Rainforests | aussiebirder

Last weekend my wife and I drove to Wagga Wagga to celebrate her birthday with her siblings who had congregated there, and catch up with extended family. As most of you are aware her sister lives on Lake Albert where we often go birding on our visits, for western birds not common to our area, of which there are few, especially during the present change of seasons and post heavy rains.

The main bird of interest was the Crimson Rosella of the yellow race, which was previously known as the Yellow Rosella, and rightly so, as there is very little crimson at all on the bird. I consider if you are going to change a name to group it with another it should at least look like the descriptive name. This beautiful bird is seen feeding from flowers in the bright morning sunshine on Resurrection morning. I love when it hangs upside down and looks at you.

Of course there are the usual waterbirds, but not many as the rise in water level meant the wetlands were difficult for waterbirds to feed on the weed below.

Australian Pelican resting in the morning sun

A pair of Australasian Wood Duck resting in the morning sun

The morning chorus always commences here with the resident Eastern Aussie Magpie clans calling in chorus to each other to remind each other of their territories and catch up on the latest news. We just sit on the verandah and take it all in.

This guy is listening for larvae which he can hear with his very acute hearing in the soil beneath the grass. This ability is taught to him as a youngster, and this food is a major source, which is another reason why we should not reed these wild birds. They actually protect our lawns from pests. These Crested Pigeons were also catching the morning sun as the morning begin to be cool.

Crested Pigeons

Down by the lake the trees were buzzing with the sound of the Common Starling which breeds there. They do look quite beautiful iridescent in the sunlight.

Common Starling

Starlings resting in afternoon sun

This lone Red Wattlebird tried to join them but was not welcome by the clan.

Red Wattlebird

As I walked around the lake I was pleasantly surprised to find this Grey Shrike-thrush under a bush foraging in the late afternoon light.

Also in the grass nearby as I sat on the grass and watched, was many Superb Fairy wren, hopping happily about close to the reeds, where they quickly find cover. Some were going through their first morph (coming out of eclipse to breeding plumage) as they can breed several times in a year, they are a very sexually active bird.

male morphing

two young females exploring

the rear of the morphing male

Non breeding male

Feeding in the grass was this pair of Red-rumped Parrot, which we always see here. The male constantly checked that I was not a threat. Only the male has the red rump, the female has the green one. This bird can be mistaken for the Turquoise Parrot from a distance.

This Willy Wagtail, a true Aussie flycatcher, was busily communing with members of his family as I studied him.

This bird is features in my first book as a very brave little bird, which it is when nesting, and a bird that survives well because of this. It is amazing how effective this little bird is, as you might remember how it stands up to much larger birds which could eat it, such as the Magpie and Kookaburra.

Most of the day flocks of Galah constantly fed on the grass seed by the lake, which is normal custom for the Parrot family after Summer has passed and the grass has seeded.

One last western bird we always see here is the very tiny White-plumed Honeyeater, as it busily feeds on the flowers high on the canopy of the River Gums, as well as searches for available lerps.

Have a most enjoyable week and weekend !

If you have not done so yet check out my new book release Flight of a Fledgling and take advantage of the 2 book deal (Book 1 and Book 2) which is going for a short time. Both books are available on my website. Click on the picture below to go to the page.

All adults, and especially Young Adults and late teens, can benefit from this book and gain insights into the modern research on our amazing birds. Posted to your address. Thankfully for you overseas Followers, due to our current absences of the Covid, Australia is able to send to most all countries.

Lastly, I want to share an observation of my little mate ‘Butch’ the Grey Butcherbird who sings to me throughout the day. He decided to clean out our gutters on the garage, and found food there, including a skink. This caused me to later clean them out properly, as I did not realise till he threw out so much leaf litter, how clogged they were.

checking me watching

Butch with skink in beak

““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? …” – Matthew 6:25-34

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

Grey Butcherbird

As Aussiebirder I often get asked “What is your favorite bird?” and many get surprised when I tell them it is the Butcherbird. They become even more curious when they immediately go looking for it in my book and discover it was not included. Many of you who follow my blog know how my resident Butcherbird family, headed by Butch, make me smile and say “How beautiful !”, as they sing constantly through the day. Further up the coast where I lived much of my life, the Pied Butcherbird has one of the most amazing chimes, which would also delight me every morning.

Pied Butcherbird

Sydney and the north east coast of NSW has been pounded with rain, breaking all previous recorded records, creating state of emergency due to the extensive damage and loss of life caused by massive flooding of our big rivers. As this is occurring as I write this, I have not had an opportunity this week to leave my house, other than to shop in the very small windows when the rain was least intense so this week the Butcherbird family are featured.

Black Butcherbird

Of the now five species of Butcherbird four are endemic to Australia. The Grey and Pied are the most common and are found over much of the continent, but only the Grey Butcherbird is present in Tasmania. The Black, Black-backed and Silver-backed are only found in the top end of Australia in Far North Queensland and northern parts of WA and NT. The Black-backed Butcherbird is also found in New Guinea. Of the five species we have only laid eyes on the three pictured above.

Juvenile Grey Butcherbird

As you can see from the profile of the juvenile Butcherbird, even from a young age, the large powerful hooked beak is a classic feature of this omnivorous bird, which mainly consumes small reptiles, birds and rodents as well as the odd insect and fruit. They derive their name from their unusual custom of hanging their prey like a butcher hangs his meat on a meat hook, usually in the fork of a tree or crevice or on broken branch for later consumption, like a butcher’s cool room. Though I personally have never seen one ever do this, this is how it apparently was named.

The male may also do this to impress a new mate and present her with food, to show he is a good provider and that he will feed her when she mounts the nest to incubate the eggs. The hooked beak is feature like raptors for tearing prey. Here are some immatures calling in the morning to their parent.

Butcherbirds usually have 2 to 3 nestlings each season. My father of our local Grey Butcherbird clan brings his juvenile youngsters to visit me and introduce them to our source of water and shade.

Butch’s youngsters

Butch growing up

The Butcherbird is one of Australia’s most musical songbirds, and can be heard all through the day calling with varied calls. At different times of year they will tend to use particular calls, but their laughing call delights me every time I hear it and makes me smile in my heart and give thanks for having the privilege of having this little clan so close. I can actually hear him laughing as I write this.

The Pied Butcherbird is not found around Sydney but is further up the coast. Listen to the melodious chimes of this bird, which are hauntingly beautiful in the early morning. These were the first sounds I would hear each morning when I lived in the country.

This immature Pied is practicing his song.

This is the Western race of the Pied Butcherbird which inhabits the desert regions and is more contrasting than our Eastern race. We saw this guy at Uluru in the red centre.

The Black Butcherbird we only see on our trips to Far North Queensland. It is all black, and has its own peculiar call but not as melodious as the other two. When we first heard it calling we initially thought it was the Orange-footed Scrubfowl which lives up there also as it sounded similar. When we could not find it after looking low in the scrub we looked up and found it was a pair of Butcherbirds, but they were very shy.

Black Butcherbird

We would see this juvenile each morning sitting out near our open air dining area.

juvenile Black Butcherbird

It is hard to believe that as the juvenile develops it will one day turn black when it matures.

Black Butcherbird immature

This little guy had found something but not sure what.

Black Butcherbird

Have a wonderful week. We are all recovering from the heaviest week of rain ever experienced on the east coast of Australia, with extensive destructive flooding which continues even today on a clear blue sky, as the rivers continue to rise. We had the drought, then the fires and smoke, then the Covid, and just when were starting to get back to normal, the flooding rains… this is Australia.

Click on the pic below to see some news footage from Channel 9, of a man saving his pet Emu from the flood waters:

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” – Job 12: 7-10 (NIV)

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

Last weekend my wife and I spent a few days in the Newcastle area to celebrate our wedding anniversary and have some birding time together, as well as birding time out walking and birding with my eldest son and his boys. One of the places we love to visit when there is the Walka Water Works near Maitland which seldom disappoints us, especially during Spring-Summer months.

