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White-throated Treecreeper quietly creeping up the tree

As we move into lock down and the new terms self isolation and social distancing now become part of our vocab, as well as the latest catchphrase: ” Stay Safe!”, like Leut. James Cook, we chart and map new waters and places we have not been to before in this pandemic plague. Since midnight we are now discouraged strongly from venturing out into our local national parks, which are now closed with staff forced to take leave, so this post comes from my wife and I last Friday, where we socially distanced alone in the forest of our local Nasho (i.e. Royal National Park).

Of course from today this is now changed, and many of us are figuring out how to navigate the coming weeks with the government’s imposed changes. This will have some impact on birders and birding blogs. Thankfully this is a time of year when bird numbers and species are fewer in our area. It may mean for some, photographing the birds they can see from their homes, such as these Kookaburras who called on the TV areal next door for the first time ever, having been chased by a coalition of Noisy Miner. Notice the aggression, finally they both left. Now I know why we never see them here anymore.

Last week I mentioned how my wife and I noticed the spooky quietness of an usually noisy bird filled forest as we walked together in the Nasho. However, returning a week later we discovered why. It was not that the birds were not there, they were just not singing or calling to one another, they were quiet, which is customary during non-breeding season for many honeyeaters and whistlers to mention but two. We found small pockets of birds at a time where very few native plants were flowering or fruiting. I spotted this White-browed Treecreeper climbing and foraging in the bark for insects and grubs. It is usual to hear its loud call as it ascends the eucalypt tree, but no sound was heard. Notice his bark flicking technique as burrows for insects and grubs.

You can see why this bird is difficult to see, and usually only detected by its call, so I did well to find it. My wife took the still shots, as my lens is still coming, like a lot of other things including life as we have known it, put on hold at present.

Here is an example of what this bird would normally sound like.

Walking further my wife spotted a male Golden Whistler, who usually sings his heart out while courting and nesting during Spring and Summer, but is now quiet, shy and difficult to find. His female partner turned up also, but she is not as timid, and as per usual, came close, landed and looked at us out of one eye, and left. Here is the male.

Here is the female. Notice as with many birds the mature adult male has the bright coloration, which is the hallmark of the species and the female the more earthy brown, green or grey plumage which affords protection when nesting, giving camouflage protection from would be predators.

As we walked we did hear the call of the Lewin’s Honeyeater which we always hear here, but did not see it. I noticed this tiny yellow object sitting high in an Angophora tree, near a hole, which is a classic of this tree used by cockies, lorikeets for nesting and owls for living. Usually this resident Eastern Yellow Robin would greet us as we passed by and sometimes follow or lead us along the track, but not today.

These unique holes form when the branch dies inside and falls, as the tree repairs itself. This tree known as the Sydney Red Gum has a nickname to the early European settlers as The Widow Maker because when the branch fell, there was no warning of it breaking, it just silently fell out of the hole, killing anyone below.

As we looked through the trees another silent inhabitant, the Eastern Water Dragon, was sun bathing in the warm afternoon sun over the river which follows our track.

We were hoping the Rufous Fantail had returned for Autumn, but no sign as yet. This is the palm forest we usually find them flitting about in.

As we returned, we noticed a flock of Australian Wood Duck, usually seen grazing on grass seed beside the Hacking River. They are very tame and carry on eating while we stand right next to them. These birds pair for life, and have the father assists the mother duck throughout nesting and fledging.

Our last observation was this small family of Magpie, dad, mum and the juvenile. Interesting there is only one this season, as this couple usually have two or three young. A human family are having fun playing together nearby as they social distance themselves, while a Magpie family help themselves to picnic leftovers. Notice the aggressive behaviour of the father to junior.

Magpies in small family groups tend to be successful breeders, as they hold their territory and do not have the complex social structure of the magpie clans that also exist. This magpie family have held this choice area for some years, which is a credit to the male. The next territory is about 100 meters away. Because the pickings are so good here, everyone appears to tolerate each other well.

The juvenile is still learning the craft of Magpie wisdom and would be a product of the last Spring. Most of the young of our large black or pied omnivorous birds have brown plumage with dark eyes and beak. They will undergo changes for the next 2 to 3 years to full black and white adult.

Juvenile Aust. Eastern Magpie

On a different note:

Silvereye trapped in netting (photo by Tony D’Abrera)

You may remember I quoted from Psalm 91 a couple of weeks ago, which Moses is attributed to writing: “Surely He shall deliver you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence…” The Fowler trapped and caught wild birds as an occupation, to sell or eat for food. My brother-in-law Tony in Canberra, showed me this photo of him holding a little Silvereye, which he had found entangled in the netting (seen in background) to protect his fruit tree from birds and bats.

A bird in the hand. You would think this bird was his pet. The bird does not look distressed. This bird was set free from being trapped, which is the direct opposite to that of the action of the Fowler or enemy that seeks to destroy our lives. This is the beautiful illustration of how God saves us, out of the enemies snare, and holds our life in the palm of his hand. Many at this time, in our current circumstances, are turning to Psalm 91 as an appropriate prayer of faith. Another beautiful aspect this photo depicts is how God:

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” – Isaiah 41:13

“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me…” – Psalm 139: 5,6

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139: 9,10

This pandemic is an opportunity for many to pray and seek God, who is Love, and has taken the initiative to breach the broken relationship we each have with him by sending his son Jesus to suffer on our behalf, so that we can become his friends again and establish a relationship of peace and trust that enables us to have the hope and assurance that he is with us through this pandemic storm, as Moses declared in Psalm 91 when he describes God to be like a large bird, protecting its chicks under its wings.

Interesting as it is, Jesus referred to the obstinate and rebellious Jews of his day, who trusted in their own selfishness pride rather than in God’s saving power, as chicks:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” – Matthew 23:37 & Luke 13:34

There are at present, at this unprecedented time, more podcasts and online presentations by churches and people of faith than ever before in internet history. As we are confined to our homes there is time for us to take a break from our busy lives, reflect, contemplate and explore the meaning of life. You may like to explore my Birder Sanctuary Portal through which one can discover how Jesus, also a birdwatcher, used birds to relate aspects of faith for living the best life possible.

Enjoy your week as best you can. Stay Safe and Stay Sane!

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.

Green Parakeet

As we globally enter the season of social distancing and voluntary isolation, life as we have known it has changed. Thankfully, we do have our National Parks and Reserves to escape to, to bring healing and some normalization to our lives at this uncertain time in history. Though this also could change in the coming days. My wife and I continue to escape when we can to these havens. Last week we visited Dolls Point to see how our wader friends the Bar-tailed Godwit are doing, as they eat incessantly to fatten themselves for the journey north, which I thought they may have already flown. But with the warm weather remaining longer, they may leave in the next week or two.

As you can see they are at various stages of breeding plumage, with the male in this clan brightest orange and the females now showing a much fainter orange. There are also some not showing any breeding plumage which may be immature.

This Godwit below is possibly a female, showing the lighter breeding plumage. The females are also slightly larger and have slightly longer beaks.

A small company of Light-blue Soldier Crabs marched across the mudflats.

As we watched the Godwits to our surprise my wife noticed this small bright green object, which stood out like a sore thumb on the sand. We knew it was a native bird of our country, and suspected it to be an escaped pet as Green Parakeets are American birds. It appeared quite tame and came right up to us, but was not in any distress, but just rested on the sand with other birds nearby.

One think I have learnt as a birder over the years is that birds of the Parrot family as pretty and innocent as they look, are not to be reckoned with lightly by other bird species. They have one of the most painful bites. Even the Noisy Miner gives respect to the Rainbow Lorikeet here in Sydney. Watch how this much larger Silver Gull responds when he approaches this lovely little Parakeet.

Well if you think that this was an unexpected find, so was the much larger bird resting on the shoreline which caught our attention. Yes, it was a Kelp Gull, a bird we seldom see here on our beaches. The lipstick bottom beak identifies and differentiates it from the total lipstick beak of the almost identical Pacific Gull found in southern Australia.

On Sunday afternoon we walked in our local Royal National Park (or Nasho to the locals) , and found not only sparsity of people but also of birds. It was so quiet, as I kept saying to my wife, “It is so quiet! Autumn is usually quiet, but this is too quiet!” As we walked the streams, creeks and waterfalls were all flowing, which was a wonderful sound we have not experienced for a long time. As searched for the Azure Kingfisher beside the river we were greeted by a family of Pacific Black Duck, which are actually brown, not black as named. Yes, these are my wife’s pics, as I continue to wait from my lens repair.

