For so many reasons we don’t understand, this season’s nesting for Sacred Kingfisher has been a lot quieter in our area than usual.
One lone bird came in, set up territory, and the mate failed to show up. Another pair abandoned several attempts at finding a suitable home among the old River Red Gums.
And it wasn’t for not trying. EE had recovered from her ‘fetlock’ operation and was able to wander about the river haunts, but apart from a few calls, no birds were located at nest.
We were back in the area just before the end of December, and were chatting with the rangers and a couple of folk who were looking for “THE OWL”, (which at that stage had also debunked to the other side of the river), when EE took off and a few minutes later came back grinning.
Found.
The clever pair had chosen a hole in a gum, but it was on the edge of a river-couse and facing away from prying eyes. No chance of getting to the far side because of chain wire fences, and despite bending around as much as possible, not much chance of seeing activity at the nest hole.
To add to that, the pair were entirely anti-human involvement. Any approaches to where they were working was enough to send them off into the trees and not be seen. So we retreated and watched from a respectable distance.
This whole business of working with birds has now plummeted to a new level. The sheer volume of photographers, let alone genuinely interested bird watchers, is now putting strains on all sorts of relationships with birds, parks people, and the environment.
I am not one to start offering edicts, as I enjoy being in the company of birds as much as anyone.
Nor do I want to see places locked out because of the volume of visitors.
The Barking Owl, The Orange-bellied Parrots and the Rainbow Bee-eaters have certainly been “loved to death” on social media. And those are just the one’s I’ve had contact with, no doubt there are others.
But I think all that palls into insignificance when I read an article on ABC news about the plight of the Little Penguins in Tasmania.
A quote from the article
“One longtime penguin watcher says, “most tourists want to do the right thing, but there are many tourists that can’t and won’t””.
Here it is if you are interested.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-20/people-interacting-with-tasmanian-penguins-and-harming-them/106361614
On a happier note here are a few from the Sacred Kingfisher nesting. We did in the end get some sighting of the two young that fledged.
Enjoy
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Fabulous images, David! Wonderful to view!
Seems the pair were very clever in their choice of nest site.
And yes, there are too many ‘gotta get the shot of the latest ‘new’ bird’ at any cost around.
They make it hard for everyone else and give us a bad reputation!
And I am not sure we can change anything, some people just don’t want to listen.
The world has gone mad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi David,
I don’t do social media, so miss most of the ‘must have’ moments.
Years ago on the International Photographic Exhibition circuit the we fought for a long time to ban photos of birds taken where it was obvious that the bird had been disturbed. Branches cut from around Robins at nest, Bee-eater and Pardalotte hole dug into, eventually sanity prevailed as judges came on board and rejected any obvious damage.
But I can’t see how that will work this time around.
Sadly from those series I have a book of Robins and Flycatchers and just about every plate photo has destruction of habitat shown.
LikeLike
Beautiful captures David ! So wicked these Penguin violators. Years ago at Victor Harbour when only a few penguins remained uneaten by the New Zealand fur seals 2 German tourists were using flash as the bird was coming out of the water right next t a sign warning against it. When I rebuked their action they laughed and carried on. Good to see some healthy action with the Kingfishers, I have not seen our at all this year. We both continue to try and recover from this terrible RSV virus. It has been hell this last week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Ashley, yes that seems about right with current problem. People know, but take no notice as ‘their’ picture is worth more than the security of the birds.
Hope the RSV is receeding, we have had a few in our village that have suffered dreadfully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who can blame the birds for making things as difficult as possible, when you consider the problems caused by those who just want to get “the shot” without any care for the distress they may cause, even though they profess to love the birds.
Your photographs are testament to the possibility of caring for and respecting the birds, and still getting beautiful images. Thanks so much for sharing them with us – they are lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Eleanor, I think that birds are pretty tolerant. “THE OWL” has been. What concerns me is the heavy duty damage that is being done
Thanks for the encouragement. As I said to someone a few weeks back as we were watching a nesting pair. “I could sit here all day and take this in.” After about 15 minutes he moved on to find other things. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person