Waterworks building

the meaning of Walka

the lake

bird signs along the track

This old steam driven water pumping station has long been decommissioned and now used as a museum and function centre. The man made lake is home to many waterbirds, and surrounding forest around it houses many passerines. The walk around the lake is always a delight as you never know what you might see. As we were about to commence our walk this flock of Corella were spooked and took off in flock.

The bird we were most wanting to see on the lake was the Great Crested Grebe, with its young. The last time we were here in Spring we saw the mating dance as well as very young juveniles being carried on the backs of the father Grebe. I figured that on this late Summer visit we would see the next stage of juvenile development, and we did.

Several families were present and the young were at various stages of maturity.

Surprising as it is the grey striping on white does camouflage the babies from the air, where their main predator will come from. This lake, surrounded by grassed flood plain is an ideal raptor hunting area, and guess what the next bird that came over head was?… The majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle, our largest eagle, with a wingspan of about 2.3 meters (7.5′). I was so pleased that it came overhead to examine us.

Wedge-tailed Eagle

As it soared away from us it was suddenly in pursuit by what appeared to be a Magpie, but due to the intense back-lighting of the clouds was difficult to confirm. Wedgies are often chased by brave smaller birds, displaying their commitment to their family’s safety. This cat and mouse chase went on for several minutes, as the eagle soared up higher and higher making it more difficult for its assailant.

Later we found the pair of Wedgies working a paddock nearby and swiftly left when their keen eyesight spotted us watching.

Wedgie pair leaving

Wedgie swooping

Walking along the track we saw an amazing little incident with two Red-browed Finches. It appeared that the male was presenting the grass seed gift as a wedding ring followed by an acceptance and immediate mating. At first he mounted for a few seconds and now sexual contact was made, and then he mounted again and for several seconds there was intense movement as he watched the face of his partner. The movement helped to blur the photo. Then it was all over and he is left holding the grass. The female has a slightly narrower supercilium than the male. Now there is a word to explore!

First bring a grass seed gift to the female

Wait for it to be received

Mount the female like so

Proceed to mate watching to see she is OK

There that’s your sex education done

Walking further along we were charmed by the beautiful chime of the Pied Butcherbird, one of my favorite bird calls which brings back memories of living on my property years ago. He did get a little worried at one stage when a pair of Musk Lorikeets flew toward him.

Rapidly moving Grey Fantails, Silvereye and Yellow Thornbill were flying with an MFF (Mixed Feeding Flock).

Yellow Thornbill

Grey Fantail

Silvereye

We just caught a glimpse of a White-bellied Sea Eagle before it escaped our view, after it had just passed over the lake.

White-bellied Sea Eagle escaping us

It was surprising to also see a Spangled Drongo. These birds are usually found alone and migrate south from northern Queensland during Summer months, though usually not this far south. The fish tail is always a help in identifying it.

Just then we had another raptor moment when a Whistling Kite came over with a youngster in tow. Notice the adult always flies above the juvenile to make sure it is safe and not getting into mischief.

adult Whistler

both together

adult

juvenile

Juvenile Whistler

A pair of Hardheads cruised together on the water. The male has the white eye. A parent Dusky Moorhen was taking her two youngsters out for a cruise also, as a Little White Cormorant flew bye and a pair of Little Black Cormorant also were out together for a cruise.

Hardheads

Dusky Moorhen

Little Black Cormorant

Little Pied Cormorant

After an enjoyable walk we made our way back to our accommodation, checking out Ash Island Wetlands on the way. We found most of the birds had left after the rains and as usual my wife prayed the prayer “What have you got for us here Lord?” as we were leaving, a large unusual bird with a long tail ran with head down across the road in front of the car, flying to a nearby tree some distance from the road with prey in mouth. It was a Pheasant Coucal a rare bird not usually seen here. We tried to get a better view but it hid in a Casuarina tree.

Pheasant Coucal in tree with prey (best)

What a great way to finish an anniversary birding date. We were very grateful for a wonderful day out.

May you all have a wonderful week and get opportunities to get out and about. We are enjoying over 50 days virus free in our state and pray it continues as restrictions slowly lift. My new book is almost at the printing stage, looking at a possible April release, similar to last year.

If this is your first visit to our blog, welcome ! Become a Follower and receive notification when my weekly post is published and learn more about our fascinating Aussie birds. Check out the helpful birding pages on my website.

The Noisy Miner is one of the most aggressive bully birds in Australia, the cause of much stress, occasional deaths and nesting failures among many small birds. Above my friend Noisy leads his little coalition against my friend Butch, the father Grey Butcherbird who also frequents our birdbaths with his family. My second edition of “What Birds Teach Us” assists children to deal with bullies such as these. Occasionally the Miners will attempt to gang up and mob Butch or his family if he is too close to a nest, but Butch in this case is just ignoring them as he looks for insects in a Bottlebrush tree next door to us. Later he calls from the inside the other side of the tree after they left and could not find him.

Both these species provide a service to us. The Butcherbird sings and chuckles all day to me which I thoroughly enjoy and makes me smile inside and give thanks, while the bold Miners protect our yard continually from intruding vagrant, non native pest birds with their vigilant aggressive stance. We care for them both, though people would wonder why.

It is good to maintain a balance in relationships and show no partiality, accepting the person for who they are with a non judgmental attitude. If it is possible retain friendships with all people by showing respect, acceptance and understanding. We must however be careful to not take sides or enter into conversation that favors one side over the other, but simply listen and show empathy. If the person shows disrespect because you are friends with their opponent, step back and do not continue, but let them know you care and show no partiality for both parties. It does not mean you condone any inappropriate behaviour, or agree with it, but instead respect them and try to understand why they are doing what they do. You can only do this by developing a relationship, and spending time. It is in this context that we can be an instrument of positive change and healing to another person. We can eventually help them understand why they do what they do as they respond to our friendship and eventually trust us enough to share from their heart.

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” – Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)

“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” – James 3:18

“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.” – Proverbs 17:1

Above my female (left) and alpha male (right) Australian Magpies give thanks as they carol by our birdbaths, as they do each morning in appreciation.

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

Barking Owl swooping

Last week I featured most of Australia’s majestic daytime raptors, and this week I will showcase but five of our ten Owls. The reason I have so few is that we do not go night birding and my collection is of birds seen during the daytime usually resting deep inside trees out of general sight. The Owl takes over at night while the Eagles, Kites, Falcons, Harriers, Kestrels etc. sleep, continuing to prey on small birds and animals. These kings of the night have some different characteristics to their daytime cousins, but first lets list features in common which they share.

Let’s use the Barking Owl pictured above as an example, to list the similar defining features of a raptor:

⇒ Superior Eyesight with binocular telescopic vision

⇒ Hooked beak for tearing flesh (swallows prey in pieces)

⇒ Powerful Legs and Talons used to kill and carry prey

⇒ Large powerful wings

⇒ Nests in tree hollows

⇒ Tactically hunts its prey consisting of birds, small animals and reptiles.

Let’s now list the differences that intelligent design has granted this killing machine:

⇒ They have large eyes able to see in very dim light. The large retina has many more light receptors but is unable to see in total darkness.

⇒ They do not ride the thermals and generally do not hunt by day but hunt by night and sleep by day.

⇒ They generally sit and wait for their prey to come near to them and do not fly or hover searching for their prey.

⇒ They have extra soft feathers which allow them to take off and fly silently, enabling them to successfully stalk their prey.

⇒ They can rotate their head 180° without moving their body to observe surroundings.

Some may have wondered why it is called the Barking Owl, well…

It makes a barking like sound as you can hear. This one was seen at a Raptor Bird Show, and is a common inhabitant of the eastern Australian mainland.

