Breeding Spotted turtle-doves

Spotted turtle-dove squeakers on their flimsy nest, almost ready to fledge, 13th November 2016. 

Spotted turtle-doves, Streptopelia chinensis are not known as the brightest birds in the flock.

For the last three weeks, Amanda's car has been getting covered in small twigs while parked in the carport.  We were wondering where in the heavens these sticks could possibly be blowing in from.  All was revealed when we caught a pair of Spotted turtle-doves in the act, trying to nest on top of one of the fluorescent lights in our carport.  The stupid birds kept putting twigs on top of the light, and a few moments later the twigs would blow off, landing on Amanda's car.  Instead of flying down and picking the twig up and trying again, the adults would diligently fly off, returning with another twig - for the same result.  This went on for three weeks before we couldn't stand it anymore and blocked the space on top of the light, thwarting their best efforts.

About two weeks ago we found a Spotted turtle-dove, Streptopelia chinensis nestling wandering alone in the backyard.  It was barely able to fly; clearly it had prematurely fallen from its nest.  Strangely there were no adult doves watching nearby, and we had not observed any nesting behaviour this spring in our back yard.  So I popped it in the tree near the feeding station, and went about my business.  It had disappeared fifteen minutes later.        

We have numerous adults of this feral species living in close proximity to Casa da Ayre, and they are a common sight around the back yard feeding station.  Fortunately the native Crested pigeons are still the most common species.  We are very happy to note that both species of dove breed in our backyard regularly.

On Sunday I was doing some maintenance in the backyard and found yet another Spotted turtle-dove nest, this time with two young squeakers doing their best to flatten themselves into the bottom of their shallow platform of sticks.  I took a quick photo, wished them well and went back about my business.



     

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. 

The Cuckoos have arrived

On Sunday 25th September I was sailing from Rathmines to Belmont, and heard the unmistakable, raucous shrieks of two Channel-billed cuckoos - my first observations of this enormous, migratory cuckoo for Spring 2016.  

Channel-Billed Cuckoos heard calling at Rathmines & Skye Point, Sunday 25th September 2016   

One bird was calling near the Catalina flying boat memorial, which is a propellor mounted on a pillar in a lonely area of park.  The other was calling from a mature stand of tall Eucalypts & Angophoras near the far south-western end of Skye Point.  

 

Yesterday (Wednesday 28th September 2016), I heard the equally distinctive calls of an Eastern Koel, calling a patch of remnant bush in suburban Maitland during my lunch break, 13:30 - 14:00.       

These are both common, secure species, but these are interesting records as they are both migratory species.  These were the first sightings of both species of cuckoos I have had for Spring 2016.  I have recorded both sightings with the Atlas of Living Australia.  

The seasons are definitely changing at the moment.  The days are getting noticeably warmer and it is lighter much earlier in the morning now - in fact, Daylight savings time starts this weekend.        

A Dream Realised - Port Stephens trip 2nd July 2016

Two juvenile White-bellied Sea-eagles ride the updraft from Little Island,
just offshore from Port Stephens, NSW.

I have always wanted to visit Broughton Island, just four nautical miles north of Port Stephens, NSW.  For some reason, I had never made the trip.  It is a fair bit of effort to get there, as the coastline is very rugged and there are numerous bomboras lurking barely submerged to catch the unwary.  There are minimal facilities on the island and no easy way to get there - which is just the way I like it.

Broughton Island is a locally-famous destination for mutton-birds, Green and golden bell frogs, fishing & scuba diving, and has some very strange mysteries associated with it.  Legends of Russian spies and whispers of submarines abound.  There is a miniature version of a "Tin-city" on the Island as well, and the locals are rightfully defensive and pretty secretive about the place.  The populations of king fish, snapper, teraglin, jewfish, blue groper, sea-urchins, lobsters, great white sharks and (in season) long-tailed tuna & juvenile marlin are very healthy indeed.  There are also several gutters nearby which are famous for "endangered" grey-nurse sharks.

I headed to Broughton for the first time on Saturday, 2nd July.  It was an extremely interesting experience, part of the "Canon Collective" promotional weekend.  I had the great fortune to spend the entire day with Darren Jew, who is one of Australia's greatest underwater photographers (and a thorough gentleman).  There were two other Canon Ambassadors (both very talented Pro photographers) and only three other enthusiast photographers.  What an opportunity !  It was one-on-one tuition with the very latest Canon Pro-DSLR bodies and lenses for the day. Serendipity !
     

We were originally booked for an underwater adventure, snorkelling at Broughton, but unfortunately it was called off due to weather.  All of my family and friends thought I was utterly nuts, as it is almost the middle of winter, and we've been enjoying quite a few frosts lately.  My family also reminded me several times of the sheer numbers of great whites in the area.  Thanks for the unwanted images in my brain in the wee-small hours of the night before the trip guys!

We eventually departed just before noon and fortunately conditions had abated considerably.  There was still about two metres of swell, with the very occasional three metre wave rolling through.  We headed out to do a spot of whale watching instead and had a fantastic experience.  We had very close encounters with numerous pods of humpback whales, Australian fur-seals, common dolphins and various sea birds including petrels, gannets, terns, silver gulls, black-browed albatross and a close encounter with one of my favourite birds - White bellied sea-eagles.         

Juvenile white-bellied Sea-eagle, Little Island, Port Stephens

Little Island is well-named.  It is a tiny pinnacle of rock, emerging straight out of thirty metres of water and exposed to the full force of the ocean.  We watched two juvenile Sea-eagles playing in the updraft for about 5 minutes, before they decided to give us a close inspection.  The air was filled with the sounds of motor-drives hitting over-drive as the Sea-eagles passed slowly overhead.  The 400mm zoom lenses combined with 50 Megapixel sensors gave absolutely spectacular results.  I was thrilled to bits.  Even the pros were smiling !      

Suddenly an adult female appeared from nowhere, and seemed to shepherd the juveniles away from the boat, and back towards Little Island.  We resumed our journey north, bound for Broughton.  It only lasted five minutes or so, but it was a pretty special encounter.     
     

Adult female, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Little Island Port Stephens.  

To be Continued