Redcapped Robin – Page 3 – Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST

Sunday at Woodlands

May 6, 2012May 6, 2012Posted in Brown-headed Honeyeater, Flame Robin, Redcapped Robin, Scarlet RobinTagged Flame Robin, Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin, Woodlands Historic ParkLeave a comment

Dorothy and I looked out of the window early in the morning, and decided it was just too nice a morning to sit at home and worry about getting ‘stuff’ done.
So we packed a picnic and took off to see what the Robins were up to. And they certainly were. We found the cemetery pair within a few minutes. The female must be the hardest working bird in the forest. She had at least 4 clutches this summer, and I counted 9 young that she had gotten off. Given that she lost at least one nest to Ravens, she really didn’t have a moment to spare. But she looks quite relaxed and in good nick at the moment. Her male, is sporting a cute little white feather or two around his beak, giving him a little moustache appearance.

We settled into a favourite spot in the fenced off area and while we waited Andrew and Adrienne turned up, so we had a lovely morning with the birds and some great company. The weather couldn’t make up its mind but sunshine probably dominated. The birds are not in a flock yet, each little family group seems to be moving independently. The three males, “The Brothers” are still together, and it was good to be able to find one, and then quickly find the other two in quick succession. Mr Cooper-top is sporting his lovely brown feathers.

The Brown-headed Honeyeater trapeze troupe dropped by, and we also were entertained by the four Grey-shrike Thrush as they worked the trees, bushes and ground litter.

By the time we had arrived home it was too cold to work in the garden so we compared pictures from the day’s effort. Dorothy is about to get a new Nikon 1 V1, the super little mirrorless camera, which just happens to have an adaptor that can attach the DSLR lenses, and that will give her some new opportunities.

Red-capped Robin Female — The hardest working little bird. She has had a very productive summer, and now is piling on the food, ready for next season.

Scarlet Robin Male — This boy and his rather shy female put in an appearance, he is now one of three males in the area. They are a bit of a bully to the Red-caps I think.

Flame Robin Male — Mr Copper-top. One of three males that travel together, “The Brothers”.

Male Flame Robing — Another of “The Brothers”. He is nicely positioned against the spider’s web.

A hunting we will go

May 4, 2012May 6, 2012Posted in Brown-headed Honeyeater, Flame Robin, Redcapped Robin, Scarlet RobinTagged Brown-headed Honeyeater, Flame Robin, Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin, Woodlands Historic ParkLeave a comment

Friday dawned all lovely and still, with plenty of blue sky and none of the rain of the previous few days. I was getting a bit tired of pacing the floor and finding other things to do, so it was good to get back into the bush and see if the storms had diminished the robins activities. I needed not have worried, as they were soaking up the sunshine and on the hunt everywhere.

The Brown-headed Honeyeater aerial trapeze team came by for a visit and I’ve put up a page here with their antics on display.

Flame Robin Female — This young lady spent a lot of the morning with serveral other females hunting on their own. They seem to have a different call, a Cheep, Chip, Chip, which must be a location thing. This one seemed to be the noisiest or most persistent caller. Perhaps it was “C’mon girls, let’s go over here.”

Femaie Flame Robin — Another one from the hunting party

Wonders of a little rain

April 26, 2012May 24, 2012Posted in Dusky Woodswallows, Flame Robin, Redcapped Robin, Scarlet RobinTagged Dusky Woodswallows, Flame Robin, Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin, Woodlands Historic Park2 Comments

After a couple of days of what can only be described as ‘typical’ Melbourne weather, the clouds eased off a bit, and the biting chill was gone from the wind. So we both ventured out to see what the rain had done in the park.

We quickly found a number of Thornbills and Pardalottes who were enjoying hunting in the sunshine.
Also found a few robins Scarlet is still there and his Red-capped consort has taken on a particularly brilliant orange/rust coloured cap.

A small group of Dusky Woodswallows were enthralled with a small lump on a tree high up and spent a lot of time squabbling and mobbing one another, for what we suspect was a pool of water built up in the node on the tree.

And a lovely Redcapped Robin male danced by and posed against a freshly built spider-web. Pity the light was just overcast at the time as the web would have glistened in the sunlight.

dwj111 — Red-capped Robin male and a spider web contrast.

Dusky Woodswallows — Dusky Woodswallow flock taking a drink from a small pool of water high up in a tree.

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.

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

Red-capped Robin Wing Stretch

April 4, 2012April 27, 2012Posted in Redcapped Robin1 Comment

_DSC3102 – Version 2, a photo by birdsaspoetry on Flickr.

Decided to add some images from the birdsbydavid flickr account. One of the reasons I started WordPress blog was to get away from Flickr. Hmm, have to see how it goes.

