I spoke too soon

It appears that I spoke too soon … and the Scarlet Robins were listening.

Yesterday afternoon I returned to the same site in the Muckleford bush where my post from the previous day lamented their absence. Sure enough I was soon surrounded by Scarlet Robins, a number of males calling sweetly from high up. Eventually two of the males approached close enough for some nice images, with a female nearby a little more cautious. I reckon there were at least 4 or 5 males in the vicinity, along with Speckled Warbler, Golden Whistler, Grey Fantail, Grey Shrike-thrush and White-throated Treecreeper.

The movements of Scarlet Robins are puzzling, to me at least. Yesterday’s post elicited a number of comments from local readers, including the recent return of birds to Pilcher’s Bridge and Campbell’s Creek. At least some birds remain locally over summer (see yesterday’s comments).

Observations recorded in Birdata indicate that the local reporting rate over the summer months (December – February) is approximately 25% of that reported in the April – August period, when numbers are at their peak.