The largest Owl in Australia is the Powerful Owl, which nests in several places near where I live. It is found along the east coast of NSW and Victoria, This owl lives up to its name and will feed on domestic and ferule cats, but mainly enjoys various species of Australian possums, as you can see below body remains of the previous night’s kill hanging from the talon. They eat the head of the animal and then display the remainder of their kill into the next day. He may give his partner some of the kill later, but they both catch some shut eye for now.

Powerful Owl male displaying last nights kill

The owls help to keep the possum population under control, however, when the possum was introduced to New Zealand, the numbers exploded causing major concern as they did not have a natural predator. But they found a good use for their pelts which do make very warm gloves and winter attire. It makes up most of New Zealand’s roadkill. The owls sometimes wonder what the fuss is below and take a look:

Owls are known to return to the same tree each morning to rest until the hunting pickings become too slim or their privacy is challenged and they will move to another nearby park or forest.

I remember the first time my wife and I sighted a family of Powerful Owl resting high up in a tall eucalypt well away from anyone. We saw the two juvenile looking at us and I said to my wife “Hey, there looks to be 2 Meerkats in the tree looking at me !” We saw the parents sleeping in a nearby tree well out of sight.

Another more commonly seen owl in our local parks is the Southern Boobook which again I have only seen in daylight, usually sleeping inside a tree hollow or perched nearby it as it prepares to go hunting in the evening. This owl is found all over the mainland and also Tasmania. I have lightened up the photo so you can see the bird in the tree hollow. Passers by have no idea it was there. When they look into the hollow all they see is darkness. A few weeks after this photo a swam of native bees took over the hollow and Mr Boobook was gone. In my next book I will use this bird to demonstrate the importance of shedding light on our understanding and improving our perception. One of the fine points of recent digital camera sensors is the much higher ISO (light sensitivity) settings now possible.

I always find Owls difficult to get good photos of in the wild and have to doctor up my photos. As a rule I do not use flash on birds as I respect their well being, especially night birds which can suffer blindness for days, though I know of some photographers rather than bird lovers, that use flash at night on birds to get that perfect photo. Many Penguins die for the same reason, blinded by the light and unable to find their way safely to their burrow.

Another very common Owl, probably the most common both all over Australia and world wide, as it is an introduced species, is the Barn Owl. I can remember when I lived out in the country up north on my rural property walking to the neighbour’s gate to pay a visit at night and as I go to open the gate I get this shock as this brilliant white object flies off the gate almost into my face off into the night with barely a sound.

This is the only Owl featured in my book “What Birds Teach Us” as the very last bird and was only included at that stage because a dear friend said her niece loved owls so I needed one. I would include the Powerful Owl if I were to do a 3rd Edition. This is the famous wise poem, by an unknown author, which I quote as my book’s last word:

A wise old owl sat in an oak,
The more he heard, the less he spoke;
The less he spoke, the more he heard;
Why aren’t we all like that wise old bird?

The above photo will be familiar to those who have my book as the Owl flies from its nesting hole.

Our last Owl is one of Australia’s less seen and rarer Owls found only in far northern Australia and in the Queensland rainforests. We were blessed to see this pair of Rufous Owls resting in a very tall native fig tree in one of the residential parks in Cairns. They were extremely high up and hidden from the light as our photos show, having to have some post production work. We just happened to meet a local birder who knew exactly where these birds were otherwise there was no way anyone could have found them.

The male, as also with the Powerful Owl, is larger than the female and seen usually hanging its prey as in the above photos. It was a neck breaking experience to get these shots.

Female Rufous Owl in the light

Well that concludes our little Raptor stint, maybe one day I will see the others to share with you.

Have a wonderful weekend, we are going away for a few days to celebrate our wedding anniversary and may be do some birding along the way. Stay safe and do someone a random act of kindness each day, and notice the difference it makes.

Let’s take onboard the wisdom of the Owl as the poem above suggests. It is by watching and listening that we do most of our learning. As a male of the species I have learnt over the years and from my family counselling studies that the answer is not to necessarily solve our partners problems for her when she shares her heart, and give a quick fix, but to just shut-up and listen and empathize. Those who watch and observe are best scientists, inventors, leaders and politicians, not those who think they have all the answers and cut off and interrupt the sharer before the person finishes speaking. In my book the Superb Lyrebird was featured to share the qualities of active listening, but for the Owls it is how they get their food each night, a matter of life or death, as it is not safe to be flying through thick trees in the dark. As Epictetus is quoted: ‘We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. ‘ He was a Greek philosopher who spent his youth as a slave in Rome before gaining freedom after the death of Nero, under whom he served until around 60 AD.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” – James 1:19 (NIV)

Suffering Job addresses his so called friends as they accuse and give foolish advice when all he wanted was some compassion, empathy and understanding:

“If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.” – Job 13:5

Wise King Solomon is quoted saying there is a time for everything under heaven:

“a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,” – Ecclesiastes 3:7

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” – Proverbs 18:2

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

Black-shouldered Kite

Australia is blessed with many different species of raptor. Raptors are probably the most popular birds photographed, and many birders only seek to photograph these bird species.. Since birding was not an option this week due to weather, and simply not seeing many at all in the forest on our birding date, I thought it good to showcase some of our beautiful raptors. These exceptional birds are the kings of the sky and their image is used to denote power and authority in defence forces, police and governments. Above a Black=shouldered Kite alights from the top of a dead tree. Let me list some of the important traits that group these amazing birds into a unique and beautiful class of their own.

Very elderly Wedge-tailed Eagle

⇒ They have the keenest and sharpest eyesight of any creature: They can see small rodents over one kilometre away and most of them, such as the Wedge-tailed eagle have, not only binocular vision, but also telescopic vision, as they are able to press out their eye socket in a way that zooms their eyesight making it over 5 times better than our own.

Wedge-tailed Eagle about to land on prey

⇒ They have powerful retractable talons: Unlike other birds they do not only have claws, but they have large scissor-sharp talons controlled by powerful muscles in their feet which they can advance and retract. This is how they kill their pray and carry it in the air. The Osprey has very unique talons designed for carrying fish with opposing toes. Wedge-tailed Eagles have been seen carrying in flight small lambs and and even young wallabies. Click on photos to enlarge them.

Sea-Eagle with fish

Eastern Osprey with fish

⇒ They have very strong hooked beaks: The hook on the beak allows them to tear flesh off their prey, which for the most part if smaller animals and birds. They lack teeth and have to break off pieces small enough to swallow whole.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle beak

⇒ They have very large wingspans which enable them to soar: One of the features of these birds similar to many other birds is their ability to catch the warm upper currents off land (called thermals) and once they reach a certain height using their powerful wing beats, they spread their wings and soar motionless with the winds up to 2000 meters, usually going up in a circular trajectory. This a good reason why keen eyesight is essential for these birds to be able to spot their prey from high in the sky. Not all raptors prefer this technique, but most can do it. They can move and turn in the air with barely a visible movement. The conservation of energy as they aeronautically soar on the thermals allows them to spend hours in the sky, but they can only do this by day..

Square-tailed Kite

⇒ They primarily prefer to hunt alone and prefer a very high 360° view when resting: Mostly lone hunters, though when breeding are training young they will accompany spouse and young. The place to look for these birds is usually on the highest point of a dead tree, or even green tree, when they are resting, as they like to purvey their complete surroundings, like a king surveying his kingdom, able to spot prey from some distance away.

Australian Hobby

⇔ They build some of the largest nests: Some Eagles build nests that weigh several tons and are many metres wide and deep. Our Wedge-tailed Eagle and White-bellied Sea-Eagle, being our largest raptors, build the largest in Australia. Here is a link reporting one of the largest reported from the USA.

A Wedge-tailed Eagle eyrie (with chicks in nest)

White-bellied Sea-Eagle eyrie (chicks just visible

⇒ They train their young for several years in every aspect of life: This not so for all raptors, but is for the larger eagles, however they require persistent adult teaching to learn to fly and hunt. Much of their learning is simple observation and listening, as it is for us. Adult eagles are known to push their young out of the nest if they do not brave it themselves, when they think they should.

