I had an interesting sighting on Sunday at Mason park near Sydney Olympic stadium. A small flock of about 12-15 of these Nutmeg Mannekin (AKA Spice Finch or Scaly Breasted Munia) Feeding alongside a similar sized group of Red browed Firetails. They were feeding in the grass on immature grass seed and retreating to the low wattle which then incurred the ire of a nearby Red Wattlebird who flew from a distance at great speed to attack them. (I must say I had words to the cranky wattlebird) This happened numerous times in the hour and a half I hung around for them to come back, which they did about every 10-15 mins. They are quite timid and were mostly neck deep in the flowering grass and clover with just their little heads visible.
Although these birds are considered to be released or escaped captives, I read somewhere that there are records of migration from SE Asia.
I have also photographed European Goldfinches in this spot and Double Barred finches nearby so maybe there was once a finch breeder in these parts. Finch breeding was once (and probably still is) a lucrative industry.
Very nice photos richman. Those mannekins certainly have big seed crunching beaks!
I have also seen the mannekins in similar sized groups in a few spots around SOP, those being near the archery range, along the Louise Savage Pathway and at the George Kendell reserve on other side of the parramatta river. A few times i have seen them in company with the red browed finches. They are a bit bigger and more muscular looking finch type bird than the native ones.
Whistling Duck said "They are a bit bigger and more muscular looking finch type bird than the native ones."
I think the european goldfinch is slightly bigger still.
I have spotted the Double Barred and Goldfinch along the Louise Sauvage Pathway and the redbrows are nearly always at Mason Park when I visit. The small wetland there nearly always has Dotterels and stilts etc. when it is wet.
I noticed on Birdline that the Red Necked Avocets and Sandpipers have been reported as arriving at Olympic Park but I didn't see any. Has anyone seen them yet?
Hey Whistling Duck... I have always wondered about the other side of the river from Sydney Olympic Park. There seems to be some likely sites all the way from Meadowbank to Silverwater. Is it worth a visit to that side maybe a slow cycle through armed with my camera gear?
Hi Richman, I cycle over that other side quite frequently and between silverwater and the wharf road boat ramp have had many good sightings. Although sometimes I might not spot anything at all. From the cycle path through the mangroves before wharf road, there is a lookout built to view the bird life that feeds on the mudflats that are exposed at low tide.
East of wharf road there is not much birding wise, but the cycle way continues to meadowbank, then over the bridge to Rhodes and around the homebush bay foreshore and back into bicentennial park.
Possible escapees aside....what visually stunning little Finches those Nutmeg Mannekin are, just beautiful. Hope the Wattlebird heeded your scolding
West Coast Tasmania