Wednesday, December 24, 2014

173, 174, 175

Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo, Stubble Quail and Red-kneed Dotterel now bring the total of birds I've recorded in Bundy to 175 species! 200 species here we come... LJ, Christmas Eve, 2014.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

BLUE MOUNTAINS TREE FROG

I didn't expect to see a Blue Mountains Tree Frog by the side of the road leading to Bonnie View the night before last. Truthfully, I didn't know what species of tree frog I had before me, when I picked it up and had it sitting in the palm of my right hand. The amphibian was quite content there and sat up more purposefully when I shone my torch on it. I'm pretty sure I've never seen a BMTF before. LJ, December 18 2014.

Friday, December 5, 2014

TWITTER

In case any of you are interested, I'm now on twitter... @lornejohnson1... LJ, December 5 2014

RED WATTLEBIRD HAS A GO AT A YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO

Opposite my home the other day, a Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, minding its own business while munching on pine cones, was swooped by a Red Wattlebird. The RW struck the YTBC hard - the YTBC screamed, panicked and fell from its perch. It then laboured away, not to be seen again. I've never seen an RW be so aggressive towards a bird larger than it. I'm not surprised by this - that particular RW lives next door and is fiercely territorial. You gotta admire its chutzpah and fortitude! LJ, December 5 2014.

HOME DECORATING BOWERBIRD

Some weeks ago, along Old Argyle Road's more rugged section, I had the good fortune of watching (for 15 mins) a male Satin Bowerbird at his bower, hoping to attract a mate. The bird was moving the odd decorative leaf from here to there, buzzing and whistling all the while. I'm not sure how much thinking was involved with this decorating; his rearrangements seemed arbitrary. Females visited the area, but did not come close to him or the bower (poor bugger). The best view of an SB at his love-nest I've ever had. LJ, December 5 2014.