Aussie Aussie Aussie! Azure Azure Azure!
There, sitting on a low branch of willowy-looking tree, partly obscured by leaves and twigs, just three metres away and almost at eye-level, was a most beautiful Azure Kingfisher!
Also-rans: 2018 birding roundup
This was perhaps one of the most memorable birding days out we have ever done: perfect weather, mindblowing vistas, and incredibly abundant and diverse wildlife.
Star-spangled Barn Owls and Drongos
Every year during the long nights of winter, Eastern Barn Owls are known to frequent the paddocks around the Western Treatment Plant. The owls congregate to take advantage of the bounty of mice and other small prey that the freshly cut fields expose, and are very active in the first couple hours of darkness. One…
Boston Birding Bonanza
At the crack of dawn I met the volunteer guide from the Brookline Birding Club, and along with a dozen other eager birders, I braved the cold, damp conditions to find some lifers.
Swift Parrots go to University
The number of birders visiting in subsequent days skyrocketed, with the presence of the birds being mentioned in the University newsletter. Over the next few weeks, hundreds of people – birders, locals, students, staff – were able to enjoy the spectacle of a rare bird calling their backyard home.
Dam Diamond Doves
Finally, after almost 3hrs of waiting, a small flock of Diamond Doves flew in – success! Their red-ringed eyes were very apparent, and after a quick sip of water, they flew back to an overhanging branch, before disappearing into the bush. The entire interaction lasted about 20s – still, the 3hr wait was worth it!
Grey Goshawk-ing on the Great Ocean Road
It was clear that this was a stunning bird – its angel-like flight pattern of spreading it wings, its bone white feathers, its bright yellow talons, and its mesmerising stare.
Parrot Hunting in Central Victoria
Within five minutes and 100m of the office, a pair of Turquoise Parrots flushed from the floor, an Echidna waddled past us, and a Rainbow Bee-eater kept flying past hunting insects – it was all happening!
Also-rans: 2017 birding roundup
2017 was a busy year (aren’t they always?) so I didn’t get around to writing trip reports for every bird outing. That’s not to say that we didn’t do a respectable amount of birding though, because looking back at the photos, we had some fantastic experiences! Here is my promise to you, Constant Reader: shorter…
Budgie Trillers in Kamarooka
Long weekends in our house mean one thing: birding road trip! So when reports of a pair of Budgerigars along Camp Road in Kamarooka coincided with the AFL Grand Final weekend, we knew where we would be spending the Saturday. By 8:30am on the cloudy morning we were already driving up and down Bendigo-Tennyson Road…
Wonderful Whale Watching
Almost two hours in, the boat slowed suddenly, and someone called out “whale at 2-o-clock!”. Finally, we spotted our first Humpback Whale of the day. We spent the next half an hour tracking the beast as it came up for air, swam under the boat, and reappeared on the other side.
Birding Lovers 