wetlands | aussiebirder

Red-tailed Tropicbird (aussiebirder’s avatar)

You may have wondered why the Red-tailed Tropicbird is used as my avatar and brand for aussiebirder.com. This was the bird that captured my attention and drew me away from nature photography to a love of birds. It was not the visual aspect (photographics) that so much attracted me, though important as it is, but the behavioural characteristics, that brought my admiration for this bird.

Lord Howe Island viewed from Malabar headland

I traveled to Lord Howe Island years ago, specifically to find this elusive bird which is only found soaring above inaccessible sea cliffs around the islands of Australia and the Pacific.

It was the assertion that these birds were able to fly backwards when performing their courting ritual that caused me to seek out ‘the backward flying bird’. It is the way these birds continuously effortlessly soar over the cliff faces for hours on the breeze, performing occasional aerial acrobatic that attracts me to them. Their red streamer (tail extension) assists them in their acrobatic skills.

We always get excited when we see them. They do not appear to be feeding or busy like other birds, they just enjoy soaring like eagles on the thermals and playing as they use their unique ‘butterfly flight’. This makes them very difficult to capture on movie as you can see below.

The Tropicbird feeds mainly on flying fish which it catches in the air, and can dive from 50 metres directly into the ocean to catch fish or squid also so food is always on tap. It does not build a nest but nests openly beneath pine trees on cliff edges or inside caves which are usually inaccessible to humans. Visitors to the islands often mistaken these birds for gulls as they only see them from a distance, but their black feet and black facial mark set them apart which a birder would detect.

I have always been a creative person, and enjoyed exploring different means of creative expression, like these birds. It is good to accept who I am and enjoy being uniquely different. Being uniquely me as I was created to be, and not trying to be someone else. This week I would like to share another aspect of my creativity which you may have noticed as the musical backing to many of my video clips used on the website. Today in this time when we are restricted to our homes, and our National Parks are locked up I will share some of my music. Please bare in mind that I am not a trained musician, do not read from music, but play by ear. These tracks are all recorded on my computer. You may remember hearing this backing I called New Beginnings:

I track the background and then overlap the lead later. Experimenting with nature sounds, such as the sounds of a wetlands at night I composed this one called Sounds of the Night:

Another concept I used for my DVD set The Beautiful Series which was produced six years ago and now unavailable was to use bird call backing, waterfall backing and ocean backing to complement my sound. It is quite astounding that the many people who have commented on my music, as unprofessional as it is, have all used the same descriptive word soothing to describe it. Here is some backing used for previous posts. Because the clip is short the lead does not occur.

As some of you are aware I do like playing blues, a love from my past. There are occasions where this fits in nicely also.

I also enjoy creating encouraging clips for Facebook and my website homepage. Here is an example using water and bird calls together. I am currently creating new productions.

Lastly, Here is me unplugged playing the popular tunes of the past which are not my own but have my bluesy touch to them. Here is a few. Please remember these are played off the cuff without preparation, so the odd strange note or two my occur.

The House of the Rising Sun (recorded by the Animals in 1964) was one of my favorite songs we did through the years.

Cotton Fields ( first recorded by Lead Belly in 1940 and later by Creedence CWR in 1969) another fav from the old days.

What a Wonderful World is another (recorded by Louis Armstrong 1967 and written for him by Bob Thiele and David Weiss to assist in integration of race in America. They thought Louis was a great ambassador for this purpose). I love this song and I love his bluesy voice singing it.

Anyway, if you are locked up at home like me in isolation maybe these tunes will help soothe, as one famous quote says: music soothes the savage beast. which was a misquote of William Concreve’s 1697 line: music hath charms to sooth a savage breast. This is why Music Therapy has become a new form of therapy in medicine used in hospitals, while waiting on phones and in shopping centres to help soothe reduce aggression, fear and ease suffering. We all use music as a therapy at times when alone or when we need a pickup. Like our choice of food and acquaintances, music choices are important and can subconsciously lift us up or press us down creating anxiety, sadness and stress. We need to filter what we hear. Too many people today just listen to whatever, because they are told it is popular, the latest or because a radio station has chosen it for them, without realising its hidden impact. We were created to sing and enjoy song and music, and worship our Creator joyfully (a word used many times in the Bible in relation to worship) with music and song, as this is not only encouraging but holds a positive health benefit also, strengthening our immune system and lifting our emotional state. So when circumstances like the present are causing you to feel gloomy, frustrated or sad, joyful music and song with positive lyrics may be therapeutic. Music is the language known by all peoples. My blogger friend David from BirdsAsPoetry blog shared this video in a recent blog post which speaks of the unifying common thread that music has across the world. If you like blues and soul you will love it.

