Monday, June 6, 2016

266) B-days in Capertee

Scarlet Robin (F)
For my birthday this year, we happily re-visited one of our favourite local birding areas, the Capertee Valley in New South Wales. Capertee was one of the first places we went to when we decided we wanted to learn Australian birds and didn't know even know what a Honeyeater was. It turns out that Capertee is one of the premier locations in Australia to find birds, because of the variety of habitats and overlapping ranges of birds at their southern and northern extents. It was seven years ago when we flew from the Gold Coast to Sydney, hopped the train to the Blue Mountains, and hired fantastic bird guide Carol Probets to show us around Capertee and patiently point out the birds we have since come to know and love. 
Spotted Pardalote (M)

Red-Rumped Parrots (M and F)

Diamond Firetail
Robins and Pardalotes are still some of our favourite birds. Both have exquisite colouring and endearing personalities. Pardalotes are no bigger than a Eucalypt leaf, but are quick and zippy and have a piercing call that belies their size. Pardalotes are fueled by lerps--found on the undersides of leaves, lerps are dots of crystallized sugar produced by larvae of psyllid bugs as a protective cover, and they look like the dots on the head and wing of this handsome Spotted Pardalote. Or as John Woinarski says, they are wearing pictures of their food!





Not all Australian parrots are dimorphic, but these beautiful Red-Rumped Parrots are--females have more subdued colouring, males more gaudy. For quick identification in the field, this is one way to positively identify this species. We happily watched these parrots and many other species come in for a drink before sunset, as we relaxed after fine day birding in the valley. We were also pleased this pond was the new home for a wandering long-necked turtle we rescued from the road. The pond is on Binalong, the property where we stayed with delightful owner April Mills. We stayed with April the first time we came to Capertee years ago, and enjoyed every minute of her joyful company. However, April is ready to move to town and needs to find a buyer to carry on her conservation goals, check out her listing: http://www.ecorealestate.com.au/2838066/



Capertee, and April's patio, was the first place Dirk spotted his favourite bird--Diamond Firetails. Dirk is particularly pleased with this picture, because the firetail is standing on an old log.  Often when we see a firetail, it is on a barbed-wire fence, which isn't particularly aesthetic.















White-winged Chough
Choughs are true characters with attitude.  When you first spot them, they could be mistaken for a bunch of ravens. But watching them for a minute, you quickly see that their behaviour is uniquely chough-like. They strut around on the ground in big extended-family gangs, watching out for each other as they forage around for things to eat. When they fly low across the ground, you see their beautiful white wings, which are hidden unless they're extended. And those red eyes... I'd love to know the "why" of eye colour in birds. 

Southern Whiteface
For some reason, we're always surprised to find Southern Whiteface birds. They're a little silly looking, but rather adorable too.  Tiny and inconspicuous, they fly under the radar most of the time, so we were happy to see these guys hanging out with a bunch of other finches.
Zebra Finch (M)















Who could not love a little Zebra Finch--they're so bright and cheerfully-coloured, with those bright orange beaks and legs, and collection of differently sized dots and spots! 
Plum-headed Finch (M)

















 I think Plum-headed Finches are one of the most elegant birds. Very dignified and photogenic, they are vastly underappreciated.























We also stopped by Lake Marshall, where we saw these stylish Great Crested Grebes. Some of them had chicks!


Great Crested Grebe (M)
And King-Parrots chowing down on something good to eat. We still marvel at finding parrots simply flying about --wondrously fabulous birds.
Australian King-Parrot (M)