Flower Wasps at Rotunda Park

I came across this insect while walking along the northern edge of Rotunda Park this evening. I am pretty sure it’s a species of Flower Wasp family Tiphiidae. There were a number of individuals sitting on the drying flower heads of Spear Grass. In trying to identify this specimen I came across a pretty neat website lifeunseen.com. It has some fantastic images.

Flower Wasp, Rotunda Park, 6th February 2010

 

A ubiquitous honeyeater

On reflection, the bird I have encountered most commonly in our local bush this summer has been the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops. It has been a good season for this species with lots of breeding activity. I came across the first nests back in August and parents are still feeding young well into February. Despite its common occurrence I am always delighted to see this strikingly coloured honeyeater as it chatters away in the eucalypt canopy.

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Spring Hill Track, Feb 2010

 

Bronzewings at the bird bath

Bronzewing Pigeons are resident on our street. There is usually a pair close by feeding on fallen wattle seed. The Common Bronzewing Phaps elegans is …well, pretty common, but none the less a beautiful species, especially striking is the metallic sheen of their wing feathers. I spotted this male, about to take a sip from our bird bath this evening.

Common Bronzewing, Wyndham St Newstead, 20th January 2010

 

Another Grasshopper photo

I was thinking this critter, seen the other day on our block, was something evil and locust-like! It is a relief to know it is likely a Gum Leaf Grasshopper, which sounds more benign and meant to be here. Thanks Geoff!!

 

Identifying our local Cicadas

It is cicada season, and the sound of strident buzzing comes from bush and suburban street. But which species are we hearing in our local area?

After listening closely to their calls, tracking them with the camera (attempting to ‘add a face to the voice’), and close reading of Dr. Max Moulds’ excellent ‘Australian Cicadas’, my conclusion is… I’m not really sure.

But I’ll share what I’ve worked out so far, and maybe others more experienced than I can offer their knowledge!

 

Herons and Kingfishers by the Loddon

While chasing Kingfishers late today I came across this beautiful White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae, perched beside the drying Loddon near the Panmure Street crossing. It allowed me to approach quite close, probably couldn’t be bothered moving in the heat. The river is drying out at an alarming rate – it’s sad to see it reduced to a series of disconnected pools. The pool just below this heron is home to some large carp, which I expect will expire when it dries completely in a week or two. I did manage to get some fleeting views of a Sacred Kingfisher - click.

White-faced Heron, Loddon River, 25th January 2010

 

Gum leaf Grasshopper

I found this fantastic looking grasshopper in the local bush today. I think it is a species of Gum leaf Grasshopper Goniaea sp. When approached it flew short distances displaying very brightly coloured yellow-orange wings.

Gum Leaf Grasshopper, Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve, 24th January 2010

 

Sad end for a “Greenie”

Birds and roads don’t mix as I found out again this morning. Travelling along just north of Maldon a small feathered projectile arrived from nowhere, exploding in a mass of feathers against the front of the car. Again, in the interests of science I turned back to see what the unfortunate bird might be and discovered the remains of a White-winged Triller Lalage sueurii. This species is a spring/summer migrant to our area and there have been quite a few observed of late. It was then that I spotted another tiny shape lying dead beside the road, this time a White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus. This distinctive local honeyeater is also known by the common name of “Greenie”, very apt on account of its appreciation for large old trees! It is found frequently near wetlands and watercourses, especially where there are River Red Gums. The Loddon River is a favoured haunt.

White-plumed Honeyeater, 21st January 2010

 

More on raptors

The last few times I have visited the Rise and Shine, near Drury Lane, I have heard or caught a glimpse of “Goshawks”. We have two very similar species that occur quite commonly around Newstead, the Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus and Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus. They can generally be identified by tail shape, amongst other features. The Brown Goshawk has a longer, rounded tail while the Sparrowhawks tail is squared-off and even slightly forked when perched. Like many raptors the males are markedly smaller than the females and a female Collared Sparrowhawk can be the about the same size as a male Brown Goshawk. The adults of both species are beautifully and finely marked with delicate rufous barring across the breast. Juveniles, such as the one photographed below, are blotched brown and white. There is a detailed comparison of the two species at the Birds Queensland site – to download click here.

Juvenile Brown Goshawk, Drury Lane, 19th January 2010

 

Woodswallow family

There has been an influx of White-browed Woodswallows Artamus superciliosus, this summer. I haven’t come across any nests as yet, but was confident that they were breeding locally. This was confirmed this morning when I came across a family of four at the intersection of Pullans Rd and Mia Mia Tracks [location]; parents and two recently fledged young. This species is colonial, often roosting and nesting in loose colonies but this little group was on its own this morning. Both parents were taking turns to feed their demanding youngsters.

Juvenile (left) and Female White-browed Woodswallows, Pullans Rd, 18th January 2010