aussiebirder

We have been blessed with some warm crisp Winter days emerging from quite cold mornings. We are thankful for the warm sun as it relaxes and cheers us as the day progresses. My wife and I decided on a riverside walk along our local Georges River leading into Botany Bay. Being it Winter we do not expect to see many waders as most have returned to the Northern Hemisphere to breed. As we walked we noticed the tide approaching its fullness and the small mixed group of waterbirds gathered at the waters edge, preparing to leave. The common Silver Gull, the endangered Pied Oystercatcher, the pair of large Kelp Gull which we only see in Winter and younger stayover Bar-tailed Godwit which did not make the journey north, were standing together. Kelp Gull are found further south but in Winter some fly north to our coast. They are differentiated from the large Pacific Gull by only having a single red lip-stick marking on their lower beak and not on both beaks. Click on an image to enlarge it.

As we watched the small gathering by the water we noticed a couple of Silver Gulls (seagulls) bullying the smaller Bar-tailed Godwit and move them on. The Godwits are a timid bird. If only the gulls realised how amazing the Godwits were flying the longest distance of any bird in the world in its migratory flight from Alaska and Siberia to Australia and New Zealand in 6 to 8 days non stop across the Pacific Ocean, they might have had more respect. Maybe the gulls are jealous of the Godwit’s ability to forage deeper than them and that is why they bully them.

As we walked further around the river we saw a large flock of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and a smaller flock od Little Corella eating nuts and seed from the Norfolk Pine trees that had fallen on the ground. Some were eating roots from the grass as well. Adult Sulphur-crested Cockatoo always choose to presents its food to its mouth with its left claw. Birds of the Parrot family (which includes Cockatoo) in their many species in Australia, are some of our cleverest birds and unlike many other bird species, are able to bring their food to their mouth by standing on their right leg and using their left as a hand. However, the young juvenile birds experiment with using either leg to feed with, but eventually as they mature always, choose to use their left claw.

Now here is images of the same bird using left and right claws to feed with.

Across the road in the park there was quite a gathering of Cockatoo in a mixed flock of Sulphur-crested and Corella species. The Corella are distinguished by their distinctly pink lores and white crest, which may be raised and lowered depending on their emotional state, in a similar way to the Sulphur-crested with their yellow crest. These two species are often found feeding together

We thoroughly enjoyed our walk in the sun on our river side walk.

If you are looking for a uniquely different gift that will not only teach the reader about Australian birds with its beautiful images and text but will also teach life skills from each bird. Ten years and many thousands of book sales later, my books are still among some of the best selling non fiction children books. Overseas visitors prefer to take home my books as a genuine all Australian produced and printed souvenir. They can be purchased CLICK HERE to purchase ONLINE or from Harry Hartog Booksellers, most National Parks Visitor Information Centres and many Regional Visitor Information Centres NSW. Broome Bird Observatory WA and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Gift shop QUE are included.

Many people are familiar with the Ten Commandments that God gave Moses on Mt Saini which are found in Exodus 20:2-17 of the the Old Testament. The last commandment is often the one most people miss, and do not realise. You shall not covet [strongly desire or lust after] anything belonging to another person. Yet often it is broken when each of the other nine are broken. So when someone Steals from another they first covet or desire or lust after their possessions which they take from the lawful owner. When they commit adultery, likewise lust is a coveting after another’s lawful wife or husband and so it is for all the other commandments. Contentment is the greatest goal for human kind to achieving a life of peace, joy, and righteousness. Paul the apostle who had experienced more hardships and sufferings than most people in his lifetime said: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” – Philippians 4:12 (NIV)

The fruit of true contentment is a product of our loving relationship and total dependence on God our Heavenly Father who constantly provides abundantly all of our needs each day. It is through the righteous life, sufferings, death and resurrection of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that we are granted as a free gift if we repent [turn away from] of our selfish lusting sinfully behaviour and place our trust and hope in him. He will grant the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit who will bring a peace and joy which this world so much desires and lusts after but can only be found in Jesus through his Holy Spirit.

<<< Back To Top of Page >>>

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