AOI butcher bird and nesting?

[jude hopwood <>]

Dear All,

At Currawang, -34.964185,149.513626, Butcher Bird arrived back after absence of some months, with much calling. Grey Fantail has returned in increased numbers, now bickering with White-browed Scrubwrens, Fairy Wrens and Eastern Spinebill for ownership of backyard. No sign of any Dusky Woodswallows closer than the TSR at Spring Creek - 5kms up the road. Yellow-faced Honeyeaters continue to migrate in small numbers.  

Both a male Magpie and a Crested Pigeon observed carrying nesting material. Is this unusual for this time of year? Increased sightings of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes. Increased sightings of various raptors: Black-shouldered Kites, Brown Goshawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle including juvenile, fewer sightings though occasionally Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon. Pipits more active in flight and distinctly more observable. 

Yellow Thornbills not sighted for a couple of months, but that's not unusual, as I didn't know we had them until Geoffrey visited. Had become more likely to be seen at Western  birdbath.  Much excitement to discover Cunningham's Skink in residence in front yard. 

Respectfully,

Jude. 

Don't you just love Autumn?