I’ve ‘known’ this old Yellow Box for more than three decades.
At various times it has been home to nesting Laughing Kookaburras, Brown and White-throated Treecreepers and Sacred Kingfishers … in some years simultaneously. I’m sure the tree is also home to bats, sugar gliders and who knows what else!
This season it’s the kingfishers that have returned to breed once again. An early morning visit showed that spiders (wolf spiders I think) were the favoured tucker. I witnessed at least 10 visits over the course of an hour where spiders were delivered to the nestlings. I find it remarkable that the kingfishers are dining out on prey that is completely invisible to me as I stumble through the bush.
Yellow Box, Rise and Shine, 12th December 2020
Sacred Kingfisher with spider prey
II
III
IV
Arriving at the hollow …
… departure
II
The other parent … possibly the male
This time with a grasshopper
I just want to let you know how much I look forward each day to your ‘nature report’ and superlative photography. I’m Melbourne-based but hankering after more time in the bush. I’ve visited Newstead a couple of times, inspired by your postings, but alas, I lack your skills (and local knowledge).
Magnificent colours to finish on for Christmas with amazing photos as per usual. Such a pleasure you have given me all year. Those raptors look so easy to ID up close but are never seen like that when I am out and about.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2021.
The importance of old growth trees. Lovely photos!
Great photos of the kingfisher Geoff. Unfortunately it didn’t feature in my list!
One thing you might be interested in though reinforces how well the raptors are doing in the district this year. On Monday I encountered a trio of juvenile Collared Sparrowhawks together at the back of the Castlemaine BGs. They were exceedingly trusting and let me approach to within 5m.
A quirk of birding at Yapeen on Tuesday was that Welcome Swallow only got on the list at No 51 about 8:30 at night, Never had that before.
cheers,
Frank
0427 801 640 375 Kelly & Currans Rd, RANCEBY, Vic, 3951
On Fri, Dec 18, 2020 at 12:18 PM Natural Newstead wrote:
> Geoff Park posted: “I’ve ‘known’ this old Yellow Box for more than three > decades. At various times it has been home to nesting Laughing Kookaburras, > Brown and White-throated Treecreepers and Sacred Kingfishers … in some > years simultaneously. I’m sure the tree is also ho” >