Pacific Black Duck

This Dusky Moorhen stood by the water flicking its tail, a feature of some waterbirds, including the Australasian Swamphen. There are several ideas as to why they flick their tail of which I find too diverse to settle on one. We do know it communicates to other birds of the species, some say it may mean a warning or even intention to mate among other suggested reasons… mmm!

Soon after a young pair of Australian Wood Duck were strolling by the river eating grass seed, as this is what many grazing ducks and other passerines are eating at the end of Summer as the seasons change. Also, on this occasion the Kingfisher eluded us and flew some distance down the river.

As we walked quietly along the trail we were surprised there were no scratchings of the Lyrebird, nor any sounds of them. Since the months of smoke from bushfires I have not seen or heard them. It is disconcerting, as at this time of year the male will be preparing his mound and beginning to display for the females and mate, as Lyrebirds nest during the winter, unlike most birds. Suddenly, we heard a chattering nearby. It was a single Red-browed Finch, a fast moving little a seed eater.

I had to slow down this video clip so you could see him.

At this time of year there are the least number of nectar producing wildflowers, which means less birds, as most honeyeaters follow the blossom. Even the Banksia were all finished, and as Mountain Devil is not usually seen in the park, the Bush Fuchsiar flower was present in small numbers, which provided food for the non migratory Noisy Miner, which many find hard to believe it is actually a honeyeater, so here is the proof.

The tingling of the Eastern Crimson Rosella also caught our ear as it proceeded to feed from native berries above our head. On seeing us of course it tried to make itself unseen.

Another unexpected surprise for this time of year was to see a juvenile Black-faced Monarch. These birds usually migrate north to New Guinea and Northern Queensland during our winter months, so this one, born here in the park has not yet left. So we knew the parent was nearby. We saw the parent but it eluded any decent photo. The immature Monarch has much less black on its face. As it matures so the black increases. I slowed down the video so you could see its face before it flew. They are very shy birds, and don’t like their photo taken.

Here you can compare the juvenile and immature with the adult bird. There bright orange underbelly makes them easy to spot. These birds have a beautiful song which often makes them easy to find, but they were not chiming on this occasion.

Black-faced Monarch juvenile

Black-faced Monarch immature

Black-faced Monarch adult

Last of all as we turned to return to our car, my wife saw this Red-bellied Black Snake slithering away beside us on the trail. These are venomous but usually a shy snake,and and seldom cause any problem. They are the most common snake seen in the Sydney area. Unlike other more aggressive venomous snakes, Red-bellies do not need to hibernate through the Winter months. Often to the surprise of many international visitors to the Nasho they can be seen basking in the warm winter sun on the trial. If you approach stamping your feet, usually they will slither into the grass, as they have very poor eyesight and like most snakes have sensory devices on their body to detect ground vibrations. If they stand erect and challenge you, it is usually because they have young with them or you are standing between them and their nest, so just leave.

To top off the walk and having asked God to show us something special in the quiet forest, my wife potted a large entwined object hanging far out over the river, from a dead tree. It was a large Diamond Python, a beautiful harmless snake which many Aussies have as a pet. They are excellent mousers and ratters, far more effective than cats. Though my son’s little Toy Foxy dog was also better than cats as a mouser. It just slept in the afternoon sun, away from any contact. It must have heard the Prime Minister’s speech about practicing social distancing.

One of the important lessons from this virus plague is that it stops us in our busy tracks to consider how we are doing life, and how we might do things better. As from our two outings above, things were different, some were unexpected intrusions or inclusions. How we view change affects our emotional and physical well being considerably. The uncertainty of the untraveled path we are all travelling causes some anxiety for many, but one thing which I have come to know and believe over the years is that there is a Treasure in every Trial to be gleaned out. So I often say to those who ask for help: Don’t Miss the Treasure in the Trial. God may speak to us through our times of suffering and difficulty, and sometimes it is just a nudge to tell us he is there for us so just trust him and lean on him to take you through it. Unexpected change can bring good things into our lives also, we need to be looking for them with an attitude of gratitude as we all take notes in the Master Life Instructor’s school room of life.

Enjoy the rest of your week and stay safe as best you can.

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.

Nankeen Kestrel (female)

Autumn with the changing season brings with it beautiful birding weather, and an opportunity for my wife and I to have a birding date. Last Friday we drove off to Bushell’s Lagoon, north of Sydney, a birder’s delight, which has been a good provider of interesting birds over the years. We went early hoping to see flocks of waterbirds and see many passerine species. Set in the fertile Hawkesbury River flood plains surrounded by market gardens. To our surprise, when we arrived, the trees were almost birdless and the lagoon had become a lake after the recent heavy rain, but also devoid of birds. Compare the lagoon from late last year to now…

lagoon overgrown in drought.

Lagoon full after heavy rain

It was good to see it refreshed and the blue-green algae gone. However, there was just too much water for waterbirds to feed, so they had moved on for a spell. Our first encounter was a small family of Australian Black Swan. The fact that they had only one surviving signet indicates that the several species of raptor that hunt over these wetlands have reduced the brood, as this pair normally have a clutch of around 5 to 6 young.

Black Swan family

Signet and Eurasian Coot

These graceful birds gave a beautiful reflection in the still waters.

Swans feed mainly on water weed which they pull up from below the shallows. Watch the signet as it learns to feed, from copying the parent.

Yes, my lens is still waiting for parts, maybe the virus epidemic has infected it or at least had some affect on its delay! So again the photos are my wife’s work and the movies mine. You may remember the Australasian Bittern I posted here several times how this super-sleuth moved through the reeds right next to us. Now those reeds have died off and have been swamped, so there would be no way a Bittern in its right mind would be found here. This is how it previously looked.

Australasian Bittern hidden in reeds

Australasian Bittern camouflaged

Here is the same space now…

The other waterbird which is usually seen in large flocks was a pair of Pink-eared Ducks. The male is largest in size and has a more profound pink marking on the ear. There is usually alarge flock moving about this area, but not at the moment. The photos were taken some distance from the birds. As explained in my recent blog post on Australian ducks, the Pink-eared (or Zebra Duck) filters the water with its purpose designed shovel-like bill for tiny marine creatures.

One passerine that featured the whole time we were there was the Willy Wagtail. This brave and feisty little bird was singing its heart out the whole with its melodious song the whole time we were there. This is often the first bird we see and hear on each birding trip anywhere in Australia. This little fan-tailed flycatcher has a white line above the eye which changes in intensity and visibility depending on the emotional state of the bird. The more anxious the more white is seen.

Willy Wagtail

So this is what a small part of what was encountered on our walk along the lagoon track. A female Superb Fairy-wren, an Australasian Swamphen, the sound of the Willy Wagtail constantly calling and an Australian Reed-warbler.

Another passerine not seen here for a while, was a pair of Sacred Kingfisher looking beautiful in the sunlight.

Here are a few shots of this bright and beautiful bird in flight as it flew to its mate (movie stills).

Another bird that welcomes us everywhere we go of course is the Welcome Swallow.

Not finding much else, we made out way to Windsor for coffee and cake and shared crumbs with a Magpie pair who came inches from my feet. It was interesting when I experimented with the male, by pointing to a particular spot behind the table, it immediately ran to it and waited as if for more instruction. I was intrigued that it did not look around for food as other birds do, thinking I had thrown something.

male Australian ‘black-backed’ Magpie

Magpies are known to point using their whole body to inform their clan of danger or an intruder. Our next venture was to drive to Pitt Town Lagoon, another key waterbird haven nearby, which has also been filled after drought, and guess what?…

It proved to be even more birdless than Bushell’s. So we left and had fishnchips at our usual place in Windsor. As we made our way home my wife spotted a Nankeen Kestrel (one of the smallest falcons /raptors) on an electrical wire, just sitting quietly. It looked to be a female with its rufous head cap and tail. These raptors do not rely on speed to catch their prey, but have a hovering technique which I explain in more detail in my book “What Birds Teach Us.” which is soon to be republished in its 2nd Edition.

Autumn is known to have a change in bird numbers in particular passerines, but it was a surprise to see so few waterbirds. Despite this we both had an enjoyable day together on our birding date ending the day with an attitude of gratitude for the lovely weather and the birds we did see. Disappointment comes as a result of unfulfilled expectations. Each time we go out we ask “Father, what special gift have you got for us today.” Quoting the famous words of Forest Gump “You don’t know what you will get.” This is the element that makes birding so exciting, since birds can fly and move about, and flocks can move overnight. Unexpected visitors or migrants may pass through and rest awhile in places they are not normally seen.

