Sandy Creek - The Nesting Tree
I walked the Sandy Creek Walk this morning. Carmel went earlier than I did and rang me and asked me to identify some birds that she could hear. They sounded like Pardalotes to me, so I thought I would look for them on the same walk. (I did not find them)
The dead tree near the Swing bridge is very active at the moment. I wanted to see if the Australian Owlet-nightjar was sunning himself again. However, when I arrived there were two Long-billed Corellas peering into the hollow branch and squawking loudly.
Then two Sulphur-crested Cockatoos arrived in a flurry of wings and noise and chased the Corellas off.
The Cockatoos, having gained the upper hand proceeded to peer into the hole and call loudly.
All though this inspection and battle there was no sign of the little Owlet-nightjar and I feared that it had been pushed out by the noise and had gone somewhere else.
I continued my walk and it was about an hour and a half later before I walked past the tree on my way home. I saw just the tip of the Owlet-nightjar in the entrance to the hole. I suspect that he had been hidden in there the whole time and was not going to be spooked by the threats of the Cockatoo families.
I usually ignore Australian Wood Ducks because they are always around but this morning there was a pair together on a branch in the creek. They looked cute together.
The male moved down the branch and started preening himself. This pose shows a kaleidoscope of colour and texture. They are really a very handsome bird. Of particular note is the brilliant flash of green in the speculum feathers. These are normally hidden as you can see in the previous photo.
The dead tree near the Swing bridge is very active at the moment. I wanted to see if the Australian Owlet-nightjar was sunning himself again. However, when I arrived there were two Long-billed Corellas peering into the hollow branch and squawking loudly.
Then two Sulphur-crested Cockatoos arrived in a flurry of wings and noise and chased the Corellas off.
The Cockatoos, having gained the upper hand proceeded to peer into the hole and call loudly.
All though this inspection and battle there was no sign of the little Owlet-nightjar and I feared that it had been pushed out by the noise and had gone somewhere else.
I continued my walk and it was about an hour and a half later before I walked past the tree on my way home. I saw just the tip of the Owlet-nightjar in the entrance to the hole. I suspect that he had been hidden in there the whole time and was not going to be spooked by the threats of the Cockatoo families.
I usually ignore Australian Wood Ducks because they are always around but this morning there was a pair together on a branch in the creek. They looked cute together.
The male moved down the branch and started preening himself. This pose shows a kaleidoscope of colour and texture. They are really a very handsome bird. Of particular note is the brilliant flash of green in the speculum feathers. These are normally hidden as you can see in the previous photo.
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