Helpful handful of honeyeaters

Bird counts in Tyto showing a slow rise, with a handful of honeyeater species helping boost numbers. Hard to miss noisy groups of Yellow Honeyeaters (Lichenostomus flavus).

Also found in small bands at times and good guides to pythons, White-gaped Honeyeater (Lichenostomus unicolor).

Building up after almost vanishing from the wetlands after Yasi, Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta).
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Wallaby's wetlands wander wonder

Big male Agile Wallaby sploshed up below the hide in Tyto today and started tucking into tasty para grass. Nothing odd in that. But ...

It then purposefully walked into deep water, swam a narrow channel, and clambered noisily and vanished into an island of inedible, water-bound scleria. Wallabies take to water if threatened, but this unalarmed animal chose to be on an island offering no food or dry land. A mystery after seven years of watching wallabies in the wetlands.
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Flushed Nightjar triggers reddy theme

Serious case of red-eye from Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) flushed - and fill-flashed - in dark patch of rainforest the other day. The eyes glow red even in weak torchlight.

Not so Red-backed Fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus). Male moving toward full colour in Tyto today.

Red-browed Finch (Neochmia temporalis) in Tyto, showing why birds were previously called firetails.

Finally, more subdued shades of male Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris).

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Sunbird feeds into scheme of things

Few Olive-backed Sunbirds (Nectarinia jugularis) seen about the wetlands lately so lucky getting close to this female today.

But, then, her mind was more on pollen and nectar than nosy photographers.    

So, too, this young Dusky Honeyeater (Myzomela obscura), looking at first impression rather like a Scarlet or Red-headed Honeyeater juvenile.

And this Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) also didn't mind me getting close, very close, knowing I'd no designs on a dragonfly dinner. 
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Fairy-wren trio flies apart

Seldom capture tidy grouping of Red-backed Fairy-wrens (Malurus melanocephalus) so above in Tyto today worth more than one picture.

Even though slightly distant trio rapidly became duo.

Also rather distant, Australian Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus australis). Scleria is lately 'alive' with them. (Also suddenly noisily prominent, Tawny Grassbirds, in shrubby bladey grass.)  
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Count on Crimson Finches

Can always count on a few Crimson Finches (Neochmia phaeton) in Tyto - and so it was today.

Not always easy to get close.

But young birds can be a little less wary.

Bit tricky trying to line two up in the same depth of field.
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Wren jinks, joins weather jinx

Red-backed Fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus) takes off in Tyto yesterday.

Split-second earlier, sharper, but looking wrong way. Timing is all ...


But all ain't what it used to be. Total count of species for February and March: 77; roughly 20-30 below pre-Yasi expectations, though La Nina must also be counted contributor to the shortfall.  
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Rainbow Bee-eater prrps into place

Plenty of Rainbow Bee-eaters (Merops ornatus) 'prrpping' about the place these days. 

Not too many posing on low points.

Pity the pallid light in Tyto today played down bird's colours.
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