wetlands

Thank you my dear friends for following my blog throughout turbulent 2020. This will my last word for the year. Interesting enough I went for a walk today to exercise, as Sydney is dealing currently with another Covid outbreak. After the rain and almost winter-like weather of the past few days it was very quiet in my local bush park, with very few birds and people. So I figured this last one will be simple and short. We are all very thankful that our government is very proactive and responsible to the health and well being of us all, and grateful that we have made it thus far in what is the most extraordinary year in our lifetime.

Australian Christmas Bush flowers

My Christmas card above features the Scarlet Honeyeater male, a bird that appears before Christmas, coinciding with the flowering of our native Christmas Bush, as well as, the call of the Eastern Koel in the early morning.

These among many other signs tells us that we approach the time for us all to kick back , relax and celebrate both the birth of Jesus and the coming new year, as we put the passing one behind. For many this will be a time of grief, suffering and sorrow. We pray for the comfort and recovery of the hundreds of thousands experiencing this in this moment. Every one of us has lost something or someone this year, we are all grieving at different levels. No one escaped loss, just as if it were a world war, and it is not over yet. As I walked along the quieter than usual bush track I stopped to watch and hear something very special and unique. A Grey Butcherbird conversing with a pair of Australian Magpies. In my recent studies and research I have learned that many of Australia’s intelligent birds can communicate between species, as they learn their languages by listening and observing intently. I apologise for the loud Cicada background, yet another sign of Australia’s bush Summer. I recorded this:

What one needs to be aware of it that the Butcherbird is quite capable of copying and speaking with the Magpie, as is the Magpie to the Butcherbird. The call of the Butcherbird in the above recording is not one of his usual Butcherbird calls, he is actually speaking in Magpie. For example, listen to this immature Butcherbird practicing, and recalling mimicry it has learnt from other birds.

This exercise between birds is not only good for improving relationships, but is very useful in times of emergency when either of the birds need assistance to locate and mob a common predator or warn to take flight. This brought me to think, what have we learnt this year? Great challenges are opportunity for greater learning.

Eleven lyrebirds around a small farm dam with smoke in the air.

Eleven lyrebirds can be seen in the image as a bushfire near Wollombi approached (Supplied: PJ Wallis for ABC News 30th Jan 2020)

Bushfire, drought, flood and Covid were all great challenges in 2020 from which many positive lessons were gleaned, to help us navigate the future. They rallied the community back to the mate-ship of the Aussie battler, that made Australia great back in our early post convict days when ex convict married ex convict and toughed it out in the bush to carve out a home and a family, because they could not afford to go back to Britain. My ancestors also married as ex convicts and established a town in NSW. For those interested rediscover the old the TV series “Against the Wind” to get an idea of the difficulties. These new settlers (all mostly ex convicts) learned to trust and assist each other through the difficult times of establishing a living from nothing, from which arose the Aussie mate-ship, which carried us into the world wars and helped make our nation famous for the ANZACS and the friendly warm helpful reputation we once received from other nations.

The Superb Lyrebird knew what to do to save itself from the firestorm, gathering their mates they fled to the dam. Many species managed to survive using amazing survival skills, learnt and possibly passed down from somewhere in the past.

The Australian Wood Duck has always survived well because both parents have their priorities always before them, keeping them faithful in both relationship with each other and care of the family. Many have rediscovered the importance of family and family relationships, and had to modify the importance of the peripheral things of life, such as job, possessions, sports and money, which for many had taken the place of THE most important – family relationships. The Covid made us all aware of our own fragile humanity, and that we are all vulnerable and all need each other to survive. We are not a rock or an island as Simon and Garfunkel once erroneously suggested. For our northern friends this song is set ‘in a deep and dark December’.

Thankfully we already had the technology to create such meeting places as Zoom to tide us over the Covid lock downs, and create new and more efficient ways to work from home, and have more family and home time. We began to carve out a new kind of normal. A list of new words arose which became common place in daily conversation, and a new awakened responsibility for one’s own health and the health of those in their daily life. The Australian White Ibis in my book “What Birds Teach Us” is an example of support, security and strength in community.

I wish you all a very enjoyable Christmas and a healthy, blessed and prosperous New Year. May it be better and may we all grow more resilient and mindfully learn to experience peace and contentment in what ever circumstance we find ourselves in so that we can be comfort and strength for others. Regardless of what popular opinion has become in recent years, and the removal of Christ from Christmas, he remains: The Reason for the Season. It still amazes me that one so loving and kind, who has brought so much good into our world and our culture, can be feared and despised by so many, even fear from declaring his name with respect, fear that even drives people to kill and injure people who love him and live the life of love he encourages, which continues to be the case in many countries in our world today.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 (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.

Last weekend my wife and I traveled to Canberra to visit family and enjoy a 16 course degustation dinner at an exclusive restaurant, by a hatted chef. On our way we stopped for lunch at Kiki’s in the Grove. This beautifully located cafe/restaurant is situated on a hill overlooking an olive grove on the Federal Highway, at Collector on te way to Canberra. Unexpectedly (the unexpected is normal when I am around) I found a new market for my book and all of 10 travelling copies were immediately consigned, as this shop has a large throughput due to its location and wonderful food and coffee, and best of all the owners loved my book. We were both delighted with this blessing, which would later be followed bu another.

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While in Canberra we took a walk briefly through their Botanic Gardens, which we had visited some years ago. It was very busy as the locals were making the most of the Spring sunshine. On arrival, before alighting our car, we were greeted by a pair of chorusing Australian Magpie (‘eastern black-backed’ race tibicen), as they communicated to nearby clans. The Australian Magpie is unique in it has two separate sets of muscle in the syrinx allowing it to produce two separate sounds at the same time one to two octaves apart, which gives it the chorus effect. When a family of Magpies do this together as a chorus it can be threatening to other Magpies and birds as they mark their territory against impending intruders. The Magpie is not a bird to take lightly, it is not only very intelligent but very powerful, fast and with a beak that can inflict deep wounds.

As we toured the various types of gardens we noticed this male Satin Bowerbird moving about in the trees around us, watching our movements. I knew that there must be a bower nearby, so I tested my theory by pursuing it with my camera, and each time it would move.

After a few minutes I was able to roughly triangulate where I thought the bower would be located, of course it would be hidden out of sight beneath a bush.

Sadly it was a very poorly kept bower, quite pathetic to say the least, which would explain why the many females touring around were not entertained there. We could hear him practicing his repertoire inside the bush. Not long after we saw several females moving about, as there were several bowers in the gardens.

As we walked through the rainforest section we were greeted by the noisy incessant chatter of a family of White-browed Scrubwren, a tiny bird that spends most its time foraging under small bushes as it chatters along. This family had several young ones, all chattering to one another as they foraged quickly.

Another rainforest bird the Eastern Yellow Robin was sitting quietly alone in the dark shade of some thick trees. I was hoping for a flight shot, but not today.

As I watched the Robin I looked in the distance through a hole in the trees to detect a male Australian King Parrot feeding overexposed in the brilliant sunlight.

A White-throated Treecreeper was climbing nearby. Then I noticed they were a pair.

This Eastern Water Dragon caught the attention of a group of visitors.

