Crimson Finch feed of seed fills need to breed

Female Crimson Finch feeds on roadside grass in Townsville Town Common Conservation Park. One of a few pairs lately showing signs  of impending breeding.

 

Elsewhere, White-throated Honeyeater offers happily uncluttered pose.

And Comb-crested Jacana pauses during brief time away from usual wet surrounds.

 

Young cormorants and darter in touching relationship

Too chilly in Townsville this morning for birding in shivery shade. Riverbank by Palmetum Botanical Gardens promised desired east-facing warmth. And where were the birds? Sitting - several in clustered nests - along the sunlit Ross. Juvenile Australian Darter stands (below) in a nest touching two others holding pairs of Little Pied Cormorants (above) and close to another with three young cormorants.

Youth also on the water, with immature Comb-crested Jacana treading daintily across waterlily leaves.

Nearby, immature male Rufous Whistler shows breast and head markings about to become bolder mature colouring.

Not so young or close to the camera but always boldly coloured, Azure Kingfisher, one of a pair teasing with fast showings - and goings.

Finally, chance encounter between a Pacific Black Duck and seeming quizzical Freshwater Turtle wanting to know where the bird's right eye is. 'Gone'.

Stubby-tailed gecko spotted in leaf litter

Quick grab at leaf litter got reptile new to my Townsville list in the bag briefly at the Town Common. At first sight it seemed Northern Spotted Velvet Gecko had sacrificed tail - survival strategy to distract predators with wriggling discard. But the stubby tail is characteristic of species.

Not so stubby toes characteristic of Comb-crested Jacana. Explains how species seems able to walk on water (with help of minimal vegetation) and thus is still known by some as the Jesus bird.

Standing grounded, or, as in this case, samphired, characteristic of Australian Pipit. Bird's-eye view for this species most often means close underfoot. Desired bird's-eye camera angle means photographer must also get grounded.

Or not fully, perhaps. Samphire bokeh behind the bird adds 'colour' lacking from lower angle. And a quirky side note: the bird's feet and legs look almost like organic offshoots to or from the bird. Worth getting bum wet and muddy for, I reckon.

Trust me, it's not always this easy

What's great about this Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) is the trust allowed.

Walked in close and enjoyed a long chat, at Dungeness.

Also trusting, White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) sits tight, near Orient 
Station.

Even more trusting than usual, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), near Ingham.

Trust me, Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) usually more wary; on Tyto lagoon.

Trusting for even better in 2013, Happy New Year!

On the water front ...

Week's showers reflooded Tyto reedbeds and brought Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) in yesterday: first small wader for many months.

Same reeds, less peaceful some days ago: Intermediate Egrets (Ardea intermedia) squabble over territory.

Intermediates have enviable strike rate, but no luck this time.

Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) looks for slower-moving prey. 

And Pacific Heron (Ardea pacifica) stands above the fray.
Click pix to enlarge

Toeing, flowing and no-going on the water

Walking, winging on water: Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) makes tracks in Tyto yesterday.

Walking, winging in water: Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) shakes feathers loose while feeding in drying creek pool today.

No walking here! Saltwater Crocodile bakes motionless (most days) at Macknade revegetation area east of Ingham.   
Click pix to enlarge

Getting lowdown on Jacana shots

Been trying for shots of Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) from near water level. Today, lying prone, elbows in mud at pool edge, got down to business.

Camera's still not low enough! But it's about the best my body and gear can manage. No time for 'If at first ... '  so another challenge put aside. 
Click pix to enlarge

Jacana plonks eggs on pool weed

Nesting no big thing in world of Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea). But usually the eggs are plonked on growth or debris more substantial - and less exposed - than Azolla, in a shallow creek pool.

This is probably the male, today seeming to avoid going near the new-laid eggs, yet never quitting the pool. Not sure if he's accepted responsibility for sitting, and the rearing. Presumed female egg layer, seen briefly, lacked colour: may be young, and unwise in egg plonking. Time may tell.

Meantime, here's another Jacana, showing off those toes!!!   
Click pix to enlarge

Crimson leads the red brigade

A few bright reds stood out from all the green under plenty of cloud in Tyto today. Male Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) busy outside the hide, looking for nest positions after two false starts under the eaves. Bird checked former nest hole in paperbark trunk, taken over by black ants. Eviction unlikely, but fingers crossed.

Male Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) jigged about in favourite habitat without  ever dancing clear of it.

Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) also seemed to be going out of its way to hide behind reeds, grasses and flowers as it picked a path across the lily pads.

Finally, in keeping with colour theme, holdover picture of Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta) amid bottlebrush flowers they cannot get enough of.
Click pix to enlarge   

Osprey caps magic morning

Great morning dotted with birdwatching magic. So, connect the dots.

Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus) caps things. Bird's distant plunge and capture of large fish marks another in run of six-year firsts.

Thought for a moment it was heading to devour catch on 'Osprey Tree' (and nest) erected for nesting by the species. But that was asking too much.

Spotted Osprey entering water from 250 metres off, after Collared Sparrowhawk sped overhead and flashed out across lagoon. Lost it but gained picture of a fish that didn't get away.

Had Azure Kingfisher to thank. Splashes into water beneath low wooden footbridge crossing outlet from main lagoon to creek led to hopeful wait close by. Directly beneath what proved to be Sparrowhawk's line of ambush for unwary birds.

Only knew of Azure's presence because Little Kingfisher darted away with high-pitched calls from large creek pool crossed by concrete footbridge leading to lookout.

Heard the Little because of spell watching Metallic Starlings, Figbirds, Helmeted Friarbirds and White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrikes chasing insects and fruit in Corkwoods and other trees by the pool.

Less visible, but much noisier, Brown Honeyeaters sang of their delight of a second morning full of sunshine. Also seen and heard, Yellow, White-gaped and Macleay's Honeyeaters, White-throated and Fairy Gerygones, Leaden Flycatchers, White-browed Robins, Varied Trillers and Rufous Whistlers.

Plus the Willie Wagtails, Northern Fantails, Forest Kingfishers, Crimson and Red-browed Finches, and Red-backed Fairy-wrens.

All within 50 metres of the lookout and footbridges. but wait, there's more.

Two Eastern Great Egrets (one above) squabbling over sole possession of the entire main lagoon.

And a long-distance confirmation of happy days in Jacanaville:

Mr four-legged Comb-crested Jacana. Here's the male of many recent posts with wing securely folded over youngster yesterday.

Similar sightings today. Seems other three eggs really were lost. Better news with one of the other Jacana families. Four thriving juveniles seen out and about today.

Shining Flycatchers (still on x eggs).

Dots all, folks!

Wetlands going to the dogs

Pity to wipe smiles off faces of Tyto visitors. But some just don't pay attention to signs forbidding them entry. Pair (mum and son) skidded to stop yesterday and slunk off at shout of 'Get home!' (wherever that is). Bad dogs? Nope. Bad owners.

More welcome drop-in visitor, immature Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis), taking break on way to warmer winter quarters in the islands.

Comb-crested Jacana lost three of four eggs over the weekend. Nest platform awash for three days but floating higher yesterday (above). Today, last egg gone. Water python? Maybe. Water rat? Maybe. Eggs sunk? Unlikely. Eggs shifted by Jacana? Does happen. But bird almost keening loss today (below).
                           

Shining Flycatchers still on x? eggs: incubation should be nearing end.

And here's another six-year first sighting for me: Brolgas (Grus rubicunda) on the ground (though some overfly most years).