Initially parent flies beneath fledgling

when the fledgling has fledged the adult leads it away

This is where the phrase “I carried you on eagles wings” (Exodus 19:4) comes from in the Bible, when God was referring to Israel being delivered from Egypt’s slavery. After pushing the youngster out of the nest, the adult flies rapidly beneath it. If it fails to fly it catches it on is back and wings it back to the nest to try again, as many times as it takes. Finally, as the youngster starts to fly of its own accord,it flies beneath the youngster until it can fly alone, and then leads it away to strengthen its wings in flight. These photos and this training process, among others appear in my first book. Notice in the above LH photo how the youngster looks down to check the parent is there.

⇒ They can deliberately hatch their young at different times: Most raptors, in particular eagles, usually only have one to three offspring at a time, and only two out of three may survive. This is because the mother deliberately lays her eggs 2 to 4 days apart, so they each are born larger than the hatching that follows. This can lead to the smallest becoming the weakest due to feeding priority given to the larger birds, and often the first born will compete for food being stronger, causing the youngest to eventually die. Because of the amount of hands on effort in feeding, teaching and raring the young for several years, it is to their advantage to raise only one healthy youngster in each clutch. Even though the juveniles are fully fledged, they continue to need feeding for some time till they learn to successfully catch their own without help, as it is with us training a child to use a knife and fork.

⇒ They are mostly monogamous: Most raptors spend their lives with the one mate and raise their families together. If a mate dies they may go looking for a replacement and continue breeding. It is not uncommon to see pairs of adults and junior tagging along as they soar on the thermals.

Sea-Eagle family out touring together

family of Black Kites (2 adults+2 juveniles LHS)

⇒ They vary between species in size and hunting methods: While the larger eagles and kites swoop down on their prey at speed from a distance above or from the top of a dead tree, Smaller Goshawks, Kestrels and Black-shouldered Kites hover above waiting for their prey to appear and then suddenly descend on it from above. Pacific Baza fly into the trees and catch their prey as they fly through. Harriers fly very low over the ground and drop suddenly down on their quarry. A Black-shouldered Kite shows us (below) an example of hovering over prey, but alas on a very cloudy day.

⇒ They have beautiful distinctive plumage: The main form of identification of these birds when they are soaring is their specific under wing plumage, as this may be all you see. Here are some examples…

Little Eagle light morph

Whistling Kite

Wedge-tailed Eagle

White-bellied Sea Eagle

Brahminy Kite

Nankeen Kestrel

Red Goshawk

Eastern Osprey

Black-breasted Buzzard or Kite

Black Kite (which is actually brown in colour)

Spotted Harrier “Harriering” low over the paddocks

Swamp Harrier male

Pacific Baza flying into trees (hunting style)

Brown Goshawk juvenile

Collared Sparrowhawk

Grey Goshawk

Brown Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

That is enough raptors for this week, otherwise you will be raptored out. This is a summary of the kings of the sky by day. Part 2 will look at the kings of the sky by night, the eagles of the night we know as owls.

Hope you all have an enjoyable week despite all the hardships that many of you are going through at present with both weather and virus. Praying you all keep alert and well during this unusual season in our history. Many have shared how bird numbers are reduced this season.

If this is your first visit to my blog, a warm welcome to you. Have a look around on my website pages from my menu or Home Page. I have updated several pages recently. Check out my book, I am the final stages of publishing process of my next book. Here is a last plug for my current one on an unused clip I found.

Here is a joke a dear friend shared on Facebook I am sure the ladies will appreciate:

White-bellied Sea Eagle – hunting instructor

Raptors carry an air of majesty and authority in the way they do life, which makes them the ideal emblem for use on law enforcement and defense force coats of arm. Their ability to soar for hours motionless, yet always moving with outspread wings is always a delight for every birder and for many who are enchanted by their presence. The raptor has the best of everything, eyesight, powerful body, hunting ability, is omnivorous to name a few. But as I shared above, and from my book (page example shown above earlier), the more complex, intelligent and able the creature, the more learning and listening is required of the trainee nestling and fledgling. These birds, similar to the Raven, Magpie, Bowerbird and Lyrebird take several years of training before they gain their full maturity colours and can breed. It is also interesting from recent research and personal observation that in a similar way to us humans there are good and poor learners with varying results of success in life.

The White-bellied Sea Eagle perched above has been trying to get its juvenile fledgling to hunt for itself, but it just remains in the nest squawking to be fed. The boat captain on the Arthur River laughingly said that these parents have been endlessly trying by example, to make this reluctant youngster hunt for itself. The video above shows the father adult catching a fish and carrying it away from the nest out of sight to eat it. This is followed by the juvenile trying to follow, but stops when it loses sight of it. This is old movie so it lacks quality.

reluctant juvenile pupil

Simply put the lesson is: no matter how well we may parent and set a good example for our children, it is ultimately up to the child what they choose to learn from and respect. Many hurting parents have shared their false guilt over how they blame themselves for their children not turning out the way they had hoped, after much loving commitment to their development and instruction. Each of us are ultimately responsible for our own destiny, and what we do with what we have been given. It is the hardest thing for many to allow their child to suffer the consequences for their bad decisions, but it is important that they learn for themselves and sometimes the hard way. We need to always show them love, acceptance and forgiveness , sharing our concern, but always letting them live their own lives and not try saving them, as this is also part of their normal growth and maturity Often they will have a light bulb moment and realize the error of their ways and apologise to the parents down the track. Many children become spoilt and dependent on parents, who eventually become co dependent to the child’s carelessness, bailing them out and suffering the use and abuse syndrome, with the child never maturing or learning to correct their bad habits.

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” – Proverbs 1: 8,9 (NIV)

“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.” – Proverbs 29:17

^“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

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

It was mid-week and my wife and I decided to have a birding date preceded by a lovely breakfast at the local Nasho cafe before our rainforest walk, as we expected their would be less walkers and riders on the tracks, which to our delight was the case, in the early part. We met several couples, like ourselves, and some birders, enjoying a stroll along the track, which brought to our attention this Collared Sparrow-hawk while chatting.

It was quiet, but for some pockets of cicadas, which had driven many songbirds deeper into the forest, because of their loud incessant noise. Many birds had also finished nesting and are fledged, so their parents had become quieter. This was the first warm day we had in a week of most unseasonable cold, wet windy weather. We came across this Red-browed Finch, one of the Firetails, which could be called Red-browed Firetail, as you can see below. This little guy was using a small tree to position a blade of grass seed while he ate from it.

Extracting the seed

The firetail displayed

We just loved its little expressions as it wondered what we were up to watching.

Further on this female Superb Fairy-wren was preening in the sun. The male kept out of sight from us. The female is the unattractive one in the species and does not change its plumage during breeding like the male. This of course is of great value in keeping hidden from predators when nesting. Click a photo to enlarge.

To our delight I spotted the Rufous Fantail again. It has appeared now that several families of this bird, which mainly see in Winter for a few of weeks are now residing here, possibly because of destruction of habitat by devastating 2020 bushfires. It is always a buzz to both capture this bird in bright sunlight and while not moving around too much, both seldom occur.

As we approached the picnic clearing this Eastern Water Dragon was sunning himself on one of the seats. Males have a rufous chest that becomes bright red during breeding season.

As we walked further, one of the walkers was photographing this Short-nosed Echidna foraging by the track. These unusual monotremes, of which the Platypus is the other, are the only mammals that lay eggs outside their body.

These creatures were called Spiny Ant-eaters and are not at all a kind of Porcupine. The echidna has spines like a porcupine, a beak like a bird, a pouch like a kangaroo, and lays eggs like a reptile. What an interesting creature.

As we walked on I heard the chime of the King Parrot as he hid in the dark of a tree, but I managed to enhance his appearance for you.