But this heavily banded male Superb Fairy-wren took the cake. Have you ever seen so many bands on such a tiny delicate bird ? How on earth did they get them on it, surely it must be uncomforable.

Which leaves us with this series on the Eastern Spinebill, a small honeyeater.

The next morning I heard the loud raucous call of several Channel-billed Cuckoo being pursued relentlessly by my own local Noisy Miner coalition being headed up of course by ‘Noisy’ himself. They had been called in by the nesting Pied Currawong to mob these sneaking birds, as they attempted to do a switch on their eggs. Almost every morning this process takes place, with the alpha male Magpie often included. Here’s what I got, sadly it was a bright diffused cloudy sky, so much work had to be done to master the photos from the silhouette. It may be an adult and immature, the smaller certainly did not look like a juvenile.

One of the three, possibly the father Cuckoo confronted the angry Miner who was left to stand guard, as the others had left. If they try to leave the tree they were driven into, the Miner wil give a mobbing alarm and in seconds the other coalition members and resident Currawongs and possibly Magpies will be there like rockets to drive them out of their territory.

Recent research into bird behaviour, where birds learn the alarm and mobbing calls of other birds, to enlist their assistance to remove a common enemy, shows that many species that normally dwell in a given geographical area or territory, actually work together, as we do in our local towns and communities. I have noticed that even at the bird baths there order and respect for each local bird species that use it, is being maintained in recent months. We see daily on news reports the unsung heroes of people who step in to help people being attacked or robbed. They respond with no thought of the danger they could face, as these offenders are often armed and desperate. This is very inspiring to us and to our children, as love places itself selflessly between the victim and the perpetrator, with no other reason than to help a fellow human in their moment of distress.

“He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support.” – Psalm 18:18

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

“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

Have a wonderful week and stay safe. If this is your first visit to my blog, why not check out the rest of my birding website from my Home Page.

There is still a week for you to purchase the unique and beautifulbirdbook “What Birds Teach Us”, the perfect inexpensive Christmas gift, that will continue to give to its reader.

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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.

Superb Fairy-wren male morphing into breeding plumage

Spring brings change, with breeding and the promise of new beginnings for soon to emerge life forms, that will cement the relationship and activate commitment in bird pairs, in a similar way to humans. The above male Superb Fairy-wren is morphing into his breeding plumage, in anticipation of mating with surrounding females. After possibly breeding with several on heat females he will eventually transition into a faithful husband and father. Eventually he will resemble the male in full breeding plumage below, also shown with the female who shows now plumage change.

As we add the final part to our NSW western bird tour we will focus on the Fairy-wren, as it appeared so many times in so many places on out journey. I will share some footage we took will visiting a zoo. Interesting enough, we visit this zoo mainly to see the wild birds, and more interesting is the fact that this zoo has no caged bird exhibits at all. We purely look for the birds in the trees and parks within the zoo grounds and often find many interesting avian wonders.

These birds like many small birds appear to have a much faster world than ours being able to think, see and hear better and faster than us. They can solve problems faster and sometimes better than we can. Their brains may be smaller but they are jam packed with many more neurons and for many their brains are actually larger in proportion to their body size. Notice the accuracy of this bird’s about turn.

Another amazing small bird, one of our smallest, usually makes its nest by tunneling into earthen embankments. We discovered a Striated Pardolote family which had used sandstone holes inside caves in the Pilliga NP. These caves were used by our native inhabitants for shelter in past generations. This small insectivorous bird has a rapid flight and amazing sense of accuracy when it flies to its nesting hole. It is difficult to get a perfect shot die to their speed.

Here the pair rest in a tree nearby as they watch us watch their nesting hole. These birds suffer much at the hands of larger more aggressive Honeyeaters because they not only eat Lerps as Honeyeaters do, they eat the larvae as well, which makes a large part of its diet. Many birds have Many Honeyeaters have learned to extract the Lerps without eating the larvae so as to produce more, and birds such as Miners and Wattlebird do not like this. at the hands of other birds as well as having their nests destroyed because they sometimes choose mounds of earth that construction men have created and moving and transporting. Is it any wonder they and the Spotted cousin are on the decline.

Here are some shots of other Striates we saw a few days later. The last bird below is immature and paler, lacking the adult markings. Both male and female look similar.

Another small and smart looking bird we always see in the same spot each time we visit the zoo is this Sacred Kingfisher, our most common south eastern variety. Many of these birds are currently nesting inside arboreal termite nests, as do Kookaburras, the largest species of Kingfisher.

One large Honeyeater we always love to see out west which was present in large numbers around the zoo and constantly calling was the Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater. There were many flowering eucalypts around the animal pens for these birds to feed from, and they were showing feeding aggression to other birds.

The Rainbow Lorikeet were also enjoying the blossom.

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Also walking about the zoo was this Yellow-billed Spoonbill, another inland bird we seldom see. A freshwater wader found in small numbers and usually alone unless breeding, as this one alone enjoying the Hypo’s pond.

We hit the jackpot with Woodswallows as we were leaving the Pilliga, through burnt out areas. It was encouraging to see these hardy insectivorous birds come back to nest there regardless. We saw the Dusky, Black-faced and White-browed Woodswallow, all living in the same area. Notice the last photo where the male is displaying ready to find a female to mate with. These birds are notorious at this time for this. Notice his cloaca is quite deliberately exposed as he calls for attention, indicating to any females on heat he is ready for action.

Another small insectivorous western bird was the Yellow-rumped Thornbill. It also jumps along quickly similar to the Fairy-wren. Listen to the background call of the female Magpie in the video clip as she mimics the call of the Friarbird, an unusual finding, which means she was probably raised with these birds being nearby, as most Magpie behaviour is learnt and Magpies, like many Australian birds, can mimic.

Before we came to our last stop off town Orange we found this immature Eastern Crimson Rosella sitting by its nesting hole as many young birds do. They return to the nest for security until they are mature. You will notice the difference between it and the parent below. The blochiness as it gradually gains its beautiful bright mature plumage loosing its protective green.

Immature ECRosella

Immature ECRosella

mature adult ECRosella

mature adult ECRosella

You may wonder why we have a saying in Australia ” You silly Galah !” which is used to caution people acting like larrikins and tripping themselves up or others because of their mischief. Here’s an example of this bird in action, and it has no other Galah in sight to show off to. These grain eating birds are in flocks of hundreds our west gluttons for eating spilled wheat from the side of the road. Silly, because when a car comes along, they have eaten too much and cannot lift off the road in time and you know what comes next… yes feathers everywhere.

Finally, we made a special visit to Forbes to check out a wetland the Parkes Visitor Centre (a place also where my book is sold) guide recommended to us to check out. This was a highlight, to view several special birds, even if all of these photos were taken from a distance. The wetland lake was full due to recent drought breaking rains. The main town feature was this artform of a Goanna, which stands stark out in the middle of nowhere..

What we did see were a family of Pink-eared Duck with several ducklings in toe. Many Grey Teal are also present breeding, one of Australia’s most numerous waterbirds, particularly in northern Queensland. What I did not realize until viewing my photos at home was that I had captured in the photos a lone male breeding Blue-billed Duck, a rare find and a bird we were disappointed we had not seen while there. You will need to click on each photo to view it. These were unexpected blessings which we would have missed without the tip-off, as we were not aware of these wetlands.