A positive thankful attitude is actually healthy and strengthens the immune system, relieves stress and settles the heart rate and blood pressure. It has been found that prayer and trust to a higher being has an even more profound result. This can be particularly relevant at the moment with this contagious virus on the loose, with many anxious, afraid and panic buying, having to cue for hours to wait for the next shipment of toilet paper and tissues to arrive. There is One who has authority over all that is happening to us at this moment. God has not lost control as some think, even though our country has experienced devastating drought, then fires, then floods and now virus. He says over 360 times in the Bible: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you”. Someone once wrote from their deep faith and trust in God, where interestingly enough, God is depicted as a great protective bird, possibly an eagle:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter [those who seek to do you harm – terrorist?]
    and from the deadly pestilence [disease such as CORVID-19?].
He shall cover you with His feathers [ his peace and security],
    and under His wings you shall find protection;
    His faithfulness shall be your shield and wall.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
    nor of the arrow that flies by day;
nor of the pestilence that pursues in darkness,
    nor of the destruction that strikes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side
    and ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it shall not come near you.” – Psalm 91:1-7 (NEV)

My wife and I have found there is an unsurpassed peace and rest when we press into God, trusting him at his word even when life does not seem to make sense in the midst of the storm.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

If you are interested in exploring this further, and learn more of what Jesus taught from the birds, visit my Birder Sanctuary page.

Have a wonderful week and stay safe! The book is finally at the printers.

If this is your first visit to my blog, why not explore my birding website via the HomePage which has had a recent face lift with some additional pages and changes in preparation for the next book release. Learn about the value of installing a Birdbath.

A new Young Birders Page will be available soon targetting 8 to 12 year olds and will have a special place where they can learn about our birds. If you would like to preview it you may, and if you know children who might be interested tell them. This will be geared toward my schools presentations and book sales.

Birding for Beginners is now a more complete compilation of my birding hints and instruction, in one place. It might be worth an explore if you have not explored before.

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.

Male Bar-tailed Godwit developing its orange breeding plumage.

Autumn has arrived and with it cooler weather and much needed rain. In the deluge week previous our dam went from 42% to 82% full which is an amazing answer to prayer, considering the weather bureau’s long range forecast said no decent rain till May. Autumn means that our migratory waders are fattening themselves up ready to fly their 16,000 km journey in the next couple of weeks to the Arctic Circle countries of Alaska and Siberia.

My wife and I decided to take our Sunday afternoon walk past the beach on the Georges River mud flats at low-tide to check out the Bar-tailed Godwit males which would be already changing to breeding plumage. With my lens still awaiting repair, I took my trusty little Sony movie camera and my wife her Canon PowerShot (recent model), so we both contributed photo-wise to this post. The Bar-tailed Godwit, similar to many other migratory waders, does not nest here in Australia, but will fly to the food rich currents in the northern hemisphere during our winter to breed. Some of last years youngsters may stay here for the winter and return next year, we will have to wait and see. One would possibly not notice these birds, or realize how amazing they really are if they were not aware of them. Can you see how small they are viewed from the footpath?

Tidal river mud flats where waders graze. See how small they are from the road.

You can see below the difference from the non-breeding Godwit and the breeding. You will notice how the small family flock which has grown from 7 to 12 is seen on these mudflats almost every day of Summer. This lightly orange bird may be a male early changing or a female, as females have a much lighter breeding plumage and are generally slightly larger than the males.

There was a strong cool southerly blowing as we filmed this, and you will see the distinct bar-tail of the bird as the wind blows the tail feathers up while they forage. These birds are not showing breeding plumage and some younger birds from the previous year are among them. Sorry that the strong wind caused it to be destabilized.

In the following you will see both breeding and non-breeding birds foraging. Here the noticeable feature is the stability when the wind calmed. The main reason for the stability, for which I am truly thankful, was that it is now the 6th day after my heart procedure and my hand is so much steadier.and I feel like a new man. Notice the jack-hammer action of the male.

The male in the darkest breeding plumage appears to lead the flock with his partner keeping close behind, and the others eventually following. These birds are extracting very small mud crabs from beneath the wet sand. Notice how they also use their purpose built, intelligently designed beak, partially open to locate the crabs deep beneath the sand.

While we watched I noted a large bird in the distance on its own with a red beak, which we knew was a Caspian Tern. This is our largest Tern, and its speckled cap means it is non-breeding. We watched as it bathed and then preened.

By the water’s edge, Silver Gull and Crested Tern were sharing their daily ablutions, a lovely scene of acceptance and friendship.

Where a stream of fresh water poured out onto the beach a lone Australian White Ibis foraged.

Off we went on our walk around Botany Bay and as we went we found another little friendship between a Little Pied Cormorant and a Little Black Cormorants. Cormorants tend to share space with the various species of Cormorant.

Toward the end of our walk we found a Royal Spoonbill striking up a friendship with an Australian White Ibis as they scanned a creek bed together.

We later found what may have been its partner nearby sleeping. Notice there is no longer breeding plumage as the breeding season has ended. Many birds sleep with their head tucked under the feathers of their back, especially birds with large heavy beaks, to rest them and give their necks a rest also. The warmed air helps them sleep. They often also stand on one leg to rest the other, as they spend their lives standing.

We could hear and see many Little Corella flying over so we followed the sound to some pine trees in a nearby park. They appeared to be feeding on some fallen pine cones. Ferule Pigeons joined them, though I am not sure what they were eating.

The pine tree nearby was full of Little Corella. These birds are small cockatoos, often found feeding alongside other species of cockatoo. They are a flock bird (they fly with, meet their mate and nest with the flock) and are known for their playful antics, their affectionate behaviour to their mate to whom they pair for life. As it had became even more windy, as you will see in the next movie, we made our way back to our car having enjoyed our little Autumn Adventure.

There have been some changes made to my website pages. You might like to explore them, especially if this is your first visit to my blog. These can be accessed through my HomePage. The addition of the Young Birders page for young people (preteen and early teen) interested in birdwatching as a hobby, is open for feedback. This will complement the publishing of the 2nd Edition of my book which is taking longer than expected.

On our walk we had seen several birds of different species, sharing space together. The harmony of species living at peace. In the movie above we saw one pair showing loving affection to each other.

We also saw another pair where one bird made unwelcome or inappropriate advances to the other, causing distress to the partner, having to actively distance itself. Two very different situations. Respect, acceptance and understanding bring peace, harmony and security to a relationship, where intentions are accurately communicated to the partner. Aggressive, manipulative, controlling behaviour in any relationship is selfishly devoid of love and does not respect the partner nor their concerns.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” – Titus 3:1,2

Have a most enjoyable week and stay safe!

Thank you everyone who has been praying for a miracle healing for my heart. Just when I was giving up hope of ever experiencing normal again, it was granted me, and it is so great to feel normal again and have more energy. Praise be to God for his healing mercy!

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.

Wattle You Know About These – Our Largest Honeyeaters – The Wattlebirds ?

Posted by aussiebirder on March 3, 2020

Posted in: Australian Birds, Australian wildlife, Bird watching, Birding, Birds, Birdwatching, National Parks, Nature, Outings, Royal National park, Uncategorized, wildlife. Tagged: Little Wattlebird, Red Wattlebird, Yellow Wattlebird. 12 Comments

The Red, Little & Yellow Wattlebirds, our largest Honeyeaters

While I continue to wait for parts for my lens to come from abroad, and as the weather begins to cool down, and transition into our most bird less time of yea, my wife and I walked through our favorite reserve in the eerie quietness of what appeared to be a birdless forest. Then unexpectedly came the harsh grating throaty cough-like call of the Red Wattlebird. Ahh! there is a bird here and it is very obvious who it is!

So I decided to showcase this uniquely Aussie bird family, the Wattlebirds of which there are three distinct kinds. However there is a subspecies of the Little Wattlebird, now known as the Western Wattlebird found only in south west WA. These birds make up the largest of our honeyeaters and similar to the Noisy Miner featured last week can be at times just as aggressive. In the photo above sitting side by side you will notice the wattle which is the pendulous appendage hanging from the neck on either side. The Little Wattlebird (also known as the Brush Wattlebird) has such a small wattle that is is not visible, maybe it should be the Invisible Wattlebird. So let’s start:

The Red Wattlebird

This is the most widely spread of the three and most commonly found in the southern most coastal parts of the southern states, except Tasmania.Where there is open dry woodland and forest with flowering trees and shrubs. They have the perfect curved beak for probing flowers for nectar. They also eat insects and berries.

