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
Lot to learn
Kind regards, Ann
Thanks Gaynor and Ann, @ Ann, yes the Ospreys are classified as separate Eastern species and that must be what our mystery bird is as it doesn't seem to fit anything else and with the light being strong out there maybe that's why there doesn't seem as much brown eye feathering. These birds are about 12 miles down the road from him as I think they were relocated from a huge river bridge (Clarence River which was even nearer to his house) when the Pacific Highway had to upgraded and widened. He's certainly a lucky lad to see all these gorgeous species and I think I may have got him into more bird watching LOL Wait till I get out there with my camera and drag him along !! Just hope we get settled into the new place quickly and then I will have to sort out new passports, etc., Hopefully this dreaded Coronavirus won't affect travel too long term. We already got a good dose of disinfectant spray on the aircraft before we landed at Ozzie airports so goodness knows what would happen now lol
Unknown said:Hazel, Do you have a moving in date yet?
We should complete purchase on 27th March (it should have been yesterday but developer delayed due to general access/undercroft parking not being up to their expected high finish standards) but we will keep this rental on until end April whilst we get the wardrobes/carpets/window blinds, etc., fitted. Everything seems to have long lead up times when ordering ! It will give us time to get our heads around less storage and thin down our household effects once they come out of store. We had only our 5th look round (in 14 months) on Thursday as access is restricted due to H & Safety, hard hats, hi-vis required ! They have show apt. open now (appointment basis) so we saw they had finished the main entrance foyer and were suitably impressed lol Regarding Covid19, we were shopping a couple of weeks ago in local store where one of the recently released quarantine people were in store - he thinks he's a celebrity when most of us were heading for the other end of the aisle lol I guess only time will tell just how this virus pans out. Enjoy the birthday celebration.
Had to laugh just now as I notice I had written Corvid19 instead of Covid 19 LOL !!!
An amazing collection of beautiful Australian birds, Hazel. Enjoyed your wonderful photos very much. My best wishes & greetings, Mart
A few more photos taken by my brother in northern New South Wales, Australia ....... I had to take them off Instagram so smaller file size
Sacred Kingfisher
Tawny Grassbird
Pair of White-breasted Woodswallow
White-breasted Woodswallow juv
Beach Stone Curlew...Brooms Head rarely seen south of Cairns apparently...
Great Egret
White-cheeked Honeyeater
coastal Emu
Cattle Egret
close up of a Tawny frogmouth
White-bellied Sea Eagles
Spotted Harrier
White-naped Honeyeater
Spangled Drongo
Fairy-wren
Raven and Wedge-tailed Eagle
Little Grassbird
Rainbow Bee-eaters
Eastern Osprey
That's it for now but if I find any more I'll upload them here ............ sadly Covid19 has put a hold on our plans to visit Australia :(