Pardalote Holt

Pardalote Holt
The centre of it all

Friday, July 31, 2015

June's end

It's been a bit of a disaster this month. Due to an unfortunate accident both my camera body and 300 mm lens have been damaged and as I write this, at the end of July, we've only just got to the point where the insurance claim can be submitted.

Still I managed to do some photography before the accident so not all is lost. It's that time of year when the number of small birds is on the rise. The Scarlet Honeyeaters are now beginning to appear in numbers, joining the Silvereyes and Grey Fantails that arrived last month.


Scarlet Honeyeater sings on the Grevilleas.

The Scarlet Honeyeaters enjoy the Grevilleas, as in this case, but they also love Hoyas (Waxflowers) and Kangeroo Paws..

The dam is still busy with ducks and Schnappy the turtle is still showing himself, hardening his shell by sunbathing on the bank


Schnappy the Brisbane Short-neck and a doing Pacific Black Duck.

It was a nervous few days days for us after finally releasing the Peacocks. The original pair arrived just over 6-months ago, bred and had three chicks. The peahen and two of the chicks died for unknown reasons, but the Peacock, Nitesh, and the remaining chick, Dimple, appear to be doing well. They are now free range around the property, although they return to their enclosure each night so I have the peace of mind that they are secure from most predators.


Nitesh with his tail half grown after his last moult.


Dimple who can display in her own way.


Nitesh enjoys the logs in the Blue Faverolle run.

but both enjoy a stroll across the dam


The Plumed Whistling Ducks are still trying to work out how to react to the Peacocks.
Along with the chooks and Keets our menagerie grows and there's an increasing number of wildlife visitors as well. One of the drawbacks of having so many birds here is that we are now attracting an increasing number of raptors and in particular Brown Goshawks are becoming worryingly common visitors. Whilst I love to see these birds it does cause a few anxious moments whilst I get out on the ground and show a presence to put the hunter off. Good job I work mostly from home!

Regulars (Seen at least x5 per week)

Bar-shouldered Dove


Bar-shouldered Dove
Bronzewing

Male Common Bronzewing 

Brown Honeyeater

Brown Honeyeater

Double-barred Finch

Double-barred Finch
Dusky Moorhen



Dusky Moorhen
Eastern Spinebill

Eastern Spinebill

Galah
Grey Fantail
Little Corella
Pacific Black Duck
Peaceful Dove

Peaceful Doves
Pied Currawong
Plumed Whistling Duck


Plumed Whistling Duck

Rainbow Lorikeet
Silvereye

Silvereyes enjoy the thorny cover of the Bougainvilleas.
Striated Pardalote

Striated Pardalote 

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo


Little Corellas on the left fork watch the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos on the right.

Torresian Crow
White-throated Gerygone
White-throated Honeyeater

White-throated Honeyeaters after a dip in the dam 
Yellow-faced Honeyeater


Common (Seen at least x2 per week)

Golden Whistler


Golden Whistler
Grey Shrike Thrush
Laughing Kookaburra
Lewin's Honeyeater

Lewin's Honeyeater
Noisy Friarbird
Noisy Miner
Pied Butcherbird

Pied Butcherbird
Rainbow Bee Eater
Scarlet Honeyeater
Male Scarlet Honeyeater


Female Scarlet Honeyeater
Welcome Swallow
Willie Wagtail

Willie Wagtail fluffed up against the winter cold.
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo


Uncommon (Seen 2-5 times per month)


Australian Magpie
Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike
Brown Goshawk

Brown Goshawk on the wing

Brown Goshawk lurking in the gums

Brown Goshawk
Collared Sparrowhawk
Eastern Yellow Robin

Eastern Yellow Robin

Fan Tailed Cuckoo

Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Magpie Lark
Olive-backed Oriole
Pale-headed Rosella
Red-backed Fairy Wren
Red-browed Finch
Restless Flycatcher

Restless Flycatcher
Rose Robin

The female Rose Robin

Male Rose Robin
Rufous Whistler

Female Rufous Whistler in the Banksia
Top Knot Pigeon

Top Knot Pigeons
Wedge-tailed Eagle

Wedge-tailed Eagle
White-throated Treecreeper


Rare (Seen only once in the month)

Azure Kingfisher

Azure Kingfisher takes a fish.
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Brown Thornbill
King Parrot
Little Pied Cormorant

Little Pied Cormorant joins the fun
Scaly Breasted Lorikeet

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
Spangled Drongo
White-bellied Cuckoo Shrike
White-bellied Sea Eagle
White-faced Heron

Which is 61-species, eight up on 2014 and two below 2013. I'm pretty pleased with the way things are going in the gardens, but was somewhat disappointed when I opened the gates for two weekends of open days to have no-one visit. Ah! well, never mind, at least I get to see all the wonderful wildlife.

1 comment:

  1. I have to confess to have been a somewhat half hearted follower on here up until now but, having visited and seen the places around the house that you write about and seeing some of birds and other wildlife, it has brought the whole thing to life! Bring it on!

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