Catching them on the wing

Most birds look in their element on the wing. Pity it's so hard to capture them in the air. Distant looks at Welcome Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) at Orient Station yesterday don't do them justice.

Did catch an Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella) speeding past.

And another catching up with grasshopper.

Then again, sometimes catching a bird on the wing isn't good enough. Thus, one of the Striated Pardalotes (Pardalotus striatus) had to go.

And sometimes on the wing means something different, as with these Black-shouldered Kites (Elanus axillaris).

Australian Pratincoles dig life on the road

It's not only Dharma Bums that dig being on the road. Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella) likes nothing more than dropping in from on high and cruising the Orient station scene ...

... or grooving in the mud in nearby Cassady country (Mungalla).

Less often seen on the road, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) creates optical illusion: being wholly on road but seemingly in water from ankles (where our knees are) down.

Standing in water rather than on a road is more their go.  

Crimson Finch tucks into weed seed feed

Female Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) tucks into hymenachne weed at Mungalla Station today. Above, it's not easy trying to be a tidy eater. Below, quick flick to clean the bill and looking neater.

Also in Mungalla, Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella), one of several likely to settle in for a few months' residency, and probably some breeding.

Recent migratory arrival, Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) also appears to have settled in for a long spell, feeding in pools alongside Palm Creek.

A longterm resident, Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis), stands out on track running above the creek. Much male posturing for months so local breeding possible, though I've never seen any younsters running about the Ingham area.  

And another longtermer - always in big numbers - Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) leaves the dusty ground for a brief taste of the high life.

Stubble Quail kicks off high count

High count of 76 species seen in stiff northeasterly gusts at Mungalla Station today didn't bring too many worthwhile pictures but did kick off with closeup of Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis).

And male Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula) turned up in sheltered spot along choked creek, in place of the Little Kingfisher being targeted.

Seen today back on usual cattle pad habitat - a reappearance after briefly taking off elsewhere - but this one photographed last week, Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella).

Another species seen today but photographed earlier, Nankeen Night-Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus), one of 50-60 roosting by day in a tangle of cottonwoods.

Also, one of 50-60 birds often sheltering around the cottonwoods, Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton). 

Little problem with Little Egret

Want to identify Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)? Easy. Look for the black bill. Unless, as above, the bird is new-fledged.

And yellow under the feet. Good luck with that one. Impossible to be sure of such a colour even when the bird does its best to help, as today at Orient Station.

Another uncommon sight at the station, two days ago, more than 30 Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella) feeding beside and in shallows receding after the final act of this season's Wet. Today, only two Pratincoles to be seen. 

Freckled Duck marks a first

Took an hour or two to find at Mungalla Station today,  and distant picture nothing to boast about, but this Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa) marks a first for me. Species seldom seen up this way. Six reported by others last weekend so it seems five have moved on.

Common bird, better picture: Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) in the Mungalla shallows two days ago.

Also much on show in and around the shallows, Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus).

And standing quietly in the grass nearby, Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella).