Wow amazing photos Dale, absolutely love that Buller's Albatross!! I saw them once on a cruise from Bruny Island, but these shots are incredible! Very much looking forward to seeing more of your shots
Thank you all. I said I had some more to process and will have some new birds, but I have been busy on a non bird related project at home, so it will just have to wait.
As Sue mentioned, we had a great day on her journey to my patch, seems we both enjoyed the day, still got those as well! Seems my unique species list won't be so big this year. As always, happy to share the fun.
Alex, I am no expert on albatross, but anecdotally there does appear some difference marking/colour variation within species. I guess it would be similar to different coulurs in domestic dogs and cats? It certainly stuck out for me.
Finally got some time to do some processing, so today might be a few posts from recent excursions. As you know by now, I had a day with Sue, did some research and found some nice spots. 2 days prior to Sues visit, I did a little travel to hopefully find what we wanted. So here are a few for your enjoyment. Some additional now and some new birds in the next post.
At last, a male Pink Robin, who I was lucky enough to have out in the open and quite close. Many photos, but just one for you and a female for comparison.
27. Pink Robin (male) - kunanyi/Mt Wellington at the old hotel site near The Springs (and not on a car mirror).
50. Eastern Spinebill - has been beyond beak deep in some sort of yellow flower. This one interupted my session with the Pinks, but glad I took the time to capture it as well.
105. Bassian Thrish - Fernglades walk kunanyi/Mt Wellington - typical dark wet scrub, hard to get good photos (these have been lightened considerably), and it would not give me a decent front or side view.
106. Red-necked Stint - hiding amongst the many Red-capped and fewer Double-banded Plovers. Lovely Golden Hour light, but still blew the white, like I always do.
Finally onto Sues day out. Not alot of new birds for my list, but I did pick up a lifer, so that was a bonus. Big thanks to Sue for her spotting skills, knowledge and company, learnt alot.
108. Yellow-rumped Thornbill - a few small flocks of these, I thought I had missed my chance for a photo, but ended up happy with this one (except for the branches).
24th April had me on another pelagic from Eaglehawk Neck. Good number of birds, a few new for the year and a lifer. Weather was mixed - overcast with storms in the distance becoming finer as the day progressed. Waves @ 1 meter with a 3-4 meter swell, 15 knot south/southwest wind.
113. Brown Skua - may have seen but no photo, so a lifer for me. Several close passes and some nice views.
Wow beautiful Albatross photos there Dale. In fact all the pelagic photos are amazing, thanks for sharing! The flight shots of the Pacific Golden Plover are very cool, and some lovely robin shots - quite the variety!
More wonderful photos, Dale. Love you male Pink Robin and the pelagic birds, wow! Albatross are such stunning birds. Thrilled that you managed a lifer when those two Egrets appeared. Also like your earlier shots of the Pacific Golden Plovers... I think we had the pair on our Big Day Out but the highly coloured one was keeping its distance. What fun we had.
Wow, Dale. Lovely to catch up on all your photos your many excursions. My fave is the flame robin on the barbed-wire; classic! Enjoy seeing the golden plovers, too - having just found them locally.
Hi Dale, just noticed when updating the stats that you have missed 107 (probably thought the Dusky Woodswallow was a new sighting). Rather than renumbering all of them, can you slot in a new 107 please? Apologies that I have taken so long to notice.
Next Pelagic might do it, Dale. You some amazing birds and photographs from those trips. I note that a Rock Dove is not yet on your list and surely one is about your area.
It has been a while since I have posted, as my birding has been a bit slim - expected a slow down, with the cracking pace we started of at.
Went for a drive with my son to the central highlands, not many birds but 1 to fill in 107, and another upgrade (still not happy with the photos). Just when I thought my photography was improving, I get these average photos, which required alot of processing to get them here. Perhaps I need to be on a boat!
107. Brown Falcon - poor light disant bird on private property, clearly marked No Tresspassers, so this wil do for now.
Upgrade for 82. Wedge-tailed Eagle. Same area a bit earlier with some nice "golden hour light". Some distance away, so heavy crops. A pair in neighbouring trees, then 1 took flight to toward the other. The flight photos may not be in from the same sequence.
So in a previous post I said indicated I am not a twitcher. Might have to review that comment. Prepare yourself for a photo overload, I will try and keep it down.
