Michael's belated Big Year Challenge

126 posts / 0 new
Last post
Devster
Devster's picture

Great shots Michael. I particularly love the Bronzewing shots

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Another cool set. Got a spot for thornbills, such cute little characters, and with Sue  on the bronze wings.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

michaelrt71_1
michaelrt71_1's picture

Dropped in to Barren Grounds after work; not great photos as light was getting dull, but 2 more lifers! No bristle-bird yet though...

119 Ground Parrot - Was too stunned to make the photo the first time it took off. Lucky to get even a second shoddy shot.

120 Southern Emu-Wren  - had to crop twice as I didn't realise how long the tail is.

sue818
sue818's picture

Wow, Michael... a great couple of birds! The Eastern Ground Parrot would be a lifer for me, fantastic sighting. The tails on the Emuwrens are filamentous and very very long but the bird is gorgeous. Looks like a male with that blue. The Bristlebirds are at Barren Grounds... I went looking but found an enormous Eastern Brown snake and a Pilotbird and dipped on the Bristlebirds seen a few days before my visit. Some wonderful birds and locations around you.

Devster
Devster's picture

Wow, well done Michael. 2 very hard birds to photograph. Both would be lifers for me

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Like Dev both lifers for me, great work. I should be able to get both, but time and luck are usually against me. Loving your photos.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

AbbyGrace
AbbyGrace's picture

Awesome Michael! I think I would be too stunned too, if I stumbled across a Ground Parrot! 

Love your shots of the Southern Emu-wren as well, aren't they are neat little bird.

michaelrt71_1
michaelrt71_1's picture

Thanks folks!

I have been away from the computer for a few weeks, but still out birding in the cold and rainy summer.

121. Sacred Kingfisher - wet day near Kiama, cost me two leeches.

122. Channel-billed Cuckoo - Wandean Road, Shoalhaven area

123. Dollarbird - Basin View

124. Gannet - fuzzy, distant but hopefully enough for ID. Kinghorne Point

125. Pacific golden plover. Another lifer for me.

126. Red-necked stint - immature/non-breeding (lifer). Lake Wollumboola

Busy crested terns fishing in big seas. Lake Wollumboola

127. Noisy friarbird - Basin View

128. Red Knot - enjoyable watching these three run around (lifer).

129. Glossy black cockatoo - Basin View

Devster
Devster's picture

Nice shots Michael with a good variety. How cute are the Stints. Great lighting on the Knots. I struggle with shore birds, they all look the same to me but you've done well

michaelrt71_1
michaelrt71_1's picture

Devster wrote:

Nice shots Michael with a good variety. How cute are the Stints. Great lighting on the Knots. I struggle with shore birds, they all look the same to me but you've done well

Yes! I am new to shore birds and spent a lot of time back and forth between two field guides, and ebird photos once home. So many are grey with a white eyebrow...especially non-breeding of course.

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Some fantastic photos Michael, and your Gannet is good enough to ID. Love the shorebirds and the Glossy Black Cockatoos, but they would all be new to me except the Australasian Gannet, The shorebirds are gettable - maybe next year!

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
sue818's picture

Wonderful set of shots, Michael. I love the Glossy Black-cockatoos but the Dollarbird is also a cracker as it shows the colour so well.

Alex Rogers
Alex Rogers's picture

Wow Michael, you have been getting some great birds - and some lovely photos. A ground parrot! Wow! And those emu-wrens are really hard to find and photograph - well done! Love the bronzewing and dollarbird shots too. 

michaelrt71_1
michaelrt71_1's picture

Cheers, folks. Fast running out of time, but did manage one more to add this morning. Seen many of these from the car, although this morning was the first time I could stop and park legally!

130 - Black-shouldered Kite

Some upgrades/updates for fun, too.

6. red-capped plover - some big surf in the background (Wollumboola)

15. grey fantail on the nest (Jervis Bay)

64. Variegated fairy-wren - Basin View

106. Pied Oystercatcher - Lake Illawarra.

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Gotta love your Variegated Fairy-wren, and I envy your Black-shoulder Kite - a rare vagrant in Tasmania.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
sue818's picture

Lovely set of shots, Michael and a great variety of birds. If you are looking Eastern Bristlebirds in the future, try Barren Grounds on the track heading to the stone bridge or in Booderee, Murrays Beach track (RH fork)... reliable sightings recently in both areas. 

Devster
Devster's picture

Some more beautiful shots again Michael. Yes that Variegated Fairy-wren is just gorgeous.I do like the reflection photo of the Oystercatcher. What bird is photobombing it?

michaelrt71_1
michaelrt71_1's picture

Thanks folks!

Dev: the photobomber is the bar-tailed godwit I think.

Sue: thanks for the info, I will try again at Barren Grounds, and if there is a '22 BYC it would be a good place to start my count. Also think another break in the Shoalhaven is coming up soon too. 

Dale: cheers Dale; it wasn't until I was challenged to ID correctly this year that I realised half the superb fairy wrens I photographed were actually the variegated sort. :)

Alex Rogers
Alex Rogers's picture

Some good photos there Michael, love the kite and the Variegated Fairywren. Once you get your eye in for the latter, the different shade of blue is unmistakeable - I've seen a lot recently, and I realised I can now tell their call from the Superb - its subtly different but close enough to be recognisable. :-) You managed to get a decent total in for your late start - looking forward to seeing your south coast birds more this year!

AbbyGrace
AbbyGrace's picture

Some amazing shots Michael. Thanks for joining in.

karentwemlow
karentwemlow's picture

Amazing effort Michael, especially given you started late! So many fantastic photos, I love the Glossy Blacks, I haven't seen them this year, such beautiful birds. 

sue818
sue818's picture

I must agree, Michael... for a late starter you did really well! You live in a bird rich area and 2022 challenge should be interesting.  

michaelrt71_1
michaelrt71_1's picture

Cheers, folks! It has been entertaining, educational and worthwhile despite the late start. I certainly appreciate the welcome and the support, although I feel I have become addicted to the hunt!

TommyGee
TommyGee's picture

Youve had a wonderful year with the birds Michael :) looking forward to what you can do with a full 12 months! I love the perching Kite, they're such beautiful birds. Well done!

dannyka6
dannyka6's picture

Beautiful shots, and yes, it is addictive!! Watch out!! :)

Pages

 and   @birdsinbackyards
                 Subscribe to me on YouTube