Given our somewhat fling of success the previous evening, EE decided that an early morning start to have a look and see if we could locate the Nankeen Night-herons and Sacred Kingfishers would be a good use of our time.  And as my poor old foot had survived the first outing, it might be good of course, to well, test it a bit further. Thanks.  Such is the medical profession. Of which EE is not one. 🙂

It did seem quite bright sunshine and blue sky as we loaded Sir Perceval, and head out.  But as soon as we were past the halfway point, the clouds rolled in, and was that rain I detected on the windscreen.  “Oh, Jane said on the telly news that it wouldn’t rain today”, she confidently replies.
Oh! Good!

It seems to me, and I might of course be speaking out of turn, but the weather tv folk must always be talking about a specific house in a specific (unspecified of course) neighborhood, and the rest of us can just take pot luck.  I’m also of the opinion, and I could of course be speaking out of turn again, but it seems to me, that said weather spruikers are probably less accurate than the other dudes who do the ‘Your day by the Stars’, readings— Just sayin’.

Highlight of the day was two Wedge-tailed Eagles either in dispute or play. Regrettably little sunshine and too far far away.  But an amazing sight.We did manage to flush a Night Heron. And it flew out of the river, and around the trees and then disappeared a long way down the river. Too far to follow.
Willie Wagtails seem to have all finished nesting.  So lots of young juveniles now loose in the forest.  There is an interesting story in Ian Rowley’s book, Bird Life, that would suggest that if an area supports say, 20 pairs, and they each successfully get of 8 young (or more or less) that the area should be up by around 80 or so. (Not counting the nest attempts that failed), however Rowley’s research found at the end of the season, going into winter that the numbers in the area would be back to around 20 pairs or so. (may not all be the original parents.).   And that seems to fit with lots of the data that we’ve collected over the years.  Its easy to see the same pairs rebonding about now, and most will stay. Some new bonds will be made and others move on to take over other territories or establish new ones.

Another interesting pair we re-discovered are Purple-crowned Lorikeets.  They have been using a hole in a large old River Red Gum over the summer and seemed raise a couple of young.  Today they were back in the nest  hole and seemed very settled in their home.
They flew out to a branch to preen together and one decided to do “pull ups” on the branch.  Too much fun.

So we walked out around lunch time to find the aforementioned Wedge-tailed Eagles at play.   And just when we thought it was all over, a lone Black-shouldered Kite flew in and took up residence in an old tree they have nested on before.  Co-incidence?  Perhaps, but you can guess that we’ll be out there having a really good look in the not do distant future. Just depends on Jane’s best guess.

Preening Magpie Lark

A Willie Wagtail that is being courted by her partner.

Yes,  that elusive Nankeen Night Heron.

A bit of a surprise to find this pair still in residence.  He (?) seemed to want to do pull ups on the branch.

A young Dusky Woodswallow complaining about the lack of food around here.

Oh, if only.  We had some sunshine, the bird had circled lower, and we had closer views.   Gotta love The Office.

Enjoy