Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Macleay's Honeyeater going bananas

Up close with a Macleay's Honeyeater (Xanthotis macleayanus) today in Tyto. Three birds (sorry, Snail, only got this one) and a pair of White-gapeds were picking at bananas in a pig trap.

Two other closeup holdovers: Black-fronted Dotterell, and Magpie Lark.

5 comments:

mick said...

Great photos again - but - how do you get so close to so many species? Luck, and Patience and ?????

Gouldiae said...

Nice one Tony. Haven't seen a Macleay's for a while - they seldom get down here, (ha!).
Pig trap? Please tell.
Regards,
Gouldiae

Tyto Tony said...

Hi Mick: Walk and talk. The birds know we're there(unless in a hide - which I don't use, as yet). So I often talk my way towards them.

Hi Gouldiae: Pigs are major threat to wetlands and the surrounding cane fields. Shire let them get away three years back and 100+ turned over the entire lagoon margins. Pro hunter now traps and kills in and around the wetlands. Though the wise old sows are very hard to trick into traps. Captain Cokhas something to answer for (Kiwis call all black feral pigs Captain Cookers).

mick said...

Thanks Tony, that's very interesting. Something new to try.

Snail said...

I'm getting singletons here too. One Macleay's, one Lewin's, one bridled. They spend most of their time chasing one another. The Macleay's honeyeater is usually the last one standing!

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