Painted Snipe sets off magic mangrove morning

Well, well, well, look who's standing around on a part-flooded track in the mangroves southeast of Ingham today. My rare friend from a flooded paddock in Orient Station last month, a male Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis). 

And not just standing there, but throwing in a little bit of feather twirling before taking off.  

But look, look, look, almost on top of us both, the target species of the morning, a Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta). Big bonus, sitting on nest and hopping off now and then to grab a quick feed.

And listen, listen, listen, and look at these lovely singers nearby, Striated Pardalotes (Pardalotus striatus), lerp-eating residents of the coastal gums.

Quite a morning.

Mangrove Robin delivers the goods

Where's that man with my morning snack? He can't expect me to do my best mothering on an empty stomach. Hey, I hear something. Food's on the wing at last.

About time too. Wherever have you been?

Yum. Thank you. Hope there's more where that came from.

Off and get it then.  Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta) at home on two eggs in mangrove fork near coast southeast of Ingham yesterday. 

What's black and brown and blue and sad?

What's black and brown at the same time? Immature rufous morph Black Butcherbird (Cracticus quoyi race rufescens), as seen from distance in Tyto today, with black splotch on breast showing the all-over colour to come as bird begins second moult on way to turning black.

What's black and brown at the same time? Pair of Eastern Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). But the streaky brown female wouldn't sit still in fig tree with male above at Mungalla stockyards.

What's black and blue without being bruised? Male Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto) foraging on ground near Mungalla stockyards.

What's black about nesting Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta)? Finding her gone yesterday and no sign of the two hatchlings from two days ago. Snake? Frog?  Raptor? Third tale of sorrow for the pair: nest abandoned; eggs snatched; hatchlings taken. Bugger. Bugger. Bugger. Better luck next time? 

Mangrove Robins must start again

Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta) proposes. Man proposes. Nature disposes.

Found pair nesting in mangroves. Happy to allow close approach. Two eggs laid. Week later, no eggs, nest being re-established nearby. Start over again.

Finches and Robin reward long standing

Stand around long enough and they will come . . . sometimes. Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) selection from Mungalla . . .

. . . and Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta) at end of Orient Station road.
(Some images duplicated in freeware tests)

Mangrove Robin reveals nest site

Bit of luck at the end of Orient Station road today with Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta) giving away nest site.

Bird sits neatly in cup, which sits neatly in thick fork of dying mangrove.

Here's a closer look at one of the nesting pair, taken previously.

Elsewhere along the station road recently, pair of Brown Quail (Coturnix ypsilophora) venture briefly from cover.

And an Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) does a little morning preening and flapping.

Of peppermints in a pig's eye

Up Wallaman Falls way and scouting for Cassowary yesterday when along trots Miss Piggy. Gidday, says I. How're goin'? Grunt, says she. Grunt, grunt. Yeah, well, says I, would you like a peppermint? Grunt. grunt. Snap, crackle, chomp, chomp, chomp. You're supposed to suck them, says I.  Grunt, grunt. See you, says I. Grunt, grunt, grunt ... and off she trottered.

Today, after some mud-bashing at the end of the Orient Station road, found juvenile Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta) plaintively 'pee pee peeping' at parents.  - and refusing my offer of a peppermint.

No wonder there are more feral pigs than Mangrove Robins.

Three looks at two of my favourites

Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis) ...

... and Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta).

Mangrove Robins make the morning

Set off for a morning looking for an uncommon grasslander, Zitting Cisticola, yesterday - and ended up finding even more uncommon coast dweller, Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta). A noisy, active pair, to be precise. 

Another slice of luck close to the mangroves and unusually low in a eucalypt, bright little Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus).

Also in the area, Brown Falcon (Falco berigora), though image above from an earlier drive through the grazing land leading to the mangroves.
Click pix to enlarge