Highlights from the morning highway

Some mornings the three kilometres into Ingham provide the day's birding highlights. For example, Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) in spoon drain that runs under highway.

Didn't seem to be having much luck with finding anything worth swallowing and quickly cast away the few objects it picked up.

Seemingly even unluckier, perhaps from glancing road blow, male Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis) right alongside the highway.

Bird was carrying right wing awkwardly but escaped into long grass and scrub before I could attempt a rescue.

Black neck? You're having a laugh, aren't you?

What's in  a name? Nothing like  the truth when it comes to Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus).

'Black neck? That's a laugh,' said Mrs Stork, in Tyto, t'other day.  'My Rhynky's got a gorgeous neck, I reckon.'

'Too right, Eph,' said he.   They're right, of course, my lovely Jabirus.

Charge of the heavy brigade

Charge of  the heavy brigade: agistment cattle at Mungalla Station make a splash crossing Palm Creek shallows east of Ingham yesterday. No apology from them for disturbing all  my water birds, either!

Overhead, Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) conflict, presumably about territorial  rights to prey upon and along the creek system.

Meanwhile, male Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) sailed serenely above the goings on below.

Pickings picnic on wet grass

Uncommon to find Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) foraging on grass. But super high tide pushing flooding Herbert River sideways from the Hinchinbrook Channel at  Dungeness the other day meant bird's usual pickings were being washed into picnic area.  

Much more at home on grass, though more often seen deep in forest shadow, Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) bejewels the camp ground in morning light after overnight rain at Jourama Falls.  

No surprise seeing Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) surrounded by grass, in seasonal pool beside the highway at Ingham. Flood flushes mean food for all.  

Stork stalk starts Jabberwonky

Could the birds be watching me? When all along I've thought myself the observer? Yesterday, near the coast, this Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) flew by near enough to straight over top of me. Today, almost 80km to west up the Herbert River Gorge, same bird, same slow flight over me. Any more of it and I'll be getting the  J-J-J-J-Ja-Ja-Jabber-Jabberoos.
Click pix to enlarge  

Jabirus carry on life in the sticks

Time for spot of rebuilding by local pair of Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) with the birds this morning heading southwest across the main lagoon at Tyto carrying nest sticks. Just the one trip by each bird. Perhaps more to come.

Rarer sighting yesterday, with immature White-eared Monarch (Carterornis leucotis) showing out around outer foliage of  trees near the lookout. Bit early in the year for the uncommon visitor: some years go by without any sightings.

Meanwhile Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusilla) keeps popping up along the creekline and also, as above, among the pink lotuses on the lagoon. 
Click pix to enlarge