Pink-eared Duck family

Both a pair of White-bellied Sea-Eagle and a lone Peregrine Falcon sat resting on dead tree tops in the swamp. Wetlands are always a good place to find raptors since waterbirds are very exposed and easy takes for marauding swooping bird eaters, especially with their young. This is one good reason they are granted large clutches, for their specie survival, as some loss will always be imminent.

Lastly, by the water was this very noisy songbird the Rufous Songlark that would not stay still long enough for me to click the shutter. It seemed to see my lens as a threat every time I pointed it, it would move. I did manage these shots while it briefly rested. Boy it could sing. I think it was nesting nearby and trying to divert me.

It was a most enjoyable road-trip and we were blessed that we were able to do it during Covid while restrictions were still in place, as many are still. The fact that we lacked both international and interstate tourists meant places were less crowded.

Thank you for touring with us, we do hope you enjoyed the ride and the rest of the week !

Also, bear in mind that with many who are or have recently been in lock-down for an extended period, your Vitamin D levels may have become quite low and a supplement may be needed for a short time, as this vitamin is essential for Calcium absorption.

Also, don’t forget the perfect Christmas and Thanksgiving present for all ages is my book “What Birds Teach Us” as it encourages an appreciative, thankful and joyous attitude throughout. Yes the book is available here online for both Australian and overseas residents. Many from various countries have purchased it and have shared how it blessed them.

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Observe this Superb Fairy-wren we saw earlier at the zoo, trying to find a way through the wire fence, as it wants to get to the other side where the trees and foraging is much better than the path it is on.

This little guy seems to have forgotten that he can fly over this fence in an instant as he has done many times before. He tries many times to find a way through it but begins getting perplexed, but does not give up trying. We may get frustrated and disappointed at times, because our expectations go unfulfilled resulting in us to eventually give up trying, thinking it is impossible. This little guy was determined to find a way through the fence without flying over it, and finally he realizes if he ducks down he could easily run under it to the other side, and so achieves his goal.

Sometimes the answer is staring us in the face but we are looking at the problem the wrong way. To the Fairy-wren the problem became a challenge, which in the solving thereof became a learning exercise, which would benefit him at a later date. I have gained much wisdom from doing things the wrong way, as did Thomas Edison as he persevered toward the multiplicity of his invention successes. Currently I am faced with some challenges regarding the publishing of my next book, partly due to the effects of the Covid, among other things. I know God will make a way where there appears to be no way, and he has proved his faithfulness to me throughout my life journey, including the publishing of my first book.

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful” – 2 Samuel 22:26

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

“Love… always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthian 13:7

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.

Scarlet Honeyeater male

Having returned this week from a one week birding and book marketing tour of some the western cities and towns of our state, our first holiday for the year, being unable to holiday interstate due to closed borders, we are very thankful and grateful, considering many are in lock down or suffering much greater restrictions. It was so lovely to visit the places where my book is sold and to be warmly greeted and sometimes excitedly received. It was great to see how the Covid has been a blessing to the sale of my book, as many who would normally holiday outside our state, are making the most of touring it, many for the first time. The feed back has been wonderfully encouraging. Here are just a few of the places we visited where my book is selling well:

After the long initial drive up the east coast to the Mid North Coast NSW, near where I use to live, my wife and I spent the night in a quiet Golf Course Motor Inn at Wingham. We love staying at this place as it is very quiet and off the highway on a golf course, where we always find many birds, as we dodge the occasional stray golf ball. You can see from the photo below, the view from our room is beautiful. The afternoon light shone into the tall trees exposing clearly the birds which were busily getting their last feed for the day in, joining the Evening Chorus, as they prepare for their approaching sleep.

We kept hearing a high pitched ringing call from several birds, which sounded a lot like the Willy Wagtail. As we both looked into the trees I became a little exasperated as I could not see the bird anywhere. Willy usually boldly makes himself known to you, as you shall see in further posts, especially during nesting time, which is now. Then my wife recalled the sound we had recently heard in the local Nasho (The Royal NP), a bird we only had a brief glimpse of and photo of, the Scarlet Honeyeater, which had been a bit like chasing the Scarlet Pimpernel, as we had only heard it but it eluded us during the Winter months. The afternoon Nor-Easter was blowing at the time, so wind noise was present.

Sure enough, as we started looking in the flowering native bushes nearby we were blessed with a multiplicity of male and females in amazing afternoon light. They are so fast moving, and very shy of humans that they tend to keep well away. They also camouflage well in the red flowers they feed from. Spring is the most active time for Honeyeaters as they gorge the nectar rich blossoms of our native plants. The interesting fact to the converse of our most nectar producing native flowers, is that they grow best in the poorest of soils.

We were so glad for perfect conditions, as we believed this was a gift to us, making up for the absence of these birds in our local area. We looked forward to the evening and coming day when we would spend catch up time with friends and family, who I have not seen now for a year, due to Covid. Here are some shots of the male feeding.

Scarlet Honeyeater male

The female Scarlet, as with many species, has much less colouring, keeping her safer from predatorial attack when nesting, as explained in my YouTube Channel video. We did not get a glimpse of a female Scarlet, which is basically brown with a small amount of orange/red on the face only. She may have been nesting already, as many birds are now (Spring). However we did see a couple of immature males having outings with their dad, which is typical of many Australian species, where the male is responsible for the training and feeding of the youngsters.

I noticed that several adult males were flying together with their young males, in a similar way to Magpies.

An interesting observation from studying our bird behaviours are the identifiable behavioural characteristics peculiar to each specific species. For example the Whistlers tend to tilt their head and look upwards a lot, whereas the Scarlet Honeyeater tends to look downwards a lot.

This was a lovely start to our whirlwind western tour. We enjoyed a lovely meal with friends and set off the next day further inland to a friend’s 50th party. As we visited each town along the way I would drop in to meet and greet the various sellers of my book, which was being sold in most of the towns and cities we visited. One aspect we observed the whole time away, was the aggressive behaviour between particular bird species, from which I collected data for my next YouTube video on Why Are Australian Birds So Aggressive ?

I will let you know when it is posted. You can purchase my book from one of many stores throughout NSW and various other cities throughout Australia, as well as online here on my website. This easy to read and beautifully illustrated book is the perfect introduction to the peculiar characteristics of our most popular Australian birds, from which helpful life lessons are gleaned.

The perfect Christmas or Birthday gift for any age, but especially for Primary School aged children, where it may spark an interest in bird observing, a healthy outdoor recreation. Thank you for the many blog followers who have purchased one or more copies of my book, now in its larger and improved Second Edition, and thank you to those who are supportive in prayer and encouragement for the publication of my second book.

Dorothea Mackellar’s statue at Gunnedah

Visiting the country town of Gunnedah, which was once known as the Koala capital before the drought, we saw the statue in honour of Dorothea Mackellar, one of Australia’s famous poets, who resided in that area. She is known most of all for her poem My Country (full version originally written as The Core of My Heart). I learnt at school to recite the excerpt of the poem below, which beautifully depicts our unique country:

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror
The wide brown land for me!

