Whole lot of sniping going on

Since they first arrived about two weeks ago, migratory Latham's Snipe are popping up in numbers on wetlands near the coast east of Ingham.

Got a bit closer to some of 24 on roadside pool at the Orient Station today, so intent on feeding they didn't flinch as I walked up openly toward them.

Unfortunately fence marking boundary between public road and private land prevented me taking full advantage of birds' interest in feeding above all else.

Later, got bit offside with presumed property owner when chasing Red-backed Kingfisher in tree on unfenced portion of grazing land.

He invited me to leave. I did, with my best pictures of a species uncommon to the area.

No need quit the road for head shot of immature Black-necked Stork (Jabiru).

Nor for Yellow-billed Spoonbill, tucking in near the snipe.

Afterword: Trespassing birdwatchers risk upsetting helpful property owners. Orient Station, however, has long tried to deter all birders from using the 7km public road through the property with ambiguous Private Property signs beside the road. Over the years I've helped farm managers with info about sick stock, dog and croc sightings and rubbish pickup. I figure we're more or less square.

Painted Snipe pops up after 17 years

Taken 17 years but today an Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis) finally popped up in front of me.

A male, the bird was feeding busily at the edge of a flooded claypan/hymenachne paddock beside the road through Orient Station, southeast of Ingham.

Species is on the all-embracing Hinchinbrook area list, but I've no idea how long ago regular sightings were being made to justify it as a 'common seasonal' visitor.

But will it be there tomorrow? Perhaps with a female? We'll see...  

Brown Songlarks stay singing in the rain

Found family of three Brown Songlark (Cincloramphus cruralis) a fortnight back uncommonly near coast at Orient Station rather than inland over the Great Divide.

Managed long shot of female but immature bird and the always larger male proved much flightier.

Three trips later and yesterday managed to drive up close enough to get decent images of the immature bird just after it  finished bathing in small road puddle. Much singing in light drizzle followed between distant mother and child before both flew off. Didn't see or hear the male.

Steady overnight rain, which looks likely to continue most of today, may drive the birds back west (where the Wet is desperately needed with a three-year drought declared in many areas).

Portraits in passing along the Orient

Don't take many portraits, but here's a handsome big boy at Orient Station the other day. He insisted on showing only his left horn. 'We've all got out better side,' he said ruminatively.

Close by, Brolga may have been chasing flying prey, but it's more likely only a fluke passing during a spot of splash and dash.

Here's the reason for crawling about in the friendly bull's domain, Zitting Cisticola, temptingly atop paperbark seedling, but never stopping long enough for better closeups.

Just down the road, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper stood around for a wee while though wouldn't stand for my effort to get an image from water level.

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)

Kingfisher, Falcons pose for post

Still chasing 'the' picture of Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius) lately resident near Orient Station, southeast of Ingham.

Must make do in meantime with recent willingness of bird to pose for a post.

Brown Falcons (Falco berigora) along same road also share liking for posts.

Too bad so much barbed wire gets into the scene.

And why can't they simply sit still in midair?  
Click pix to enlarge