“David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.” – 1 Kings 10:12

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalm 100:2

“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,” – Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)

Enjoy your week ! Stay Safe! We continue to enjoy our staycation this week and my wife and I have had a very peaceful time cleaning out clutter from the past and just enjoying the peace and quiet around us, as well as each other’s company.

My Mission: To encourage young people to make good life choices, using birds to teach important life skills.

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.

Nankeen Kestrel (female)

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

Lagoon full after heavy rain

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

Black Swan family

Signet and Eurasian Coot

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

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

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

Here is the same space now…

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

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

Willy Wagtail

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

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

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

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

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

male Australian ‘black-backed’ Magpie

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

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

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

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

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Male and female Australian Shelduck on Rottnest Island, WA.

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

Grey Teal pair dabbling bottoms up

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

Grey Teal pair

Chestnut Teal pair (male on the left)

Pacific Black Duck showing speculum

Freckled Duck male breeding (red lores)

Radjah Shelduck

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

Hardhead pair (male with white eye)

Blue-billed Duck male in breeding

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

Musk Duck male (the lowest in the water)

Wandering Whistling Duck

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

Musk Duck resting afloat

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

Australian Wood Duck family grazing (male on right)

Plumed Whistling Duck

Australian Shelduck (female with white eye ring)

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

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

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

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

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

Green Pygmy-Goose (male followed by female)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cattle Egrets with developing breeding plumage. They would normally be nesting now.

A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to you all! As you are aware from the many news reports our country is suffering the worst Summer season on record. A drought in its 4th year, strong winds, dry thunderstorms and merciless raging ravaging incinerating unstoppable firestorm bushfires have turned our holiday season into a state of emergency and declared catastrophic conditions. Millions of hectares destroyed, millions of wildlife incinerated, thousands of homes and properties and livestock destroyed and 17 humans dead, and we are only just into Summer. Many had their holidays terminated or cut short, and many more fled with their lives from their holiday grounds. It is just not safe to travel anywhere at the moment, as these fires can strike and move suddenly, without warning. Here is a brief video excerpt from On Demand News on YouTube.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the many homeless and now traumatized residents, where in some places whole towns have been wiped off the map. It has affected most of the east coast of Australia in populated areas, and the thick toxic smoke continues to be the daily norm for most of us, as it has been for over the last two months. It has affected the lives of most Australians either directly or indirectly.

The sun breaking through a smoke filled sky

So many brave firefighters from home and overseas have rallied to the fire front, including our defense force. These fires along with the drought are rewriting our Bird Field Guides for location and even for the existence of species in our country. It will not be known till further down the track if we have recently added more species to our critically endangered or extinct classifications. Our local Oatley Park Reserve’s main pond in one week has been gradually drying up as many birds leave with only a only a few remaining.

Last Sunday.

Yesterday.

This pair of of Chestnut Teal are not worried at all. They have raised their young already, and now taking it easy in the murky ponds.

This male wanted aussiebirder to include him in his next post, so I obliged.

Other then the Teal and a few Australian White Ibis a single Great Egret and Royal Spoonbill stood together in the diminishing pond.

The Spoonbill had breeding plumage which I always find quite amusing, as well as their sweeping filtering bill action.

This photo best highlights there head dress. It is one which I have previously entered in an art show as a canvas print.

The reptiles, including young Eastern Waterdragons and Skinks are not affected by the drought and make their presence known in Summer as they bathe in the warm sun.

This little skink had a perfect place to hide and rest from the heat. When it saw me it quickly slid back into its hole in the tree. It needs to be careful, as Kookaburras and Pied Currawong check these holes for food.

As my wife and I walked through the almost deserted park trail, as normally this time of year many bird species would be feeding and calling, we heard one loud raucous sound which drew our attention. It was a juvenile Channel-billed Cuckoo being fed by a adult Pied Currawong. You may remember in my previous post on Channel-bills, that I mentioned how the Cuckoos migrate south in Summer and lay/plant their eggs in the nests of unwitting birds to be surrogate raised. Here is a great example, watch. The much larger Cuckoo has an insatiable hunger that keeps the poor Currawong flying off to find food.

