Night drive proves owling success

Night drive west of Ingham proved an owling success with Eastern Grass-Owl (Tyto longimembris) and Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto javanica) found along 100-metre stretch of country road beside a cane field.

Dark female Grass Owl stood without concern as I gradually moved very close and didn't move away even when all light was taken off her.

Different story with Barn Owl. Fled its post after just a few quick shots from the cab of the Troopy.

And this male Grass Owl didn't hang around long when flushed in Tyto Wetlands the other morning. Recent sightings suggest last year's breeding pair in Tyto are not together right now. But their swamp ricegrass habitat is still too flooded for creation of grass tunnels and breeding sites.  

Grass Owl rises from the ricegrass

Super start to 2014 as Eastern Grass-Owl (Tyto longimembris) flushes from swamp ricegrass at the western end of the main Tyto Wetlands lagoon.

The extended dry period since one downpour in mid-November has been good for the owls, snug in their ricegrass roosts by day and flying out to find prey by night.

It's almost certainly coincidental - though a little intriguing - that owl sightings have increased lately as ground snake sightings in Tyto have, since 2009, fallen markedly.  

Square-tailed Kite blinks at challenge

Rare raptor maybe, but some Tyto residents not impressed when Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) drifted in over the treetops yesterday. White-breasted Woodswallow gives blinking visitor the message.

But the brief time overhead was mostly plain and effortless sailing.

Even more splendid in the air over the main lagoon lately, Eastern Grass-Owl (Tyto longimembris). So close a bit of wing missed enclosure in the frame.

Eastern Grass-Owl takes to the blue skies

Week too late for Birdlife photographic group thronging Tyto Wetlands for Labour Weekend, Eastern Grass-Owl (Tyto longimembris) rises from grass today.

Just the one bird, perhaps also the pre-dawn sighting at back of the wetlands two mornings ago.

Time for three sharpish images before bird dropped back into distant grasses. Tough luck, DPITB guys.

Tyto fire trails slashed lately as ground dries, giving some access to Eastern Grass-Owl (Tyto longimembris) habitat. Walk through scleria, hymenachne and matted grasses yesterday brought two owls from cover. Probably breeding  pair now without the third seen with them before the Wet set in and closed the area in January. More, as they  say, and better to come. 

Stumbling upon a Grass Owl ...

More night driving turned up this Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris) west of Ingham early this morning. Had to stumble down and up other side of flooded sugar cane railway cutting to get just the one passable image. 

Been a similar story elsewhere lately. My friendly Saltwater Crocodile refuses to pose on her billabong bank for more than a minute or two.

Noisy Pitta at Jourama Falls offers teasing distant moment before flying from sight.

And the quail insist on doing runners whenever I draw near. Stubble Quail above head off at Mungalla Station.

Brown Quail sprints across Mungalla entry road after deciding the grass didn't provide enough cover.

Black Bittern quits flooded Tyto creek and takes to the trees.

Black-tailed Native Hen pauses while darting around old Mungalla stockyards.

Never mind the quality, feel the quantity!  

Eastern Grass Owl: 'Don't ask me where I've been.'

'Don't ask me where I've been. I'm here in front of you now, aren't I? Take your pictures and run away and boast about finding an Eastern Grass-Owl (Tyto longimembris) in the Tyto Wetlands after failing for eight years.' 

'Out of focus? Out of focus??? Can't you get anything right? I can't stand around here all bloody night waiting for you to take a simple bleeding picture. That's it? Done, are you? Right, I'm off to give some rats hell. No, I won't hover above you for a few minutes so you can get an action shot. Later? When I'm in a better mood? Maybe. For Christmas. See you.'