King Parrot male

Finally, we saw a pair of juvenile Pacific Baza resting in trees high on the side of the track. The rufous neck markings indicate their immaturity. We have seen Baza here a year ago being harassed by Noisy Miners. However, the main diet of Baza or Crested Hawk as they are also known because of their head dress, is large insects, frogs and native fruits.

They have an unusual hunting technique whereby they fly into trees and catch prey as they move rapidly through the canopy. Here are some flight shots we managed to catch. Remember that these have had to be lightened up because of the dark under-story.

Though we did not see or hear as many species as usual on this walk, we were delightfully rewarded with some special moments, for which we are truly grateful.

Have a most enjoyable week. I have noticed our northern friends are experiencing extremely cold conditions at present, which in itself is a challenge apart from the Covid. We pray you all stay well through this season. We have been experiencing a colder and wetter Summer in contrast to the drought, heatwaves and bushfires this time last year. If this is your first visit to my Blog and Website, Welcome. Check out my Menu at the top of this page. Some of my pages have been recently updated. Don’t forget fellow Aussies to keep your birdbaths filled and cleaned, especially during the Summer months when you can enjoy your local birds calling around for a wash and a drink. To find our more about birdbaths Click here.

I was walking in my local park yesterday and sighted several immature Magpies. One of a pair was acting strangely. After walking about foraging it simply laid down by the track, unperturbed by my close presence. A little time later I found it in this position, which was even stranger. Was it sick or wounded, I did not know? Its sibling seemed to continue foraging normally.

It just lay peering into the weeds. Birds are known to lie down and spread their wings in the sun, but it was not doing this, and it was not sunny. It also occurred the bird may have just been resting in an unusual manner, or maybe It may not have been successful in its foraging and was undernourished. Such thoughts came and went. Many times when we hear and see people do things out of character we easily make judgments based on what we know or think when the person may be having a difficult or stressful time and just need some encouragement and someone to ask “How are you going ?” Just listening to a person share their pain and their story actually lowers their stress level and helps them process their thoughts, which gives better understanding to both them and yourself. A life can be saved simply taking the time, when we see someone acting out of character and removed and quiet, by asking and listening.

“let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—” – Proverbs 1:5

“To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13

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W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

During the Australia Day weekend, we were away visiting family and friends up the coast in the area I lived and worked in before meeting my wife. We enjoyed quality time with people rather than birds on this occasion and relaxed enjoying the beautiful coastal area and a special time with my children and grandchildren whom I seldom get to see. After lunch we walked along a bush track to the surf beach, where I photographed my first bird in two days, this White-bellied Sea-Eagle. My daughter spotted it flying overhead, but I was only able to catch it flying off along the coast on its regular daily run.

Nine years before when I lived on the headland just down the coast from where we stood and was known in the small town by several people to have a ‘wild pet eagle’. This was because whenever this one particular eagle appeared it would always find me and remain above my head, so I would often get a call from someone when swimming or just on the beach: “Ashley your eagle is here !” and I would look up and there in the strong afternoon wind this eagle, without moving its wings at all, would remain dormant above my head some thirty to fifty feet.

As soon as I pick up my camera, it would just let the wind take it away, again without a any apparent movement of wing. This is the eagle featured in my book as it was doing its cliff run.

I remember on one occasions hiding in the bushes at the edge of the cliff hoping to catch it coming around the cliff without it knowing, but with its eagle eyesight (over 5 times better than ours) it flew directly to me and again hovered without wing movement as it looked into the bush where I thought I was hiding. After about seven seconds it continued its journey around the headland.

I would often see it returning with a fish for the nest, but the light would often be in the wrong place for the photo, which had to be taken immediately.

Sea-Eagle with fish

On our return we heard Little Wattlebirds and Noisy Miners. As we were about to leave my daughter’s family, our golden photo moment occurred. This was in fact the only real moment where we actually had a decent opportunity placed before our eyes. High at the top of dead branches in a nearby tree was a family of Australasian Figbird catching the afternoon breeze on this very hot Summer day.

These birds are in plenteous number here as there is much rainforest and many species of fruiting native fig trees, which causes them to often get high on the figs in a feeding frenzy as they compete for the ripest fruit. The male has a distinct reddish eye ring of bare skin and light green plumage and the female and juveniles, a brown flecked chest with brownish primary plumage.

Notice below the young males forming their eye ring, being pink and not yet red, and their plumage changing from that of their mothers. The young females have a bluish eye ring of bare skin and brown plumage, and can be difficult to tell the mum from the kids. The female looks very similar to the female and juvenile Oriole but lacks its red eye. Here is a closer comparison:

A teenage male takes flight, creating interest to the observing family.

The female calls as a male looks on:

Their call is usually heard with many birds calling at the same time and moving rapidly around the upper canopy of the fig tree, however they are resting at present. Even when we went further up the coast and dropped in on a longtime friend from my school days and visited the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, where my book is sold, we did not see any birds we could capture. The very windy weather there caused many birds to be quieter than usual, which made them all the more difficult to see in the dark rainforest foliage. The Catbird my wife saw was extremely elusive as usual. On arrival we discovered that all of my books had sold out in their shop, so I was able to replenish their stock for them.

The rainforest walk was very busy over the holiday weekend, and especially since most all of our state’s people are reduced to holidaying only in our own state during Covid, due to border closures. Here are some of the examples of the rainforest trees. Notice this Strangler Fig which has completely taken over the host tree.

Strangler Fig grows around host tree

Eventually the host dies and the Strangler Fig remains

This palm forest:

I love the way the light breaks through breaks in the canopy:

Oh yes, we did see this lizard:

You may be left wondering why I posted my hero photo with a caption, and with the words of Henry Ford, inventor and innovator of the first world car and of the car production line. He was a perfectionist and believed in quality and efficiency every time. For example, if the company did not produce good leather for the seats, he bought the cattle and the tannery and brought it up to scratch. His famous saying was when people started asking for different coloured T model Fords: ‘You can have any colour you like, providing it is black.” When you discover what Henry Ford went through to achieve what he did, and especially during the war years, you can appreciate his encouraging statement at the top of this page.

Part of his success was because he surrounded himself with people who shared the same values, and worked with him, and not against him. This has been the success of our state bringing the virus to no new cases for 11 days straight. But it will the take continuous vigilant co operation of everyone, for the virus to be kept in check.

“Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.” – Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 (NIV)

“Treat everyone you know as well as those you do not, with the same respect, care, compassion and consideration you give to yourself.” – Luke 10: 27b [Ash’s Interpretation]

Have a wonderful week and stay safe. If this is your first visit, welcome. Please check out the rest of my blogs and helpful information on birding and learning from the birds, accessible from my Home Page and Menu at top of page.

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

Last Thursday I baked a batch of Anzac Bickies, you guessed it, for another birding date with my wife the following day. We decided to take a drive up on the Southern Highlands to visit Barren Grounds Nature reserve, as it has been some time since we visited. Last time many months ago, heavy rain had made the road impassible and we had to turn back.

This nature reserve consists of many acres of low lying dense heath-land, under which the rare and endangered Eastern Ground Parrot dwells, or is meant to be found, though many a birder has come here quite excited and left quite disappointed. It is by providence that any one sees it, and then it is usually a flash of green as it flies back under cover. As you can see it is a beautiful bird. Click here and see eBird’s photo. I have posted the Eastern Bristlebird, another rare and endangered species, here in previous years, but neither of these birds were found on this occasion.

Eastern Bristlebird @ Barren Grounds 2016

On arrival at the car park after out 2 hour drive we proceeded to set up for morning coffee and bickies in the picnic shelter provided. It was quite warm but a lovely cool breeze made it pleasant. As we sat and chatted we noticed no birds, only the monotonous sounds of cicadas, classic of January, which can cause many birds stress due to their very sensitive hearing. To our surprise and extreme delight this unusual bird appeared foraging about eight feet from us, and though it saw us, continued foraging nearby.