As I was returning to the country which I love, as a country boy, I was reminded of the similar feelings I shared with Dorothea, who wrote her poem while living some years in England as a home sick young woman who had grown to love Australia’s outback and yearned to return, which she later did. Part of my birding experience is the land and its rugged beauty, as I do not like living in a crowded, noisy, polluted city.

We all experience yearnings, for a better place or better circumstances, often wanting to relive enjoyable times on our lives, especially at present with the virus lock-downs and the many losses and curtailment of civil privileges. The truth is we can not go back only forward. Disappointment is the outcome of unfulfilled expectations, which if unresolved may eventually result in Depression. I knew when I returned to towns I lived in or near for many years, things would not be the same, and that I needed a fresh new view of things as they really are. Too many people get stuck in their past, romanticizing past experiences, but we will now be faced with a new normal, post Covid. It is not healthy to live in the past, on our past feelings and experiences, but only to learn from them. It is important to stay connected to the present, looking into the future with hope.

The wonderful truth about our Creator is that he is always in the present. When Moses asked for the name of the One who sent him, he was told: Tell them I am, who I am has sent me to you. We live and grow in a time and space confined universe, but there is hope of a timeless always present experience offered by that same One, which has been made available to each of us, to escape the decay and declension of our current world, which scientists can concur, reluctantly to their conflicting philosophies, that the world is in fact breaking down and not building up or evolving into a better place. Ask the Koalas what they think. If you want to explore what I believe as a scientist who believes in a Creator, you can explore my Bird Sanctuary page, where you will find hope, help and peace for the present. Be aware that much of modern counselling is based on Judeo-Christian Biblical principles.

Have a wonderful week as best you can and keep safe and be at peace. Our prayers are daily for you, especially those we know that are in lock-down and suffering loss at this time. Next week I will continue our road trip out west. If you have a quiet moment in which to self reflect, read Psalm 139 verses 1 to 18 and consider we are in this together not just with each other.

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.

Variegated Fairy-wren male in breeding plumage

During the very cold Autumn winds of the last week I have restricted my walks to my local Oatley Park Reserve which I have blogged many times over the years as a source of my local birds. It forms part of the important tree corridor allowing many bird species to navigate their course through busy suburban Sydney.

Australian Black-backed Magpie male

Australian Black-backed Magpie male

Chestnut Teal male

Chestnut Teal male

Chestnut Teal female

Chestnut Teal female

Eastern Water Dragon

Eastern Water Dragon

Australian Black-backed Magpie male

Australian Black-backed Magpie male

It also is permanent home to many territorial species, such as Kookaburra, Magpies, Currawongs, Rainbow Lorikeets, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Wattlebird, Noisy Miner, Australasian Swamphen, Pacific Black Duck, Chestnut Teal, Brown Thornbill, Superb Fairy-wrens and Eastern Water Dragon. This means that the predictability of finding particular birds around the same location is high, at certain times of the year, when they are not nesting or having to relocate because of drought. These Eastern Crimson Rosella are seen here mostly at this time of year eating seeds from the native Casuarina trees as well as grass seed which is in abundance here.

Eastern Crimson Rosella

Eastern Crimson Rosella

Eastern Crimson Rosella

Eastern Crimson Rosella

While some species have returned, many are yet to find their way back, now that we have had good rain for several months. The walk never gets boring seeing the same birds or lizards as there is always some interesting behaviour or activity taking place as they share the forest and interact, for example this stand off with the Kookaburra and the Noisy Miner which later comes to nothing. See how the Kookaburra is crouched low and making strong eye contact with the Miner.

Also, this male Kookaburra (on LHS) has caught a mouse and has been carrying it about for some time, not eating it. Notice the look on the Kookaburra looking on “Aren’t you going to give me any of that !?” I am wondering if this will be a courting gift for some female Kookaburra as breeding season approaches, as some couple will soon be occupying the white-ant nest nearby.

This jerky video will give you a better look at the prey. The riot of Kookaburras have just finished giving their territorial call. Notice its low grade call continuing like a car that is idling, and ready to rev into full call again. They often do this, and sometimes will keep their engine cycling over for several minutes sometimes priming the riot to break into another full on round, but it soon stops when it sees what his companion continues to carry around in its mouth. The first sound you hear is that of the grating call of the Wattlebird.

Here is a different perspective from the same shaky video. It took a while for me to find the group under the dark trees. Notice how the tail of the one idling his call moves up and down with the call. Also listen for the response in the distance of another riot or family group of Kookaburras declaring their territory in response to the call of this family riot.

Another bird which is commonly heard calling with its raspy grating call, which was heard in the recent video background is the Red Wattlebird, but this time of year we also see the Little Wattlebird, which has no visible wattle at all, but an unusual patterned chest. This one is hunting in the lower canopy of the eucalypt trees for lerps, as it is one of our largest honeyeaters. Notice the hole in the leaf, this is where part of the leaf has died due to the Psyllid larvae killing the leaf where it was lodged. You can just see some of the white lerps where the bird is about to eat which is covering a new larvae.

hunting forlerps

Little Wattlebird looking at lerps

Little Wattlebird eating lerps

When special seasonal birds appear, it is always an incentive to do frequent walks. This year we have been looking out for the beautiful and rapid moving Rufous Fantail which moves up to us from the south this time of year for warmer weather, but so far we have seen none. I am concerned they may have been one of the victim species lost in the massive bushfires that consumed much of the forests further south late last year. To see this bird fan its tail in the sunlight is brilliant, that is, if you can catch it fast enough.

Rufous Fantail fanning tail (some years ago)

Though one bird we seldom see but are delighted when we do is the Variegated Fairy-wren (see feature photo above), which I saw last week on one walk, but a couple of days later I did not see at all. People can mistake this bright little bird, when it is in breeding plumage with its cousin the Superb Fairy-wren which shares the same habitat in our forests. Compare them here. You can see the different features in the colouring, with an additional chestnut band on the back of the Variegated bird, giving it its name.

Variegated Fairy-wren in breeding plumage

Variegated Fairy-wren in breeding plumage

What a delight to see this tiny insectivorous bird, which is found more inland than here with little family pockets along the coast.

Another bird we are seeing more of in our park as it forages among the reeds around the Ponds is a family of White-browed Scrubwren. These are also very rapid moving insectivorous birds which offer a challenge to the photographer. They always appear to have a serious or angry look on their face.

I did enjoy pursuing this family. Here are two young ones on a branch together wondering what to do.

Here is a quick clip to illustrate what I mean by their continuous fast movement.

Of course I seem to always see or hear the curious female Golden Whistler, and on some occasions see the shy male. These birds are often captured looking upward to the under canopy for food, which is quite a different parctice to other birds which just hang upside down to look.

The last species to showcase from my daily walks and is always found, regardless of season, ascending trees and calling with its sweet little purring sound is the tiny cute Brown Thornbill. Like other small insectivorous Australian birds such as the Fairy-wren and Scrubwren, have no need to migrate, as insects are always plentiful. These birds do cycles many times a day around their claimed territories, calling all the time they move to indicate that this is their territory to others of the same species, and to signal their location to other family members.