On Sunday a member of a group I belong to reported a "rare vagrant" for Tasmania, only the 3rd ever sighting. Took a day or so to decide to make the 247.9klm nearly 3 hour trip on the of chance the bird would still be there. It was sighted Monday and Tuesday, so I took off early Wednesday morning to Liffey Falls. Got lucky, when another birder spotted it, but it took off (no photo). About an hour later we saw it at a different spot on the falls. This time rewarded with good but distant views, stayed for a good 40 minutes, Some 250+ photos later, it took off again. Spent a long time looking through the bins, so 250 could easily have been a thousand! Heavily cropped, and it was overcast in a wet forest, in the bottom of a gully - not ideal. Lowish shutter speeds and high ISO, reasonably happy with the result.
Oh, and apparently there are waterfalls at Liffey, so distracted I forgot to take a wide view of where this little one was.
118. Grey Wagtail - a MEGA LIFER, apparently alot of experienced birders still have not seen in Australia (many have seen in the UK?)
Anyhoo, Liffey Falls is less than an hours drive from Latrobe, where the Nankeen Night-herons are often seen (not by me in 4 or 5 previous visits), so thought I might "twitch" another lifer. They had been seen most days leading up to Wednesday, so my hopes were high. Again a selection showing adult and juvenile. The adults were fairly well hidden and hard to find the right angle (happy with the result) while the juvenile were more in the open.
I never knew we had such a bird in Australia, and looks like its appearance in Tassie is truly one for the record books so this could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience!!
And you caught it!! I feel like the twitching bug might take hold after this :)
My guidebook tells me its usually only occasionally seen in the Kimberley, WA, top end, NT and the wet tropics of QLD (in Australia) so this is a major diversion out of its usual habitat, and also from the usual time of year that it is occasionally seen...amazing!! And your photos are so good, I'm not surprised you forgot the waterfall in all that action!!
And congrats on another lifer in the Nankeen Night-Heron, we see them a bit as they inhabit the Melbourne Zoo and Botanical Gardens, but they still are splendid birds, and so much variation between adults and juveniles which is so interesting!
Fabulous update - if we had slowed down before this you've certainly revved us up again!!
Yesterday was supposed to be another Pelagic day, got up at 4am drove 90 minutes to Eaglehawk Neck, only to find the skipper had decided very last minute (5am) to cancel, as the forecast was revised to have North/Northeast winds at 50-55 knots. As well it was bucketing down, so glad we didn't end up going.
4 of us decided to bird our way home. Not many new birds (2 for this year), but total of about 50 species over many sites. Only going to ad a couple of photos.
Orielton Lagoon had us looking for Spoonbills and Egrets (one of the 4 is a "lister" and needed for her Tasmanian 2022 list).
Spoonies we're not at their usual haunt, but we found them much closer to shore. This photo isn't for the Spoonbill, but the other bird noted lurking nearby, but I do like the Royal Spoonbill in this shot.
120. Bar-tailed Godwit - we think this one is overwintering here as the others have departed many weeks ago (I believe still a few in the north of the state). 2 photos - one in flight. Always amazed at how much different light can affect the photo - it is the same bird.
Another nearby spot, Bonnington Farm - private property which one of our group has permission to access. In addition to sheep and cattle, they also farm Oysters. The farm is on the water's edge of Pitwater - another lagon very close to Ortielton. No new waders or other wetland types, but a lovely to see some nice birds. Sue would have like this spot, heaps of Flame Robins and a couple of Scarlets. Also a Eurasian Skylark, but always on the wing or settled in high grass, so I missed another lifer opportunity (saw but no photo).
Thanks all. The Wagtail was a special experience. Danika, there is no such thing as a wasted day if you see some birds, whether it is a "birding day or not".
Pickings have been a bit slim lately, not getting out as much as I would like. Did get a day trip with my son on Sunday, not so much for birds, just a drive. So a couple of photos, and some extras to boot.
122. Dusky Moorhen - another lifer believe it or not. Was lucky to find what I think is a pair (there were 2 birds, 1 was a bit shy). On a farm dam Northern Tasmania (with permission to enter property)
Some landscpapes from Pine Lake (Central Highlands), where one of Tasmanias rarest trees can be found - The Pencil Pine. Growing here at an altitude of @ 1200 meters, is very slow growing. The larger of these trees could be over 1000 years old. As you can see from the 1st photo, it was COLD, the lake was frozen up to where the outlet is (you can see the edge of the ice).
