On Friday 11th July I was sitting at the Glades picnic area
observing a Grey Shrike Thrush at close quarters. It was stabbing the stump end
of a small branch with deliberate intent. It would peer at the stump, aim and
thrust a heaving stab, wait a little and repeat. It did this several times
before hopping over the stump and repeating from the other side.
I do not know the result. At that stage my wife called me
over. She had found the male Paradise Riflebird feeding at the top of a nearby
fruiting tree and it was in full view in full sunshine. I could not resist! The
Grey Shrike Thrush had left by the time I had feasted my eyes on both male and
female obliging Riflebirds.
Brian Everingham
