Leaden Flycatchers stick to site in the open

Stern talking to didn't stop Leaden Flycatcher building nest low on open branch in small paperbark almost on major Tyto track. But female, above, stopped flitting away when I began talking to it as I approached. Male - sharing sitting duties, mainly in early morning - not so keen on conversation. The birds - or other pairs - have used the same tree for more than six years, without previously building in such an exposed position.

Close by, caught Little Shrike-thrush with insect extracted from cracked bark of Cheese Tree. This and many other species has been busy building and breeding lately. The nests are always tucked carefully away in shadowy foliage, often in Cheese Trees,

Captured so-so images of Welcome Swallow on the wing the other day. But no results from efforts to catch White-breasted Woodswallows on the wing as they come and go near the Tyto hide, building a nest in a major vertical fork (as usual) of a large paperbark. Rubbing failure in - and evidence of the breeding rush - another pair of Woodswallows this morning darted here and there feeding a ravenous youngster.

Grimmer sign of hunger in the wetlands, found this Agile Wallaby feeding near entry track yesterday. Seemed almost unaware and unhampered by gaping surface wound, result of Dingo or dog attack. Bits of ear also missing. Dried wound looked infection-free, so animal appears a lucky survivor.

Stalking, talking, walking, gawking

Yellow-breasted Boatbill (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer) one of the species these days making Jourama Falls (30km south of Ingham) and its compact section of riverine forest an attractive stalking ground.

Having a resident population of Noisy Pittas (Pitta versicolor) is a talking point.

Though they seldom make the swim landing a walking point.

And it's not every day one finds a Little Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) up close and gawking.
Click pix to enlarge

Blurred bird pans honeyeater hopes

Bit of blurry nest-building action from Brown-backed Honeyeater (Ramsayornis modestus) near main lagoon in Tyto. Tried to pan with bird but ageing reflexes not up to task.

Here's a less action-packed view from today.

Thinking of nesting and calling (without success) for females, are two recently-arrived White-winged Triller (Lalage sueurii) males.

More interested in food than breeding, two Little Shrike-Thrushes (Colluricincla megarhyncha).
Click pix to enlarge

Sunbird bends over backwards

Few headaches lately brought CT scan trip to Townsville yesterday, and some time looking (mostly) for anything interesting in dwindling wader spots. Nothing stood out among Sharp-tailed and Marsh Sandpipers, apart distant Latham's Snipe.


Best sight, female Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) at work on dangling nest. 

She even bent over backwards for me - but wouldn't stay still.

Also found young (rufous markings) Little Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) nearby, feeding, not gathering nest material.

Closer to home, got unsteady image of Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) the other night (watch out, possums!). Holding heavy spotlight and camera proved bit of a pain.


Talking of pain, and headaches, brain scan showed nothing (well, minimal grey matter) apart from treatable sinus condition. Spray for me, friends.
Click pix to enlarge     

Cockatoo drops in on tulip seeds

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) drops in for quick feed of tulip tree seeds as dreary cloud continues over Tyto well into the dry season.

Almost white on white as Cockatoo looms large overhead. 

Bit more colour in holdover shot of Little Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) in pandanus.

Another shot from holdover file: Red-backed Fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus) adds her subdued colour to the weeds.


June species count: 111, same as for May, and seven up on Jyne 2009.  

Little Little Shrike-Thrush little hungry

Caught this barely juvenile Little Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) demanding food from busy parents in Tyto this week. Was aware birds had a nest in the general area, but have decided not to haunt nest areas - except in exceptional cases.

Things rather quiet with many birds vanishing since the latest rain. So to continue with theme of hungry brown birds, here's a young Brush Cuckoo seen exhorting two frantic Brown-backed Honeyeaters to greater effort the other day.

And a holdover, female Figbird. The species has been notably successful lately chasing various beetles. Seems the Orioles, Yellow, and Olive-backed, face stiff competition.

Crocodile nest update: no sign croc; nest may have been near submersion very briefly. May not be able to follow it up if there's more heavy rain soon. 

One in eye for Shrike-Thrush and me

Little Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) on ground at Broadwater Forest Park, west of Ingham, today appears to be winking. Not so. After berating the bird for constantly closing eye as it did a spot of sheltered sunning I realised mistake: injury or ailment had led to permanent closure. Routine hazard for birds that spend much of their day poking heads into forest tangles, I suppose.

Sharp-eyed pair of Plumed Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna eytoni) turn away from the Tyto lookout over the weekend. The large flocks have gone (probably up to the tableland) but a few birds are still hanging about with the more numerous Wandering Whistlers.

Also sticking around in limited numbers are Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (Calidris acuminata). This pair caught in middle of minor spat at a small wetlands just east of Ingham.

Finally, bad news at the Great Bowerbird bower. Flattened and pillaged. Possibly the work of another bird. More likely the doing of a Naked Ape. Restores my lack of faith in human nature!