Gorgeous shot of the Moorhen, Dale and such stunning scenery. So beautiful, thanks for sharing. The Bennet's Wallaby is so cute in amaongst that growth.
Michael, I did not have gloves for those trips, but on a recent Pelagic (9 degrees with a high wind chill factor), I am currently investigating possum/merino combination mittens. The gear all works well (the Pine Lake shots were in overcast but -2 temp according to the car thermometer), so was happy with that.
Photos still to come for a couple of outings, again struggling to keep up, and now Mrs Dale has COVID, with Mr Dale likely to have it soon. Wifey not sick enough to be worried, but we are now in isolation, although my workplace granted me an exemption (took 5 minutes for approval) as long as I stay masked up and return negative RAT before leaving for work each day. I am a healthcare worker, and we are struggling for staff due to COVID.
Anyhow, I reckon most of you have had a brush with the virus. We consider ourselves lucky our surge in cases has not led to lockdown (which is likely why we are having a surge in numbers?).
Please stay safe and well, and keep those photos coming.
114. Campbell Albatross - no fact sheet would be listed as Black-browed here. A young bird (bill colour and darkish eye - older birds have an amazing light coloured eye).
31. White-bellied Sea Eagle - I blew these photos, it was sooooo close, but focusing on a moving boat was horrible, anyway good action photos, even if focus is off! And yes we did throw it a fish.
Apparently one of the challenges with Pelagics from Eagle Hawk Neck is to get a good photo of a bird with Tasman Island and it's iconic light house in the shot. I was pretty happy with this one - the bird (Light-mantled Sooty Albatross), the island, the light house, and of course the sea.
Was laying in bed a week or so ago and heard a call I did not recognise. Opened the window, thought just another Sulphur Crested - though a bit small (our cockies here are just huge), but then eyes focused a bit and saw some pink, now thinking Galah but no obvious grey wings, thought I would grab the bins - glad I did. Another lifer and from my back yard!
127. Major Mitchell's/Pink Cockatoo - yes I know it is an aviary escapee - there was a pair granted their freedom (by some a**hole) nearby home in March/April this year. I did see both of them (one flew directly at me, but I was too slow). Hoping you will allow me this special bird for my list, it is technically now a bird not contained (not that 1 makes much difference in the scheme of things). Anyway regardless IT IS POSTED.
Guess the purists will be complaining about another intorduced feral species, if they survive and get to breed. My understaning is that they are a pair. Notified via Facebook of the sighting, maybe they will end up back home (kinda hope not, and that they can survive).
This photo is a decent crop, it took flightand I almost lost it from the bottom of the frame, still pretty chuffed with both the bird and the result on a cold, wet, gloomy day.
Love them all, Dale but my favourites would be the Light-mantled Sooty Albatross and the Cape Petrel and very good shots of the Major Mitchell Cockatoos.
I cannot reconcile your numbers as 126 seems to be missing. I'll leave the majority to decide on escapees as these are so unusual and you did make the effort to get out of bed for them! Their call is quite different.
Thanks Sue. 126 is Grey-faced Petrel from the Pelagic 10th July. I did have the Grey-backed Storm Petrel as 126, but realised it was already listed. So between 125 Antarctic Prion and 126 Grey Petrel appears 76 Grey-backed Petrel, an extra photo. Does that help or not?
I can't believe you are still getting new birds on your pelagic trips, Dale. How many are possibly still to go? Any that you hope to see that still remain elusive?
Either way you have inspired me, and I am trying to sort a trip out from Kiama near me, although I'll admit its a bit daunting.
Another incredible set of ocean birds, just love the albatross that you keep coming up with! Just amazing to see all the flight shots! Love the Major Mitchells too, I'm not fussed how its classified, so cool to see it in your area!!
Incidentally Dale, I'm going to be around Hobart for a short trip at the end of this week, I fly in Thursday lunchtime and will have Thursday and possibly Friday around Hobart, then go up to Triabunna for a conference on Saturday/Sunday. I've been trying to log in all week to let you know, and realise its super later notice now and you're probably working but just FYI I guess.
I'll try to hit up a few Tassie endemics if possible, the Waterworks Reserve looks like the most likely place to get most things. Sadly I won't have time to go down to Bruny Island after the Forty-Spotted Pardalote, but I'll have a go at the others, weather and time permitting!
So pleased to finally get to Tassie, even if the weather doesn't look entirely promising for this short trip.
Thanks for your kind comments, there will be more seabirds, when I get time.