At first I spontaneously blurted out it was an immature Bowerbird, but my wife with her binoculars said it looked like a Bassian Thrush, which to our surprise it was. An extremely timid rainforest bird which is usually only seen in the dark depths of rainforest crossing the track, is here in broad daylight for us to see, on this dry scrubby heathland forest. We saw this as gift, an unexpected blessing from our Father. We managed to get many views as it moved around the car park and we followed. These birds are usually found foraging alone. It made no attempt to fly away, but just kept its safety exclusion zone.

Blending, blending, blending just stay still

If you blend in well enough you won’t be seen parking

They can’t see me Parking so I’m safe

You may have already noticed from viewing the above photos a feature of this birds plumage. Yes it is a work of intelligent design that it blend in with whatever background it forages in. Usually under normal circumstances this bird will completely freeze and remain amazingly still for minutes after it sees you, blending into the background with its camouflage plumage, in a similar way to the Australian Logrunner, featured in the first edition of my book. We just admired it beautiful plumage patterns.

Eventually we set out on our walk, checking for Bristlebirds in the usual places, but none found. We did hear many Little Wattlebird calling to each other in the usual form as throw their whole body into the call. I love how their tail rises and falls after each call. You may recall me mentioning that a birds voice box or syrinx is deep down at the bottom or base (not at the top like ours) of the trachea where the bronchi separate into the lungs. This is how small birds can make such loud calls, and even call with their mouth’s full.

Birds have a very unique uni-directional respiratory system that allows them consistent one directional flow of oxygen to their lungs, unlike our bi-directional, breathe in breathe out. Click here to learn more. This is how they maintain their body cooling system as well as being able to call continuously without exhausting themselves, as they contain, in addition to lungs, several air sacks around their whole body.

As we walked we were surprised by the absence of many birds we usually see here, especially the Eastern Yellow Robin who always greets us at the same spot along the track. But we were delighted to hear and finally see the male Rufous Whistler. Unfortunately he did not want his picture taken at this time.

Along the track we noticed these Christmas Bells still flowering which added a lovely dimension to the green. In a few months this track will be ablaze with wildflowers.

As we walked I noticed how quiet it was, no engine noises, and the total absence of people, how the cool breeze tempered the hot day so well for us, reducing the humidity and making it a most enjoyable experience.We also noted the edge of the heath land where we enjoyed this beautiful wall of delicate ferns.

We saw and heard several New Holland Honeyeaters feeding from the nectar rich blossom of eucalypt trees.

We also discovered this unusual fungi.

But it was more of a discovery to see this lone juvenile Eastern Spinebill, another honeyeater common to these parts, though we did not see its parents.

We decided to walk down a track where we last saw immature Gang Gang Cockatoos a year ago, but the many spider webs and absence of birds caused me to turn back onto the main track.

Moving further along the main track we sighted a Brown Thornbill, but in the diffused light was a challenge as usual.

Before turning around and coming back we heard and finally located this White-throated Treecreeper, always a difficult bird to photograph at any time, as they ascend the tree, usually on the dark side and look identical to the bark.

Compare the before and after post production lighting.

As we walked to the car we were delighted that our little Bassian friend was there still foraging, but also this lying with flies over it on the drive way of the carpark. A dead Copperhead Snake killed by a car that had recently parked on the other side of the carpark. My wife was concerned she would see this venomous snake along the track, as we know they are active here. It was good to see what it looks like.

Copperhead Snake head

Copperhead Snake

We made our way to a lovely cafe Raw & Wild at Bowral, where we had a most enjoyable lunch looking toward the mountain. On the return journey we stopped in at the Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre at Mittagong, and established a new market there for my book. We returned home thankful for a most peaceful and enjoyable birding date.

Have an enjoyable week. We keep you in prayer, especially those in counties where the virus is out of control. It appears that we will be limited in our interstate and overseas birding pursuits for some time yet, so it teaches us to be thankful for our local birds.

If you have not already checked out my book or not seen the promo for the next one which is currently with the publisher click here.

Is function determined by one’s ability or one’s capacity to perform it ?

Capacity is inherent but ability is learnt, and is the developed use of capacity, so both together are important. Interesting enough, birds did not have the ability to grow wings and develop feathers and fused aerated bone structures so they could fly, they were given the capacity first, and then learnt the ability from their parents as nestlings. It is the same in our lives. Many of us never reach our full potential in life because we feel limited by our doubtful view of our capability and ability, and have not learnt to explore our true capabilities. Capability is the unrealized potential of our capacity. There are many true stories of people who, while they did not appear to have the capacity comparatively to achieve a particular accomplishment, believed that they would, against all odds, and with patient unrelenting training, defied the negative capability assessment of others, and developed their ability to achieve. The true story of Roger Bannister who first broke the 4 minute mile, when they said it could never be done. They said it wasn’t just dangerous it was impossible. This was portrayed in the movie Chariots of Fire.

We can only achieve what we believe. To doubt is to miss out.

Faith is such an important part of our daily lives. I will be dealing with the importance of it in my new book “Flight of a Fledgling” soon to be released. Many mistakenly think it only pertains to religious matters. Everything we do, every day, contains important elements of faith, without which, we would never survive. Roger Bannister combined his belief in himself with his belief in God (the source of all faith) to achieve the unthinkable as many have done previously and since then. By combining objective faith with unconditional love, based upon a firm hope for the future we can. These three are the very fabric of life and relationship as we know it.

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” – 1 Corinthians 7

‘And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.’ – 1 Corinthians 13:13

‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’ – Hebrews 11:1

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

‘So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

Green Catbird

One of the features of a recent walk with my wife in our local Royal National Park (The Nasho) was that many of the birds we saw tended to be rather shy species which most walkers and cyclists would never see, even birdwatchers may have difficulty. Even if it was only several birds it was enough to delight us both, since a feature of birding is that you are always surprized each time you go out, as you never know what you will get, epitomized in Forrest Gump’s mum’s box of chocolate analogy. As we walked on this beautiful Summers day after a week of rain and cold winds, quite uncharacteristic of the time of year, we heard the classic catbird sound and looked up to get this unusually good footage in sunlight, of this most difficult rainforest bird.

We could see two of three Green Catbirds (an extremely shy and difficult bird to see amid the dark green canopy), loudly fleeing the opportunistic attack of a Pied Currawong which was pursuing the youngster in the family, leaving this one on watch. Eventually the Currawong left without a meal.

Green Catbird on Carrington Drive (best)

The Pied Currawong stealthily steals birds from many surrounding nests to feed its young, possibly taking at least 20 to 40 nestlings. It actually positions its nest after surveying the nesting population in a territory. As I have shown in previous posts they fight other Currawongs furiously for prime territories. The Second Edition of my current book features this bird as Opportunistic. That sneaky bright yellow eye will secretly peer at you waiting for the right opportunity to act.

Pied Currawong resting with prey in mouth

As we walked on I could hear the call of a Sacred Kingfisher next to its arboreal white ant nest, which they use, along with Kookaburras to nest in. They can be difficult to spot when they are sitting in the shade along the river’s edge. We would not have noticed it high in the tree had it not been yapping with its advertising call.

As we passed the palm forest we are always hopeful for the return of the rarely seen and most difficult to photograph beautiful Rufous Fantail, but again not found there today. But we did hear the melodic call of the Black-faced Monarch warning its mate which flew away. This shy, elusive rainforest bird which is here during Summer months, normally keeps out of sight. It freely preened as it did not notice us some distance away. Today we got some good views, rather than grainy shots hidden beneath dark canopies.

From the side of the track we saw a flash of red as a very small bird disappeared in among the grass, which we saw after much observation to be a Red-browed Finch feeding on grass seed. This flighty little bird remained for a short while as the flock fled.

