canberrabirds

To the Bot Gardens

To:
Subject: To the Bot Gardens
From: "Paul T." <>
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:26:47 +1100
At 01:30 PM 13/03/2012, you wrote:
Perhaps the most notable tick at the ANBG this morning was a PRONE SPINEBILL. This chap was lying within a half metre of a path in the Sydney Gully, motionless except for a slow lean to one side to bring the red eye to bear. It allowed an approach to less than 1m. before a flick of the wings and off, absolutely nothing wrong with him. Perhaps a combination of sun, habituation to passers-by, and the soporific effect of a big feed on nectar. Also, in the insect department, what I take from Michael Braby's little book to be a Glasswing or "Little Greasy" and one of a couple of hairstreaks hanging around the site of that spectacular colony of last year. That gathering was last February, so the main colony either relocated or had a break this year.

Geoffrey et al,

When I was working at the ANBG a few years ago I observed a spinebill doing a similar thing. It was in the Sydney Gully, lying in a patch of sunshine about 45cm across (the sunshine, not the bird! <grin>), literally lying in the middle of the path. I'd assumed it was sunbaking? I don't recall how close I got, but I know I was amazed at how trusting it was. It too was watching me intently. I don't know whether it is one bird, or they just are trusting there because there is so much cover about?

Cheers.

Paul T.
Higgins, ACT.

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