Kingfisher kindly gives up sitting on the fence

Came upon Red-backed Kingfisher on the barbed wire topping Townsville Airport's perimeter security fence yesterday. Chatted to bird about need to get into natural surroundings. Three shifts later and we were close, bird on lowish limb, me able to move around freely within eight metres.

Sadly, no stepladder to hand, so bird retained upper hand in negotiations about me getting to eye level. Not unusual behaviour from the species (more at home on the other side of the Great Dividing Range) but resident Forests and Sacreds have no time for what they see as naive trustingness.

Young pale morph Brown Falcon recently moved into the Common close to the fenceline, possibly along with adult pair drawn to newly slashed and mown airfield grasslands. Snatched quick images of bird taking off from tree.

Nearby, distant young Australian Hobby shows the posture of a bird that won't allow closer approach. Turning away and pretending an interest in anything other than the target may sometimes allay the suspicions. Not too often, and not in this case.

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.

Young Jacana takes catch of the day

One species not put off breeding by the lack of flooding rains this year has been Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea). Plenty of immature birds about. This one faced flurries of challenges from a mature bird seeking to drive it off the feeding zone, a pool at the tail end of Palm Creek on Mungalla Station.

But the youngster persisted and was rewarded by the biggest catch of the day. I'll leave ID to others, but prey seems to be short of legs.

Elsewhere on the station, Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius), a first for the Mungalla list, boosting total to 208 species. 

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  

Red-backed Kingfisher drops in

Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius) seldom shows up around locally, preferring a drier, quieter life inland.

But bird above has become attached to a fallen tree in a coastal paddock which appears to offer plenty of small prey.

Have not, as yet, been able to get close enough, even when perch shifts to post.

Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), on same fenceline, proved a little more obliging the other day.
Click pix to enlarge