Minor sighting - Tawny frogmouth owl

I have previously recorded a Tawny frogmouth owl calling in the immediate vicinity of Casa da Ayre - while I was putting the bins out a few moments ago (9:17pm) I observed an adult sitting on the power cable in the front yard.

A rustle in the hedge . . .

Mantis with meal 

My wife and I had planned to spend the whole weekend afloat, just cruising on the Lake, but the forecast soon changed that - a near gale warning is current for Hunter Coastal waters. We seem to be enduring an endless procession of such weather at the moment, and the Bureau of Meteorology gets it right far more often than wrong these days, so it was a golden opportunity to catch up on some yard work.  

While I was trimming one of the shrubs, I found a young Praying mantis enjoying a hover fly, and managed to get a couple of shots.  I can't decide about the Mantis' expression; is she thinking "keep your hands off my dinner" or "just a little closer mate - you're next" ???    


  

Sacred kingfisher

Sacred kingfisher, Warnersbay 30th September 2016 

I was enjoying a twilight stroll along the cycleway from Cherry Rd, Eleebana to Speers Point on Friday evening with my beautiful wife, when a rapid, flitting silhouette caught my eye.

A gorgeous little Sacred kingfisher was perched in the stand of mature Casuarina trees, right on the edge of the lake.  It was twilight and very difficult to get close, and the bird was darting quickly between trees. I managed to get a couple of quick snaps before moving on.       

Sacred kingfisher silhouette, Warnersbay, 30th September 2016  

 

The Eastern koels have finally reached Belmont...

The distinctive call of the Eastern koel has been echoing through my street all day this afternoon.  They are such a unique and unmistakable call, but I have missed them.  I am almost certain I have seen that other major migratory species, the Dollarbird for the last three weeks, but it's been in areas I couldn't stop and confirm the sighting.     

This is the first time I have heard an Eastern koel calling in Belmont for Spring 2016.  This is nothing important, just an an anecdotal occurrence record of this migratory species for 2016.