They are very aggressive to other birds when caring for their young. As you can see below the juvenile lacks the red wattle and the red eye, which come with maturity. The Red Wattlebird below is of the south western WA race, photographed by the Swan River in Perth, race woodwardi which has a broader rounder wattle to our local race curunculata.

Hungry baby begging

Baby being fed

The Red Wattlebird will not be harassed, but will defend its territory and food sources against other birds, considering it is the larger honeyeater, and it packs a painful bite to the tail of other birds. It also has technique of diving at very fast speed, toward other birds to chase them off. Being a territorial honeyeater similar in operation to the Noisy Miner they often have brawls with other honeyeaters. The red wattle never grows longer than a 2 to 3 centimeters.

The Yellow Wattlebird

This is Australia’s largest honeyeater and is endemic only to Tasmania. This bird develops quite pendulous wattles and is happier as a flock bird. It likewise feeds on native blossom from eucalypt trees and insects it finds around the flowers. Notice this younger bird with its developing wattle, swallowing a worm.

Now compare this much older bird, and see how those wattles hang.

The Little Wattlebird

The Little or Brush Wattlebird is found mainly on the coast east of the ranges in south east QUE, along the coasts of NSW and Victoria, south coast of SA and parts of eastern Tasmania. The Western race (or Western Wattlebird) is found only in the south west tip of WA. The feature watching this bird is how it hangs its tongue. Australian Honeyeaters have brush-like tips to their long tongues which they can extend quickly from an almost closed beak. The brush-like tip soaks up nectar using capillary attraction and is drawn up into the mouth. They can rapidly move the tongue in and out of their beak, with it only open a very little. Hence the name Brush. However, of the honeyeaters the Little (or Brush) appears to show its extended brush-tipped tongue more often. Watch this video and see.

Note tongue hanging out. This is a feature of honeyeaters when they are busily feeding. They leave the tongue out ready for the next flower.

One of the distinguishing and beautiful features of this bird is its unique chest plumage, which I think looks like a hair brush, but that is not where the brush name came from, it is the brush tipped tongue.

The juvenile lacks this frontal plumage, which develops with maturity, as it looses its orange head plumage.

Juvenile Little Honeyeater.

Little Wattlebirds have an interesting landing posture at times, showing a curved back.

The call of the Little Wattlebird is quite distinguishable to the Red.

I love these captures of a pair of Little Wattlebirds .

To conclude look at this very special photo, can you detect what is special about it…

Yes, a Red Wattlebird is actually sharing the same Bottlebrush flower head as a Little Wattlebird. They are just drawing from opposing sides. Sharing like this is very rare among these birds. Even more interesting is what eventually followed in this next photo, when the Little guy moved the flower with its leg.

The more aggressive and larger Red left the Little to the flower. It makes one wonder whether each realised the other was there, as they were so engrossed in extracting nectar. We normally appreciate sharing is a caring and loving attribute, however with this recent world spreading killer virus COVID-19, even shaking hands and standing in the same room with someone can be a risk, let alone sharing flower nectar. Hand sanitizer and masks are out of stock everywhere, and many are panic buying food in case they have to isolate themselves from the community for either reason. Fear hyped by media dramatizations has gripped many. But in the midst or eye of the storm their is peace for those who want it. A shepherd boy David once wrote, referring to his love for and unflinching trust in his God which brought him peace in many difficult and life threatening situations he experienced throughout his life:

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

If this is your first visit to my blog, why not explore my birding website via the HomePage which has had a recent face lift with some additional pages and changes in preparation for the next book release. Learn about the value of installing a Birdbath.

A new Young Birders Page will be available soon targetting 8 to 12 year olds and will have a special place where they can learn about our birds. If you would like to preview it you may, and if you know children who might be interested tell them. This will be geared toward my schools presentations and book sales.

Birding for Beginners is now a more complete compilation of my birding hints and instruction, in one place. It might be worth an explore if you have not explored before.

Have a wonderful week and stay safe!

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.

When the Miner is a Major Problem – Australia’s Most Aggressive Bird

Posted by aussiebirder on February 26, 2020

Posted in: Australian Birds, Bird watching, Birding, Birds, Birdwatching, Fauna, National Parks, Nature, Outings, Sydney, Australia, Uncategorized, wildlife. Tagged: Kookaburra, White-browed Babbler, Yellow-tail Black Cockatoo. 13 Comments

Australia’s most aggressive bird – The Noisy Miner being noisy.

As many of you are aware Australia is host to some of the deadliest snakes and spiders in the world. We also have the deadliest bird, found in Far North Queensland, the large flightless Southern Cassowary and yes, it is very wary of humans, and so humans should be of it as many have died from its razor central claw and being repeatedly jumped on by this bird. Thankfully our close encounter with this bird in the wild was peaceful.

Southern Cassowary

Australia has one of the world’s most aggressive native bird families, The Miners. These include the most aggressive Noisy Miner followed by the Bell Miner, Yellow-throated Miner and Black-eared Miner. Recent research on the both the troublesome Noisy and Bell Miner in particular reveal the very tight and organised social structure of family and flock groups which has led to their rapid increase in numbers and breeding success.

The specialized and extremely organised defenders of the territory known as the coalition use techniques of numbers, noise, back biting, mobbing and general harassment to ward off unwanted intruders. This has created a problem for many smaller honeyeaters and insectivorous passerines, which are excluded from areas around human habitation. A coalition may be one to 12 birds at a time, depending on how many can be called in when the alarm is raised. This lone Kookaburra is attacked by a lone Miner, but is unsuccessful in removing it. Kookaburras are one of our most placid birds and they are one of the few birds which give in to Miner aggression.

Kookaburra attacked by Noisy Miner

Kookaburra stands its ground and Noisy Miner relents.

The alpha male Magpie in any territory will usually not be attacked, for fear of injury. The very intelligent, skilled, well trained Magpie, likewise from a very tight organised family social structure, has one of the hardest and dangerous beaks and is not afraid to use it on any bird that crosses it. The brave Noisy Miner will however confront and attack Magpies when the perceived safety of its young are is stake, as seen here. But the Miner knows it is a risk when going it alone without the coalition’s assistance.

A young Miner confronts a young Magpie with food.

Adult Miner attacks adult male Magpie, in defense of its youngster – a big mistake.

The similarities in organisational structure of Miners and Magpies and how they have diversity of caring for and training their young as well as defending their territory is well documented.

However in recent weeks I have seen my local Noisy Miner coalition, which drink and bathe daily in my bird baths, mob and drive out several very large birds, holding them up in the same large eucalypt tree, near their nests. You may remember some of these photos from recent posts, but here is the most recent of a lone Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo mobbed by a sizable coalition.

Male and female Yellow-tailed Cockatoo resting

They pair for life and would normally be in a family group to breed or large flock. Like others of the Parrot family, this one (below) may have lost its partner (having become deceased), or its flock or be excommunicated from the flock for some reason. Watch how the miners mob this bird which is quite stressed. Notice a large number on nearby branches watching on. I apologise for the poor images as these were from my movie camera on a rainy day. My birding camera is still in repair waiting for parts. It is also the top of a very tall tree from a distance (hence camera shake to get focus).

Stress caused by Miner mobbing has been reported to contribute to bird deaths and low breeding rates in other small passerines frequently attacked by Miners. Miners can actually starve birds of their food source in some cases where food is scarce. Miner flocks may fight with other nearby Miner flocks over territory, and attempt excluding them, which creates quite noisy battles, but these occasions may create opportunities for mates to be found. Here are several species being harassed by miners.

Noisy miner attacks Eastern Rosella pair

Noisy miner in position, I can see it looming

The small White-plumed Honeyeater defending its nest against a MIner attack

Channel-billed Cuckoo pair under attack

Channel-billed Cuckoo being mobbed in the Miners mobbing tree

A Grey-crowned Babbler being attacked, defending its nest against brutal Noisy Miner attacks.

Whistling KIte being chased by a single Noisy Miner

Look at the stress and fear in the eyes of the Eastern Rosella (below) which is under attack. You might realize that many of these birds under attack are much larger and able to ward off these Miners but flight speed, numbers, back biting and brute boldness and courage are in the Miner’s favour. Their loyalty to the flock is unrivaled.

Here are two Bell Miners attacking a Little Wattlebird, but it stands its ground.

