|
In an earlier posting I noted that there
had been no wet season bird entries for Lajamanu in the new Atlas so I mentioned
some waterbirds and waders that had arrived. Since then I have added Royal
Spoonbill and Magpie Goose.
There is a good selection of honeyeaters.
Easily the most common is the Grey-fronted, at least in the surrounding scrub.
In the township itself it is the White-plumed. There are very few out of town.
Also present are Grey-headed, Rufous-throated, Singing, Spiny-cheeked, Banded,
Black-chinned and Brown. Recently at my hide at a waterhole the first birds to
drink before sunup were 2 Willie Wagtails closely followed by 2 Gouldian
Finches. Soon after a single Painted Finch turned up (the only sighting I've had
of this species) and then a Pictorella Mannikin. Zebra finches come and go all
the time. Elsewhere I've seen Double-bars. Besides the honeyeaters mentioned
above Crested Pigeons, Diamond Doves and Peaceful doves also drank. A dingo
wandered out of the scrub stared susupiciously at the hide and turned and
trotted away. A small flock of Major Mitchells came by and later some
Budgies and Cockatiels but they didn't drink. A few Ground Cuckooshrikes
walked through the grasses enabling a distant photo. Then an adult Brown Goshawk
glided in and landed at the water's edge just 3m from the hide. It spent at
least 15mins bathing, preening, drinking and just standing quietly. It looked
magnificent through the lens. In fact it was so close it looked magnificent
with the naked eye. Not one other bird visited the pool while it was there. Just
after the sun had set a Pheasant Coucal emerged from the scrub
and tiptoed down to the pool. It was the last bird to drink for the day. I had
seen Common Bronzewings in the vicinity and anticipated that they would be
the last to drink as they usually wait till evening but none came. Throughout
the day Striated and Red-browed Pardalotes called.
More later
Don Hadden
![]() has notified the sender that this message has been received. |
|