Red-browed Finch feeding

Red-browed Finch

Of course the Golden Whistler male came and made himself known. Usually he is shy and keeps away and the female curiously comes for a look, but she may be with her young or in the nest. As the male hunts down the odd insect for his nearby nestlings. He is easy to find when he calls during Spring and Summer, but very quiet and elusive during the non nesting Winter months.

As we reached the end of our walk for the day we turned to walk back and there hanging off a tree was a young Lace Monitor sunning itself. This huge reptile is seldom seen, and always scurries away when spotted. He saw we were there but did not move at all.

Here’s a close up of his face…

On our walk back we saw another fast elusive small bird, the Brown Gerygone, a couple of juveniles which had not long left the nest, so they tended to rest, allowing us to a photo moment, more than their extremely active parents.

Of course the loud call of the White-throated Treecreeper is always a treat. The fun is in trying to locate the bird climbing the tree. It is so well camouflaged against the brown bark that most people hear the call of it ascending the tree, but never know where to look to find it. It is another mindful skill one gains over time. After reaching the top of the tree foraging for insects and grubs it flies to the foot of the next nearby tree and repeats the process.

As we walked on we saw this bird fly off under a bush several yards up ahead. I sensed from its profile it was the seldom sighted Wonga Pigeon, which puts out its loud monotonous call throughout the rainforest for hours at time. I managed to get this flash shot (I try to avoid flash photography with birds).

As many of you know, my wife often sends up a prayer during our walk asking our God if he has anything special to show us, which we are often rewarded with an unexpected bird sighting, and yes we did, we actually saw for the first time in over a year, one Rufous Fantail, which caused several passers bye to stop and enquire as they saw and heard our excited activity. We tried desperately to catch a glimpse and photograph this fast moving elusive bird when it came out of the bush into sunlight. This is all we got of any value:

For this we were truly grateful to our gracious Father, for we had not seen this bird all winter and believe many hundreds of these birds were lost while nesting down south during the horrific bushfires last year and early this year.

Thankfully we have sighted two families since, residing here now, away from the burnt bush down south. Though we have not been able to get them in the light to photograph. So we rejoice that at least these have survived to breed.

Have a most enjoyable week despite the circumstances we all share at this time, some more affected than others. As we move into a new year it seems like the beginning of the last all over again, but for the absence of extreme heat and bushfires.

However, one aspect to bear in mind is that ‘happiness’ depends on what is happening in current circumstances, where as joy is a much deeper more consistent attitude of one’s soul, which exists regardless of the circumstances. This is an aspect dealt with more fully in my next book “Flight of a Fledgling”, and again is something we can learn from birds. We now know from recent research that many songbirds as well as communicating with their song, also sing for the pure joy of it as it gives them a feel good release as endorphins are released in their brains, in a similar way when we laugh, encourage people, do spontaneous acts of kindness and also when we sing.

A male Golden Whistler joyously whistling

As mentioned on previous occasions, when we consistently choose to maintain a positive encouraging attitude of gratitude, we develop (hardwire into our personality) a joyous spirit or persona. This healthy state of mind and emotion actually improves overall health and longevity. To name a few, it improves our immune system, sleep, lowers stress, lowers blood pressure, releases feel good endorphins in the brain, endears us as a friend, makes us more creative and productive, enables us to better endure pain and misfortune, can maintain a more youthful appearance and make us feel more energetic. Smiling and laughter are part of this persona which also include the above benefits. The attitudes that work in reverse and are most unhealthy include unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness and unresolved anger. The greatest help that has been found to encourage a joyous state of being, is to have a firm and settled hope for the future through faith relationship with God our Creator Father. The efforts of modernism, secular humanism and political correctness to remove God from our vocabulary and life has only served to heighten the confusion, fear, anxiety and uncertainty many are currently experiencing.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine [brings healing], but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) – from King Solomon one of the world’s wisest and most successful of men.

“And forgive us our debts, [in the same way as we have forgiven others] as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12 – the reality and profundity of Jesus words is often missed when this prayer is repeated by rote. In other words a person will not feel or experience forgiveness from God through Jesus sacrifice on their behalf, if they refuse to forgive. Jesus explains in a parable that unforgiveness creates a prison of self torture. (see Matthew 18:34)

“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” – Job 19:25-27 – a most remarkable man in history who tragically lost everything, and suffered great loss, even his health was afflicted, but maintained his hope and faith and love, and later had everything restored to him in greater abundance than previously.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrew 11:1

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

‘So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

As time unrelentingly drives us into 2021 we all hope for a better year, but for many it is already appearing to look a lot like the last, as new spikes and clusters occur and restrictions are again enforced. The lone Royal Spoonbill stands high on a dead tree overlooking Lake Albert in Wagga Wagga pondering the New Year on its first day, as the wind blows through its breeding plumage.

The Australian Pelican joined the Spoonbill possibly curious as to what it was seeing up there, and then a pair came to also see, finally one left for the water, having failed to catch the Spoonbills vision.

What unknown events and experiences lie before each of us in this new age of uncertainty and rapidly changing circumstances, only time will tell ? Our year started with the morning chorus of the Australian eastern Magpie calling to another magpie from a nearby clan. This little guy is still immature and about 2 years old. Listen to the changes in vocal content communicated between the birds as these highly intelligent birds converse.

An older and younger Magpie greet us on New Years Morning

Later my wife’s niece showed us a walk along the Murrumbidgee River in Wagga Wagga where we saw beautiful old River Gums and a very large flock of Long-billed Corella grazing on the grassy horse paddocks nearby. These birds have become more frequent in eastern Australia in recent years and vary from the Little Corella (which we have at home) in that they have a longer beak, bright red lores and a red neck line marking. Similar to others of the Parrot family they pair for life.

Long-billed Corella

Pairs of Long bills

River Gum

This one caused me to consider on this first day as he scratched his head pensively while looking at me.

Young Nikki, my wife’s niece, has been confined to a wheel chair for several years and she said she would love to see a Sacred Kingfisher by the river. I sent up a silent prayer for one to appear, as we could hear one calling but could not see it, and one appeared to me on a branch just then on a nearby tree in the horse paddock, which was an instant delight to us all, as she viewed it through my wife’s binocs.

The local council had developed lovely walks and wetlands access to a portion of the river where we saw this small brood of juvenile Australasian Grebe with parent displaying breeding plumage.

My wife sighted a black snake swimming rapidly in the water nearby, but I was not able to capture a shot of it as it approached the grassy bank. Later returning to the lake we saw a pair of Galah, a bird commonly found in large flocks out west, another member of the Parrot family that pairs for life.

But the bird I wanted to see again was the Dusky Woodswallow which was nesting last time we visited and now has a couple of juvenile offspring which the parent guarded relentlessly, attacking approaching birds and even myself at times.

Dusky Woodswallow adult

juvenile Dusky Woodswallow

juvenile Dusky Woodswallows

juvenile Dusky Woodswallow

It was good also to review the PeeWee (Magpie-lark) family as we saw the mother with her hungry child. Notice the face markings, as these determine both sex and maturity.

Mother with hungry child

immature PeeWee waiting

mother and child PeeWee

Another bird we love seeing here are the Red-rumped Parrot pairs, and yes they were here by the river feeding on grass seed and resting in the shade with their young. The female is green with a green rump and the male has a beautiful iridescent turquoise head with a red rump. I was delighted to see a juvenile sitting with its mother in the shade, as well as an unusual view of an immature male sitting near a Little Friarbird in the shade..

adult wards me off from her youngster

mother and child

Male adult

Immature male resting with Little Friarbird

the parrot pair

Male Red-rumped Parrot

Female Red-rumped Parrot

Male returns to be with his wife

The tiny White-plumed Honeyeater, another bird we see inland here had a youngster also she was feeding.

gathering food

White-plumed Honeyeater with food

resting/rubbing ones head

mother feeding youngster

immature White-plumed Honeyeater

We saw a lone Little Friarbird, which is another honeyeater also quietly foraging.