Sadly I will be working , start back tomorrow for 4 days. Would have been nice to meet. Waterworks is usually pretty good, morning and evening, but can be hit and miss outside that. Lots of places, but I guess you will be a bit short on time. If anything pops up, I will PM you. Green Rosellas, Tas. Native Hens, also still everywhere, Forest Ravens on every road. Currawong (black and grey) make an appearance regularly to. If you have time and transport, The Springs on kunanyi/Mt Wellington hopefully be productive, if your looking for Pink Robins, the carpark above the "Lost Freight" cafe (turn left just past the cafe) is reliable this time of year. The males often hang out on the mirrors of cars. A wander round the cafe can also be rewarding. Lots of sub alpine type species, but can also be hit miss.
Thanks Michael, there are probably another 30-40 possibles (some more possible than others). Sadly I missed another mega on Saturday, a Chatham Albatross, last seen in Tassie in 2011. I say sadly, because I had the choice of Saturday and or Sunday, couldn't go Saturday, and it was a "no show" on the Sunday. They also had an Antarctic Tern, which would have been a lifer for most on board.
Thanks Dale, I appreciate the tips :) I'll have a hire car so if I can fit it in I'll try for Mt Wellington as well, I've heard that it can be good for Shrubtit up there so fingers crossed.
I was thinking of going to Maria Island on Friday, but I'll see how the weather turns out...don't want to wander around in the rain for hours!
Sorry to hear that Mrs Dale had the COVID... hope she's better now and that you dodged it! It can be a bugger of a thing.
Amazing photos Dale, you really do own the pelagics. I particularly liked the Brown Skua and your close up of the Light-Mantled Sooty Albatross (great name!).
But how can I go past your Grey Wagtail?? You must be stoked :)
Wow amazing photos Dale, absolutely love that Buller's Albatross!! I saw them once on a cruise from Bruny Island, but these shots are incredible! Very much looking forward to seeing more of your shots
So beautiful, Dale! The Storm-petrel looks so dainty but that Buller's Albatross is a beauty.
Nice upgrades / supplementals Dale. Is there much tonal variation in the Albatrosses as a rule? The darker head is quite striking.
Thank you all. I said I had some more to process and will have some new birds, but I have been busy on a non bird related project at home, so it will just have to wait.
As Sue mentioned, we had a great day on her journey to my patch, seems we both enjoyed the day, still got those as well! Seems my unique species list won't be so big this year. As always, happy to share the fun.
Alex, I am no expert on albatross, but anecdotally there does appear some difference marking/colour variation within species. I guess it would be similar to different coulurs in domestic dogs and cats? It certainly stuck out for me.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Finally got some time to do some processing, so today might be a few posts from recent excursions. As you know by now, I had a day with Sue, did some research and found some nice spots. 2 days prior to Sues visit, I did a little travel to hopefully find what we wanted. So here are a few for your enjoyment. Some additional now and some new birds in the next post.
At last, a male Pink Robin, who I was lucky enough to have out in the open and quite close. Many photos, but just one for you and a female for comparison.
27. Pink Robin (male) - kunanyi/Mt Wellington at the old hotel site near The Springs (and not on a car mirror).
Female - not so lucky with the perch.
50. Eastern Spinebill - has been beyond beak deep in some sort of yellow flower. This one interupted my session with the Pinks, but glad I took the time to capture it as well.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Some more new birds for the year, these 2 days before our big day out.
103. Pacific Golden Plover - Orielton Lagoon. Showing breeiding plumage. Not the greatest but they will do.
104. White-fronted Chat - many of these to be seen, both male and female (light chest marking).
105. Bassian Thrish - Fernglades walk kunanyi/Mt Wellington - typical dark wet scrub, hard to get good photos (these have been lightened considerably), and it would not give me a decent front or side view.
106. Red-necked Stint - hiding amongst the many Red-capped and fewer Double-banded Plovers. Lovely Golden Hour light, but still blew the white, like I always do.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Finally onto Sues day out. Not alot of new birds for my list, but I did pick up a lifer, so that was a bonus. Big thanks to Sue for her spotting skills, knowledge and company, learnt alot.
Not a new bird, but I like this photo.
Risdon Brook Dam.
18. Dusky Woodswallow.
108. Yellow-rumped Thornbill - a few small flocks of these, I thought I had missed my chance for a photo, but ended up happy with this one (except for the branches).
