forever friend. No matter what may happens to us, we have the hope and assurance we are safe and will pass from this life to join him one day when our body dies, for we are eternal spirits that inhabit non permanent deteriorating physical bodies. We believe that a never dying incorruptible eternal body awaits those who put their trust in him for salvation.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

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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.

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