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While summer out here is far from pleasant it does
have some compensations, particularly if you enjoy looking at
birds.
About 2 weeks ago we had a week of 40C and over and
the River Red Gums were full of Redwing Parrots, lots of young birds
and they were making the sound that they make when they want a meal from the
parent. Ian and I estimate there would have been close to 200 here, in the trees
and on the ground near the puddles made by sprinklers. They've dispersed a bit
now, but I've just come over from the cottage and it is full of
Double-barred Finches, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills and Variegated
Fairy-wrens.
Here at the homestead we have a Red-backed
Kingfisher , they arrive every year about the end of November and we have
splendid views of it as it sits on the fence. So many Spotted
Bowerbirds in the garden with heaps of young ones who seem to feel the
heat more than the older birds, maybe they haven't learnt to be afraid. The
Chestnut-crowned Babblers are also in the yard and seem to have a great
time playing around the base of the Gum trees. These Eucalypts are laden with
blossom, in fact, they appear to be more cream than grey-green. There are
literally festoons of blossom hanging down from them and they've been full of
Brown Honeyeaters.
Ian was out in the stony mulga section of the
property yesterday and saw a Grey Falcon and 2 Square-tailed
Kites.
Still waiting for some decent rain.
Cheers.
Julie McLaren
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