Some quail being alone, others don't flinch

Brown Quail (Coturnix ypsilophora) upset at losing contact after covey of three flushed at Orient Station this week walked and ran 100 metres back up track to cattle grid where the birds had been feeding, all the time sending out low calls. It then turned and ran back the way it came. Not a bird happy finding itself alone.

Unlike this Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) feeding roadside and surprisingly alone. Bird continued to feed as I drove near. We then played wee game of hide and seek around and under the Troopy. Zeb numbers have been lower than past years along the Orient road, in spite of dry conditions expected to favour their presence.

Meanwhile, much nesting going on in Tyto Wetlands. Yellow Honeyeater (Lichenostomus flavus) just one of many birds and species building apace without worrying about the missing Wet. Perhaps they're even enjoying a time of patchy light and less often heavy showers and much sunshine.