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Dear birding-aussers
I returned to Gloucester just 10 days ago after 2
months in the N.Hemisphere (got in a bit of birding but it was mainly a family
and friends reunion visit). Best birds Black-throated Diver in Scotland and
Common Loon in Vermont USA.
Just wanted to say how wonderful it was to walk out
on my back deck overlooking the garden and listen to the birds. Within two hours
I had seen or heard 32 species; all the migrators are back, except the Koels
(still to hear those) and today I had a new species for the garden list - a
female Regent Bowerbird visiting the mulberry tree, fruit of which is just
beginning to ripen. The tree is heaving with Figbirds, Noisy Friarbirds, Satin
Bowerbirds, Silvereyes and Common Mynas, with occasional Rufous Whistlers,
Scarlet, Yellow-faced and Lewins Honeyeaters, E and C Rosellas, Yellow
Thornbills, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes and Willie Wagtails. I heard a
Boobook as I parked the car just now (9.50 pm) and several days ago a Barking
Owl. Channel-bill Cuckoos have wailed early morning and raptors so far have
included Wedgies, Bl.shouldered Kite, Brown Goshawk, Hobby and Sparrowhawk.
Sacred Kingfisher sits on my neighbour's Hills hoist, Kookaburra vainly hoping
for scraps on my deck rail, Shining-bronze Cuckoo calls incessantly, and
Dollarbirds chortle, and so on and so on.
And all this is just when sitting on the deck.
Birder's paradise!
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