My brother from Australia sent me through a lot more photos of the birdlife in his area of New South Wales; some are same species you have already seen from his previous photos (but different shots) and there are some new bird species we haven't seen as well. As there are a lot of pics I will download them in batches a few at a time; fortunately he has named the species for us which makes my life a lot easier lol Having seen these photos, I think a trip to Australia is now moving up the list ha ha !!
You will have seen the recent news of serious and extensive bush fires currently around Australia (particularly NSW and Victoria) which has had a serious impact not only on humans, property, habitat but also the wildlife. We were living there (but holidaying in UK) when the last devastating/fatal bush fires occurred in Victoria (Black Sunday - February 2009) which destroyed my brother's previous residence in Victoria; so I will start with a photo of his old house from 2009 (he had moved from there just over a year before this fire took place and after he moved to NSW) but knowing his old house so well it was sickening to see there was nothing left of it - except the remnants of the washing machine and the bathtub. I remember when Mike and I re-varnished the decking area for my brother which gave such superb views of the Yarra Valley beneath and there was nothing left as the fire has swept up from the valley below with such ferocity. These fires spread so quickly you have to ensure you evacuate well in time as even a car often can't outrun the speed of these fires as they are so often accompanied by strong winds :(
You can probably make out the view we used to have down to the Yarra Valley beneath...… it was even more spectacular when you stood on the decking towards the back of the property.
Now for more pleasant memories and the New South Wales birdlife:
I have to start with this enchanting little Wren that just made me smile when I saw it !! A Red-backed Fairy-wren
the always popular Kookaburra which is a member of the Kingfisher family of birds.
Dollarbird - it looks oddly out of proportion !
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Cuckoo-shrike
Eastern Rosella
Eastern Spinebill
more to come after a cuppa !! there will be eagles, ospreys, godwits and other amazing birds ……..
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Regards, Hazel
Devestating news re the old & new fires aitch as well as the loss of life, human & wild ... it's gonna take a long time to recover ... but thanks to you & your Bro for these wonderful pics!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Jim
My Pictures
My Fbook Group
Unknown said:I seem to remember your brother lives in northern NSW. Is he in danger from the latest bush fires or are they all south of him?
You remember well Tony, yes, he and his family moved up to Northern Rivers Area and are close to a coastal area; they have had warnings to be on standby/prepare to evacuate a couple of times but most of the serious fires are a little further inland. Sometimes when you see the tv news it is hard to comprehend the enormity of the fires although in our time in Australia we did see the results of bush fire and also the devastating cyclone (Larry) up in Queensland when we arrived two days after it came through. Climate change should be taken more serious by politicians and heads of state around the world; like with UK politics, Australians are also suffering !
Ok, back to the bird photos and here's the next batch …………. Australian Magpie
Australian Magpie-lark
Bar-shouldered dove
Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike
Brown Honeyeater
Fuscous Honeyeater
Double-barred Finch
Lewins Honeyeater
Figbird
Galah
Brown Quail
Olive-backed Oriole
Grey-crowned Babbler
Crested pigeon
Mistletoe bird
OK, another break …………… lots more to come including a Brahminy Kite !
Round 3 .…………….. and here's your Brahminy Kite
Australian Pelican
Brolga
Darter (not a dragonfly ! )
Little black Cormorant
Little pied Cormorant
Masked Lapwing
Intermediate Egret
and especially for Ann and all Ospreyholics !
love the fish draped over the branch lol
fish tail !!
Crested Tern
Purple Swamhen
Spotted Harrier
Square-tailed Kite
White-bellied Sea Eagle
Phone call ……………...back in a bit !!!
Lot to learn
Ok, ready for round 4 ? sorry if you are getting an overdose of Aussie birds !
Bar-tailed Godwit
more Crested Terns
Pied Oystercatcher
Rainbow bee-eater
didn't realise they had a streamer
Ruddy turnstones
Spotted Turtledove
Striated Heron
Little Wattlebird
Sacred Ibis
Rufous Whistler
Bit hidden by twigs but this is a Rose-crowned fruit dove
Welcome Swallow
Silvereye
Richards Pipit
Fairy-wren
White-faced Heron
Wedge tailed Eagle
White-cheeked Honeyeater
Pied Currawong
Tawny Frogmouth
White-breasted Wood Swallow
That's it for now but will look for any others I've missed !
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France