Winter colour

This Eastern Rosella certainly brightens up the garden in winter, while the Yellow Thornbill is a tiny package of yellow and olive.

Eastern Rosella, Wyndham Street, 17th June 2017

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An inquisitive Yellow Thornbill

David and Goliath

These tiny Red-capped Plovers were dwarfed by the appearance overhead of an immature White-bellied Sea-eagle … seen on a brief visit to Cairn Curran late yesterday.

Red-capped Plovers (female at front), Cairn Curran, 20th June 2017.

Male Red-capped Plover (at front)

White-bellied Sea-eagle (immature)

Staking a claim

A pair of Australian Ravens have been staking out a territory along Wyndham Street over the past fortnight.

The birds have spent quite some time calling from atop the larger trees followed by a sequence of whirling circuits around the neighbourhood. They don’t appear to have chosen a nest site as yet but I’ll keep my eyes peeled.

Australian Raven, Wyndham Street Newstead, 12th June 2017

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‘Bit on’

Tawny Frogmouths, Newstead Natives, 18th June 2017

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Up a bush track

In common with most bushland areas in central Victoria the Muckleford ‘bush’ is a maze of winding tracks.

Often on my walks I just pick a path and follow it randomly until it winds back to my starting place. Such was the case yesterday when I headed west into the bush off Mia Mia Track. The highlight was a company of Flame Robins, at least a dozen individuals, including a number of brightly coloured males. A female Speckled Warbler, peeking warily from within a small Red Box was also pretty neat!

Male Flame Robin, Mia Mia Track area, 17th June 2017

Golden Orb-weaver

Female Speckled Warbler

Female Spotted Pardalote

… and a female Scarlet Robin!

Not quick enough

Small groups of busy lorikeets have been gathering to feed in a Lemon-scented Gum next door over the past week. Mostly they are Musk Lorikeets but a few Purple-crowned Lorikeets have been joining in as well.

Alas, I’ve not been quick enough or the light has failed me and I’m yet to capture any decent images of the latter species, which is much less common around Newstead. I’ll keep trying!

Musk Lorikeet, Wyndham Street Newstead 10th June 2017

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A penchant for olives

We have one planted Olive tree in the yard and at this time of year it attracts a diversity of bird species, especially the Silvereyes that arrive as the fruits ripen and crack in early winter. I admire their skill in extracting the flesh as tiny morsels that fuel their future endeavours.

Eastern Silvereye, Wyndham Street Newstead, 10th June 2017

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