109. Hoary-headed Grebe - long way off with sun behind them so an EBC, hope to improve.
On to Orielton Lagoon, RAMSAR listed.
110. Common Greenshank.
111. Little Egret - Lifer. There were 2 and then they took flight as we maybe got a little close.
Another few Pacific Golden Plover 103 - better shots I think and a couple in flight. More individuals 2 days earlier, but some nice views this day.
112. Flame Robin - not a bird I see often. It was on Sue's hit list, so glad we found them.
Another extra photo, and this is the last from that day (more species, but I have already posted most).
57. Musk Lorikeet.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Last post for today, finally caught up.
24th April had me on another pelagic from Eaglehawk Neck. Good number of birds, a few new for the year and a lifer. Weather was mixed - overcast with storms in the distance becoming finer as the day progressed. Waves @ 1 meter with a 3-4 meter swell, 15 knot south/southwest wind.
113. Brown Skua - may have seen but no photo, so a lifer for me. Several close passes and some nice views.
114. Campbell Albatross - note the lovely eye colour. Species in its own right - no fact sheet.
115. Cape Petrel - lots of these and very close good views.
116. Southern Giant Petrel - note the bill tip colour, 2nd photo is from the archive of a Northern Giant Petrel so you can compare the bill.
78. Northern Giant Petrel
117. Wandering Albatross sp. I believe a young Gibsons, with that huge bill, but won't claim that at this time.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Another great set of birds Dale. Love your Pink Robins!
Wow beautiful Albatross photos there Dale. In fact all the pelagic photos are amazing, thanks for sharing! The flight shots of the Pacific Golden Plover are very cool, and some lovely robin shots - quite the variety!
More wonderful photos, Dale. Love you male Pink Robin and the pelagic birds, wow! Albatross are such stunning birds. Thrilled that you managed a lifer when those two Egrets appeared. Also like your earlier shots of the Pacific Golden Plovers... I think we had the pair on our Big Day Out but the highly coloured one was keeping its distance. What fun we had.
Wow, Dale. Lovely to catch up on all your photos your many excursions. My fave is the flame robin on the barbed-wire; classic! Enjoy seeing the golden plovers, too - having just found them locally.
Hi Dale, just noticed when updating the stats that you have missed 107 (probably thought the Dusky Woodswallow was a new sighting). Rather than renumbering all of them, can you slot in a new 107 please? Apologies that I have taken so long to notice.
Thanks Sue, my Excel sheet had Bassian Thrush at 107, and that appears here as 105, so just an error.Will fix next time I get a new species.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Next Pelagic might do it, Dale. You some amazing birds and photographs from those trips. I note that a Rock Dove is not yet on your list and surely one is about your area.
It has been a while since I have posted, as my birding has been a bit slim - expected a slow down, with the cracking pace we started of at.
Went for a drive with my son to the central highlands, not many birds but 1 to fill in 107, and another upgrade (still not happy with the photos). Just when I thought my photography was improving, I get these average photos, which required alot of processing to get them here. Perhaps I need to be on a boat!
107. Brown Falcon - poor light disant bird on private property, clearly marked No Tresspassers, so this wil do for now.
Upgrade for 82. Wedge-tailed Eagle. Same area a bit earlier with some nice "golden hour light". Some distance away, so heavy crops. A pair in neighbouring trees, then 1 took flight to toward the other. The flight photos may not be in from the same sequence.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
So in a previous post I said indicated I am not a twitcher. Might have to review that comment. Prepare yourself for a photo overload, I will try and keep it down.
On Sunday a member of a group I belong to reported a "rare vagrant" for Tasmania, only the 3rd ever sighting. Took a day or so to decide to make the 247.9klm nearly 3 hour trip on the of chance the bird would still be there. It was sighted Monday and Tuesday, so I took off early Wednesday morning to Liffey Falls. Got lucky, when another birder spotted it, but it took off (no photo). About an hour later we saw it at a different spot on the falls. This time rewarded with good but distant views, stayed for a good 40 minutes, Some 250+ photos later, it took off again. Spent a long time looking through the bins, so 250 could easily have been a thousand! Heavily cropped, and it was overcast in a wet forest, in the bottom of a gully - not ideal. Lowish shutter speeds and high ISO, reasonably happy with the result.
Oh, and apparently there are waterfalls at Liffey, so distracted I forgot to take a wide view of where this little one was.
118. Grey Wagtail - a MEGA LIFER, apparently alot of experienced birders still have not seen in Australia (many have seen in the UK?)
