Pair of Squatters potter about in hotter spot

Trip into dry country turned up pair of Squatter Pigeons (Geophaps scripta) fussing around in roadside shadows. Limped around (broke toe the other day) after them without getting any clear shots in good light. My first sighting of Squatters for several years.

Lack of easy movement means bit more driving and shooting from the Troopy. Caught this Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) standing on beefy pal.

With even beefier neighbour standing close,

And shaking off some of the drizzle that began falling a bit later on.

Rain! Just what every bird wants!

Crimson Finch rejoices in today's drizzling answer to farmers' prayers. Imagine the joy if Ingham had got the 600mm it needs.

Apostles answer birder's prayers

Out west in dry country beyond Mt Fox yesterday praying for something to turn up and down from on high come two Apostlebirds (Struthidea cinerea).

The birds appeared intrigued by the Troopy and keen on sharing strange sounds with the driver. No sign of others in the area but nearby were Pale-headed Rosellas, Magpies and Noisy Miners. Earlier, on drive up to Mt Fox the birds included rainforest Wompoo Pigeons and Noisy Pittas. Land of contrasts!

Yellow Wagtails sticking together, sticking around

Three's not often company among Eastern Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla tschutschensis) at Mungalla Station but today a trio of birds stuck together through four shifts to various sites along the road in from the highway. Sorry, no trio picture presented itself. (Above, one I can almost always count on.)
First time I've seen three birds getting on well and sticking relatively close together (10-20 metres apart) as they foraged along the roadside, being forced to move as station traffic travelled the road.

In its usual spot, at the waterhole that marks the eastern end of Palm Creek these dryish days, the only Yellow Wagtail that can be counted almost every day its looked for.

The bird moves from typical dry, patchy pasture favoured by Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) to wet areas of dead water hyacinth (sprayed from helicopter some weeks ago).

The birds would in a normal Wet season have flown on south by now. It appears likely North Queensland will get only patchy rain this season and the Wagtails may stay until ready to fly off north to Japan and/or Russia about the end ofApril.

Time enough to have one, or even a trio, come close enough for 'the' shot. Meantime, this post offers the recent best.

Corella, Cockatoo brighten the roadside

Helping keep a roadside trim this week, Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) - one of six on the ground -  tucks into its morning greens.

And further along the road, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii) - one of eight - makes a meal of old coastal (Indian) almond.

Here's our World Wetlands Day outing

Tomorrow is World Wetlands Day.  Here is what it's all about. I know most couldn't make it. So I've done some looking for you:

Enjoy the outing?