Thursday, October 28, 2010

Monarch on a mossy 'throne'

Search for Noisy Pittas in Broadwater Forest Park today collected a few blurred images, many mosquito bites and a mixed bag of other birds, starting with Spectacled Monarch (Symposiarchus trivirgatus) on deep mossy nest. Species busy breeding and feeding throughout the rainforest park, 40km west of Ingham.


Grey-headed Robin (Heteromyias cinereifrons) willing as always to pose briefly. Earlier, came upon a Grey-headed being dive-bombed by two (much smaller) Pale Yellow Robins.


Conflict also seen between Lemon-bellied Flycatchers (Microeca flavigaster), but this bird was just getting on with foraging.


Last, but for size of catch not least, Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii) about to finish off small skink (one of the many copper-heads).
Click pix to enlarge     

3 comments:

Snail said...

Looks like a decent snack for the kingfisher.

The moarch's nest is such an exquisite structure. I particularly like the spider web decorations.

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Tony
Snail is right about the fine detailing of the Monarch nest.
Your Pittas are hard to see, because one of them visited the NSW Southern Highlands yesterday.
Fatal visit, unfortunately, but nobody knows quite why.
It was "retrieved" by a dog, but not obviously damaged. Handed over to WIRES, but subsequently died. Maybe shock? Or weather shock? Culture Shock (or lack of it) is also possible, as it was near Berrima, NSW.
Cheers
Denis

Tyto Tony said...

Hi Bronwen and Denis: Nest glowed green in shaft of sunlight when I first spotted it. Most attractive, and surprisingly large for relatively small bird. Dogs and Pittas not a happy mix.

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