It has been dry and hot for many weeks now, so during the day I make sure the water bowl for the birds is refilled often to keep the water nice and cool. I also spray some water on the lower leaves of the trees, I have noticed the birds ,big or small , enjoy sitting in the shade of those cool leaves. But most birds line up just at dusk, when I refill the bowl for the last time. It’s interesting to see how the hierarchy in the bird world works. The King Parrots are first, then the Rosellas,then then Yellow Robins, the smaller birds seem to do whatever they like, and cut in when they see a gap. The last one is usually the shy Grey Shrike-thrush. After all had a drink, the Bronzewing takes possession of it. He sits in the water for a very long time, I have seen him even sleep in it.
Here are some shots taken yesterday evening. Frank and Janet came just like most evenings.
almost forgot the scruffy Crimson, (a regular) and the shy Grey Shrike-thrush (one of three)
M-L
Wow, dry and hot - I remember what that was like...
It's been wet almost constantly here since Australia Day, but I'm not complaining, as it was sooo unseasonally dry before that.
I figure we can live with too much water, but can't live without it.
By the way, lovely shots M-L, I especially like the Crimson Rosellas as it's such an odd change of colour.
I wonder if they are green as juveniles for better camouflage while they learn survival skills?
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
At the risk of boring others who may have read this story, I was once conducting a bird excursion & asked the group why juvenile Adelaide rosellas are green. One smart alec said: "We're all a little green when we're young."
Having said all that I think your camouflage notion sounds reasonable, Tim. They're certainly hard to see among the foliage.
I envy you M-L,the usual visitors to my bird bath are Singing honeyeaters,NHHs,turtledoves and Red wattlebirds. But that's what happens when you live in the suburbs,I suppose.
There you go Nathan, I only saw a glimps of a Singing Honeyeater, and only had a red Wattlebird for a few days. For some reason there aren't many NHHs around my place this year either.O yes, I have never seen a Night Heron.
M-L
Slight correction, Nathan. That's what happens when you live in suburbs where there is little or no native vegetation. When I lived in Adelaide my neighbour & I planted natives & retained the Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa & other indigenous vegetation. It was a cat-free zone. We had, among many other species, olive-backed oriole & crested shrike tits. So it can be done, not even but especially, in the suburbs.
Haha,cat-free,I can only wish.
Very true though Woko,I have many native plants but they are still young and small,so maybe the future is a bit brighter for the birdlife around my garden.
Don’t underestimate the native plants, I have planted a tiny callistemon, it had two flowers, and Spinebills found and enjoyed it already.
M-L
The bird future at your place looks bright indeed, Nathan.
Ahhh M-L beautiful as always...we have been working here in Carnarvon since november and in that time we have had one shower of rain for 30 mins one afternoon and one in the middle of the night...... and its always in the high 30's and 40's ...........i dont remember what rain looks like !
Teresa Skerratt
Gardens for Birds Bees and Butterflies
Teresa
I have just noticed where you are and assume that is Carnarvon, WA
Have you heard of the Eurasian Wigeon that is currently visiting Carnarvon?
Peter
Hi Peter,
Unfortunatley we have been here 16 weeks without our car!(and our bikes were stolen
), so the one place it is likely to come to is 10 k's from our flat, so we dont get there a lot unless we borrow a car.....we were there the other day and I found the wood duck..thought I had struck lucky with the widgeon to start....so most of my birding is done within the 6 kilometer radius of the flat which is what i can manage walking either end of the day ....it has been very hot here ............however our car arrives next week......you will hear me singing for joy !! so i will have 3 months of birding freedom !!
The times I have been out to the water holes I have spotted and photographed some beautiful birds ........
Teresa
Teresa Skerratt
Gardens for Birds Bees and Butterflies
Hi Teresa, now that Peter asked you a question, I'm next. Can you explain to me ,( only if you feel like it?), what CDNE stands for? I googled it, but didn't like any of the answers. But funny how google works, I put in RN/RM/CDNE, you and lots of stuff came up. The things Big Brother knows about us, without us knowing. Guess anything we put out out on the net can be found?
M-L
With Pleasure I am a Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife and Credentialed Diabetes Nurse Educator (CDNE ) I also have a diploma in nutrition and am a fitness instructor and personal trainer...................as you can see health and well being have consumed my life for quite a few years.........we work as rural and remote nurses...........I tell people that since the kids wouldnt leave home we did !!
Teresa Skerratt
Gardens for Birds Bees and Butterflies
Thanks Teresa, I saw the photo of you holding a tiny Baby, now I know why. Ha, the kids leaving home
. At first our daughter worked with us for 20 years, she now is a Vet Nurse. Now our son works with us, he also lives with us for 4 days a week.(too far from where he lives ,to come to work every day) We love it though and don't complain.
M-L
Thanks for those M-L. Nice definition.
Your photos have now meant I have the go-ahead from my wife for a birdbath!
Neville
Regards
Neville
Olympus OM-D EM-5, mZuiko 70-300mm, Zuiko 50-200 SWD, 1.4TC, Zuiko 12-60mm, mZuiko 12-50mm