Lastly the other bird we love to see here which is only found inland south, the Yellow Rosella which is strangely classified as the Yellow Crimson Rosella.

A wonderful New Years Day birding gift to start the year, for which we were truly thankful. There were of course other birds, but it just all gets to big to include them.

Have a lovely first week of 2021 as best you can considering the current circumstances.

If this is your first visit to my blog, you will find lots more interesting info on birding and bird behaviour in my web site pages and at my Home Page.

I will let you know more about my new book as we move through the publishing process in the month ahead.

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One of the topics covered in my new book is about flying with purpose and the importance of using our time wisely by having good achievable life goals for each year. The adult Dusky Woodswallow below is flying with purpose to protect its offspring from intruders and possible predators. It is wise for me to have a sense of purpose and direction for this year, even though some areas are closed to me, such as school talks due to the continuing Covid. I seek the Lord’s guidance, since the manufacturer knows whats best for the product he has made, and it is wise to follow his instructions for a enjoyable and fulfilling life. Below are some words from one of the world’s wisest and wealthiest kings, Solomon, to take us into the new year:

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” – Proverbs 3: 5-8 (NIV)

Sadly, James the Just, brother to Jesus, wrote these words to people who had lost focus on their primary life goal and become selfish, self focused and distracted:

“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” – James 4:2-3

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

‘So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

Autumn Birthday Birding – Lake Albert

Of course there are the usual waterbirds, but not many as the rise in water level meant the wetlands were difficult for waterbirds to feed on the weed below.

The morning chorus always commences here with the resident Eastern Aussie Magpie clans calling in chorus to each other to remind each other of their territories and catch up on the latest news. We just sit on the verandah and take it all in.

Down by the lake the trees were buzzing with the sound of the Common Starling which breeds there. They do look quite beautiful iridescent in the sunlight.

This lone Red Wattlebird tried to join them but was not welcome by the clan.

As I walked around the lake I was pleasantly surprised to find this Grey Shrike-thrush under a bush foraging in the late afternoon light.

Feeding in the grass was this pair of Red-rumped Parrot, which we always see here. The male constantly checked that I was not a threat. Only the male has the red rump, the female has the green one. This bird can be mistaken for the Turquoise Parrot from a distance.

This Willy Wagtail, a true Aussie flycatcher, was busily communing with members of his family as I studied him.

Most of the day flocks of Galah constantly fed on the grass seed by the lake, which is normal custom for the Parrot family after Summer has passed and the grass has seeded.

One last western bird we always see here is the very tiny White-plumed Honeyeater, as it busily feeds on the flowers high on the canopy of the River Gums, as well as searches for available lerps.

Have a most enjoyable week and weekend !

If you have not done so yet check out my new book release Flight of a Fledgling and take advantage of the 2 book deal (Book 1 and Book 2) which is going for a short time. Both books are available on my website. Click on the picture below to go to the page.

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W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

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The Bird That Makes Me Smile – The Butcherbird

The male may also do this to impress a new mate and present her with food, to show he is a good provider and that he will feed her when she mounts the nest to incubate the eggs. The hooked beak is feature like raptors for tearing prey. Here are some immatures calling in the morning to their parent.

Butcherbirds usually have 2 to 3 nestlings each season. My father of our local Grey Butcherbird clan brings his juvenile youngsters to visit me and introduce them to our source of water and shade.

The Pied Butcherbird is not found around Sydney but is further up the coast. Listen to the melodious chimes of this bird, which are hauntingly beautiful in the early morning. These were the first sounds I would hear each morning when I lived in the country.

This immature Pied is practicing his song.

This is the Western race of the Pied Butcherbird which inhabits the desert regions and is more contrasting than our Eastern race. We saw this guy at Uluru in the red centre.

We would see this juvenile each morning sitting out near our open air dining area.

It is hard to believe that as the juvenile develops it will one day turn black when it matures.

This little guy had found something but not sure what.

Click on the pic below to see some news footage from Channel 9, of a man saving his pet Emu from the flood waters:

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W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

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A Weekend Away – Anniversary Birding

Several families were present and the young were at various stages of maturity.

Later we found the pair of Wedgies working a paddock nearby and swiftly left when their keen eyesight spotted us watching.

Walking further along we were charmed by the beautiful chime of the Pied Butcherbird, one of my favorite bird calls which brings back memories of living on my property years ago. He did get a little worried at one stage when a pair of Musk Lorikeets flew toward him.

Rapidly moving Grey Fantails, Silvereye and Yellow Thornbill were flying with an MFF (Mixed Feeding Flock).

We just caught a glimpse of a White-bellied Sea Eagle before it escaped our view, after it had just passed over the lake.

It was surprising to also see a Spangled Drongo. These birds are usually found alone and migrate south from northern Queensland during Summer months, though usually not this far south. The fish tail is always a help in identifying it.

Just then we had another raptor moment when a Whistling Kite came over with a youngster in tow. Notice the adult always flies above the juvenile to make sure it is safe and not getting into mischief.

A pair of Hardheads cruised together on the water. The male has the white eye. A parent Dusky Moorhen was taking her two youngsters out for a cruise also, as a Little White Cormorant flew bye and a pair of Little Black Cormorant also were out together for a cruise.

What a great way to finish an anniversary birding date. We were very grateful for a wonderful day out.

May you all have a wonderful week and get opportunities to get out and about. We are enjoying over 50 days virus free in our state and pray it continues as restrictions slowly lift. My new book is almost at the printing stage, looking at a possible April release, similar to last year.

If this is your first visit to our blog, welcome ! Become a Follower and receive notification when my weekly post is published and learn more about our fascinating Aussie birds. Check out the helpful birding pages on my website.

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” – Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)

“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” – James 3:18

“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.” – Proverbs 17:1

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W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

‘To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

So we can learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.’

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Raptor Review – Eagles of the Night – Part 2

Let’s use the Barking Owl pictured above as an example, to list the similar defining features of a raptor:

⇒ Superior Eyesight with binocular telescopic vision

⇒ Hooked beak for tearing flesh (swallows prey in pieces)

⇒ Powerful Legs and Talons used to kill and carry prey

⇒ Large powerful wings

⇒ Nests in tree hollows

⇒ Tactically hunts its prey consisting of birds, small animals and reptiles.

Let’s now list the differences that intelligent design has granted this killing machine:

⇒ They have large eyes able to see in very dim light. The large retina has many more light receptors but is unable to see in total darkness.

⇒ They do not ride the thermals and generally do not hunt by day but hunt by night and sleep by day.

⇒ They generally sit and wait for their prey to come near to them and do not fly or hover searching for their prey.

⇒ They have extra soft feathers which allow them to take off and fly silently, enabling them to successfully stalk their prey.

⇒ They can rotate their head 180° without moving their body to observe surroundings.

Some may have wondered why it is called the Barking Owl, well…

It makes a barking like sound as you can hear. This one was seen at a Raptor Bird Show, and is a common inhabitant of the eastern Australian mainland.

Owls are known to return to the same tree each morning to rest until the hunting pickings become too slim or their privacy is challenged and they will move to another nearby park or forest.

The above photo will be familiar to those who have my book as the Owl flies from its nesting hole.

The male, as also with the Powerful Owl, is larger than the female and seen usually hanging its prey as in the above photos. It was a neck breaking experience to get these shots.

Well that concludes our little Raptor stint, maybe one day I will see the others to share with you.

Have a wonderful weekend, we are going away for a few days to celebrate our wedding anniversary and may be do some birding along the way. Stay safe and do someone a random act of kindness each day, and notice the difference it makes.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” – James 1:19 (NIV)

Suffering Job addresses his so called friends as they accuse and give foolish advice when all he wanted was some compassion, empathy and understanding:

“If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.” – Job 13:5

Wise King Solomon is quoted saying there is a time for everything under heaven: