Raven leads best of wetland morning

Three birds, three very different stories from Rowes Bay Sustainability Wetlands in Townsville this morning.

First up, Australian Raven, one of two challenging the presence of recently arrived Channel-billed Cuckoos from across Torres Strait (along with Koels and Torresian Imperial-Pigeons).

Second, female Black-necked Stork, making imposing statement atop vines decorating dead acacia.

Third, Forest Kingfisher, the only one of the five seen through the morning posing near perfectly.

Bonus: an even better look at Forest Kingfisher, on nearby branch last week.   

Cockatoo laps up water going to waste

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos can be clever but not-so-clever human left this supposedly self-closing tap slightly open in Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park this week. Despite BOM's reluctance to declare El Nino upon us signs are we'll regret wasting water this year and well into 2024. Did I close tap? Yes. Yes. And good to see some in Australia catching on to moves abroad to let grass brown off. Save water. And fuel for mowers. Win-win.    

Leucistic heron lightens up wetland viewing area

No knowing how long leucistic (later edit: or hybrid of some sort; maybe heron/egret) White-faced Heron will hang around Pandanus viewing area in the Town Common Conservation Park after it popped up late last week so here's five looks at the lightly coloured bird (usually darkish grey apart from white face), which has drawn no negative response from other herons and egrets in the large seasonal wetland.