Brown Thornbill

Brown Thornbill

I love hearing the sound of this busy little bird every time I walk in my local reserve as it ascends the native Casuarinas.

Well our early Spring here has caused some beautiful wildflowers to appear, especially after the good rain we recently were blessed with.

I had to share this reflection on the still ponds.

In conclusion most birds were found foraging in the same area each day, with a few exceptions where either the bird was not found again, as it is rarer to see it, or it is in a part of its cycle away from the track. Each day always brings something fresh and new, especially when we go birding and ask God to reveal that something, and he always comes through for us.

If this is your first visit to my weekly birding blog, welcome ! While you are here why not check out the rest of my website. You can access it from my Home Page or the above menu. Also why not check out my book which uses the unusual behaviour of our Australian birds to learn helpful hints to live a healthy and happy life.

My thoughts from this weeks roaming of the local reserve come from this little female Chestnut Teal.

She is quite happy to wash and swim up and down this narrow channel while I stand only a few feet away and watch her, quite unperturbed. I posed her no threat and she perceived it, just like the one bold Noisy Miner that is almost a pet of mine, as he trusts me implicitly to watch him wash while I stand next to the bath. He often comes and sits on the chair back and looks at me as if he wants something, or wants to tell me something. All the other birds fly off as I emerge from the house, even the alpha male Magpie, the number one boss bird in our neighbourhood, but not this enthusiastic but trusting little Miner. Even if I make eye contact he does not leave, which is normally a threat to a bird, especially the intelligent Magpie, whom will not fly off if I walk past with my back to him.

My little friend

Noisy mostly comes alone and shares his enjoyment of the swim with me by calling out to me. I have come to know his voice over time and will come out and watch him enjoy himself. He will look at me as he shakes himself off and stand for a moment and just look at me. He often leads the coalition to the baths and the others follow his lead. He visits throughout the day more than any other bird. I never feed him, just keep the baths filled and clean. He gets his food from our native flowers in our yard and nearby eucalypts.

Friendships are all based firstly on Trust, as are all loving relationships. Trust allows us to be at peace and be vulnerable in the company of those we trust. Living in trust and being trustworthy have health benefits, which is why surveys have shown that people who have trust based faiths and belief systems live longer happier lives. Trust, Faithfulness and Integrity go hand in hand and sadly are is being eroded daily from our Post Christian society, where a man’s word was as good as a signed contract. The adage still holds though: a man is as good as his word. As Jesus said long ago: “You know a tree by its fruit.”

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.” – Matthew 12:33

“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.” – Proverbs 3: 5-6

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me;” – Psalm 28:7

Enjoy your week and stay safe and sane ! Our hearts and prayers go out to all in lock-down and those suffering the grief of loss, be it family, friends, job or income.

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.

Eastern Crimson Rosella

As you have probably heard there is a second outbreak of the Covid in Sydney, which has put us all on high alert. Last Sunday my wife and I needed to get out and walk, so we went early to the Royal National Park, to hopefully escape the usual crowd, but it is now near a new virus hot-spot and locals were already there in large numbers, with some Victorian number plates sighted as well. So we decided to find a trail which no one was on to explore an area where someone had mentioned Southern Emu-wrens were sighted, a bird we have never seen, on the Mount Bass Fire Trail. Sadly, due to a technical problem, I lost many of my photos and was unable to retrieve them all, so what I have here are the ones I could retrieve from our birding date. This Eastern Crimson Rosella, is one of the many bird species from the Parrot family in Australia, the land of the Parrot. It is frequently seen and heard around the forests of Sydney.

Last week I asked some passing walkers what birds they have seen. The reply came: “I heard A Bellbird !” and I will respond saying “I don’t think so, not here in this park. But if you only heard one bird, it was probably not a Bell Miner (known as Bellbird) as they are a community bird, and they call to each other, so there are usually many. What you heard was most likely an Eastern Crimson Rosella. Listen for yourself to the chime of the Eastern Rosella calling to its mate, it can easily be mistaken. The Rainbow Lorikeet is calling noisily, as they do, in the background.

Now, before I get started on this birding date trail I want to explain that for the next few weeks I will be featuring the common local birds one can find around and in Sydney, where we live. We have many species, at throughout the year, and most local species remain all year round, and are very territorial, which means that when visiting birders ask me to take them out birding, and they name their list, I can usually find the bird they want with a reasonable probability.

Such as the Laughing Kookaburra which can be predictably found in the same location, sitting quietly watching as you pass by. We have these birds in our street, and they do occasionally visit our home and mark their territory, but choose to stay away rather then face abuse from the Noisy Miner coalition. These gentle patient birds are usually human friendly, and will come very close, especially if they see meat on your BBQ, or watch you digging in the soil. You can often get a shock when they fly suddenly down in front of you and grab a work you did not see. They have excellent binocular vision, being the largest bird in the Kingfisher family. Listen to their territorial call, it is very difficult to film them calling, as they tend to stop if they see you watching, so this is shot from a distance excuse the movement due to hand held full lens extension. This is Australia’s morning alarm clock, calling its inhabitants to rise and shine at sunrise.

This series of local birds was inspired by a request made by a blogger friend and blog follower, Takami from T Ibara Photo who showed special appreciation in my Pacific Black Duck photo, asking if I could show more of the common local birds where I live, as these often get left out, as we have so many interesting bird species.

Red Wattlebird

Red Wattlebird

Now back to trail. The first birds we heard calling and making a loud raucous metallic cough-like like sound were the Red and Little Wattlebirds, calling and feeding. The Red Wattlebird is our largest honeyeater in Sydney and is very aggressive and controlling, where as the Little (or non wattlebird as I call it) as it has no visible wattle, is not as common and mainly seen here now in Winter. Both species feed on nectar, blossoms, fruit, lerps and insects. Listen to calls and judge for yourself.

Red Wattlebird in flight

Red Wattlebird in flight

Red Wattlebird in flight

Red Wattlebird in flight

Little Wattlebird

Little Wattlebird

Little Wattlebird

Little Wattlebird

You will usually hear in the background the excitedly call of the Rainbow Lorikeet, in both above sound files. They are our most common small Parrot family bird and the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo our most common large. Both birds are found nesting in the same trees and sometimes competing for nesting holes, as I have shared previously, it is all about the Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata) tree. Both these birds pair for life. The cone or crest of the Cockie is raised when the bird is alarmed or excited to communicate to their flock, acting somewhat like an emotional gauge. It also aids as a deterrent to any threatening situation. Both species feed on seeds, fruit, flowers, lerps and some insects, and both are featured in my book.

Rainbows drinking from tree

Rainbows drinking from tree

With raised cone

With raised cone

pair in flight

pair in flight

I love watching the Lorikeets feeding on our Bottlebrush tree each day. The excited chatter and call is continuous as the pair call to each other. So there may be many pairs feeding but they know the call of their mate. If a group alarm is sounded they are gone in a second, like airborne torpedoes they can fly with amazing accuracy past your head by an inch and through the tiniest space. I love watching the pair at the birdbath. I always get the best comments of appreciation from posting this colourful bird.