Not a great photo, but shows the underwing nicely.
Will pop more over in best photos later.
Anyhoo, Liffey Falls is less than an hours drive from Latrobe, where the Nankeen Night-herons are often seen (not by me in 4 or 5 previous visits), so thought I might "twitch" another lifer. They had been seen most days leading up to Wednesday, so my hopes were high. Again a selection showing adult and juvenile. The adults were fairly well hidden and hard to find the right angle (happy with the result) while the juvenile were more in the open.
119. Nankeen Night-heron - lifer.
Adult.
Juvenile - hard to choose just one, so sorry/not sorry.
Juvenile.
And lastly another crop, cause I love their eyes.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Stunning photos Dale! Well done with the Grey Wagtail lifer, I have never seen one. Not overly grey though is (s)he? Gorgeous little bird.
Thanks Karen. It is a male, and I am told in full breeding plumage. Apparently not seen that often in Australia, and usually more northern areas.
The whole experience was just amazing.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I thought it might be, with all those bright colours!
Wow Dale, this is epic!!
I never knew we had such a bird in Australia, and looks like its appearance in Tassie is truly one for the record books so this could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience!!
And you caught it!! I feel like the twitching bug might take hold after this :)
My guidebook tells me its usually only occasionally seen in the Kimberley, WA, top end, NT and the wet tropics of QLD (in Australia) so this is a major diversion out of its usual habitat, and also from the usual time of year that it is occasionally seen...amazing!! And your photos are so good, I'm not surprised you forgot the waterfall in all that action!!
And congrats on another lifer in the Nankeen Night-Heron, we see them a bit as they inhabit the Melbourne Zoo and Botanical Gardens, but they still are splendid birds, and so much variation between adults and juveniles which is so interesting!
Fabulous update - if we had slowed down before this you've certainly revved us up again!!
Wow Dale! How exciting to see the Grey Wagtail!! Awesome photos.
Yesterday was supposed to be another Pelagic day, got up at 4am drove 90 minutes to Eaglehawk Neck, only to find the skipper had decided very last minute (5am) to cancel, as the forecast was revised to have North/Northeast winds at 50-55 knots. As well it was bucketing down, so glad we didn't end up going.
4 of us decided to bird our way home. Not many new birds (2 for this year), but total of about 50 species over many sites. Only going to ad a couple of photos.
Orielton Lagoon had us looking for Spoonbills and Egrets (one of the 4 is a "lister" and needed for her Tasmanian 2022 list).
Spoonies we're not at their usual haunt, but we found them much closer to shore. This photo isn't for the Spoonbill, but the other bird noted lurking nearby, but I do like the Royal Spoonbill in this shot.
120. Bar-tailed Godwit - we think this one is overwintering here as the others have departed many weeks ago (I believe still a few in the north of the state). 2 photos - one in flight. Always amazed at how much different light can affect the photo - it is the same bird.
Another nearby spot, Bonnington Farm - private property which one of our group has permission to access. In addition to sheep and cattle, they also farm Oysters. The farm is on the water's edge of Pitwater - another lagon very close to Ortielton. No new waders or other wetland types, but a lovely to see some nice birds. Sue would have like this spot, heaps of Flame Robins and a couple of Scarlets. Also a Eurasian Skylark, but always on the wing or settled in high grass, so I missed another lifer opportunity (saw but no photo).
121 Cattle Egret - had 3 in total.
Did not take long for an upgrade of a bird I posted a few days ago, 4 total, all with good views although most on a power pole.
107. Brown Falcon.
A more natural perch, but distant, heavily cropped and not so sharp.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Great lot of shots since I last checked, Dale. Adore the Wedgie in that wonderful light but a Grey Wagtail is icing on the cake.
Beautiful shots of the Bar-tailed Godwit and Brown Falcon in particular Dale, definitely not a wasted day :)
Thanks all. The Wagtail was a special experience. Danika, there is no such thing as a wasted day if you see some birds, whether it is a "birding day or not".
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Great catching up on all your lifers Dale. That grey wagtail is a complete unknown for me, and such clear beautiful photos you took!
I am also glad to see the wedge-tails decided to give you a look in this year - great light for detail even at a distance.
Lovely shots Dale.
Thank you all for your kind comments.
Pickings have been a bit slim lately, not getting out as much as I would like. Did get a day trip with my son on Sunday, not so much for birds, just a drive. So a couple of photos, and some extras to boot.
