On the 18th March 2012 Glen Johnson wrote:

This morning’s stroll outside proved to be a gem….

It resulted in my first record of Rufous Fantail on our place (one of my most favourite bird species).  I had good “rufous” views on several occasions. Interesting it was passing through up the back in the same locality as the resident pr of Grey Fantails (we’ve actually 2 pr up there).  The Rufous, unlike the Grey’s, didn’t call at all and moved on after a couple of minutes.

Other notables’ recorded this morning all in our place:

• Yellow Robin x1 (x4 yesterday)
• Golden Whistler pair (one constantly chasing the other – both calling) [Rufous Whistler pair also]

Less notable but still nice:

• Gang Gang (pair)
• King Parrot (pr)
• White throated Gerygone x1
• Eastern Spinebill x1 (we don’t tend to have them so much now that the New Holland’s dominate)
• Bronzewing x1
• Grey Shrike Thrush (pr)
• Black faced Cuckoo shrike x1

Other interesting for sheer quantity:

• Red browed Firetail x20+
• Double bar Finch x12
• Silvereye x20+
• Rainbow Bee-eater x10+ (but they were high overhead travelling Nth)

Great Rufous fantail info on the birds in backyards website here

http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Rhipidura-rufifrons

Looks like it should be pretty easy to identify if you are lucky enough to see one

We completed the first of the WREN walks yesterday - Precinct L Section 2A is accessed from Whytes Rd and has some great grassy forest parts made up of weeping grass (Microlaena stipoides) and Casuarina from forward plantings. You can read a report, birding list and access photos at this location

Next week (Wed April 11) we will explore the reserve that runs from Chapple Lane north east to Whytes Rd through the Valley Views area

regards
Tony

Previously Tony Marsh wrote:

 

Just letting everyone know in case any of the dates suit for you to join us that Ive scheduled some more WREN awareness / birding activities over the next 6 weeks with the Murray Valley Bushwalkers from 2pm to 3-30pm on Wednesdays

I know its not the ideal time for birding but thats when I can fit it in.

You can view the scheduled of birding activities (the first two are history of course) here

http://murrayvalleybushwalkers.org.au/index.php/the-program/birding

I will try and get some publicity for this at the BCC perhaps via the electronic bulletin display

cheers

Tony

 

 

Juliette wrote on 14/4/2012

I saw a group (4 or 5) of double-barred finches and also a red-browed finch at the same side fence on Thursday, tugging at native grass stalks and flitting around. They stayed in the same spot for 5 minutes (until my son bounded into our bedroom and startled them away) and were lovely to watch.

Last Wednesday April 18th we completed the fourth tour of WRENS reserves - this one was in Precinct G section 2 or G2 - see the attached map for location. A total of 16 bird species seen and you can read a report of the walk and view photos on the Murray Valley Bushwalkers website here

http://murrayvalleybushwalkers.org.au/index.php/the-program/event-report-submissions/view-submission/303

Tony

Previously Tony Marsh wrote:

Glen Johnson and I attended a meeting at Frayne College this arvo to offer BLC participation in a nature walk project. Eight years of Planet Ark plantings are really having an impact. We went for a short walk in a reveg area and apart from yellow rumped thornbills and king parrots some were delighted to see Eastern Shrike-Tits ( the eastern race of the crested shrike tits). You only have to see this bird once to remember it! Here's some info from the wonderful birds in backyards website

http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Falcunculus-frontatus

Pardalote Watch

Glen Johnson wrote on Aug 12 on pardalotes

Hi all,

We’ve got at least 2 pairs and possibly a third bring nesting material into the three boxes at our place.  They’ve been prominently back checking out the boxes for a few weeks which correspond to previous years timing. Interestingly they are back to day which is virtually to the day as last year.  GJ

Beautiful sunny day – love it.

Cheers GJ

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I thought it interesting to compare when this happened last time (see below). I was only thinking the other day the our pardalotes should be back soon, and hey presto two pairs re-acquainting themselves with our nest boxes.  GJ

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Hi,

Our usually year round resident pardalotes are back after almost 5 months absence.  This time last year they’d already been into a month or so of breeding activity. Keep an ear, eye out for those around your place.

GJ

Glenda Datson gdatson@bigpond.net.au	Aug 12 (2 days ago)
to Johno, Neville, me, Chris

Yes, ours doing the same but the male (or female) has the same problem as last year, when he calls his mate, last year's young turn up and sit on the box.  So he has a few problems getting rid of them.  We also have the spotted calling from close to the house this week so haven't worked out what's happening with that one yet.

Glenda

Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au	Aug 12 (2 days ago)
to Glenda, Johno, me, Chris

Hi All,
There is much activity here too.  Lots of noise from inside the box this week.Nesting material being brought in.
Yesterday, I went back to the WRENs area where we planted trees (under the lovely old tree where the BBQ was) and the Flame Robins were there in some numbers again.Also had a visit from three Diamond Firetails while I was there.  The Black-shouldered Kite was on Ellen McDonald Drive.
Best wishes, Neville.

 

Previously Tony Marsh wrote:

on August 25 Glenda Datson wrote

Hi all

Early this morning I disturbed a Collared Sparrowhawk plucking a young rabbit in our side yard.  It was on the ground and took off with the rabbit dangling.  Early afternoon, it was back again.  We think it crashed into a window because there was a bang and there it was sitting on our railing and then the fence where Bernie photographed it through the windows before it went up into the trees next to our fence.  Then Bernie disturbed it on the ground again beneath a small wattle in our garden.  As Neville arrived to photograph it,  it whirled up into the air and circled overhead for a while calling distinctively.  Note the long middle toe and collar at back of neck, distinguishing features.  I did find a Spotted Turtle Dove hiding under some cover by the front door so maybe it was after that.  But having had a rabbit for breakfast it must have been hungry to return for a bird, or maybe there are two.

We also whizzed down to take some snaps of the pink Hardenbergia on Kiewa Valley Hwy near the Valley Views entrance