Insect-Eaters

Warm, sultry overcast weather with storms.

The farmers hate this weather- too late for rain to do any good and it spoils the hay!

However, strange things blow in with a north-east weather system. Large flocks of White-browed Woodswallows hunting for insects over the treetops. Pair of White-browed Woodswallows

Photo G. Cheers

Then a weird metallic trumpeting, muttering and cackling call and 2 Dollarbirds appear on the scene.

Magpies, Striated Pardalotes and Red Wattlebirds get a run as do the Woodswallows.

Dollarbird at Carapooee West

Photo A Hughes

A quite large and chunky bird with a most distinctive flight pattern and a white circular patch on each wing- the eponymous dollar. Checking on the distribution in the Birdlife Atlas, these are rare visitors to our region.

This is the first sighting I have had of this species in our region in 37 years- so a new species for our BIrd List.

Nesting Time Again

Birds are nesting everywhere at present.

While doing my Birds on farms Surveys last week, I came across this one, unexpectedly, as this species usually nests high in the trees in Yellow Gum Woodlands.

This Grey Butcherbird has built her nest in a River Redgum right in the creek- not that there is any water to be had but at least the food supply is probably better here than out in the very parched woodlands. Many other birds are nesting in the same area- Weebills, a pair of Spotted Pardalotes, White-browed Babblers and Restless Flycatchers and none seem concerned by this ferocious predator in their midst.

Ned's Corner 3-Inhabitants

Meet some of the inhabitants at Ned's. We carried out some bird surveys as we were going around and put 27 or 28 species on the list- the most exciting being both Butcherbirds- Grey and Pied, a Whistling Kite pair with a nest right opposite the pumphouse and a flock of Black-faced Woodswallows at the pine sandridge. These were the only birds I captured on camera- the plants were easier. On the inlet, late afternoon- Crimson Rosella- yellow form

On the big inlet- Black Swans

Pterostylis biseta -Mallee Rustyhood, close relative to our Lowly Greenhood. Rosettes just emerging.

Early morning on the river- Darter drying off.

Early morning on the river- Pelican looking for breakfast.

Taken at the Inland Botanic Gardens, these are NOT gazanias! (Sturt Desert pea)

Early morning on the river again- 4 Wood Ducks

Just over the side fence for the shearers' quarters- stickybeaking Emu

Favoured food of many creatures furry and feathered- Enchylaena tomentosa, upright form- Ruby Saltbush

Under the Hill's Hoist- Mallee Ringnecks feeding on weed seeds.

Low groundocevr plant- Zygophyllum sp (Twinleaf)

In the garden- the best use for 2km of barbed wire- rolled up by the Green Army girls and endorsed by Chris and Russell!