Probably the most common bird in largest numbers found around Sydney, and newly featured in the recently released 2nd Edition of “What Birds Teach Us”, is the Noisy Miner, one of the world’s most aggressive and brave birds, and Australia’s most aggressive native honeyeater. This bird has no fear when either alone or in coalition, to attack raptors, cats, dogs, humans and even kill smaller birds. This bird is a good example of a bully. It takes possession quite literally of an area of trees, and terrorizes any bird that they do not approve of, driving them from the area. They are very noisy as they put out calls to the coalition to come, and use their constant call as another form of harassment, like being in a house with the alarm going off, it is unbearable, especially to the ultra sensitive hearing of the bird.

The coalition of 6 visit my birdbath daily for their ablutions, at about 1:00 pm every day. The leader of the pack, pictured below, is now so use to me that he will often come and sit on the chair back next to me and just look at me for a few seconds. They know I fill their water for them, as all my backyard birds do. They will wait in nearby trees and on power lines, till I refill the bath, and then converge on it, madly ducking and splashing and all the time making a noisy racket, which sounds like: ” Hey, get out its my turn !”

Noisy Miner making noise

Of course they soon disperse to the tree when the alpha male Magpie comes, he is king pin and nobody argues with his very strong beak, and his powerful bite, for this territory is shared by Noisy Miners, Rainbow Lorikeets, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Currawong, Australian Raven and Australian Eastern Black-Backed Magpie, which all drink and bathe here.

Australian Magpie bathing

This is the little guy I call My Little Mate who makes my heart rejoice every time I hear him call through the day his beautiful song. I reckon he laughs a better laugh and a happier one than the Kookaburra.

He is like a pet to me, and you may remember last year how he brought his two fledglings to show me (see above). This is a younger photo of him. I never feed him, he just drinks and visits each day, sometimes several times. His call can be heard all through the day, and he varies it, so it is not monotonous.

Grey Butcherbird calling

Here are his children later on calling in the morning like their dad from the TV areal next door.

What about the lonely Pied Currawong. These are very deceptive and covert birds, known for their opportunistic behaviour, for which they have been a new inclusion in my 2nd Edition. They do have many beautiful and interesting calls, often the first call before sunrise. They silently sleek about and their bright yellow eye is constantly on the lookout for an opportunistic moment to score. In my book they teach the universal life principle of “A man reaps from what he sows.” or “What comes around goes around.” He is related to the Corvid family, and is uniquely Australian.

My Backyard Currawong usually only visits my birdbaths when no one else is around, bird or human. He is a bird of stealth and secrecy and quite shy.

Pied Currawong

Speaking of Corvids, the last bird I see near home, but rarely visits my baths is the Australian Raven, our most intelligent bird. A family flock moved into our neighborhood last year during the fires and at the beginning of the Covid. Now we have a large flock of them, but they keep well away from us and the Miners.

Our Australian Raven is quite a different bird to the crows of the Northern Hemisphere. Note its hackles beneath its chin, a distinct feature. This very intelligent bird, also has a tight social and complex structure similar to the also very intelligent Australian Magpie.

A bird I often see flying over head almost every day is the Australian White Ibis which has become in recent years a pest to Sydney gaining the name of the bin chicken. This is because it has learnt to remove garbage from bins and make a mess. Ornithologists have been studying this change of behaviour for some years now, as this recent increase in numbers within the city of Sydney has become a interesting problem. In one town nearby in the palm trees of the nature strip dividing one of the busiest roads, these birds are seen sitting on nests, perched precariously hanging from these palms while noisy traffic surges beneath. When roosting and nesting. like many flock birds, they find safety in numbers.

This bird is meant to be on mud flats and grassy fields prodding the earth with its long beak for insects and crustaceans.This is another new inclusion to my book, replacing the Glossy Ibis which is not an Australian bird but a migrant found worldwide.

Well, I have deviated from my birding date somewhat and ending up in my backyard, where we have shared some of the most common birds we see every day in the Suburbs of Sydney. I will come back to our walk again next week. One bird that has become a very real problem, even worse than our own native Noisy Miner, is the introduced Indian Myna or Common Myna. Efforts to cull this fast breeding bird have failed, and it is taking over and pushing out many of our native species. It was reported on the front of the newspaper as “The myna bird has become a major problem.” Thankfully my little coalition of 6 keep them away and they thrive further down the street. These birds have infiltrated many parts of the world with amazing success.

Indian Myna (Common Myna)

I managed to share the common or local birds that visit my back yard, as I digressed from my birding date, which I will return to next week where I will feature more local birds that are not found in my back yard. I would be interested if other bloggers would share their local backyard birds as a one off, in a blog, as some of my blogger friends have already done.

If this is your first visit, I bid you a warm welcome to my blog and birding website.

Check out the helpful hints and interesting information about birding and how we can learn from the current research on birds from my Home Page and above menu.

Why not become a follower and receive weekly emails as each post is issued and learn interesting facts about our unique and amazing Australian birds.

Check out the link to my book and consider it as a wonderful and unique gift for your young child or grandchild for Birthday or Christmas. The feedback and sales, even amid the Covid have been an amazing blessing. Thank you to many of my online blog followers who have purchased one or more copies for gifts.

I guess the best message we can gain from this weeks post is that it is too easy to take the things we experience daily for granted. We are constantly exhorted in the Bible to give thanks in every situation, and rejoice in all situations whether seemingly good or bad, because they are all sent to mature our character and make us into endurable people who live more by faith rather than sight. The outcome is we worry less and trust and rest and know peace more. We can only achieve this level of peace and sense of safety if we have faith in a trusted and tested source. As Jesus tried to show his followers long ago, and stands today, it is not so much how much faith one has , but the object we place our faith in that matters. This takes the pressure off of us to produce the peace, and rests it with God, who has the power to do it. (see Matthew 17:20). It is not science (though I am a scientist), nor mankind or luck, which are known from experience to be always unpredictable and constantly changing, but it is the unchangeable omniscient omnipotent loving Father God, with whom my wife and I find peace and rest in at this historically unprecedented turbulent and anxious time of uncertainty. I can understand now how the apostle Paul was able to say through the many and life threatening experiences he had:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” – Philippians 4:12 (NIV)

Have a wonderful week my dear friends and stay safe !

To privately contact the author of this website email: ashley@aussiebirder.com

otherwise, please leave your comment below.

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

‘To encourage young people to make good life choices,

using birds to teach important life skills.’

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.

Whistling Kite

Continuing from last week’s Birding Date, my wife and I took the opportunity to get another a couple of days later. Again we pursued freshwater birds, in particular the ever elusive and shy Blue-billed Duck, at Bushell’s Lagoon, a well known birding place I have shared many times before, nestled in the more rural northern side of Sydney surrounded by market gardens. We were surprised to find so few birds, even though the lagoon (lake) was quite full after recent rains. On arrival the above Whistling Kite was attempting to circle over the lagoon, which it does daily.

A Masked Lapwing was noisily pursuing it. This Kite is often chased by smaller waterbirds, especially when they have young to protect, as these can easily become food for it, as well as, the four other species of raptor that cruise over this often bird filled lagoon. People ask, how come these large raptors which normally kill and eat such birds, do not turn on their pursuers and make a meal of them? The smaller more agile bird has the edge on the larger less maneuverable bird, which usually plucks its prey from the ground. I have observed one Noisy Miner chasing a Whistling Kite back and forth, for over twenty minutes, and trying to bite its back (as they do).

This little family of Black-winged Stilt were feeding on the waters edge. You will note that junior has a black patch over its eye.

Black-winged Stilt in flight

Black-winged Stilt in flight

Black-winged Stilt in flight

Black-winged Stilt in flight

Stilt family

Stilt family

Black-winged Stilt in flight

Black-winged Stilt in flight

Parent and immature Stilt

Parent and immature Stilt

We saw several groups of Australasian Grebe, and this parent displaying breeding plumage had an immature with it.

Australasian Grebe

Australasian Grebe

One of the Grebe couples was continually calling, which enabled a recording of their unique sound.

This Eastern Great Egret is always seen standing on this mound as if it owns the lagoon. I have not ascertained why it spends so much tine there.

Then there were the more normal Great Egrets, grazing and flying about. When Egret stretch their neck tall, after sighting you, it is because this is their defence mechanism to ward off threats. The psychology is that by making oneself appear taller, appearing larger, it will deter confrontation.

This pair of Pacific Black Duck are often left out by birders due to their common appearance, but I did like this photo.

Our eyes were turned to the sky again as this Nankeen Kestrel hovered about, the second and smaller raptor for the day. The Sea-Eagle and Swamp Harrier did not appear.

About the same time this small flock of Straw-necked Ibis flying in formation flew over. In large flocks they can take ten and more minutes to work out the formation before they move off. Sometimes circling for ages constantly changing positions in the formation, till finally the leader flies off and the V shape is formed. They can fly great distances once they have worked it out. This means of conserving energy and changing position allows the weaker younger flyers to fly in the slip-stream of the others.

The bird that marked our day was a passerine which we have never seen in so great number here. Several pairs of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike were present, looking for opportunities, with some immature from last season. The black face is often a challenge to photograph, and the light has to be just in the right place to catch their face. Here are three images where post production has given different outcomes.

Cuckoo-shrike in shaddow (original)

Cuckoo-shrike (normal)

Cuckoo-shrike with white balance

We were delighted as we enjoyed seeing so many of this bird which often fleet away from us. The younger birds have less black on their face.

We were surprised to hear the call of an Olive-backed Oriole in a tree, calling in a most unusual manner. Normally this bird would have migrated north for Winter. We have noticed several birds which normally migrate, staying in Sydney for the winter. Of course he had choose the darkest tree covering, so it is light enhanced.

We were curious as to why this Yellow-rumped Thornbill was out and about alone, as it is usually a flock bird found further inland. This unlike other Thornbill species, is more of a ground grazer.

Yellow-rumped Thornbill

Lastly this Silvereye caught our eye. After failing to get a photo of a very shy Golden Whistler we made our way to Windsor for our usual FishnChip lunch in the park observing the new bridge across the Hawkesbury River, after which we made our way home.

Silvereye

You may be interested to see this interaction between a mature White-bellied Sea-Eagle and an immature. It is difficult to understand what the adult is trying to do, but some have interpreted that the adult is displeased with the kind of prey the immature has lifted from the ocean, as we would be also. Here is the link to Daniel’s post. Click on the first photo and arrow through.

If this is your first visit to my blog why not check out my birding website HomePage for more helpful information.

If you have purchased my book “What Birds Teach Us” and would like to share it with a friend who may like birds, or have a child between 7 and 12 years why not direct them to: https://aussiebirder.com/birdbook/

Australian Wood Ducks (Male and Female)

Most specie of Duck nest on the ground or in reeds over water, but the Australian Wood Duck nest high up in eucalypt trees, especially in the natural holes of the Angophora costata tree, and usually over or beside water. I have on previous occasions described this as the perfect nesting tree for the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Rainbow Lorikeet which we also have in abundance around Sydney. This is why these ducks nest and thrive along the river in the Royal National Park. It does seem interesting and somewhat out of place to find a non passerine waterbird, which does not have the clasping claws for perching, standing on a branch high in a tree. These very faithful partners and parents are always found together as they pair for life.

Australian Wood Ducks (Male and Female)

If I did not know the Aussie Wood Duck nested in trees I could interpret their presence there as trying to escape danger below, which is often the case for the Lyrebird, another ground grazer. This teaches us how easy it can be to misinterpret people and their actions without finding out the full and true story. This is what the Australian Raven teaches in my book “What Birds Teach Us”. We need to remind ourselves and others about the danger of making ‘Global Statements’

A Global Statement is one which says: “You always…” or “… all of the time.” “They all…”, when what we really mean to say, more accurately, removing the emotion, the need to justify oneself and any anger, is: “You have on occasions…” or “Sometimes you…” “I have noticed that recently many/some…”. This will help to defuse any argument that may arise, taking the blame away and helping to identify the problem in a fairer and more honest light. This helps the other person to identify and own their problem, because when we put a label on someone we have judged them, rather than their misdeed.

Australian Raven in defensive stance

For example, a person who tells a lie, yes that is wrong, but to call them a liar is to label them as one who perpetually lies, denigrating them and their character, when it may have been a one off event. “You have lied to me.” or ” You have told a lie.” is more accurate, and focuses on the wrong deed and not the person. Of course if they frequently lie. “This person’s word may not be trustworthy, as they have been known to frequently lie.” Thus focusing on their word (action) and removing the character destroying global comment is a healthy, loving and honest way to navigate improving relationships. We all need positive encouragement to do life better, rather than judgmental accusations which tear apart one’s character and cause a person to go on the defensive to protect themselves. Both win when love has prevailed to bring correction and healing.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly [is impetuous or rash].” – Proverbs 15:1

“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” – Proverbs 10:17

If you have not already gone to my new aussiebirder YouTube channel click here.

Why not subscribe to my channel. New material will be added from time to time.

Have a wonderful week and stay safe !

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

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.

Musk Duck male

Musk Duck male

With further lifting of restrictions in our state, my wife and I decided to enjoy 2 birding dates in the one weekend, where our main focus was on freshwater birds. I had prepared the night before having just launched my new promo video for my book with the help and expertise of my son David, who works as an editor for a Sydney TV station. You can view the new promo here.

Leaving early Friday morning we arrived at Leura in the Blue Mountains for breakfast which we thoroughly enjoyed and now recommend Leura Cafe. The service was excellent and very caring, which reflected their boss. My wife enjoyed it so much she took the above photo. They complied strictly to the Covid rules, unlike some of the other shops in town. I had planned to also engage 2 new booksellers in the Blue Mountains region west of Sydney, while we passed through to Lake Wallace. You can see why they call them the BLUE Mountains. The blue haze is created by the eucalyptus vapour from the millions of eucalypt trees in the mountains.

how blue are these mountains

how blue are these mountains

Fire damaged forest

Fire damaged forest

sheer rising walls of stone

sheer rising walls of stone

Evidence of the recent horrific bushfires is seen in the centre photo above way down in the Grose Valley. I managed to plant my book in one bookshop in Lithgow and a clothing boutique in Blackheath. I already have established markets in other towns nearby there.

