Double-barreds on barbed wire

Trying to sneak up on Double-barred Finches (Taeniopygia bichenovii) near coast seems always to end with a barbed wire fence and some distance between us.

One of the smaller finches, Double-barreds appear to magnify any wire they land on. Their subdued colours may be a factor in an illusion.

Looks like this Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella) - first seen in cattle country last month and thought perhaps to be carrying an injury - has settled in for the northern 'winter'. 

Hadn't resighted the bird till it flew by the car two days ago. No sign of any injury. Quickly found it again today at edge of fast-drying swampy portion of grazing land.     

And look (hard!) at what popped into view in Tyto yesterday. Picture taken from lookout, 90 metres across lagoon. 

First Australian Little Bittern (Ixobrychus dubius) for 3-4 months. Terrible image the sole return for about 100 hours of scanning scleria. But who's counting?


Reward for less focussed effort came later in day. Casual bike ride around back of wetlands flushed Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus) from beside track. First sighting for more than three years. Bird too quickly gone for picture.