Out in the evening sunshine. Red-capped Robin Male

April 1, 2012April 2, 2012Posted in Black Falcon, Redcapped RobinTagged Red-capped Robin, Western Treatment Plant, Woodlands Historic Park2 Comments

First day of April and the weather just keeps getting better. Dorothy and I had taken the morning to visit Westgate Park, right near the huge bridge over the Yarra. It used to be a city dump, and has been reclaimed, and with lots of volunteer work it is being turned into a little wilderness Oasis just a short trip from the CBD. More power to those who thought it a good idea and all those who worked to bring it back to such great shape.

In the afternoon I needed some retail therapy and on the way back stopped at the Providence Road carpark and met Peter Tompson who is a great contributor to the Victoria Birdline. We have a good chat about the Black Falcons at WTP, and another birdo friend, Richard turned up, and even more discussion ensued. Richard has a very extensive and annotated bird list going back about 20 years for the area, it even includes sightings from one of the park rangers at the time.

We walked down to the Backpaddock, and found our taxes had been at work, and the old gate had been repaired and now actually closes. Good work team.

Richard went off further down the range, and I did a quick scout about and found a pair of Red-capped Robins in the sunshine. This pair are starting to reclaim their territory. At the moment I haven’t been able to find most of the other pairs. Hopefully they are still about, just hiding. No sign of Flame Robins yet, but with the amount of food available everywhere, perhaps they will only pass through this year.

Red-capped Robin Male in his new winter attire. Pretty much full moulted and beginning to become vocal again.

Mr Self-concious Red-capped Robin moulting into winter dress

March 29, 2012April 2, 2012Posted in Redcapped RobinTagged Woodlands Historic Park1 Comment

This little male has just about completed the moult. He is showing the last of the white-sheathed new feathers. He keeps hiding in bushes and behind branches. It seems like he doesn’t want to display until the moult is over. This male’s lady has already taken on her winter outfit, and he is just starting to ‘tic tic’ at her. But there are no territorial shows now.

dwj114 — Red-capped Male, showing moulting in of new red cap.

Red-capped Robin in new moult

March 22, 2012March 25, 2012Posted in Redcapped RobinLeave a comment

As pictorial photographers we keep a pretty close eye on the weather cycle, always hoping for one of those days that will provide the “Golden Hour”, brilliant light, cloudless day and little wind. It can be in the morning, and then it is more a “Cool Hour” as the light takes on a lovely clear and mellow feel, sometimes attenuated by a whispy morning mist, or the gorgeous golds and oranges of late even light. Always a treat and they don’t come that often.

The weather man had hinted on it being a good morning and we took the opportunity to set the alarm-clock a bit earlier and ventured out to the park. The weather was to say the least Crisp. My birding mate, Ray’s car was in the carpark, so he must have been up even earlier. Now the light was coming through the trees and it looked like a good session on the cards.

Along side the Access Road to the Backpaddock Fenced area there is a small clump of trees and open areas that the Redcaps have liked in the past, we found a male fairly quickly and his female, and their two juveniles and then the Scarlet Robin made an appearance in the tree tops announcing his arrival. Also a Fan-tailed Cuckoo sauntered through. It obviously didn’t get its passport stamped or its a bit behind the rest of the migration.

We went down to an area that is open and provide good viewing across what has in the past been several redcap territories. But all to no avail. While we sat in the warming sunshine and pondered what to do, a red flash darted past and landed in a nearby tree. It was a male Red-capped Robin in his new winter suit. (Well almost new, you can still see the remaining white feathers in his red cap. Looks like a Sydney Swans supporter.

At first he was very nervous and spent a lot of time in the upper branches and some prickly wattle shrubbery, but later he seemed to relax, and out in the open on an old blackened Black Wattle he feasted- preened and sunned himself. Ray popped by and we had a good discussion while Dorothy kept an eye on the Robin.

I moved down to the area and he took off, and I followed up when he was happily ensconced in a small gum. He is looking great, and I suspect that he has a female in the area as well, but we didn’t have a chance of spotting her.

The cold weather seems to have set in and perhaps the next week will see the first of the Flame Robin females and juveniles arriving for the winter.

Red-capped Robin Male — The brilliant sunshine bought this male out of hiding and he was conspicuous all around the area in his lovely new red apron. He is still carrying a few old white feathers in his red cap. He is not territorial, and we didn't near him call all morning.

Will Scarlet and his companion

March 18, 2012March 21, 2012Posted in Redcapped Robin, Scarlet Robin2 Comments

Just on a week since we both have been in the park. The rain has made the ground lovely and soft, and there is a real feeling of freshness about the bush. The rain is really welcome.

We met Andrew, a blog follower and photographer out and about looking for redcaps. As it turned out we didn’t initially have much success, so Dorothy and I moved into the Back Paddock area.

