Sticking up for birds on sticks

Sick of birds on sticks? Too bad. They've got to go somewhere, apart from with atlas listings. And I've vetoed barbed wire and similar artificial perches. But BOS 'savers' do build up after failing to fit into blog themes. Apart, that is, from theme of birds on sticks. Original, huh? Above, Sacred Kingfisher near takeoff, Ross River.

Horsfields Cuckoo in early-morning light, Townsville Town Common Conservation Park.

Forest Kingfishers in light and shade, Town Common.

Nutmeg Mannikin male, Ross River.

Mistloebird male with fig, just metres away from Nutmeg.

Pale-headed Rosella, Bald Rock  area, Town Common.

Striated Pardalote, one of pair beside Old Flinders Highway.

White-browed Robin, in thicket by Town Common entry gate.

Forest Kingfisher trio maddening hunchmen

They're driving me mad, these three Forest Kingfishers. After flying out of sight with a parent several months ago they're back. I think they've been to black bird-magic  school. Now you see them, now you don't. Some days one, next day two, then three, then with their equally evil parent.

But I'm onto them and their plan to drive me nuts. Ha! Popping up in front of me and vanishing. Laughing at me behind my back. And, today, in my face. Cunning, they are. Sitting there, all nice as pie right in front of me. Always in the shadows. That's because they know I don't carry a flash.

Like today, up pop the evil hunchmen at Payets, 'kik-kik-kikling' like avian screechers from Endor. Two are on sunlit branches, but too far off. One really close, in shadow. The close one gives the signal, the other two fly by and land nearer. Then one flies right. And while I'm tracking it the other flies  in, and perches unseen two metres above the first, which distracts me by giving a silent laugh and yawn. One's right in front, ignoring me, one's just above in silent stitches at my unawareness. the third's clearly gone off to tell ma or pa about the fun they're having with me. Well tomorrow I'll be flashgunning for them and we'll see who's laughing then.

Today the trees are full of Forests

Suddenly Tyto's alive with Forest Kingfishers (Todiramphus macleayii). The pattern repeats every year, yet the day always comes as a surprise.

Today was the day. Yesterday, two or three here or there. Today, six here, six there, and more elsewhere.

For all their numbers, not one bird allowed close approach. On rare occasion Forests will ignore someone walking up. Hope it's soon!

Bad news at Shining Flycatcher nest. No sign of female for three days. Scrambled across to nest. No sign any eggs. Nest not quite fully lined. Appears male and were abandoned.

But the four young Comb-crested Jacanas continue to thrive on the lily pads out in front of the lookout.

Also thriving, Agile Wallabies. Perhaps last year's flooding triggered heavy breeding to replace the losses. Certainly numbers bounced back speedily.

This joey about due to quit the pouch.

Lone egret makes a catch

Solitary Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta) tosses up catch of the day at Tyto this morning.

Fish part of the bird's take from one of many temporary grassland pools swollen after a fortnight of heavy rain punctuated by dispiriting drizzle. Plenty of fish but almost no birds chasing them. That's what happens when the wetlands gets too wet.

Forest Kingfishers (Todiramphus macleayii) sit out an Easter shower.

Picture taken as I waited in vain for break in weather and chance to photograph Comb-crested Jacana sitting on eggs. Today, eggs gone, submerged by three days' downpours. Also missing: female Shining Flycatcher; though male showed up briefly at nest. Fingers crossed!

Four for kingfisher lovers

Forest Kingfishers (Todiramphus macleayii) dominate the fenceline on the entry to Tyto these mornings. Not yet seeing 10-20 poised on posts, but 5-6 birds within 30 metres a common sight. Caterpillars from amid dewy grasses are the prime prey. Two problems: kingfishers are alert and shy, so don't like closeups; kingfishers persist in sitting on manmade structures. Sorry about that!