Channel-billed Cuckoo being raised by Pied Currawong

Channel-billed Cuckoo being fed by a Pied Currawong

As we continued back down the track we had a very exciting surprise as a pair of Buff-banded Rail ran across the track up ahead. They were fast so initial images were poor. We had reports of sightings of this bird but this is the first time we saw them here. The jerking of the camera was sadly unavoidable.

We later saw them again in more shaded bush.

As we walked further along the track the resident male Eastern Australian Magpie was foraging in his territory. This bird both knows me and trusts me, allowing me to walk right next to it. A lady passing by, caused it to run away, only to return beck next to me again after she passed.

I always see this bird every time I visit around the same area, usually with another male or female. My blogging friend David of the blog birdsaspoetry.com has engaged in his Magnificent Magpie 2020 Project, which will be worth following.

We are both enjoying Gisella Kaplan’s book The Australian Magpie which is to date the greatest work on this most intelligent and clever bird. As I write this I can here my resident alpha male Magpie calling to me. He usually does it after his bath in my birdbath.

A little further along the track and we could here another unfamiliar sound from a nearby eucalypt. It was difficult to see these two birds and make out what they were as the bright diffused light in the background and the smoke made it difficult, so again I apologise for the photos. They appeared to be 1st year juvenile Brown Goshawks waiting possibly to be fed. We did not see the adult, and the birds sat in the same spot watching and waiting. We had never had a sighting of this bird in the park that we know of so it is a new finding.

Approaching the creek which flows into the Georges River from the wetland, we saw these two birds. Now, on first observation one might think them two distinct species of Egret, but with binoculars it can be seen that they are both Great Egrets, one in full breeding plumage with turquoise lores, dark beak and fine streaming back feathers and the other with only very early breeding plumage yellow beak and back streaming feathers.

check out the neck extension

breeding with pre-breeding

Great Egret in breeding plumage

Great egret pre-breeding

Before I finish I would like to correct an identification on my previous blog post on Lake Albert, Wagga Wagga where I thought the flock of Terns I was viewing were Common Terns. On further observation and talking with other birders they are actually Whiskered Terns (previously known as Marsh Terns). These two species of Tern do look very similar, however the Whiskered has the darker belly and distinct white throat, which is seen here. These are predominantly fresh water Terns found on inland lakes and rivers where they mainly fly close to the water surface to catch insects over and on the water as well as dive for the occasional small fish and crustacean. The heavy smoke made it difficult to photograph them with clarity. Sadly, the waterbirds of Lake Albert’s wetlands I featured recently have gone, as the wetlands are also drying up as the lake diminishes and becomes more shallow.

As we move into 2020 and get a 20/20 vision of what lies ahead, entering a catastrophic period of uncertainty and a most unpredictable Summer, we ponder as to what the future holds, and what birds will be left for us to enjoy, and where they will relocate. Most of our native wildlife is territorial and non migratory, so it will be difficult for them to find new areas, as tension will arise with birds of the same species already established in unburnt areas.

Interesting enough a friend posted this reminder, that times such as these have occurred in the past, captured by one of our renowned poets.

My second edition of ‘What Birds Teach Us’ is now with the publisher and when it is launched I will have some changes to my blog post and website. I will also be available for talks and seminars in schools and organisations, especially targetting Primary School aged children. I am delighted that despite the bushfires ravaging our national parks, my 1st Edition continued to be purchased as they sold out in National Parks gift shops there is only a hand full left. If you want to grab one of the last click here. I am hoping to publish my second book, targetting 16 years to adult, later in the year.

Birdbath Blessings

The birds love it and love you for it and it is so simple to install. Eventually they will wash and drink and allow you to sit and watch them only feet away from them, as they trust you and know that you care about them.

small and large birdbaths in shade

large for larger birds Magpies, Currawongs Ravens

small for smaller birds Miners, Rainbows Butcherbirds

places for landing access

One of the best things we can do for our birds during this 4th year of drought is to install a birdbath or 2. My publisher and my sister both bought their family one for Christmas and are enjoying seeing birds come to drink and bathe. Our Australian birds are wild and aggressive around food, so it is recommended not to feed them, as they are best to gather their own, as they can become aggressive, demanding and destructive if they develop a dependence on your kindness, as many have found out the hard way. However, they do need and appreciate our contribution of fresh water. Your family can enjoy the experience watching the different local species come to your birdbath at different times of day. Children especially enjoy this. Just top up the bath daily and clean it our weekly and the birds will do the rest. Funny enough, when I arrived home from Wagga Wagga on New Years Day both birdbaths were depleted and no birds anywhere. I cleaned and filled both baths, walked up stairs and in seconds 7 birds came immediately and noisily drinking and bathing as if they had been watching and waiting for me to replenish it, as they know I do. Why 2 baths ( a small and large? because that allows both the smaller and larger birds to choose the best option and bathe at the same time. Also is is good as you will see in this photo to make sure the baths are shaded under a tree and have approach landing access, a tree, chair, post nearby, as they like to land and survey the bath before plunging in. Treat yourself to a birdbath, it will amuse and give you much enjoyment as it has us.😊

Have a great week and STAY SAFE!