We we soon greeted by the Scarlet Robin, not so vocal or active today, spent most of the morning close to the red-cap consort and feeding down low. Which should have made photography a bit easier, but the weather was closing in and there was not much sunlight. When the sun was good there were no birds, and when the birds were about it was overcast. Still we had plenty to see as both he and his companion twittered, tic’ed and flew about. I have never heard her give the d’reet, d’reet identity call, but he does respond to her tic’s.

She lovely creature has finally abandoned her juvenile dress and taken on a very light orange, apricot wash of feathers and a neat little copper cap. She wouldn’t fly with him, but he would fly when she did. It was a bit amusing to watch. He is full of energy and covers great distances, she leisurely moves from tree to tree.

Also found a Tawny Frogmouth in the usual place near the car park. Here is a link to its page. Or from the menu at the top of the blog.

Meeting the family

March 11, 2012March 11, 2012Posted in Redcapped Robin2 Comments

Melbourne turned on one of those great days for the long-weekend holiday.

Not too hot, plenty of sunshine, mild breeze. Load up the car and go for a picnic. Well, put in the cameras and to look for Red-capped Robins.

There is never a guarantee about what we might find, but within about 10 minutes we had found both of the young redcaps we had been folowing, and their doting father. Although I think he is now pretty much in advisory category rather than working hard to feed his young family. They seem both quite grown up, and taking on much more of the female’s red bonnet and buff chest. What was a surprise was that the female turned up. She is quite the well dressed young thing. So its likely she has moulted into winter dress. And what a stunning combination she is showing, not a feather out of place, and with a lovely apricot wash on her chest.

He, on the other hand, is still much in the process of preparing for winter and has a few streaky feathers in his cap, and a collection of used feathers elsewhere.

The young are scruffy, but very active. One of them plopped down on a branch less than a metre from my camera and sat there for nearly a minute. It is always interesting to see them closeup, as it’s easy to forget how small they really are. We look at the pictures on the big screen and forget the scale of the bird. This little tiny breathing wisp, is all a red-cap really is.

_DSC5006 — Juvenile Red-capped Robin. This youngster has just swallowed a large moth, you can still see the moth down on its beak. It needed to rest for a few minutes to digest the huge meal.

_DSC4955 — Male Red-capped Robin, he is now in caretaker mode, not very vocal, and just starting to moult through for winter.

_DSC4981 — For us, the shot of the day: Female Red-capped Robin, sporting her new winter dress of apricot wash. She has been conspicuous by her absence the past few times we have been out. So nice to have her back on the block.

The new crop all growing up

March 5, 2012March 5, 2012Posted in Redcapped RobinLeave a comment

It was a pleasure to get out of the house and into the bush without the rain. Took a trip into the backpaddock at Woodlands.

Didn’t take too long to spot a red-capped male. Then we looked in an area where we hadn’t been and lo and behold another male, and two, possibly three, of his offspring. The variation on the number is that two people can never agree.

So even at at the lower count it would seem we have seen at least 24 or possible 25 new juveniles in the forest this season.

The male was a very doting father, and fed, and offered advice, but his offspring have grown into quite independent birds now. This one is probably from an earlier brood, as it is starting to take on some nice orange brown wash on its chest. Very reminiscent of the female.

The Scarlet Robin is still in place, vocal, and swift. Covering much of the area we walked in today. Didn’t sight him, but as soon as we headed in one direction, he called from another.
Plenty of Yellow-rumped Thornbills, starting to gather, so a largish winter mixed flock might be in order. Time will tell.

It would be a treat if the young robins stayed about with the flock over winter. We were also thinking how successful the Flame Robins might have been, and how many birds will pass through over the winter months.

Alway something happening.

Scarlet Robin still in residence

February 7, 2012February 7, 2012Posted in Redcapped Robin, Scarlet RobinTagged Redcapped Robin, Scarlet Robin, Woodlands Historic ParkLeave a comment

Scarlet Robin at Woodlands, moulting into a dapper bird.

First time back at Woodlands since the long Goschen trip.

Within a few minutes I had heard a familiar chirrup of the Scarlet Robin and went to investigate. I saw it in the distance, and it continued to come closer landing in a tree across the track from where I was. It is a male for sure. Has a lovely black head, really strong red colour, and that wonderful white spot above its beak.
It has grown quite bold as the week has gone by, and now patrols quite an extensive territory inside the Back Paddock fenced of area.
It does not seem to have a mate, but it is still in attendance with a female Recapped Robin. It is also moulting through and looks a bit of a sight at the moment. They sit together, hunt together and move about together, although it has to be said that the poor little redcaps wings whir quite bit trying to keep up with the speedy Scarlet. But they ‘tick’ call at one another.

Also saw today; three black swamp wallabies, so they have managed to get inside the fence in the new area. They seemed very relaxed. So that is good.