Flame Robin – Page 5 – Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST

Flame, Scarlet, Red-capped Robins on a sunny day

April 11, 2012April 11, 2012Posted in Flame Robin, Redcapped Robin, Scarlet RobinTagged Flame Robin, Grey Shrike-thrush, Redcapped Robin, Scarlet Robin, Woodlands Historic ParkLeave a comment

After a week of fairly average weather, it was nice to see the sun beaming through this morning. That was enough to put all other jobs on hold, load the car and head for Woodlands.

The forest had a lovely smell after the rain, and it was looking quite crisp.

To add to the enjoyment within about 5 minutes, we had our first Flame Robin Male, and followed it up very fast with another male, a female, and some juveniles. They didn’t seem in any particular hurry and cruised around an open area feeding as they went. Then the local Scarlet Robin popped by, and he is still with his red-capped escort, although she spent a lot of time preening while he flew about in ever broadening circles. Henny and Penny two redcaps in the area popped by for a visit, and Penny does look the part in her new winter dress and a distinct orange/red cap.

The pair from down near the three-way junction also put in an appearance, but a lot further away, too far to pursue. Time just seemed to stand still as the birds hunted and chased around the stump area we propped on. Then off course it was back to the real world, so we went by the powerline area near the dam and found another pair of co-operative Red-capped Robins. All in all over four hours had gone by, we had collected our share of vitamin D for the day, a nice collection of images and a collection of good spots to check in the future.

Scarlet Robin — The local male. He was as busy and as vocal as usual. His consort spent most of the hour or so in a nearby tree tic'ing at him and ignoring his circle flights.

This Grey Shrike-thrush came to find a space to pulverise its insect prey and to enjoy the meal.

Now we have a Male Flame Robin

April 9, 2012April 9, 2012Posted in Flame Robin, Redcapped Robin, Scarlet Robin2 Comments

After our profitable morning in the park on Friday, it was necessary of course to go back and see what was happening and to take out the real camera/lens.

Andrew was happy to come along and because of things Monday was the planned day. Start early was also the order of the day. The weatherman, kindly or unkindly warned us of rain, but hey, what would he know! By the time I peeked out the window in the early morning pre sunup, it was clear sky. Of course it would be.

So Andrew and I went on down the range and soon located a pair of Red-caps. That was predictable. A female Flame Robin, that was hoped for and expected, and a lone male Flame Robin, which was a delight and completely unexpected. So the day looked good. A highlight of the day was a young redcap that was feeding about 5 metres from where Andrew had the camera. It took off and headed straight for where he was standing and was obviously going to land on the small stick at his feet. At what must be the very last moment it dug in a wing and turned in the other direction. Landing about 5-6 metres from us. Had it continued on its path and landed on the stick, it would have been the closest I have been to the robins. Both Andrew and I were grinning and laughing at how close the encounter came.

We also found some Scarlet Robins and the family of Choughs. But then it started to rain. Did I mention rain. In the end, nothing for it but to slog out back to the cars. Still raining.

But we have at least one male Flame, two male Scarlets and a number of female Scarlets. There is also a number of juvenile Flame Robins and one very fine looking female. More will come of all this.

Flame Robin Male. First occurrence for us in the park this season. Nice to have him back

A little bit of a trip round Heathcote

April 8, 2012April 9, 2012Posted in Flame Robin, Redcapped Robin, Scarlet RobinLeave a comment

Sonja was going up to check on a area for the Melbourne Birdlife Photogroup outing in May and offered for us to tag along. Two phone calls later to cancel important events and a quick scan through an empty diary soon lead to saying “Yes, Please”. So we went.

We picked up Damien in Heathcote and after a pleasant coffee at the Bakehouse we went to Costerfield and a small dam behind the main street hall. It was it must be said, pretty quiet, but among other things I heard a Scarlet Robin, so it was hopefully going to be a good day.

Several stops later on the way to Dargyle Picnic Ground and we had located a number of honeyeaters and several pairs of Scarlet Robins.

At Dargyle as we unloaded the car for lunch, Sonja located a pair of birds that we eventually named as Noisy Friar-birds. Bit to far away for a piccy, but nice to have seen. Several Brown Goshawks flew over, two of them in a bit of territorial/mating routine.

More Scarlet calls and lots and lots of Eastern Spinebills and about 4 juveniles so the list was growing.

We then drove to the Balieston Quarry area, this is a well dug over area with lots of low regrowth, and some very impressive Ironbarks, and the list began to grow even more, with 6 Yellow-tufted Honey-eaters providing most of the action.

A couple of stops around the back of the water courses near Nagambie, and then it was on the way home. What a nice way to spend a day.

Scarlet Robin at Dargile Picnic Area — Scarlet Robin at Dargyle Picnic Area

Welcome Return. Flame Robins and Scarlet Robins in the forest

April 6, 2012May 1, 2015Posted in Crested Shrike-tit, Flame Robin, Scarlet RobinTagged Crested Shrike-tit, Flame Robin, Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin3 Comments

Andrew and I had planned a morning out to scout about a bit. See Andrew’s Blog here.
The weather stayed kind, but for the first half hour or so, not a wingfeather was seen. We walked down along the ridge in the Backpaddock and again it was all very quiet, until we found a Red-capped Robin and then his lady, and probably a couple of juveniles. He has moulted out, and seemed quite pleased with himself and took the time to hum his little “deritt” song.

The girls had stopped down by the three road crossway, and were having their own great morning with a pair of redcaps, a Flame Robin female, and a couple of Flame Robin juveniles. Isn’t that always the way.
Andrew and I got back to find all the activity happening right where we had turned off the track.

The female Flame Robin looked in great shape. Very plump and sleek. So she hadn’t travelled far to get there. No pictures as I was driving the binoculars at the time and the camera wasn’t in reach. Don’t you just get that.

We walked, quite pleased with our collective selves, to the dam, and on the way a familiar red flash dashed across the track. Scarlet Robin. But then another wing flash, and it was not the Scarlet Robin’s Red-capped consort, but a real live female Scarlet Robin. Then a second one. Most interesting and rewarding. All were quiet, as they usually are. So I am not sure if they are all new arrivals, or two females only. The male and one female played lots of high speed pursuits about the trees.

On to the dam and a number of Grey-shrike Thrushes were bathing and then they too joined in tree chase games. And to make a great morning even better, Dorothy spotted a yellow flash in the tree, all excited we were, but it wasn’t a Robin, but one of two Eastern Shrike-tits, doing what they do best; eating grubs.

While we were congratulating ourselves on our good fortune, Rodger, he of the red-spot camera site fame turned up, and added to our morning’s wander.

The next few days should prove to be very interesting.

We all got back to the car in time for lunch, so a good end to what started out quietly.