122. Dusky Moorhen - another lifer believe it or not. Was lucky to find what I think is a pair (there were 2 birds, 1 was a bit shy). On a farm dam Northern Tasmania (with permission to enter property)
Some landscpapes from Pine Lake (Central Highlands), where one of Tasmanias rarest trees can be found - The Pencil Pine. Growing here at an altitude of @ 1200 meters, is very slow growing. The larger of these trees could be over 1000 years old. As you can see from the 1st photo, it was COLD, the lake was frozen up to where the outlet is (you can see the edge of the ice).
And lastly from Pine Lake, we spotted a Bennet's Wallaby well camoflaged.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Beautiful photos Dale. What stunning scenery! Cute little wallaby too, well spotted.
Dale what stunning photos!
Gorgeous shot of the Moorhen, Dale and such stunning scenery. So beautiful, thanks for sharing. The Bennet's Wallaby is so cute in amaongst that growth.
Lovely shots, great day out :)
Spectacular place, Dale. Are you photographing in gloves? Does everything work in that sort of cold?
Thanks yet again for your kind comments.
Michael, I did not have gloves for those trips, but on a recent Pelagic (9 degrees with a high wind chill factor), I am currently investigating possum/merino combination mittens. The gear all works well (the Pine Lake shots were in overcast but -2 temp according to the car thermometer), so was happy with that.
Photos still to come for a couple of outings, again struggling to keep up, and now Mrs Dale has COVID, with Mr Dale likely to have it soon. Wifey not sick enough to be worried, but we are now in isolation, although my workplace granted me an exemption (took 5 minutes for approval) as long as I stay masked up and return negative RAT before leaving for work each day. I am a healthcare worker, and we are struggling for staff due to COVID.
Anyhow, I reckon most of you have had a brush with the virus. We consider ourselves lucky our surge in cases has not led to lockdown (which is likely why we are having a surge in numbers?).
Please stay safe and well, and keep those photos coming.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Been a while not too much going on, but some nice birds for your pleasure.
Another Pelagic 10th July, a couple of new birds, and some old faves. Have had 3 pelagics cancelled due to awful weather.
123. Light-mantled Sooty Albatross - only ever seen once before - we had 3 individuals this day, a couple coming quite close and stayed for a while.
124. Grey Petrel (lifer I think) - didn't stay long.
125. Antarctic Prion - a few for the day, ID confirmed on the Seabirds and Pelagics Australia Facebook page.
76. Grey-backed Storm Petrel. a few for the day, hard to get decent photos, so happy with this one.
126. Grey-faced Petrel (no fact sheet).
And now for some old favourites, I know you all like to see them, let me know if your bored?
116. Southern Royal Albatross - an extra with a 70. Shy Albatross in front for some size comparison.
Wandering Albatross 117. - slowly learning sub-species, these IDs confirmed, but don't count as extras here.
New Zealand Albatross ssp not identified.
Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans)
New Zealand Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis)
116. Southern-Giant Petrel
78. Northern-Giant Petrel
4. Black-browed Albatross
115. Cape Petrel - one of my favourites for practising birds in flight shots, and a gorgeous bird to boot! Can't get to seprate ssp yet!
114. Campbell Albatross - no fact sheet would be listed as Black-browed here. A young bird (bill colour and darkish eye - older birds have an amazing light coloured eye).
31. White-bellied Sea Eagle - I blew these photos, it was sooooo close, but focusing on a moving boat was horrible, anyway good action photos, even if focus is off! And yes we did throw it a fish.
Apparently one of the challenges with Pelagics from Eagle Hawk Neck is to get a good photo of a bird with Tasman Island and it's iconic light house in the shot. I was pretty happy with this one - the bird (Light-mantled Sooty Albatross), the island, the light house, and of course the sea.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Catching up, still have another batch to process.
Was laying in bed a week or so ago and heard a call I did not recognise. Opened the window, thought just another Sulphur Crested - though a bit small (our cockies here are just huge), but then eyes focused a bit and saw some pink, now thinking Galah but no obvious grey wings, thought I would grab the bins - glad I did. Another lifer and from my back yard!
127. Major Mitchell's/Pink Cockatoo - yes I know it is an aviary escapee - there was a pair granted their freedom (by some a**hole) nearby home in March/April this year. I did see both of them (one flew directly at me, but I was too slow). Hoping you will allow me this special bird for my list, it is technically now a bird not contained (not that 1 makes much difference in the scheme of things). Anyway regardless IT IS POSTED.