Musk Duck male

Musk Duck male

Musk Duck juvenile 2

Musk Duck female

Musk Duck female

Musk Duck female

Musk Duck female

Musk Duck immature

Musk Duck immature

Musk Duck male

Musk Duck male

Musk Duck (mum and 2 kids)

Musk Duck (mum and 2 kids)

Musk Duck immature x 2

Musk Duck immature x 2

2 immature Musk Duck

2 immature Musk Duck

Musk Duck male tail submerging

Musk Duck male tail submerging

Musk Duck tail submerging

Musk Duck tail submerging

The Blue-billed Ducks we usually see here were not found, but a Musk Duck family were there Dad, Mum and 2 kids. Blue-bills are often found with their Musk cousins, in fact the females of both species look almost identical. These are one of the most difficult birds to photograph due to their black shiny plumage. Similar to the Blue-bills, they are a diving duck which spend almost all their life on water, sleeping afloat also. Their body lies low in the water. The male has a very unique flesh protrusion hanging from his throat. He gets his name from the musk like odour he emits to attract the female.

The only other waterbird was this Great Crested Grebe, alone far out on the lake. Another bird who lies low in the water.

Also we saw the usual Australian Swamphen and occasional Dusky Moorhen.

Australian Swamphen

Australian Swamphen

Australian Swamphen

Australian Swamphen

Of the passerines an adult male Australian Magpie and his two youngsters came begging when my wife and I sat by the lake to have our morning coffee and Anzac bickies, I had baked the day before. They were soon joined by an aggressive Red Wattlebird who also wanted a piece of the action.

Magpie family

Magpie family

Red Wattlebird

Red Wattlebird

Other small passerines included Fairy-wrens and this White-browed Scrubwren.

Superb Fairy-wren male (non-breeding)

Superb Fairy-wren male (non-breeding)

Superb Fairy-wren male (non-breeding)

White-browed Scrubwren

Last of all this Galah

Afterwards we drove back to Leura for lunch (a gourmet pie from the bakery) and shopping, then off home. Another wonderful birding date enjoyed, for which we were truly thankful. I will share our following Birding Date next week.

I have recently established an aussiebirder YouTube channel where you can view videos such as the one above. You might like to subscribe. It is in its early stages as I add more to it. The above video displays the amazing provision that our Creator has provided for the birds through Intelligent Design.

Have a wonderful relaxing weekend and Stay Safe!

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

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 we pass through the middle of our Winter, the cold dark mornings and evenings with it’s shorter days, I thought it time to go to the river mud flats to see the migratory waders who did not make their yearly 16,000 km flight to Alaska and Siberia back in April. Last year in our most devastating Summer, I found no migrants stay over, even the young ones flew. It is like they were warned to go, as the poisonous smoke from the bushfires lasted months here in Sydney.

It is worth noting that none of these Godwits show any breeding plumage, which means they are immature and not yet breeding age. It is customary for some Godwits, mostly younger ones, to miss migrating back their first year, it is fairly random. We found at least seven who stayed. They usually stay as a group, and an adult may also stay to keep watch, but not always. I found another two in a separate place across the bay, foraging together. Notice how they press their whole head into the moist sand as they hunt out tiny mud crabs and worms. The buff around their neck is also a sign of their immaturity, as is the dark primaries.

When one in the group has a catch, you often see them sleuth away to eat it, as the others can chase after them if they see they have scored. This is also a feature of the immature bird, looking for an easy feed or handout. Notice in the last frame, that these birds are smaller than the Silver Gull. The female is usually slightly larger and has a longer beak. Unlike their cousin the Black-tailed Godwit with its straight beak, their beak is slightly upturned.

I am grateful to my faithful blog followers who have already purchased my book. They will know this bird is famous for having the quality of Endurance. Flying 8 days non-stop from Alaska to Australia across the Pacific Ocean each Spring, when they will return to our shores with new young to enjoy our warmer weather and grace our river banks once again.

The Bar-tailed Godwit teaches Endurance

Also on the beach was this pair of Pied Oystercatcher. an endangered species in NSW due to the increase in 4WD vehicles being permitted on beaches where these birds breed, which is one of the crazy things our National Parks allow. Dogs and people are the other threats, as our state is the most populated, and the threat is greater. See how synchronized this pair are even in their flight.

One of them had some preening exercises which made some interesting shots.

Afterward, I headed out to see if the whales were active as they passed by our city. Most have already journeyed past in the last few weeks and only small pods of stragglers are left. While I saw no breaching I did see this pair staying close and synchronizing their moves. Sadly I missed a brilliant photo opportunity when both tails rose and slipped beneath the water at the same time. A similar synchrony to the Pied Oystercatcher above.

This what we saw last week when over 130 passed by in a day. This one was a fair way off…

The rugged sandstone cliffs near Botany Bay are the first sighting of Sydney travelers see when coming into Sydney airport.

Sandstone cliffs along Sydneys coastline

As we stood on Cape Banks, one of the best shoreline viewing points for whales on the north side of Botany Bay, we noticed the Australasian Gannet at work flying back and forth past the cape.

Cape Banks

At first we saw an immature Gannet and then captured the parent with its youngster together, which is a rare capture, as these birds are usually hunting alone.

You will notice the classic brown and speckled wing coloring of the immature, and the lack of the yellow head.

To my delight in the cold wind on top of the Cape, I turned to see this Nankeen Kestrel hovering and about to pounce on something, but caught view of me out of the corner of its eye and made its departure. It looked beautiful and in full colour against a blue cloudless Winter sky.

This bird is featured in my book for its Healthy Expectancy as it hovers over areas, and how we can learn to pursue healthy goals and wait for opportunity.

Another interesting synchrony of birds my wife and I witnessed while in Wagga Wagga last week was this small pod of Australian Pelican working in perfect synchrony together to fish the freshwater lake. My wife said it looked like a ballet.

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They would move and submerge their heads as one. Pelicans are known to fish in pod, similar to a pod of Dolphin. Usually they make a V formation and push the fish to the shoreline, which is shared in my book “What Birds Teach Us”

But here they display a different technique.

If you enjoyed this post and this is your first visit to this blog, why not become a follower and receive weekly emails of the latest post. You will not only learn more of the unusual behavioural characteristics of our beautiful and amazing Australian birds but also life lessons we can learn from them. Explore my website to find useful tips on birding and also lessons we can learn from birds.

It was so interesting and entertaining to watch the Pelicans work the lake (above) with such precise unity of function and purpose. We have heard the Covid catch-cry “We Are All In This Together” which actually means we can achieve success by us not physically getting together, but social distancing. Thus the meaning is in synchronizing the concept of doing together and not the act of being together. It is failure or refusal to recognize the difference that has been responsible for so many lives lost this year, and why Covid outbreaks occur in pockets in the community. The wonderful truth is that we can achieve great things together, without actually being physically in the same place, like the Pelicans. We can pray for those suffering, send financial help, encourage the anxious by making phone contact, assist elderly neighbors to get their needs, to name a few. But we are in synchrony of purpose: To stay safe, be safe for others and maintain hygiene vigilance. As a very wise man once said…

“Wisdom and good judgment live together, for wisdom knows where to discover knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 8:12 (Living Bible)

Enjoy your week and stay safe.

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

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.

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