Research into forest die-back has shown that Bell Miners ( incorrectly known as Bellbirds) are responsible, due to their territorial exclusion policy towards other insectivorous birds, in particular the Pardolote. This results in eucalypt trees within their territory suffering leaf stress and dying prematurely. This is due to a very sought after food source among passerines called Lerps (bird sugar candy) which they extract with their tongues from the protective coating on psyllid larvae, but leave the psyllid larvae. The larvae emit a substance toxic to the leaf leaving brown dead patches on eucalypt leaves which many of us see on fallen leaves. By keeping the trees to themselves and harvesting the Lerps they ensure a constant food source for their young and themselves. Note below the many dead spots on the leaves due to their exclusion of larvae eating birds, and note the white lerps being extracted.

Bell Miner eating Lerps. Note the brown many dead spots on leaves.

The Noisy Miner is bold when confronting humans and other large animals. I have been attacked while protecting a girls dog from being bitten. Another act of boldness is at open air cafes where they are constantly a menace for staff on tables. One actually landed on my table about six inches away from me and looked at my meal. I soon sent it hopping.

Checking for crumbs and uneaten morsels.

Lastly, view the footage of this Noisy Miner brutally attacking itself (or at least its own image) in the rear vision mirror of my car. Notice the tenacity, relentlessness, commitment to purpose, driven by its loyalty to the clan.

One could ask how such a small bird could hold so much control and intimidate so many much larger birds, large animals and humans. Courage, Conviction and Constancy to protect family and friends will always make this bird a winner. From a very different perspective, the testimony of the many heroes throughout the ages who while humbly acknowledging their human vulnerability, because of their commitment of Love and Loyalty to Family and Friends, displayed extreme acts of valour and selfless sacrifice putting their lives on the line in the face of extreme danger. This is the testimony of our thousands of brave Fire Fighters and support teams who in the recent disastrous fires put themselves between the blazing inferno of an all consuming firestorm and the lives and property of many helpless families and fellow citizens. We acknowledge their bravery and are extremely thankful for all who daily put themselves in danger to protect and care for our communities.

A Tribute to Fire Fighters (Firies) Sydney Opera House lit up on the evening of January 11th.

We can know peace in the midst of turmoil and loss when we realize that there is One greater than the uncontrollable droughts, heatwaves, fires and floods that are common to Australia. My peace and joy rest in the knowledge that My Ever Present Creator knows me and loves me and wants me to know his love and become intimately acquainted with him, as he is already with me, not just in times of trouble but in all aspects of my life’s journey. You can explore more about this here.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

“Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” – Psalm 50:15

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1

Have a wonderful week and stay safe! If this is your first visit to my blog take a few minutes and visit my Home Page to explore the rest of my birding website for birding tips, info and ways you can learn from the birds. This is a weekly blog post, where you will learn very interesting facts and latest findings about our unique and beautiful Australian birds. Become a Follower and join the over 300 others and add your email to the Follow button in the side bar at the top of page.

This blog is different from others in that it is not so much about beautiful photos but is more about the lessons we can learn from the peculiar characteristics of our birds. This is the nature of my unique books soon to be published which you can find out about here.

With the release of my latest edition there may be changes to my Home Page as my talks and promotions to schools and libraries may draw younger people to visit my blog and website to check it out. I plan to make it more interesting and helpful for them. It is a work in progress.

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.

Not Chuffed about Kidnapping Birds – The White-winged Chough

Posted by aussiebirder on February 18, 2020

Posted in: Australian Birds, Australian wildlife, Bird watching, Birding, Birds, Fauna, National Parks, Nature, Outings, Uncategorized, wildlife. Tagged: Jerrabomberra Wetlands, White-winged Chough. 8 Comments

While spending time with family in Canberra (our nation’s capital) last weekend we encountered small flocks of White-winged Chough (pronounced chuff)in pine forests on two occasions. Most Australians know little about this bird and often think it is a crow or raven when viewed from a distance, and so they never bother to investigate.

This bird is not in the Corvid family at all, and is in its own peculiar category Corcorax, having more in common with the Apostlebird as far as its behaviour. The bright red eye of the adult and curved beak, long tail, distinct white on either side of wing primaries (seen only in flight) and harsh raspy call make it quite identifiable.

Listen to their continuous call as this group communicate while foraging especially juveniles with adults. Sadly the loud cackling sound of the Noisy Friarbirds can be heard also in the background making it difficult to detect their raspy call.

These birds are always found in family groups of up to 10 birds, as are the Apositlebirds. They are ground grazers, feeding mainly on insects and seeds by foraging, flicking leaf litter with its beak. They seldom need to fly, except to escape danger. This footage was taken with my movie camera as my birding camera remains in hospital waiting for parts to arrive. The ambiance of the pine forest adds to the peace and tranquility of this place.

Choughs prefer to run away from human approach rather than fly, with flight a last option. They maintain a close group formation and never going far from each other, even though they spread out at times to graze. The Apostlebird does much the same, but remain closer together as a group. You may see both Choughs and Apostlebirds grazing nearby each other.

Both these birds are mainly found west of the Great Dividing Range in the warmer dry open woodlands in the eastern states but not Tasmania or WA. The juveniles have a dark eye and dark beak and are raised by the family group.

Research on these birds has studied the unusual behaviour of this bird, in how it may kidnap and take captive juvenile birds from other family groups nearby. These captive birds become slaves and are basically sequestrated into the family for the purpose of benefiting from their service. It has been found that Choughs need helpers to breed successfully. Very small family groups appear to fail to have successful nestings. These birds build a large mud nest in a tree fork, requiring 5 to 10 birds to build, protect nest and incubate the eggs. It is very much a family effort, hence their aggressive manner in acquiring captives when the opportunity arises.

Adult with immature, attentively learning to be a Chough

Similar to Magpies, during the first few years to maturity the young Chough will learn by watching intently the adult mentor appointed them. Note the eye of the immature slowly changing from dark to red. This eye colour may mean 1 to 2 years of age. Notice how it copies the adult preening, and is watching me out of the corner of its eye. Here you can see the hidden white wing tips revealed in the adult bird.

Adult and immature Choughs preening

There is often aggressive tension between family groups, as they attempt to drive away would be kidnappers, or attempt to add to their own group. Most aggression takes the form of display battles where the members of each group fly into a tree and line up along opposing branches. They then perform the wing-wave-tail-wag display in which they maximize exposure of the white tips of their wings and their fanned tails, engorge their eyes with blood, and call repeatedly for around 10 to 20 minutes, resulting one group being chased away by the other. (Rowley 1978).

Preparation for a territorial stand off, teaching the young how to perch together.

Before making our way home we stopped in to the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, a place we visit most times when in Canberra. However the effects of the long drought had caused much of the wetlands to dry up and after recent rain weeds have grown up and choked the wetland causing the waterbirds to relocate, which is disappointing as we usually see some good birds here.

As we made our way home past the usually dry expanse of Lake George we were delighted to find much water due to the recent torrential rain. A little further along and we stopped near a pine forest, and it was here that we saw these Choughs and this Kookaburra quietly enjoying the ambiance of this beautiful vista. I love the light through these trees and the peacefulness. Walking among tall trees is beneficial for ones health, both stress relieving and blood pressure lowering.

The White-winged Chough and Apostlebird highlight the importance of family and community involvement for the survival and successful breeding of the flock. This is just as important in human welfare and survival also. While making slaves of the young is sometimes an essential practice of the Chough, it was also a practice of the wealthy in England during the industrial revolution days, taking advantage of the poor families, working on coffee plantations overseas or children in the poor houses crawling through coal mines in England. It is not a practice to be condoned in any way as acceptable today. We are thankful that caring Christian men and woman such as William Wilberforce in the late 1700s, and George Muller in the 1800s were devoted to helping liberate and give hope to the poor and disadvantaged. Many today forget that it was caring kind people like these that contributed to the freedom and lifestyle that many of us enjoy today. The greed of man not only enslaves and makes captive those who serve the wealthy, out of necessity to live, as is the experience of many today with mortgages and young families to support, but more so it enslaves the wealthy in the web of their own demise in breaking the 10th Commandment: The addictiveness of Covetousness. The issue is not that one is wealthy, for this is a blessing, but that one puts the attaining of wealth as their god and prime purpose. This is why: the love of money is the root of all evils and not money itself as many have misquoted.

My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” – Psalm 35:10 (NIV)

Isaiah the prophet’s message to Israel about 700BC warning them that though they appeared religiously and socially to be acting out all what they believed to be proper and acceptable behaviour, in daily life, under cover, many were oppressing the poor and taking advantage of them. God saw this and was going to address their duplicitous behaviour. The blessing of a nation in God’s eyes, rests on how it cares for widows, orphans and foreigners.

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless…” – Isaiah 10:1,2

If this is your first visit to my blog, why not check out the rest of my website at my HomePage menu for birding info and lessons we can learn from our beautiful Australian birds. Also check out my soon to be released 2nd Edition of “What Birds Teach Us”. You can still purchase the last remaining copies of the 1st Edition if you want here.

Have an enjoyable week and stay safe! We are enjoying and giving thanks for the torrential rain we received recently, that after much prayer came unexpected since the gloomy long range forecasts saw none imminent. The experts had said no rain till May but God had other plans for his people because he does answer the cry of his people. Easing the heat, stopping the winds, filling our dams and putting out the fires.

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.

Male and female Australian Shelduck on Rottnest Island, WA.

This week, since my camera is still in the hospital having surgery, I wanted to showcase many of our Australian duck species and how they each dine differently, even though they spend most of their lives on or near fresh water lakes, rivers and swamps. It is all about the bill and how it has been constructed as to the cuisine of each species. There remain many uninformed who mistakenly think Australian native ducks eat fish as their main diet, because species in the northern hemisphere do. However, each duck species uses its own particular means along with its own peculiar bill structure to obtain its own particular food source as granted them by Intelligent Design. In other words duck species in Australia vary considerably in their main food sources and how they obtain them.

Grey Teal pair dabbling bottoms up

1. The Dabbling Ducks: These ducks mainly feed along the perimeter of lakes and rivers in the shallows, dabbling on whatever they can find that is edible. They are often seen bottom up when feeding in the water. These include the Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal and Pacific Black Duck. They mainly feed on aquatic plants, seeds, insects in the water and along the shoreline. Grey Teal and Pacific Black Duck are our most numerous ducks. The rarer endangered Freckled Duck (which has been seen in NSW in recent years due to drought etc) and the Radjah Shelduck of Far North Queensland and NT are also basically dabblers.

Grey Teal pair

Chestnut Teal pair (male on the left)

Pacific Black Duck showing speculum

Freckled Duck male breeding (red lores)

Radjah Shelduck

2. The Diving Ducks: These ducks dive below the water surface to obtain food such as aquatic plants and animals, particularly mussels and freshwater shellfish. They have a stronger bill structure. The Hardhead is a smooth diving duck (the male has the white eye). The Blue-billed Duck will dive but also eats many kinds of insects and some shoreline plants. The unusual Musk Duck is the second heaviest diving duck in the world. The Wandering Whistling Duck spends its time mainly on water diving and dabbling.

Hardhead pair (male with white eye)

Blue-billed Duck male in breeding

Blue-billed Duck male and female (our shyest duck)

Musk Duck male (the lowest in the water)

Wandering Whistling Duck

The Blue-billed Duck and Musk Duck spend almost their entire life on the water, rarely walking on land, they even sleep on the water.

Musk Duck resting afloat

3. Grazing Ducks: These include ducks that mainly feed on the land in pastures and along the shore on insects, seeds and plants. This includes the Australian Wood Duck, Plumed Whistling Duck, and Australian Shelduck (pictured in flight also on feature photo). These ducks may also dabble waterside but they feed mainly on grassy areas.

Australian Wood Duck family grazing (male on right)

Plumed Whistling Duck

Australian Shelduck (female with white eye ring)

4. The Filter Ducks: The Pink-eared Duck and Australasian Shoveler are our unique filter billed ducks, and are often seen working alongside each other. These ducks rely on their unique shovel like bill structure to obtain their food which is made up primarily of tiny aquatic organisms and insects which it filters out through grooves on the edges of the bill. The excess water drains through the bill and the organisms are captured. They also feed on aquatic plants from the bottom of the lake. They feed by disturbing the shallow silt lake floor and then filtering out and trapping their food. They use several ways of stirring up the lake bottom. They may do it themselves by bottoming up and stirring it up with their feet. They may do it as a pair or in a line of three or more where one follows the other close behind. They may as group of up to 12 ducks use their unique vortexing technique, where they swim around in a tight circle with heads below water tightly following each other. This enables every duck the advantage of feeding simultaneously.

Pink-eared Duck pair (male is larger and heavier but otherwise identical)

Australasian Shoveler pair (male on the right with non-breeding pale head)

The two species of filter ducks filtering together (male Shoveler in breeding plumage – blue head)

5. The Goose-like Ducks: The Pygmy-Goose is the smallest duck and has a goose like bill, hence its name. These ducks are basically surface dabblers but are only found in the tropics in northern Queensland, northern NT and north of Australia. The two species are not endemic and are seldom seen on land. The Cotton Pygmy-Goose is often difficult to see as it is shy of humans and remains in centre of lakes.

Green Pygmy-Goose (male followed by female)

Cotton Pygmy-Goose (in foreground female with black line through eye, male to the right)

So there we have it, most of our Aussie freshwater ducks. Some of the above dabblers can tolerate brackish water. Below is an interesting photo. See how many different species you see.

The Pink-eared Ducks preening on the waters edge (they are typically a flock bird so you will usually see many). With them stand a pair of rarely seen endangered Freckled Duck, photographed inland NSW. One sleeps as one keeps watch. In the water foreground are three Australasian Shovelers. Notice the male leading the line has his head out of the water as he stirs up the water on the lake bottom with his feet and moves forward feeding from the surface while keeping watch ahead. The female and male following behind with heads submerged are filtering the stirred up sediment for food.

These different kinds of feeding techniques can be likened to us humans in the way we feed our lives or more so our minds which control our lives. We can ask ourselves: ‘Am I a dabbler, a diver, a filterer or a grazer ?’. The easy access to modern media and its concurrent internet addiction has resulted in our duck like feeding behaviour.

As a dabbler: or a flicker as I call them, one is seen flicking through all the latest news and media feeds each spare moment, stopping occasionally to ingest something that catches the eye or gives a laugh, but never gaining anything much of great significance for life;

As a diver: One dives straight to the bottom of the dark cold media lake where the smut and mud lies looking for tasty morsels of corruption and disreputable or even immoral material;

As a grazer: One is more selective of their sources and mainly only go to their familiar sites and generally only use the internet to find what they want. They feed on land clear of the media pond most of the time. However, they do indulge themselves at times to explore the media and get hooked at times in their occasional need to escape their boredom of solid ground where they may use online television channels and other media productions.

As a filterer: One is careful to filter what they process in their minds, by quickly filtering out and not allowing themselves to be caught or trapped in the media lake. They filter out all the excess water and only take in what is good and nourishing for life, a positive enjoyable good life. They choose, not the media, what they digest and remain free from the propaganda of the news and popular opinion that is fed to the masses. This requires determined self control, alertness and awareness that there is an enemy at work behind the scenes attempting to subvert, mislead and hold us in the media lake.

Would you be surprised to know that ducks can actually drown? Yes, if a duck spends too much time in the water it may loose its waterproof oil covering and sink like a stone to the bottom. This illustrates what I am sharing here, and why we may need to have a serious talk to our children, grandchildren and possibly ourselves.

‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ – 1 Peter 5:8

If this is your first visit check out the rest of my website at my HomePage menu for birding info and lessons we can learn from our beautiful Australian birds

Have an enjoyable week and stay safe! We are enjoying and giving thanks for the torrential rain we received recently, that after much prayer came unexpected since the gloomy long range forecasts saw none imminent.

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.

This is now the second week that my camera and lens has been at the hospital having surgery and joint replacement, so this blog post will be quite different from the usual having all but the above picture photographed from my mobile phone (iphone 5s) whilst walking with my wife yesterday at Carss Bush Park near where we live. It was late afternoon, and the flocks of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo were returning to the park, with loud raucous calls, as they do, to roost in the tall eucalypt trees for the night. At first we saw a small flock of Cockies grazing quite peacefully on the lawn by the path, and a huddle of Noisy Miner nearby, which seemed to be in planning mode.

Several of the Cockatoo flock, were standing a little away from the others, acquired our curiosity, as their behaviour seemed somewhat unusual.

It appeared that the main leader of the flock was having a conference with his peers, and Special Agent Noisy Miner was listening in to gain intelligence for his coalition assembled nearby. What could they possibly be discussing with such serious concern?

Nearby two members of the flock were having a stand off which may have precipitated from a disagreement concerning opinions as to how to address their concerns. Note the Noisy Miner again trying to be covert in the background.

A brief scuttle broke out between a pair of teenagers who wanted to assert their authority and deal with the problem their own way.

A Cocky expert was flown in to give advice on this unusual occurrence that had befallen the flock.

They formed a huddle around him as he shared his wisdom and then out of the corner of her binoculars my wife sighted the reason for the unusual concern, as you can see from the above photograph(top right). A lone Long-billed Corella had joined their flock, and has caused concern, as it looks and behaves quite different to them and has yet not learnt their language. Notice there are now two Miner agents listening in, as interest mounts.

It soon became clear of the centre of interest as the Cockies gathered in a circle around the Corella, watching it with concern and curiosity. They were thinking: ‘It looks like us but is different, and Oh, that bill is so long and dangerous, I would not want to have that in my back’. The Corella showed some concern but continued graizing. Corella, like most birds of the Parrot family pair for life but when they loose their partner through death or separation from a flock they often find safety by joining another flock. However, these Cockatoos are quite familiar with the Little Corella which is often found grazing with them in the Sydney area, but not this Long-billed species. Note the key differences, the longer bill and the pink under chin of the Long-billed species.

A LIttle Corella pair

A Long-billed Corella pair

The Corella is actually a small Cockatoo and therefore would find some companionship with them. This is the reason most birds from the Parrot family in Australia can be taught to talk, as this ability to copy and pick up language is a survival technique for birds such as these, on joining a different flock, where they find safety in the flock. This is especially important as many of our parrot species inhabit dry desert places, where finding water and food often requires a group effort. Finches are likewise arid dwellers who do the same.

The flock were unperturbed by my slow approach to get a closer look. My wife stood back as passersby were amazed at how close these birds allowed me to come to them without stirring. The lonely little Long-bill looked at me, also curious, as the Cockies kept a distance from it.

Bare in mind that most birds no matter how aggressive, including Noisy Miners do not usually attack birds of the Parrot family due the wound they can inflict with their heavy sharp beak, so they like Rainbow Lorikeets (featured last week) have few predators and feed alongside the Noisy Miner. They are also aware that these birds are not carnivorous. Oh! Look! the Secret Agents have reported back to the Noisy Miner coalition (this is the name for highly organised Miner squadron which protect the perimeter of their flock territory). Now the coalition has taken interest in the new visitor, carefully advancing and observing intently, till they are satisfied it offered no threat.

The conclusion appeared to be now settled as the alpha Cocky approached the foreigner and greeted it, welcoming it to the flock. He was accepted as one of them, as he chose to join them and trust them. therefore posing no threat. He now would become a special point of interest, whereby they may learn from this bird new lessons that may be helpful for the flock. Now everyone could take it easy and get on with a peaceful life together.

We can learn so much about life from this little flock as we live in our multicultural world and are confronted with people living and moving about us from many different countries and cultures other than our own. When alone in a foreign land among foreign people, of a different language and culture it can be very scary at first, as it is for the many single young adults who come to Australia to find work. They would feel like our Long-billed Corella, somewhat out of place. Looking for that smile and warm acceptance and respect we all crave for more than anything else throughout our lives. Each one of our human kind, are loved and valued by our Creator. Each one of us requires acceptance, unconditional love, and respect to live a healthy life, regardless of our differences. As the alpha Cockie realised, the multicultural aspect brings with it new knowledge, new foods and new friends. Our Creator Father reminded Israel many times, who were often very prejudiced against non-Jews, calling them Gentile dogs, the reason they need to consider how they treat foreigners in their land, for they had previously experienced it themselves:

“Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.” – Exodus 23:9 (NIV)

It is an interesting read in Luke 4:24-30 to see the anger that arose among the Jewish leaders when Jesus the Christ made reference to several occasions in their history where God had blessed foreigners and included them as key players in his plans rather than Jews, so much so that they tried to kill him. Jesus identified the fact that God loves us all and blesses all who come to him.

“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

Also after Jesus healed TEN men (see Luke 17) from the terrible infectious disease Leprosy when they approached him for healing (which was both illegal and punishable to do at that time, as they were always to stay outside the city), after healing them, this was his comment to the Jewish leaders watching him when ONLY ONE returned to thank him:

“Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” – Luke 17:18

Have a wonderful week! It is so good to get cooler days and rain again! We give thanks to our Most Gracious Creator for his mercy at this time, for answered prayers. Several major fires have finally been extinguished. There is much cleaning up to be done, and much of our wildlife that have escaped the fires are being supported with human assistance for survival as they face starvation due to lost habitat and their injuries are being nursed. We give thanks for caring people involved in their many different capacities.

My 2nd Edition of “What Birds Teach Us” is at the test print stage after final draft was approved yesterday. Check it out here.

If this is your first visit check out the rest of my website at my HomePage menu for birding info and lessons we can learn from our beautiful Australian birds

Have an enjoyable week and stay safe!

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.

A Rainbow Lorikeet guarding its nest in a hollow of an Angophora costata tree.

This week I will do a character study on one of Australia’s most colorful and popular birds, which people who visit Australia love to lay eyes on, the Rainbow Lorikeet. As my camera lens was wounded due to a fall, it is to receive medical attention, so I apologize for the lack of clarity with some of these photos. This bird is one of our most excited and numerous of the Parrot family often found alongside the larger and raucous Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo warding off a stranger (me) as it guards its nest

Both birds are found down the east coast of Australia’s mainland and are often heard before seen. Both birds share the same kind of nesting tree, the Angophora costata (Sydney Redgum) found in large numbers along the coast.

Angophora costata (Sydney Redgum)

These birds bite out pieces of the dead wood where the tree branch has broken away, leaving a hole, to make a nest. The Angothora tree is a beautiful unique work of art, often called an artists delight due to its unusual branch structure and beautiful orange/pink coloration. It was also is known as the widow maker in days past, as it drops branches silently and without warning causing many casualties. This time of year they shed their bark and remain lighter colored till they regrow a new exterior.

watching from the nesting hole

warding off potential threat

The Rainbow, as we call it, we hear every morning chattering and calling with its high pitched noisy communication as they feed from our Bottlebrush flowers. They’re favorite foods pollen are nectar from native flowers, as well as insects, fruits as well as their bird candy lerps and psyllids, which most of our small passerines also enjoy.

Have a careful look at this footage and notice how the Lorikeet uses its tongue to extract food from the nectar rich Endeavour Bottlebrush

As many of you will already know from reading my book ‘What Birds Teach Us’, Rainbows mate for life, and if you see them they will almost always be in pairs, excitedly flying at great speed together, calling to each other, and maneuvering with themselves in amazing accuracy. If a partner dies there is a grieving process similar to our own, and most sad to watch. They will go and fly with a flock.

Similar to the Cockatoo, these birds despite their size, are respected by all other birds, even the ultra aggressive Noisy Miner, as the Rainbows can inflict a serious injury if they are messed with due to their very strong sharp beak. Their vulnerability to raptors and their nestlings to Kookaburras and Currawong are their major points of concern. Nesting close to Cockatoos can be an advantage due to the group evasive action of the Cockies when danger approaches. The Cockatoo crest is a physical indication of the bird’s emotional state at the time. When the bird becomes excited or alarmed it will raise it and when it is resting or sick will flatten it.

Gaurding the nest after the alarm is sounded

Listen to the noisy chatter of a small flock feeding. They have dominance wherever they go when in flock.

There are two distinct subspecies or races [some call the Red-collared Lorikeet (race rubritorquis) a separate species rather than subspecies]. The Red-collared subspecies is only found far north in the states of WA and NT, having a distinct red collar, unlike the green of the east coast Rainbow (race moluccanus). We always love looking for the Red-collared when in Broome, WA.

Rainbow Lorikeet

Red-collared Lorikeet

The juvenile Lorikeet looks much the same as the adult except that it has a dark beak, dark eye and less red on its chest, as seen below with its adult parent.

juvenile with adult

The immature still has slight traces of its juvenile features as it approaches breeding maturity and the bright red beak.

immature lorikeet

One of the things i love about this bird, as with other Parrot species, in particular the Little Corella, is the affection and companionship exhibited between the devoted pair.

This is one bird, like the Cockatoo, that has survived the fires, due to their widespread location and their abundance, however many may have been lost due to the many who would have been caught nesting, as Spring and Summer are the nesting times. The sad thing is that many birds born this season may have been lost due to fires marking a considerable short fall in new bird numbers this year. Watch and hear some live footage of these birds happily feeding.

Here are a few flight shots I managed to capture at high speed.

If you would like to check out my new book releases for this year click here.

If this is your first visit to my blog, check out the rest of my birding website from my Home Page. I post a weekly blog which you can follow (see Follow button at top of page). Also check out my coming book releases. You can still purchase the book referred to in this post, there are a few left for purchase on this website only.

Lastly, consider these shots of the parent guarding its nest which is deep inside the dead portion of an Angophora tree, trying to ascertain my purpose in observing it. We were just about ten feet away enjoying our Australia Day breakfast with church friends, no one else appeared to notice this colourful head emerging and then disappearing into the hole in the nearby tree.

Notice the head tilt which is common with birds of monocular vision allowing them to observe food or in this case possible raptor overhead with one eye positioned. Birds also have a very acute hearing which allows some species to hear grubs and bugs moving below the surface of the soil, which is useful when they are on the ground dining. We saw this recently with our Magpie.

The Rainbow Lorikeet keeps watch over its young, sharing the role with its lifetime partner (not pictured here). This is why these birds survive and breed so well, they are a team and they work together to achieve their goal. The male will be responsible to train and protect the fledgling when it emerges. As a family they will fly together in constant communication as they excitedly feed and chatter to one another. In a good functional family environment, good communication is most important, It is through the words and actions of the parents that children learn how to live, feel safe, loved and cared for. It is how we learn the skills of life and understand who we are. It is important to add that it is not the words alone but the attitude with which they are transmitted that has the greatest affect on the positive growth and maturity of the hearer.

‘Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.’ – Proverbs 3:3

Have an enjoyable week and stay safe!

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.

Ah! It’s Not A Birdless Autumn – They Are Just Very Quiet

You can see why this bird is difficult to see, and usually only detected by its call, so I did well to find it. My wife took the still shots, as my lens is still coming, like a lot of other things including life as we have known it, put on hold at present.

Here is an example of what this bird would normally sound like.

Here is the female. Notice as with many birds the mature adult male has the bright coloration, which is the hallmark of the species and the female the more earthy brown, green or grey plumage which affords protection when nesting, giving camouflage protection from would be predators.

As we looked through the trees another silent inhabitant, the Eastern Water Dragon, was sun bathing in the warm afternoon sun over the river which follows our track.

We were hoping the Rufous Fantail had returned for Autumn, but no sign as yet. This is the palm forest we usually find them flitting about in.

As we returned, we noticed a flock of Australian Wood Duck, usually seen grazing on grass seed beside the Hacking River. They are very tame and carry on eating while we stand right next to them. These birds pair for life, and have the father assists the mother duck throughout nesting and fledging.

The juvenile is still learning the craft of Magpie wisdom and would be a product of the last Spring. Most of the young of our large black or pied omnivorous birds have brown plumage with dark eyes and beak. They will undergo changes for the next 2 to 3 years to full black and white adult.

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” – Isaiah 41:13

“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me…” – Psalm 139: 5,6

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139: 9,10

Interesting as it is, Jesus referred to the obstinate and rebellious Jews of his day, who trusted in their own selfishness pride rather than in God’s saving power, as chicks:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” – Matthew 23:37 & Luke 13:34

Enjoy your week as best you can. Stay Safe and Stay Sane!

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The Quiet Forest of Autumn – Unexpected Findings

As you can see they are at various stages of breeding plumage, with the male in this clan brightest orange and the females now showing a much fainter orange. There are also some not showing any breeding plumage which may be immature.

This Godwit below is possibly a female, showing the lighter breeding plumage. The females are also slightly larger and have slightly longer beaks.

A small company of Light-blue Soldier Crabs marched across the mudflats.

Soon after a young pair of Australian Wood Duck were strolling by the river eating grass seed, as this is what many grazing ducks and other passerines are eating at the end of Summer as the seasons change. Also, on this occasion the Kingfisher eluded us and flew some distance down the river.

I had to slow down this video clip so you could see him.

The tingling of the Eastern Crimson Rosella also caught our ear as it proceeded to feed from native berries above our head. On seeing us of course it tried to make itself unseen.

Here you can compare the juvenile and immature with the adult bird. There bright orange underbelly makes them easy to spot. These birds have a beautiful song which often makes them easy to find, but they were not chiming on this occasion.

Enjoy the rest of your week and stay safe as best you can.

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Where Have All the Birds Gone? – An Autumn Birding Date

These graceful birds gave a beautiful reflection in the still waters.

Swans feed mainly on water weed which they pull up from below the shallows. Watch the signet as it learns to feed, from copying the parent.

Here is the same space now…

So this is what a small part of what was encountered on our walk along the lagoon track. A female Superb Fairy-wren, an Australasian Swamphen, the sound of the Willy Wagtail constantly calling and an Australian Reed-warbler.

Another passerine not seen here for a while, was a pair of Sacred Kingfisher looking beautiful in the sunlight.

Here are a few shots of this bright and beautiful bird in flight as it flew to its mate (movie stills).

Another bird that welcomes us everywhere we go of course is the Welcome Swallow.

Magpies are known to point using their whole body to inform their clan of danger or an intruder. Our next venture was to drive to Pitt Town Lagoon, another key waterbird haven nearby, which has also been filled after drought, and guess what?…

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

My wife and I have found there is an unsurpassed peace and rest when we press into God, trusting him at his word even when life does not seem to make sense in the midst of the storm.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

If you are interested in exploring this further, and learn more of what Jesus taught from the birds, visit my Birder Sanctuary page.

Have a wonderful week and stay safe! The book is finally at the printers.

If this is your first visit to my blog, why not explore my birding website via the HomePage which has had a recent face lift with some additional pages and changes in preparation for the next book release. Learn about the value of installing a Birdbath.

Birding for Beginners is now a more complete compilation of my birding hints and instruction, in one place. It might be worth an explore if you have not explored before.

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An Afternoon Autumn Adventure – Changing Seasons

While we watched I noted a large bird in the distance on its own with a red beak, which we knew was a Caspian Tern. This is our largest Tern, and its speckled cap means it is non-breeding. We watched as it bathed and then preened.

By the water’s edge, Silver Gull and Crested Tern were sharing their daily ablutions, a lovely scene of acceptance and friendship.

Where a stream of fresh water poured out onto the beach a lone Australian White Ibis foraged.

Off we went on our walk around Botany Bay and as we went we found another little friendship between a Little Pied Cormorant and a Little Black Cormorants. Cormorants tend to share space with the various species of Cormorant.

Toward the end of our walk we found a Royal Spoonbill striking up a friendship with an Australian White Ibis as they scanned a creek bed together.

We could hear and see many Little Corella flying over so we followed the sound to some pine trees in a nearby park. They appeared to be feeding on some fallen pine cones. Ferule Pigeons joined them, though I am not sure what they were eating.

On our walk we had seen several birds of different species, sharing space together. The harmony of species living at peace. In the movie above we saw one pair showing loving affection to each other.

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” – Titus 3:1,2

Have a most enjoyable week and stay safe!

Thank you everyone who has been praying for a miracle healing for my heart. Just when I was giving up hope of ever experiencing normal again, it was granted me, and it is so great to feel normal again and have more energy. Praise be to God for his healing mercy!

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Wattle You Know About These – Our Largest Honeyeaters – The Wattlebirds ?

The Red Wattlebird

The Yellow Wattlebird

Now compare this much older bird, and see how those wattles hang.

The Little Wattlebird

One of the distinguishing and beautiful features of this bird is its unique chest plumage, which I think looks like a hair brush, but that is not where the brush name came from, it is the brush tipped tongue.

The juvenile lacks this frontal plumage, which develops with maturity, as it looses its orange head plumage.

Little Wattlebirds have an interesting landing posture at times, showing a curved back.

The call of the Little Wattlebird is quite distinguishable to the Red.

I love these captures of a pair of Little Wattlebirds .

To conclude look at this very special photo, can you detect what is special about it…

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

If this is your first visit to my blog, why not explore my birding website via the HomePage which has had a recent face lift with some additional pages and changes in preparation for the next book release. Learn about the value of installing a Birdbath.

Birding for Beginners is now a more complete compilation of my birding hints and instruction, in one place. It might be worth an explore if you have not explored before.

Have a wonderful week and stay safe!

Share this:

Like this:

“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me…” – Psalm 139: 5,6

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139: 9,10

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” – Titus 3:1,2