Guess the purists will be complaining about another intorduced feral species, if they survive and get to breed. My understaning is that they are a pair. Notified via Facebook of the sighting, maybe they will end up back home (kinda hope not, and that they can survive).
This photo is a decent crop, it took flightand I almost lost it from the bottom of the frame, still pretty chuffed with both the bird and the result on a cold, wet, gloomy day.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Love them all, Dale but my favourites would be the Light-mantled Sooty Albatross and the Cape Petrel and very good shots of the Major Mitchell Cockatoos.
I cannot reconcile your numbers as 126 seems to be missing. I'll leave the majority to decide on escapees as these are so unusual and you did make the effort to get out of bed for them! Their call is quite different.
Thanks Sue. 126 is Grey-faced Petrel from the Pelagic 10th July. I did have the Grey-backed Storm Petrel as 126, but realised it was already listed. So between 125 Antarctic Prion and 126 Grey Petrel appears 76 Grey-backed Petrel, an extra photo. Does that help or not?
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Thanks, Dale, that helped. I've updated your list. Love all those seabirds.
Thanks Sue.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I can't believe you are still getting new birds on your pelagic trips, Dale. How many are possibly still to go? Any that you hope to see that still remain elusive?
Either way you have inspired me, and I am trying to sort a trip out from Kiama near me, although I'll admit its a bit daunting.
Another incredible set of ocean birds, just love the albatross that you keep coming up with! Just amazing to see all the flight shots! Love the Major Mitchells too, I'm not fussed how its classified, so cool to see it in your area!!
Incidentally Dale, I'm going to be around Hobart for a short trip at the end of this week, I fly in Thursday lunchtime and will have Thursday and possibly Friday around Hobart, then go up to Triabunna for a conference on Saturday/Sunday. I've been trying to log in all week to let you know, and realise its super later notice now and you're probably working but just FYI I guess.
I'll try to hit up a few Tassie endemics if possible, the Waterworks Reserve looks like the most likely place to get most things. Sadly I won't have time to go down to Bruny Island after the Forty-Spotted Pardalote, but I'll have a go at the others, weather and time permitting!
So pleased to finally get to Tassie, even if the weather doesn't look entirely promising for this short trip.
Thanks for your kind comments, there will be more seabirds, when I get time.
Sadly I will be working , start back tomorrow for 4 days. Would have been nice to meet. Waterworks is usually pretty good, morning and evening, but can be hit and miss outside that. Lots of places, but I guess you will be a bit short on time. If anything pops up, I will PM you. Green Rosellas, Tas. Native Hens, also still everywhere, Forest Ravens on every road. Currawong (black and grey) make an appearance regularly to. If you have time and transport, The Springs on kunanyi/Mt Wellington hopefully be productive, if your looking for Pink Robins, the carpark above the "Lost Freight" cafe (turn left just past the cafe) is reliable this time of year. The males often hang out on the mirrors of cars. A wander round the cafe can also be rewarding. Lots of sub alpine type species, but can also be hit miss.
Anyway, hope you enjoy your brief visit.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Thanks Michael, there are probably another 30-40 possibles (some more possible than others). Sadly I missed another mega on Saturday, a Chatham Albatross, last seen in Tassie in 2011. I say sadly, because I had the choice of Saturday and or Sunday, couldn't go Saturday, and it was a "no show" on the Sunday. They also had an Antarctic Tern, which would have been a lifer for most on board.
Hopefully so,e more photos soon.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Thanks Dale, I appreciate the tips :) I'll have a hire car so if I can fit it in I'll try for Mt Wellington as well, I've heard that it can be good for Shrubtit up there so fingers crossed.
I was thinking of going to Maria Island on Friday, but I'll see how the weather turns out...don't want to wander around in the rain for hours!
Weather on your side, Maria is a good option, potential for 11 endemics, but luck will need to be on your side. It is on my to do list!
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Stunning photos Dale! I really do love seeing your shots from your pelagic trips. Tad jealous but thanks for sharing them. :)
Sorry to hear that Mrs Dale had the COVID... hope she's better now and that you dodged it! It can be a bugger of a thing.
Amazing photos Dale, you really do own the pelagics. I particularly liked the Brown Skua and your close up of the Light-Mantled Sooty Albatross (great name!).
But how can I go past your Grey Wagtail?? You must be stoked :)
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