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

The Music Behind the Blog – Aussiebirder Unplugged !

I traveled to Lord Howe Island years ago, specifically to find this elusive bird which is only found soaring above inaccessible sea cliffs around the islands of Australia and the Pacific.

We always get excited when we see them. They do not appear to be feeding or busy like other birds, they just enjoy soaring like eagles on the thermals and playing as they use their unique ‘butterfly flight’. This makes them very difficult to capture on movie as you can see below.

I track the background and then overlap the lead later. Experimenting with nature sounds, such as the sounds of a wetlands at night I composed this one called Sounds of the Night:

As some of you are aware I do like playing blues, a love from my past. There are occasions where this fits in nicely also.

I also enjoy creating encouraging clips for Facebook and my website homepage. Here is an example using water and bird calls together. I am currently creating new productions.

Lastly, Here is me unplugged playing the popular tunes of the past which are not my own but have my bluesy touch to them. Here is a few. Please remember these are played off the cuff without preparation, so the odd strange note or two my occur.

The House of the Rising Sun (recorded by the Animals in 1964) was one of my favorite songs we did through the years.

Cotton Fields ( first recorded by Lead Belly in 1940 and later by Creedence CWR in 1969) another fav from the old days.

What a Wonderful World is another (recorded by Louis Armstrong 1967 and written for him by Bob Thiele and David Weiss to assist in integration of race in America. They thought Louis was a great ambassador for this purpose). I love this song and I love his bluesy voice singing it.

“David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.” – 1 Kings 10:12

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalm 100:2

“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,” – Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)

Enjoy your week ! Stay Safe! We continue to enjoy our staycation this week and my wife and I have had a very peaceful time cleaning out clutter from the past and just enjoying the peace and quiet around us, as well as each other’s company.

My Mission: To encourage young people to make good life choices, using birds to teach important life skills.

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

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

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

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

Here is the same space now…

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

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

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

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

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

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Dining on the Lake – Its about the Bill

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A 20/20 Look Into 2020

This pair of of Chestnut Teal are not worried at all. They have raised their young already, and now taking it easy in the murky ponds.

This male wanted aussiebirder to include him in his next post, so I obliged.

Other then the Teal and a few Australian White Ibis a single Great Egret and Royal Spoonbill stood together in the diminishing pond.

The Spoonbill had breeding plumage which I always find quite amusing, as well as their sweeping filtering bill action.

This photo best highlights there head dress. It is one which I have previously entered in an art show as a canvas print.

The reptiles, including young Eastern Waterdragons and Skinks are not affected by the drought and make their presence known in Summer as they bathe in the warm sun.

This little skink had a perfect place to hide and rest from the heat. When it saw me it quickly slid back into its hole in the tree. It needs to be careful, as Kookaburras and Pied Currawong check these holes for food.

We later saw them again in more shaded bush.

As we walked further along the track the resident male Eastern Australian Magpie was foraging in his territory. This bird both knows me and trusts me, allowing me to walk right next to it. A lady passing by, caused it to run away, only to return beck next to me again after she passed.

I always see this bird every time I visit around the same area, usually with another male or female. My blogging friend David of the blog birdsaspoetry.com has engaged in his Magnificent Magpie 2020 Project, which will be worth following.

We are both enjoying Gisella Kaplan’s book The Australian Magpie which is to date the greatest work on this most intelligent and clever bird. As I write this I can here my resident alpha male Magpie calling to me. He usually does it after his bath in my birdbath.

Interesting enough a friend posted this reminder, that times such as these have occurred in the past, captured by one of our renowned poets.

Birdbath Blessings

The birds love it and love you for it and it is so simple to install. Eventually they will wash and drink and allow you to sit and watch them only feet away from them, as they trust you and know that you care about them.

Have a great week and STAY SAFE!

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