A couple of observations

[Martin Butterfield <>]

Yesterday evening I was walking up to check the letterbox and recover the recycling bin when I became aware of 3 Magpies kicking up a ruckus and jumping around on the ground at the Creek crossing.  My initial thought was that they were assaulting the resident Water Dragons.  Close, but no cigar.  As I approached the Magpies flew away a 1.5 Rd-bellied Black Snake emerged from the vegetation and slithered across the road to the grass on the other side.

We have a Yellow-faced Honeyeater nest (now with young) in a floribunda rose on our deck.  I check it each day and for the last two the sitting adult has been absent.  Although the nest is well shaded I wondered if several days of heat had done for the chicks.  However my second check this morning showed the adult back in situ so I assume all is well beneath it.

Martin Butterfield

http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/